Bhutan: Why the ‘kingdom of happiness’ should be your New Year wellness trip
Bhutan is renowned as a country of peace and contentment, unique for measuring national success by its Gross National Happiness Index instead of the traditional GDP.
With a profound respect for nature, deep-rooted spirituality and ancient wellness practices, the Himalayan kingdom seems to move at a different pace from the rest of the world.
If you are looking for a New Year trip to unplug and recharge, spending time in Bhutan can teach you to slow down, connect with nature and be inspired by Buddhist compassion.
From hot stone baths to hikes to sacred lakes, here’s how to find wellness in Bhutan.
Hike to sacred lakes and across spectacular passes
Last year, the Trans Bhutan trail which runs across the Himalayan country reopened after 60 years. The epic hike takes 10 days to complete and is considered very challenging.
For visitors who want to venture into Bhutan’s misty mountain ranges and climb up to cliff-clinging monasteries in a shorter time scale, there are plenty of other trails to pick from.
Bhutanese hiking expert Dorji Bidha says her favourite is the Nubtsonapata Trek. This route takes you through the peaks of Haa in western Bhutan, an area that tends to be less visited by tourists.
The trail winds through blooming rhododendrons and fragrant juniper forests and crosses lofty passes as high as 4,350 meters above sea level.
The invigorating route is perfect for some self-reflection as you reach the sacred Nubtsonapata Lake on day three.
Relax in a hot stone bath
Bhutanese-style pampering means heading to the hot stone baths, a healing practice that derives from 7th-century Tibet.
The most authentic are open-air, but there are plenty of indoor public baths too. Here, you lie in a wooden tub filled with medicinal water scattered with herbs.
Stones taken from the river bed are heated until glowing and then dropped into a partition at your feet. They send a surge of heat through the water and release therapeutic minerals.
Enveloped in steam and delicate scents, your body and mind begin to unwind.
Visit a temple and learn about Buddhism
Visiting a temple in Bhutan can be a powerful contemplative experience regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs.
Plenty of complexes are located high on mountainsides meaning you can take a reflective walk to reach them.
The Tiger’s Nest monastery located near Paro clings to a cliff edge and visitors climb three hours through misty forests to reach it.
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En route, you can pause for a moment of meditation by a giant colourful prayer wheel turned by a gurgling stream.
Once at a temple, guides like Dorji explain the significance of the intricate and enigmatic paintings of gods and Buddhas.
You might find their philosophies can impact your own life and outlook, from wrathful gods that quash feelings of inadequacy and anxiety to the story of the four friends whose collaborative actions to make a tree grow represent communal harmony.
