The Kingdom of Happiness: Discover Bhutan with Jodie and &BEYOND
“Bhutan is a very special place, one I would return to in a heartbeat. My time with &BEYOND showed me it’s more than a destination, it’s a transformative experience, where the true treasures are mindfulness, connection, and happiness.”
Jodie Gent
High in the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is a land like no other. From the moment you arrive, it pulses with contrasts: ancient yet forward-looking, serene yet alive. The world’s only carbon-negative nation, Bhutan is constitutionally bound to protect 70% of its forests. Tourism, only opened in 1974, follows a high-value, low-volume philosophy safeguarding culture and environment. Its capital, Thimphu, famously runs without traffic lights, with policemen guiding cars through graceful hand gestures. Here, wealth is measured not in money but in Gross National Happiness, guided by four pillars: sustainable development, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and good governance.
For Y Travel’s Agency Manager Jodie, Bhutan had long been a dream. When she travelled with experiential operator &BEYOND, whose slow-travel philosophy mirrors Y Travel’s own ‘considered luxury’ ethos, she discovered a destination that surpassed every expectation and perfectly reflects our Y Factors: Adventure, Culture & Community, Nature & Sustainability, Wellbeing, and The Unexpected.
"Bhutan is one of those rare places, truly a land of hidden treasures," Jodie reflects on her nine-day journey through Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha and Paro. "The magic of the kingdom reveals itself in ancient monasteries clinging to cliffs, and prayer flags glittering like jewels against snow-dusted peaks." Even the arrival was extraordinary, with majestic Himalayan views including Mt Everest, fortress-like monasteries, and lush green valleys unfolding below as the plane descended into Paro, the nation's only international airport. After a short drive to the outskirts of Thimphu, Jodie’s stay at The Postcard Dewa offered a gentle introduction to Bhutanese hospitality.
The next day, Jodie travelled east to Phobjikha, where Gangtey Lodge nestles effortlessly within the valley’s dramatic landscape. Over two nights, she took in the valley’s sweeping views, home to endangered black-necked cranes migrating from Tibet in late October to early November. "The untouched beauty of Bhutan connected us with nature, while the lodge honoured architectural traditions spanning centuries," she recalls. Days here were spent wandering past farmhouses and villages, watching monks debate, joining evening prayers, and finding quiet moments for reflection.
As the journey continued on to Punakha, Jodie was drawn to both the awe-inspiring views of the great Himalayan mountain range as well as the location’s riverside tranquillity. At &BEYOND Punakha River Lodge luxurious tented suites nestled among the trees invite guests closer to nature, lulled by the steady murmur of the Mo Chhu River. Life at Punakha moves to a different rhythm, with experiences ranging from sunrise yoga, to mountain biking through local villages, Bhutanese cooking classes learning to make momo (filled steam dumplings), incredible spa treatments such as traditional hot stone baths, and evenings dining beneath a canopy of stars. "It was the little touches, from sundowners by the river to coffee quietly delivered through your suite's hatch at dawn, that made the stay here so special."
Spiritual encounters lay at the heart of Jodie’s Bhutanese experience, reflecting the country’s deep commitment to wellbeing, mindfulness, and Buddhist beliefs, as she took part in butter lamp ceremonies, prayer wheel blessings, and hanging of prayer flags – symbols of happiness, prosperity, and karmic merit. At the Shanchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, where the nuns admired her long hair, the tying of a blessed protection cord around her wrist became a meaningful keepsake of the journey. "It connects me to the sacred energy of that holy place, carrying the nuns’ blessings for my pilgrimage to Tiger’s Nest."
The iconic Taktshang Pelphug, or Tiger's Nest, seemed to float between heaven and earth, impossibly perched 900 metres above the valley on a sheer cliff face, its golden roofs glinting against the rock. Legend tells of Guru Rinpoche, the Precious Teacher, who arrived here on the back of a flying tigress in 746 AD. "The four-hour trek through pine forests, with prayer flags whispering in the wind and glimpses of the monastery far above, was both challenging and utterly rewarding. Reaching it felt like stepping into a living legend."
Throughout Jodie’s ‘Best of Bhutan’ itinerary, &BEYOND elevated each day with thoughtful surprises: sunrise breakfasts overlooking Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, riverside sundowners, and starlit dinners. Farm-to-table meals celebrated Bhutan’s seasons, with fresh produce from in-lodge gardens and local farmers markets reflecting the self-sufficiency that sustains Bhutanese life.
Above all, it was the Bhutanese people who left the deepest impression. "They have this natural warmth, playfulness and openness. Kindness is at the heart of everything, and they hold their culture with such pride." Jodie notes. Whether it was monks animatedly debating, skilled artisans creating intricate sand mandalas, or villagers laughing together at the archery range, their warmth and joy were unforgettable.
For travellers seeking adventure, culture, and spirituality, Bhutan offers something increasingly rare: the chance to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with something deeper. Jodie’s final two nights at COMO Uma Paro provided a serene conclusion, giving her time to reflect on all that she had experienced. “It truly is the Kingdom of Happiness, and I adored everything about it!”