Our journey starts in Kathmandu, Nepal where we take a well-deserved night’s rest after our long plane flight. Here we begin to get know each other and are briefed on health, safety, and cultural guidelines before entering Bhutan. In the morning, feeling a bit more rested, we board our final flight to Paro International Airport. Moving to the capital of Thimpu, the most bustling population center in what remains a largely rural and sparsely populated landscape, 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. We have the opportunity to meet with the head of a local school and learn about how the four pillars of wellbeing are weaved into the curriculum. These first days are also a space for our in-country student orientation to help us make the most of our travels together.

Leaving the capital region, 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. Here we have the opportunity to interview Buddhist monks to learn more about their daily life and practices, as well as partake in a cooking lesson on a community farm.

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 back to the town of Paro, we’ll hike to the most photographed monastery in the Himalayas: Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, one of the most iconic landmarks in Bhutan, located on a cliff overlooking the Paro Valley. Bidding farewell to this enchanted and complex Himalayan kingdom, we take a morning flight back to Nepal where we spend our final day and night reflecting on our experiences in Bhutan, our relationship to our natural and human communities, and how shifting notions of happiness can influence our lives back home. After a final group meal and a good night’s rest, we board our return flight back home.