5 Reasons To Travel To Bhutan With Wonder Voyage

When the Wonder Voyage Boundless Expeditions (BE) team decided to travel to Bhutan in 2023, we knew it would become a must-see pilgrimage destination for future teams. Between the Punakha Fort, the Himalayan Foothills, and the history of the land, it should be added to every traveler’s bucket list.

There are five reasons to take your team on a pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Bhutan with Wonder Voyage. Ready to dive in?

1. Travel to Bhutan for a real-world lesson in government and economics.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is full of fascinating history. For example:

• Although Bhutan became a constitutional democracy in 2008, it is a monarchy in practice.
• The large island is surrounded by mountains, but it is one of only a few countries with no access to a large body of water.
• Where most countries measure their success in money, Bhutan focuses on Gross National Happiness (GNH). You can find this goal of happiness weaved into their culture through things like environmental conservation and caring for their rich traditions.
• Though Bhutan is the size of Switzerland, it has no fast food restaurants, limited cell service, and a population under 800,000!

Really… you have to see this for yourself.

2. Spiritual sites to see when you travel to Bhutan

A Wonder Voyage to Bhutan is packed with the spiritual sites that are at the core of the country. While every itinerary is customized to the team, pilgrims often see the following:

• The Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang): From Satsam Chorten, the trail climbs through a beautiful pine forest crowned with Spanish moss, where Paro Taktsang awaits. This beautiful monastery dangles on the edge of a rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Here, you discover the legend of Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who arrived on the back of a flying tiger to bring Buddhism to Bhutan.
• The Burning Lake is a sacred site for Buddhists. Membertsho Lake is where Terton Pemalingpa–the reincarnation of Guru Padmasambhav–discovered religious treasure in the 12th century.
• Phobjikha/Gangtey invites teams to visit the Gangtey Gompa Monastery. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, founded the Temple in 1613. Later, the second reincarnation, Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, built the Temple.  

3. Travel to the Kingdom of Bhutan to immerse in nature.

A Wonder Voyage to Bhutan includes immersing your team in nature. There are often two days of hiking during your stay. The first day takes 5-6 hours of easy walking as the team follows the Chamkhar Chu River before enjoying a catered dinner. The second day holds a short but strenuous climb over the pass before arriving at Ugyenchholing Village. 

In addition, your team can travel to Thimphu for a morning rafting ride before visiting the Tashichho Dzong. This Dzong is the seat of the national government and the summer residence of Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan).

4. The hospitality of Bhutan welcomes you.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is known for its hospitality. Cultural immersion is a given, whether you are learning about Buddhist traditions or enjoying a traditional Bhutan festival. A Broadview reporter described Bhutan as:

“Daily meditation and reflective gardening is built into the public school curriculum. Quirky road signs line the country’s main routes, spanning the spectrum from encouraging (“Life is a journey! Complete it!”) to cautionary (“This is a highway, not a runway!”). Laws are passed through a special commission that determines their impact on quality of life and makes recommendations for improvements.”

5. Wonder Voyage offers 25 years of travel expertise.

Wonder Voyage streamlines the booking process with an online registration form. From there, a staff member will contact you for details like the trip’s timing, budget, and theme options.

Soon, a Voyage Coordinator will personalize the pilgrimage to meet your needs before you meet your Voyage Guide, who will travel with you as your on-the-ground expert.

We take all the planning out of the trip so you can enjoy your time with the team. The free Way of Wonder curriculum makes the spiritual prep more effortless.

Looking for other Wonder Voyage destinations?

Wonder Voyage offers pilgrimages around the world. Other options to consider include:

• The Western Islands, Scotland is the root of the Christian faith. A Wonder Voyage to the Hebrides will remind you that God is alive and at work in our world. Pray where St. Columba prayed, experience the gospel with monks at an ancient monastery, and enjoy a sea adventure with local fishermen.
• Thailand introduces travelers to intricate temples filled with uncountable golden Buddhas. Enjoy the lavish coastlines, ancient ruins, and jungle escapes before serving a local orphanage and giving back to the community.
• Switzerland is the perfect combination of France, Germany, and Italy. With Wonder Voyage, you will get to taste several parts of this astonishing nation that is full of natural beauty and cultural diversity. We can make Switzerland both affordable and accessible.
• The Amazon invites your team to explore vast emerald jungles, float down one of the world’s mightiest rivers, and live in a remote tribal village. The Amazon offers a Wonder Voyage like no other.

Still unsure? No problem. Contact the office today to learn more about our options. We customize trips based on your team’s age, interests, and budgets. Whether you are traveling with an adult team, a youth group, J2A, or a school group, we have you covered!