My Journey to the Land of Happiness: Bhutan
This past February 2026, I had the absolute privilege of traveling to a place that has been on my bucket list for a lifetime: Bhutan. Known globally as the "Land of Happiness," this deeply spiritual Himalayan kingdom has intentionally shielded itself from modern commercialism to preserve its rich heritage.
My journey unfolded over eight incredible days across Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey Valley, and Paro. When I was first invited by the gracious team of Gangchen Tours, my local guide, Dorji, sent over a description of the experience that perfectly captures the soul of this country:
““By the end of your visit, you will discover that Bhutan is more than a destination - it is a place of healing, where spirituality, culture, nature, and genuine hospitality come together to nurture the body, mind, and soul.””
They weren't exaggerating. From the high-stakes landing to the final evening under the stars, here is what it truly means to experience Bhutan.
Getting to Bhutan requires a bit of chess-like planning, which is why you need an experienced company like GrooveTrips to assist with logistics 😉I flew from JFK to Dubai, stayed overnight, and then caught a flight into Paro via Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines).
If you are an aviation geek like me, the landing is a bucket-list event. Paro is surrounded by 16,000-foot Himalayan peaks, meaning pilots have to navigate completely by sight, banking sharply between mountain ridges.
Sitting right over the wing, it looked like the wingtip was practically leveling with the mountainside! It was a thrilling, beautiful introduction to the landscape.
The moment I stepped off the plane, I was greeted by Dorji and the wonderful team from Genchen, sharp and professional in their traditional Gho (the elegant robed tunics worn by Bhutanese men). Not even 20 minutes into the drive, they pulled over by a pristine river and surprised me with a gorgeous welcome picnic complete with local wine, hot tea, and Khabzey (traditional fried snacks). It was the first of many magical roadside surprises.
Bhutan is a deeply soulful Buddhist nation and that spirituality dictates every facet of daily life. To truly understand this country, you have to immerse yourself in its practices.
Your journey begins with a traditional blessing ceremony, where monks offer prayers for your health, happiness, and safe travels. This peaceful experience sets the tone for everything to follow. Throughout the trip, you visit sacred temples and monasteries to experience meditation, prayer chanting, and the tranquility of Bhutan's spiritual heritage.
In the spectacular Gangtey Valley, I stayed in beautiful cabins overlooking the mist-covered valley and participated in chanting with the local monks at the community temple. The rhythmic resonance of their prayers was a total spiritual reset.
Traditional Medicine & Astrology
Wellness here goes beyond the surface. You have the opportunity to practice meditation with Buddhist masters and enjoy yoga and sound bath sessions in serene natural settings, helping you reconnect body and mind. You also discover Bhutan's traditional medicine through a consultation with a traditional doctor and learn about Buddhist astrology—an incredibly important part of Bhutanese life. Together, you even raise prayer flags along the ridges, symbolizing peace, compassion, and well-being for all.
In Paro, I learned the beautiful art of creating a Buddhist sand mandala - a calming practice that encourages patience, focus, and inner peace. You spend hours meticulously placing every single vibrant grain of sand into an intricate geometric masterpiece.
And the second it is finished? You take a brush and completely sweep it away. The lesson is detachment - a physical reminder to love and appreciate the beauty of the present moment without desperately trying to cling to it.
Wellness in Bhutan also comes through culture and community. To understand the "Gross National Happiness" of the citizens, you have to see how they live. We visited local farmhouses, experienced authentic village life, and enjoyed vibrant cultural performances. I even got to see people practicing Bhutan's national sport, archery!
The absolute highlight was a farm stay in Gangtey. The family welcomed me into their kitchen, where we made traditional Bhutanese dumplings Momos from scratch and harvested fresh ingredients for the most spectacular, comforting home-cooked meal around their table.
Nature is a massive source of healing in the Himalayas. We hiked through peaceful forests, explored the sweeping valleys, and enjoyed riverside picnics while observing Bhutan's rich birdlife.
However, let's talk real-talk logistics: the altitude is high. I took Diamox for the trip and deliberately spent the first couple of days strictly acclimating. I worked my way up to longer, more strenuous hikes, but I made a conscious decision to save the iconic hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery for my next trip. Perched on a cliffside over 10,000 feet up, it is a rewarding experience of reflection and inspiration - and I always believe in leaving something major behind to ensure you come back.
To cap off the entire physical journey, I took a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath. Fresh river stones are heated over an open fire until they are glowing red, then dropped into a wooden tub filled with mountain water and medicinal herbs. My tub had the most incredible, unobstructed view of the valley at night. Because Bhutan has virtually zero light pollution, the stars were blazing so clearly it felt like I was floating right inside the night sky.
Bhutan doesn't just change your itinerary; it changes your perspective. It teaches you to slow down, breathe the mountain air, and look inward. I left a piece of my heart in those mountains, and I am already counting down the days until I go back to climb to the Tiger's Nest.
With love and movement,
Jannelle Cortes
Founder, GrooveTrips