High in the Himalayas perches one of the planet’s last unspoiled spots – a small nation intent on doing things differently.
Instead of prioritizing economic growth at the expense of all else, it 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.
Discover Bhutan’s rich history and 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.
Experience the iconic Black-Necked Crane Festival
We’ve timed this trip to coincide with one of Bhutan’s most iconic celebrations – the festival of the black-necked crane.
The beautiful black-necked crane is considered a symbol of longevity in Bhutan. The festival is one of the most important events in each year’s calendar, performed to usher in prosperity for the year to come. Masked dances are performed by monks. The Bhutanese wear their finest fabrics, allowing you to see their intricate textiles in full grandeur.
With warm Buddhist hospitality, we’ll be welcomed into this festival. Buddhists believe that the participation of guests multiplies the positive energy of the festival, and their culture also strongly values treating others with kindness and goodwill. Because of these values, they strongly encourage outsiders to join the festival, and we’ll have the incredible opportunity to be invited into it with open arms.
Bask in unspoiled nature
Bhutan has an incredible culture, but that’s not all this country has to offer. Because of the country’s commitment to maintaining the environment and honoring life in all forms, Bhutan also offers the opportunity to experience the nature of the Himalayas in all its glory.
Because of its favorable climate and wide variety of ecosystems, Bhutan is home to over 700 bird species, including some of the most exotic and rare species in the world. It’s also home to over 200 species of mammals – snow leopards, rhinoceros, red pandas, elephants, golden langur (a beautiful long-haired monkey), and tigers roam these lands.
We’ll spend time exploring Bhutan’s variety of landscapes, from virgin forests to open fields to a unique high-elevation wetland, discovering its rich natural heritage and iconic wildlife. We’ll take a few longer walks in nature, so we can breathe in the clean Himalayan air and fully immerse ourselves in these unique locations.
Practice yoga and meditation with traditional instructors
Of course, this is a Yoga and Art Adventure – so both of those will be a part of our daily rhythm in Bhutan.
We’ll have the amazing opportunity to practice yoga and meditation with Buddhist monks. This incredibly unique experience will allow us to learn about local traditions, gaining a new perspective on these practices and what they can do for our own well-being and also the world around us.
We’ll also take the opportunity to practice in some of the incredible locations we find ourselves in, such as beneath one of the world’s largest statues of Buddha and in a mountain pass in the Himalayas. This will help us to soak in the energy of our surroundings, allowing the beauty around us to permeate us fully.
We’ll express our creativity through art in beautiful locations as well, capturing the transcendence we feel in our own ways. We’ll each be creating a thoughtfully designed and unique art project throughout the trip, giving us something to bring home as a reminder of our incredible experiences.
Nicole and I look forward to welcoming you to Bhutan. If you have any questions or if you’re ready to save your spot, please use the form below to get in touch with me. (Or feel free to reach out by email or text if you have my contact info!)
To allow us to offer a truly personalized experience for each traveler, we can only bring a small group with us to Bhutan. Currently, only five spots remain in this adventure. If you’d like to be among the few travelers who have experienced this unique jewel of the Himalayas, please get in touch to reserve your spot!
The investment for this adventure is $5150 for a spot in a room shared with one other traveler. If you prefer a private room, the single supplement is an additional $700.
This investment is all-inclusive. It covers all meals, accommodations, ground transportation, group activities (including entrance fees), tips for guides and hosts along the way, and the governmental visa fee (which is relatively expensive, to ensure that the local population benefits from tourism) – everything essential during your time in Bhutan.
It does NOT include your international flights, a tip for the main guide (traditionally given at the end of the trip), alcoholic beverages, and any extras you may wish to purchase (such as souvenirs or traditional medicine treatments).
A $700 deposit will hold your spot. Please use the form below to get in touch with me if you’re interested in joining us on this unique adventure.