Passion and Purpose: A Bhutanese Woman’s 14-Year Journey in Tourism

Meet Chencho Lham, a seasoned Bhutanese tour guide from Paro, as she shares her 14-year journey of leading travellers through sacred valleys, embracing womanhood in tourism, and offering heartfelt insights into Bhutan’s living culture.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how long have you been a guide?

My name is Chencho Lham, and I’m from the beautiful valley of Paro, Bhutan. I’ve been working as a licensed professional tour guide for nearly 14 years. I love sharing Bhutan’s rich traditions, breathtaking landscapes, and spiritual depth with visitors from around the world. I’m currently a tour guide with Druk Asia.

I also hold a diploma in Bhutan’s 13 Traditional Arts and Crafts, with a special focus on embroidery and design. This creative background gives me a deeper understanding of Bhutanese symbolism, art, and spiritual practices, enriching my guests’ experiences with meaningful insights. I’m also trained in wellness massage and spa practices from the traditional hospital, and I’m equipped with first-aid knowledge to ensure my guests' safety during their travels.

What inspired you to become a tour guide?

My journey as a guide began with a simple love for talking to people. I enjoyed connecting with both Bhutanese and foreign visitors, and over time, that joy evolved into a passion and then a fulfilling career. I grew up surrounded by pristine nature, a vibrant living culture, and deep spirituality. I felt a strong calling to share Bhutan’s unique heritage and values with the world. Guiding is not just a job for me—it’s a calling. Every time I walk guests through our sacred valleys and ancient stories, I feel honoured to be a bridge between worlds.

What has your experience been like as a woman working in Bhutan’s tourism industry?

As a woman, I’m proud to represent the strength, grace, and capability of Bhutanese women in tourism. Many female travellers, especially solo or small groups, feel more at ease with a lady guide—it’s more comfortable, relatable, and safe. These moments of trust and openness are among the most rewarding parts of my job.

Being a female guide has its challenges, but I meet them with strength, positivity, and professionalism. With over 14 years of experience, I’ve learnt to lead confidently and create deeply personal and inspiring journeys.

How do you personalise your tours for your guests?

I tailor every tour based on my guests’ interests—whether that’s cultural storytelling, Buddhist rituals, nature walks, sacred hiking trails, or wellness retreats. I speak English and basic German, which has helped me form strong bonds with my guests. One of my most touching memories was being invited by a German couple to their country after their tour, simply because they appreciated my efforts to speak their language.

What values guide your work as a tour guide?

My core guiding values are discipline and punctuality, deep cultural and spiritual knowledge, guest safety and well-being, compassionate and guest-focused service, and a warm-hearted, intuitive approach. I’m proud to say I’ve received zero negative feedback in 14 years of guiding. I take great pride in offering heartfelt, reliable service—and in sharing Bhutan not just as a destination, but as an experience that stays in the heart.

What was it like growing up in Bhutan as a woman?

Growing up as a woman in Bhutan meant being surrounded by a culture rooted in tradition, respect, and spirituality. From a young age, we’re taught to honour our elders, support our families, and take pride in our identity—as both Bhutanese and women.

Bhutanese society gives women a strong role. We inherit family land, manage households, and often carry quiet but powerful influence within our communities. That said, there are also unspoken cultural expectations—how we should behave, speak, and dress—which reflect a more conservative side.

Over the years, education and opportunity have grown. I’m grateful to be part of a generation that began seeing more doors open, especially in tourism, the arts, and leadership. Yet, many Bhutanese women still navigate the balance between modern ambitions and traditional roles. For me, embracing both has been a source of strength. Whether guiding travellers through sacred sites or working with ancient embroidery techniques, I carry my womanhood with pride—as a bridge between the past and what’s still unfolding.

What’s your favourite Buddhist teaching or mantra?

My favourite mantra is the Green Tara mantra: “OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA.”
It’s a powerful invocation used in Tibetan Buddhism to connect with Green Tara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and swift action. This mantra is believed to offer protection from fear, remove obstacles, and help achieve enlightenment.

Each part of the mantra carries deep meaning:

• OM represents Tara’s holy body, speech, and mind.
  
  
• TARE means to liberate from the sufferings of samsara.
  
  
• TUTTARE signifies protection from the eight fears—both external and internal.
  
  
• TURE symbolises liberation from ignorance and delusion.
  
  
• SOHA means “may the meaning of the mantra take root in my mind.”
  When chanting, I visualise Green Tara’s nectar of wisdom flowing into me—offering protection, clearing obstacles, and awakening deeper awareness.
  

Which tshechu (festival) do you look forward to the most, and why?

The Paro Tshechu is the festival I look forward to the most—not just because it’s held in my hometown, but for the profound spiritual experience it offers, especially the unfurling of the Guru Thongdrel.

Thongdrel means “liberation upon seeing.” The Guru Thongdrel is a giant thangka of Guru Rinpoche revealed only once a year before sunrise on the final day of the festival. It’s believed that simply seeing it can cleanse a lifetime of negative karma.

Standing before it is deeply moving—the silence, devotion, and energy are beyond words. The entire festival is a vivid display of our culture—mask dances, blessings, and joy—but that sacred moment is what touches my soul the most.

What are some of the most memorable or funny experiences you’ve had with travellers?

“The Case of the Traveling Luggage”

One of my most memorable experiences as a guide happened when I had a group of 25 guests arriving—Mexican, Spanish, and American travelers all excited to explore Bhutan. I was at the airport arrival gate in Paro, holding my placard and ready with my warmest welcome smile. As I greeted the guests one by one, a gentleman came to me looking a bit panicked. He said his luggage had gone missing inside immigration, before the exit point. That’s a difficult situation, especially since guides aren't allowed to go past the arrival gate.

I told him not to worry and immediately reached out to airport security for help. Luckily, he mentioned that his iPad was inside the suitcase, and we could track it!

To our surprise, the luggage was already on the Paro-Thimphu highway—long gone from the airport! We kept tracking it as it moved closer to the Motithang area in Thimphu. I started thinking, which hotels are in that area? and quickly began calling a few.

One hotel receptionist said there was an unclaimed suitcase they couldn’t identify. I asked her to send me a photo of it on WhatsApp. I showed the image to my guest, and he immediately said, “That’s mine!”

Turns out, another guest from a different group had picked up the wrong suitcase—it looked exactly the same. We arranged for the hotel to send it to ours by cab, and by the time the group reached their hotel, the suitcase had arrived safely. Sometimes, as guides, we end up solving mysteries before we’ve even officially welcomed the group!

“The Black and White Guide”

One of the funniest moments I’ve had as a guide was during a hike to Tiger’s Nest. One guest was really eager to be the first visitor up there, so we decided to start early — I mean really early. We left the hotel at 5 AM, with packed cold breakfasts and headlamps in the quiet darkness of Paro.

As we climbed, the sun slowly began to rise. The trail lit up with soft morning light, and we were surrounded by nature’s stillness. Suddenly, in the middle of the hike, my guest burst into loud laughter. I was startled and asked her, “What’s so funny?”

She pointed at my feet and said, “Chencho! What’s going on with your socks?”

I looked down — and to my horror, I saw I was wearing completely unmatched socks: one black and one white. Not even the same design! I had been in such a rush that I didn’t even notice. From that moment on, she started calling me “the Black and White Guide.”

But the story didn’t end there.

When we reached the second viewpoint — the famous photo stop with the Tiger’s Nest in the background — I offered to take her picture. As I focused the camera, I noticed something odd... Her t-shirt was inside out!

We both looked at each other and burst out laughing. In the end, we were a perfect match: one with mismatched socks, the other with a reversed t-shirt. It made the whole experience unforgettable — not just for the view, but for the friendship and fun we shared on that trail.

Are there any female leaders or role models in Bhutan you admire?

Yes, absolutely. One is Aum Neten Zangmo, known as the “Iron Lady of Bhutan.” As the former Chair of the Anti-Corruption Commission, she fearlessly took on corruption when few dared to. Her integrity, humility, and courage have opened doors for future generations of women.

Another is Aum Pema Lhamo, founder of RENEW (Respect, Educate, Nurture, and Empower Women). Through this organisation, she’s supported women and children facing domestic violence, offering shelter, legal aid, and empowerment programmes. She’s been a voice for the voiceless and has helped shift societal perspectives on women’s rights and safety.

Is there a trek or hike you never get tired of doing?

Definitely the Tiger’s Nest hike! It’s the highlight of almost every tour. I usually take guests there on the second last day. I’ve done it 532 times—and each time still feels sacred. The trail, the view, the monastery—it never loses its magic. As a Buddhist, it’s a great honour for me to visit such a sacred place so often.

Guests often ask, “Is it just 5 minutes more?” I smile and explain it usually takes 2 to 3 hours to hike up and 1.5 to 2 hours down, depending on the pace.

What do you think is the biggest misconception travellers have about Bhutanese people?

A common misconception is that Bhutan doesn’t have good food options—some visitors even bring their own snacks! But Bhutanese cuisine is diverse and flavourful, with a mix of traditional and international dishes in most hotels. Much of the produce is organic and locally grown, which adds incredible freshness.

Another surprise is how well Bhutanese people speak English. It’s taught in schools and used widely in business and tourism. Many travellers are amazed to hear locals speak it fluently.

Many travelers are also amazed to see how modern technology blends with tradition in Bhutan. For example, in local markets, it surprises them to see Bhutanese people making digital payments with their phones — a small sign of how Bhutan embraces useful modern tools while holding onto its values.

Which Bhutanese values do you think the world can learn from?

From my perspective, the world can learn a great deal from Bhutan’s tourism policy, which centres around a “High Value, Low Volume” approach. This model places strong emphasis on sustainability and the preservation of our cultural heritage and natural environment. It aims to attract thoughtful, discerning travellers who truly appreciate Bhutan’s unique traditions and pristine landscapes, while also safeguarding the long-term health of our ecosystems and local communities.

Some other Bhutanese values that I appreciate are:
– True happiness comes from needing less and finding joy in life’s simple moments.
– Living in harmony with the environment ensures well-being for both people and the planet.
– Mindfulness and self-reflection help us focus on what truly matters in life.

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This interview is part of the Passion and Purpose series where we shine a spotlight on the extraordinary individuals shaping Bhutan’s industries and communities across the different industries. Each feature explores the unique journeys, challenges, and achievements of Bhutanese professionals across diverse fields—tourism, arts, entrepreneurship, and more. Through heartfelt stories, we uncover what fuels their dedication and how they contribute to preserving Bhutan’s heritage, sustainability, and Gross National Happiness ethos.