Bhutan: Where Every Journey Honors the Earth

Tucked between China and India in the heart of the Himalayas, this tiny kingdom of less than one million people is unlike anywhere I have ever been. It is carbon negative. It is 70% forested. It is deeply, intentionally, and unapologetically itself. And right now, before a new mindfulness city on the horizon begins to shift the energy, is the absolute best time to go.

I traveled with andBeyond and I cannot say enough about them as a partner. The guides were exceptional, the team was on top of every detail, and they handled the little things in a way that tells you everything about a company. That is the kind of operation you want behind a destination like this. Conservation is baked into everything And Beyond does. In Punakha, they have given the surrounding community land to farm and then purchase the goods from them for the lodge. They hire locally. It is the right way to travel.

Getting there

You fly into Paro—the only international airport in Bhutan—and the approach alone will take your breath away. The runway sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, and the landing is one you will not forget.

Routing matters here. From the East Coast, Delhi is your best connection at about 2.5 hours. From the West Coast, look at Bangkok (3.5 hours) or Singapore (5 hours). Dubai is also a strong hub at about 6.5 hours. Flights connect through Kathmandu, Dubai, Delhi, and Bangkok.

Why Bhutan? Let me count the ways

Bhutan operates on a “high value, low volume” tourism model, and that is not marketing speak—it is a genuine philosophy. There is a sustainable development fee paid by tourists that goes directly toward free healthcare, free education, cultural preservation, and infrastructure for the Bhutanese people. When you travel here, the entire community benefits from your visit. How many destinations can honestly say that?

The Bhutanese core values are Happy, Clean, Green, Safe—and you feel every single one of them the moment you arrive. The people are kind, soft-spoken, and genuinely proud of their country and their culture. All Bhutanese wear traditional formal dress—a Gho for men, a Kira for women—when at work, and it creates this incredible feeling of stepping into a different time while also being entirely in the present.

What makes Bhutan special is not just the beauty. It is the way of life that is uniquely Bhutanese. Lives here are intertwined with nature and mysticism in a way that feels ancient and completely authentic.

A suggested journey

Thimphu: 1–2 nights

Your first stop is the capital. I would recommend just one night here unless you want more time to explore. The city is fine but the shopping area, honestly, is a lot of the same trinkets and it felt less authentic than the rest of the country

Hotel-wise, if you want to be walkable to the city center, look at the Taj or the Oberoi. If budget allows and you don’t mind being further out, the Aman and Six Senses are both spectacular

While in Thimphu, do not miss the Buddha Dordenma (one of the largest sitting Buddha statues in the world, filled with over 125,000 smaller Buddhas) and the Royal Textile Academy, where you will learn about the incredible role weaving plays in Bhutanese culture.

Punakha: 2–3 nights

This is where Bhutan really opens up for me. On the way, stop at Dochula Pass to see the 108 stupas built to honor Bhutanese soldiers who died in a 2003 military operation. On a clear day, the views of the Himalayan mountains framing those stupas are absolutely breathtaking.

Check into the Punakha River Lodge—serenity, luxury, and authenticity all in one place. Do not leave without spending time in their spa and specifically their stone bath. It is a must. Of course there is the Aman and the Six Senses here as well, but I am in love with the Punakha River Lodge right on the river.

In and around Punakha, there is so much to experience. The Punakha Dzong is a beautiful fortress. Chimi Lhakhang is a fertility temple where you can go to be blessed—whether for fertility or simply for enlightenment. The Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery offers blessings for personal empowerment and wish fulfillment. You can hike across suspension bridges and place prayer flags to blow in the wind, and spin prayer wheels (always clockwise!). And if you can arrange a visit to a local village to learn how Ara—the traditional rice wine—is made and share a glass with your host, do it. That moment is what travel is all about.

Paro: 2–3 nights

Home of Tiger’s Nest, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world, and one of the most extraordinary hikes I have done anywhere.

I stayed at the Amankora Paro. Truly serenity both before and after my Tiger’s Nest Hike. The rooms are elevated, large, and luxurious. The staff, as with all the Bhutanese I met, were kind and engaged. My favorite part was each evening a different craftsperson was in the sitting area waiting to work with us.... We had the opportunity to participate in calligraphy and the making of our prayer flags.

Now, the hike. Set your alarm early and be at the trailhead by 6:30 a.m. I cannot stress this enough. We were the first ones up to the temple and had it to ourselves, which was just magical. By the time we came down, the crowds were arriving. The hike is hard and the elevation is real—pace yourself slowly and wear layers. It is cold at the top.

For those who cannot make the full climb, there is a teahouse about halfway up with gorgeous views of the Tiger’s Nest itself. You will still have earned something special. Ponies are also available for those who want to reach the summit another way.

What kind of traveler is Bhutan for?

This is a trip for the culturally curious. The adventurous. The conscious traveler. The person who wants to come home different than when they left.

This is for those who love hiking and outdoor activities, every valley here is designed for it—hiking, mountain biking, and in the right season, class 3–4 river rafting. If you are drawn to Buddhism and spiritual experiences, you will visit temple after temple and leave with a full heart. If you simply want to be somewhere that feels untouched, authentic, and deeply peaceful—this is it.

It is not a beach vacation. It is not a city trip. It is an immersion.

Things to note

Travel shoulder season. Less expensive, less crowded, and honestly just as beautiful. Unless you are set on attending one of Bhutan’s incredible festivals, shoulder season is the sweet spot.

Before you go, read about the Divine Madman and his flaming thunderbolt. I promise you this will make complete sense once you arrive and will help you appreciate one of the most fascinating cultural juxtapositions I have ever encountered—a deeply conservative, spiritual country that reveres the phallic symbol as a protector of the people.

Also consider adding the Gangtey Valley for serious hikers—at 10,000 feet with at least three nights, it is extraordinary. You can even attend a night ceremony at the temple there.

The bottom line

Bhutan leaves you with something I struggle to put into words. There are places you visit and places that visit you. The serenity of the people, the beauty of the land, the depth of the culture—it all adds up to something rare. I left with a love for the Bhutanese people that I did not expect. Kind, funny, good-hearted people who are proud of exactly who they are.

Go. Go before the new city development brings more ease of access and the energy begins to shift. Go while it still feels like a different time. I promise you will come home a little different.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Bhutan page.