Instead of prioritizing economic growth at the expense of all else, Bhutan measures its own success by Gross National Happiness – the overall quality of life for everyone in the country. It’s the world’s first carbon-negative nation, with over 70% of its surface area covered in forests and most of its energy coming from renewable sources. Its inhabitants continue to live according to their ancient traditions, practicing Vajrayana Buddhism (also known as Tibetan Buddhism) in the intricate temples sculpted by their ancestors.

This is Bhutan, the beautiful and intriguing Kingdom in the Sky, which few foreigners have visited.

This fall, a small group of adventurers will journey together to this incredible country. You’re invited to join us to discover Bhutan’s secrets and experience its legendary hospitality.

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Discover Bhutan’s History & Traditions

Bhutan has a long and rich history. To the Bhutanese people, it’s essential to carry their traditions forward, and they still follow many of the ways of their ancestors.

This includes preserving their architecture and art, in a style which has endured for centuries. We’ll be immersed in a land of fluttering prayer flags, colorful farmhouses amidst terraced fields, and impressive monasteries clinging to impossible cliffs.

We’ll get the chance to visit some of the best of Bhutan’s sites, including:

• Paro Taktsang, the iconic “Tiger’s Nest” monastery clinging to the side of a cliff high in the Himalayas

• Chimmi Lhakhang, a unique monastery dedicated to fertility, which is uniquely and surprisingly decorated with phallus symbols 

• The 108 stupas (Buddhist monuments) of Dochu-la pass, one of the awe-inspiring high passes through the Himalayas

• Punakha Dzong and Thimphu Dzong, the heavily decorated fortress monasteries that are characteristic of Bhutan’s landscape

• Lamperi, the first national botanical garden, which is filled with several species of native rhododendron

• A traditional paper factory, where beautiful paper is still made according to the ancient ways

• The National Library, showcasing the world’s biggest book

Along the way, we’ll see the beautiful villages and religious sites that characterize this kingdom, along with the spectacular Himalayas that provide the awe-inspiring backdrop to it all.

Our Bhutanese hosts want to share every aspect of their culture with us. We’ll be warmly welcomed into intimate experiences with locals, allowing us to more fully understand this beautiful kingdom and its people. We’ll get the chance to: 

• Visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine to learn about – and experience – traditional healing 

• Meet an astrologer and learn about how astrology is woven into the lives of Bhutanese people

• Have dinner at a local Bhutanese home in Thimpu, where we can have a lively and open conversation about life in Bhutan

• Experience a local homestay in a farming village in Haa Valley, to learn about rural Bhutanese life

• Soak in a traditional stone bath

• Visit farmer’s markets to learn about daily Bhutanese life

• Spend time in Buddhist monasteries and nunneries, learning more about their practices and even practicing yoga, meditation, and chanting alongside the monks and nuns

Bhutan strictly limits the number of foreigners who visit, to prevent destroying their culture and environment with overtourism. This has helped to preserve their authentic traditions. When we visit, we won’t be seeing a packaged and sanitized version of Bhutan, created just for our consumption. Instead, we’ll get the privilege of discovering a unique Himalayan culture.