Recreational Holidays

Gay Vacations: Sites In Bhutan

The nation of Bhutan is a tiny Buddhist kingdom tucked into the remote Himalayas between India and Tibet. Here, visitors will discover a rich way of life that has only recently begun to be exposed to modern mindsets and Western culture. This devoutly Buddhist country is home to a distinct culture that is based on age-old Buddhist beliefs and practices and maintains a solid footing in tradition. The government of Bhutan monitors tourism closely as national leaders work hard to protect the cultural heritage and pristine natural beauty of Bhutan, balanced with allowing the adoption of modern technologies and conveniences to enhance the lives of the Bhutanese people.

Although Bhutan is a conservative, traditional country in most ways, folks on gay tours are welcomed by the warm Bhutanese people and the tariffs paid by visitors on both straight and gay vacations are used to improve life in Bhutan through education, public services and economic growth and stability. Because tourism is limited, travelers who have the opportunity to explore this mystical Buddhist kingdom should take advantage of the chance to experience the rich Bhutanese culture to its fullest.

Bhutan has no LGBT scene to speak of; therefore, a gay vacation planned to this magnificent mountain kingdom would certainly not be planned with the intent of experiencing a distinct LGBT community or visiting LGBT establishments. Of course, this is not to say that same-gender behaviors and relationships do not occur. These activities are actually common and accepted and there is a significant amount of bisexual sexual behavior practiced among Bhutanese men.

There is a noted level of bisexual behavior among men, most of who are either married to women or monastic monks, and this is not considered taboo. There is technically a very old law on the books in Bhutan that states that homosexual activity is punishable by imprisonment with the possibility of a life sentence; however, most residents are not even aware of this law and there are no records of it ever being enforced.

Gay vacation packages to Bhutan allows an opportunity to experience a culture that is largely untouched by the outside world and is the ideal setting for a spiritual journey or renewal. From hiking to visiting monasteries and exploring ancient villages, Bhutan gay vacations are unlike anything you will experience anywhere else in the world.

To fully enjoy all that Bhutan offers, it is recommended that you plan your gay tour to Bhutan very well. This will help to ensure that you are given the opportunity to discover the beauty and spirituality of this magnificent country, while respecting Bhutan’s natural and cultural richness.

A gay tour in Bhutan by writer Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys makes available wonderful gay tours in 2010.