WHO ARE WE ?
Carolyn and Ally established The Bhutan Collective with the desire to share all that Bhutan has to offer as a country and through our long-term partnerships with the local community, we take you beyond a standard travel itinerary. Our goal is for guests to be immersed in all aspects of life and nature in Bhutan and learn directly from the locals, what makes Bhutan unique and life changing for so many visitors. We have a global team of passionate travellers and local Bhutanese experts, who all share the same purpose, to give our guests the most memorable experience imaginable. We take into consideration individual and group interests and desires with our bespoke itineraries as well as offering trusted, curated journeys for those who prefer us to put the program together.
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The Bhutan Collective is based at Giku-Na ("On the Corner") in the capital Thimphu, Bhutan. This traditional Bhutanese building has been lovingly renovated by owners Carolyn and Kinzang, restoring all the original stone, glass and wood. It has its own cafe opening to a lovely garden and a yoga studio on the first floor commanding beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. This is a community space dedicated to supporting Bhutan's artists, creatives and young entrepreneurs and is a base for all our guests, which you will share with locals. Carolyn and her Bhutanese husband Kinzang (entrepreneur, Phd in AI, Company Director) are your hosts and will warmly welcome you into their home, lives and their Bhutanese community.
OUR CO-FOUNDERS
BHUTAN
CO-FOUNDER
Carolyn HAMER-SMITH
Carolyn has a background in international aid and development having worked across the Himalaya region for many years with the Australian Himalayan Foundation and the UN. Carolyn first travelled to Bhutan in 2001and it made such an indelible impression, that she promised to make her way back somehow. And she did, returning five years later to work for the UN World Food Program and then meeting her husband Kinzang. They eventually moved back to Australia when Carolyn took up the role of CEO of the Australian Himalayan Foundation managing international development projects across the Himalaya. During this time she maintained a close connection to Bhutan, working with Her Majesty, Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck as an International Ambassador to Her Majesty’s NGO RENEW, dedicated to the development of women and girls and leading travel groups from Australia across Bhutan. Eventually Kinzang and Carolyn returned in 2019, this time making their home amongst the clouds a permanent one and sharing her love for Bhutan and her life on top of the world with guests.
Her favourite things about Bhutan: The changing colours of the mountain landscapes, snow at Christmas time, Bhutan's exquisite textiles and helping empower women and girls of the Himalaya.
CO-FOUNDER
Allison "Ally" O'SHEA
Ally has had a corporate career of 25+ years spanning health, sport, law, technology, insurance and finance. She worked with Carolyn in Australia on a number of entrepreneurial and not-for-profit projects throughout the early 2000’s and continues to do so. Carolyn and Ally have a shared passion for the advancement of women and girls; understanding the key elements for health and wellbeing in life and work; and introducing the values and philosophy of GNH through its founders and experts in Bhutan.
Her favourite things about Bhutan: the unexpected moments of joy outside travel itineraries which she has come to expect on every journey but can never predict what they will be.
AUSTRALIA
OUR WIDER TEAM
MANAGEMENT
AMY HORROCKS
Amy has worked internationally in both the non-profit and corporate sectors with global operational, financial leadership skills and has a particular interest in bringing a new way of being and thinking into workspaces. Amy has worked with the Co-Founders of the Bhutan Collective on a number of international projects and she is welcomed as an essential part of the global team due to her knowledge and passion for the Himalayan region.
USA
DESIGN & BRANDING
AURIANE WRIGHT
Auriane is our Gen Z Brand, Marketing and Design expert, as well as a lifelong traveller, having grown up with a passion for adventure through her parent's international careers. She has studied across the world obtaining a Masters in Management (CEMS – Lisbon, Milan, Sydney) and fashion studies.
EUROPE
TREKKING & PHOTOGRAPHY
HEATHER MCNEICE
Heather spent many years working as a lawyer in London and Australia but first and foremost she is an avid traveller of the seven continents. She has led multiple groups on trekking adventures high into the Himalayan mountains of Bhutan, is the author of “Yak on Track” (a story about losing yourself but not losing your way) and a published award winning photographer. Many of Heather's photos appear on this website.
AUSTRALIA
WELLNESS TEACHERS
AOIFE KENNY
A qualified medical doctor, public health expert, yoga teacher and Ayurveda enthusiast, Aoife is passionate abour exploring traditional medicine practices and holistic health along with many other wellness projects as part of life in Bhutan.
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BHUTAN
YANGCHEN LHAMA
Yangchen Lhamo has a degree in Business Administration & Marketing and has been devoted to her yoga practice since training to become a professional teacher in 2020 and completing her Yoga Teaching Training Courses in India. ​Her passion in life is creating and improving the well-being of all sentinent beings, animals and people.
BHUTAN
OUR PARTNERS
TRAVEL
Aja Tours
BHUTAN
Aja Tours is championed by Colonel Kado, former chief bodyguard and ADC to the 4th King of Bhutan and Kinzang's father. Colonel Kado Tshering, is a retired officer of The Bhutan Royal Body Guards and during his professional life, had the extraordinary honor of serving as Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan and their Majesties the Queens. With over 40 years of experience as ADC to the Royal family, he has had the remarkable opportunity to explore every corner of the country, forming deep connections with the local people. Traveling the country in this way, has meant Col. Kado was granted unique access to many special places, places that he now takes great joy in sharing with guests - making magical things happen in the way only Colonel Kado can.
ORGANISATIONAL
GNH Centre Bhutan
Is a non-profit civil society organisation that pursues the vision and philosophy of Gross National Happiness as introduced by His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuk in the early 1970’s. It promotes the concept of GNH values nationally and internationally offering sustainable solutions for people and planet.
GNH Centre Australia
The Bhutan Collective were the original co-founders of the GNH Centre Australia and remain involved on an Advisory basis to support its growth and development in Australia. It was launched in 2022 as a key Partner with GNH Centre Bhutan with the purpose of building a community of people passionate about Bhutan and the educational development of Gross National Happiness and its philosophies. The GNH Centre Australia is thriving under the guidance of our friends at Small Giants and a team of passionate travellers to Bhutan.
BUSINESS
Institute of Happiness
BHUTAN
The Institute of Happiness (IOH) was founded by Dasho Kinga Tshering a Harvard Kennedy Business School Graduate who started his working life as an engineer then transitioned to Finance and Banking before jumping into Politics. He recently led a political party and ran for Prime Minister of Bhutan. He founded the Institute of Happiness in Bhutan that seeks to educate people on GNH and how it applies to business and life as well as conducting research through evidence based think tanks collaborating globally. Kinga hosts annual Harvard Alumni trips to Bhutan and many more educational programs for leaders.
Trevor-Roberts
AUSTRALIA
Edwin Trevor-Roberts is a regular traveller to Bhutan primarily facilitating workshops with NFP’s through his deep experience in leadership and the meaning of work, particularly the alignment between our careers and our personal lives. He is a Co-Founder of the GNH Centre Australia and has a deep knowledge of the Himalaya region recently being appointed to the Board of the Australian Himalayan Foundation alongside his Academia Professorial and Business Chair roles.
