The 1616 Story
A journey that began in 1616
A year that shaped Bhutan
In 1616, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal arrived in Bhutan. His arrival began an important period in the country's history and had a lasting influence on Bhutan's religion, government and architecture.
Much of what we recognise as traditional Bhutan today can be traced back to this period.
The dzongs
The dzongs built during this time served several purposes. They were places of worship, centres of administration and strongholds for the communities around them.
Many of them are still part of everyday life today. Monks continue to live and study there, government offices operate from them, and people gather there during festivals and religious events.
So when you visit a dzong, you are not simply looking at an old building. It is still being used and remains part of life in Bhutan.
A living tradition
The story of 1616 is not only about dzongs or history.
You can still see its influence in Bhutan's tshechus, archery, traditional weaving, food and many of the customs that are part of everyday life.
These traditions are not kept only for visitors. They are still practised by people across the country.
Why we chose 1616
We chose 1616 as our name because it represents an important part of Bhutan's story.
When we take people around Bhutan, we want them to see more than the main sights. We want them to understand a little about the places they visit, meet people, experience local traditions and have time to enjoy the country at their own pace.
For us, travelling in Bhutan is about seeing the country as it is today, while understanding the history that helped shape it.
The story of 1616 is part of Bhutan's past, but its influence can still be seen today.