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 lies a land like no other, Bhutan. From the moment of arrival, the country feels alive with contrasts: ancient yet progressive, serene yet vibrant. As the world’s only carbon-negative nation, Bhutan is constitutionally bound to safeguard 70% forest cover. Tourism only commenced in 1974, shaped by a high-value, low-volume philosophy that protects both culture and environment. Its capital, Thimphu, famously functions without traffic lights, with policemen directing cars through graceful hand gestures. Rather than measuring wealth, Bhutan measures 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 the opportunity came to travel with experiential tour operator &BEYOND, whose slow-travel philosophy mirrors Y Travel’s own ‘considered luxury’ ethos, Jodie discovered a destination that exceeded every expectation, and embodies our Y Factors of Adventure, Culture & Community, Nature & Sustainability, Wellbeing, and The Unexpected.
"Bhutan is one of those rare places, it really is the 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 following day, a five-hour drive east of Thimphu delivered Jodie to Phobjikha, where Gangtey Lodge sits in perfect harmony with its surroundings. For two nights she gazed across the vast valley where endangered black-necked cranes migrate from Tibet in late October to early November. "The untouched beauty of Bhutan connected us with nature, while the lodge honoured architectural traditions that span centuries," she recalls. The days here were spent wandering through nature, past farmhouses and tiny villages, observing monks in spirited debate, joining evening prayers, and finding stillness in meditation.
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 are designed to bring 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, revealing the country’s deep commitment to wellbeing, mindfulness and Buddhist beliefs, as she immersed herself in butter lamp lighting ceremonies, prayer wheel blessings, and the hanging of prayer flags - symbols of happiness, prosperity, and karmic merit. At the Shanchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, where the nuns marvelled at her long hair, the tying of a blessed protection cord around her wrist became a meaningful and treasured 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 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, artisans painting intricate 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!”