Our journey starts in the capital of Thimpu, the most bustling population center in what remains a largely rural and sparsely populated landscape. Here we visit sacred Buddhist monuments containing over 125,000 relics, stroll through farmer’s markets trading traditional crafts and produce, and meet with local experts in conservation, religion, and politics. Thimpu is a vibrant homebase for our first days in Bhutan as it serves as the cultural and political center of the kingdom.

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We traverse mountain passes to Punakha, marveling at the way the roads gracefully wind around the peaks instead of cutting through them. This practice stems from the Bhutanese belief that the natural landscapes are inhabited by spirits who should remain undisturbed by human interference. During our visit, we explore sacred meditation caves along the Dochula Pass and participate in a community project dedicated to planting young tree saplings on the mountainside. We'll embark on a hike to a mountain monastery, including a crossing of Bhutan's longest suspension bridge along the way.

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We embark on a series of short day treks to Buddhist monasteries where we have the opportunity to sit in meditation alongside the local monks and nuns. Transferring to the town of Paro, we’ll hike to the most photographed monasteries in the Himalayas: Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, one of the most iconic landmarks in Bhutan, located on a cliff overlooking the Paro Valley. Our time ends with a group retreat outside of Thimpu to reflect on our many experiences over our short but rich time traveling through this enchanted and complex Himalayan kingdom. We return home with a more expansive understanding of our own relationships to happiness and our human and natural communities.

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