Join us on a 10-day adventure into this remote Buddhist Kingdom, where happiness and wellbeing are at the centre of politics, economy and culture.
Inspired by the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck’s focus on Gross National Happiness (GNH), Bhutan has chosen to define prosperity very differently to most other nations, putting happiness and wellbeing at the centre of their politics, economy and culture. The contrast is stark compared to so many other nations, including our own, that put financial metrics such as GDP, growth and profits as the key measures of success.
Guided by the Director of the GNH Centre Bhutan, Mr Lhatu and Small Giants Academy Founder, Danny Almagor, immerse in temples, monasteries, ancestral homes and cultural sites as we bask in the majestic natural landscape of this tiny, magnificent Himalayan country.
Read traveller, Kirsty De Garis’ reflection here: The Good Society: A journey through Bhutan exploring Gross National Happiness
Impact Safari Bhutan is for anyone interested in creating shifts in personal, organisational or cultural identities. Our Safaris cover ideas and frameworks across systems-thinking, regenerative economies, empathic leadership, connection to self and wild places.
Impact Safaris are designed for individuals who are actively mobilising their communities or organisations toward a thriving planet. This includes but is not limited to:
The programs are by application only, ensuring a diverse yet aligned cohort. Each journey is designed to challenge participants to rethink their roles in the world and deepen their capacity for leadership in service of a just and regenerative future
Those drawn to explore their place in deep time, connect and understand with how to embody their purpose and contribution to this moment. Retreat from the everyday and be reminded of our innate nature are invited to express interest.
In 1972, Bhutan's Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, proclaimed that "Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product." This radical reimagining of prosperity put the tiny Himalayan kingdom on the global map. Decades later, Bhutan remains the only nation to measure success not by GDP, but through the holistic wellbeing of its people, built on four pillars: Socio-Economic Development, Preservation of Culture, Good Governance, and Ecological Sustainability.
Join us on a 10-day transformational journey into this living laboratory of alternative economics. In partnership with the Gross National Happiness Centre, we explore what it means to place happiness and wellbeing at the center of politics, economy, and culture. Guided by the Director of the GNH Centre Bhutan, Mr Lhatu and Small Giants founder Danny Almagor, you'll immerse in temples clinging to cliffsides, participate in monk blessings, hike to the sacred Tiger's Nest monastery, and engage in deep dialogue with parliamentarians, educators, and GNH experts navigating the tensions between ancient wisdom and modernity.
This is more than a study tour. It's a chance to witness a different way of measuring what matters, to sit with uncertainty about our own economic models, and to return home with tools for redefining prosperity in your life, organization, and community. Through meditation, silence, and sacred landscapes, we ask alongside Bhutan: not "How much do we have?" but "How happy are we?"
Read Bhutan: The Home of Happiness by Mele-Ane Havea
Your journey begins with a gentle descent into Paro Airport, the Himalayan peaks rising quietly around you as Bhutan welcomes you for the first time. After breakfast and clearing immigration, the group boards a bus and heads to Thimphu. You'll check in to the Paro Hotel and rest before an opening circle at 11am with singing bowls, introductions and an intention-setting for the journey ahead. The afternoon takes the group into Paro town for lunch near the Dzong, a tour of the Paro Museum with the director, a walk to Dzong and a visit to Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) with optional chanting or meditation and an introduction to Buddhism. The evening is free to rest before dinner and fireside chats to close the day.
The day opens with an invitation to fast and sit in silence, before travelling to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) for intention-setting and preparation. A butter lamp lighting ritual and walk around the grounds follow, before heading back down. After lunch at the Taktsang Café, the afternoon offers snacks, a comfy rest and optional shopping before returning to the Paro Hotel. The evening closes with a deep sharing session: "What does spirituality mean to you?", followed by dinner and fireside chats and singing.
After breakfast, the group travels to Thimphu (1.5 hours), stopping to visit the Temple of Iron Bridge and Tachog Lhakhang along the way, with a discussion on GNH and the Personal Wheel exercise. Arriving in Thimphu, the group checks in to the Thimphu Deluxe Hotel. The afternoon brings an alternative art school and workshop, lunch at the art school, and a walk around Buddha Dordenma. Later there is time for meditation and optional stone baths, before an evening visit to the Prime Minister's Residence or another dignitary, a session with former PM Jigmi Y Thinley on GNH, and dinner with fireside chats.After morning mediation pop your hiking shoes on, for a 2 hour or so hike up to Dodeydrak Monastery. Established in the 12th century, now home to over 120 Monks of all ages. This cliff side wonder will bring you to your centre with its grounding, earth energy and kind spirit. Inquire into how GNH can be applied to your life through our Wheel Workshop in one of the Monasteries many meeting places. Have a moment to explore, meditate or bathe in the magnificence of this place. Reflect with the cohort before enjoying dinner together and getting a good nights rest.
A morning walk to Thimphu Chorten eases the group into the day before preparing for the Dodeydrak Monastery Hike, a mindful walk that can be done in silence. Lunch is at the Dodeydrak Temple, followed by a walk around and meditation. The centrepiece of the afternoon is a formal session in Parliament with Members of Parliament on GNH and Good Governance, with a guest speaker for approximately one hour. The group then travels to Dzong and visits Thimphu Dzong before heading to dinner and fireside chats.
The day opens with a morning meditation at the Guru Temple or an optional morning walk. After breakfast, the group travels toward Punakha, with a stop at Mountain Hazelnuts or a university visit en route. Business meetings are held at the Loden Foundation and Carolyn's Café, before lunch at Carolyn's Café. The group stops at Dochula Pass and its 108 stupas and visits Dochula Temple before arriving at the Farm Stay and checking in to Mendegang Heritage Home. Time to rest and get grounded in the village before a basecamp check-in, dinner and fireside chats.
After breakfast, the morning opens with a Blessing Ceremony: Purification and Removal of Obstacles, complete with a smoke offering session. A silent hike and quiet time follow before lunch. The afternoon is devoted to immersive farm activities: cooking, gardening and sports, before rest. The evening features a meaningful reading: "What do we keep, what do we let go?" drawing on midwife, hospice and ancient futures perspectives, followed by dinner and fireside chats.Wake overlooking the green-valley, following morning meditation and breakfast Matthew Nation will hold a workshop surrounding the Good Society. Share family-style lunch before jumping into an afternoon of local farm activity. Try your hand at Bhutanese Archery, traditional cooking and planting. Enjoy dinner and warm up around the bonfire.
The group travels to Lobesa for breakfast, then walks through the village and shops for souvenirs. A visit to Divine Madman Chimmi Lhakhang brings a wonderfully eccentric energy to the morning, get a fertility blessing or witness a newly married couple receive their firstborns name. After cool meetings and travel, the group checks in to the Punakha Hotel. The evening is the milestone of the journey: the Opening Dinner for GGF, a celebratory formal dinner to mark the start of the Global GNH Forum gathering.
The Global GNH Forum begins in earnest with a full day of sessions. After lunch, the group travels to Thimphu and checks in to the Thimphu Deluxe in Changangkha. The evening features dinner, a travel to dinner event and a film screening of The Monk and the Gun, a reflective and cinematic close to the day.Following morning meditation and breakfast head into town to visit the sights and solo explore, collect Bhutanese specialties such as tea, prayer bowls and woollen items. Have lunch at the hotel. followed by a Tiger’s Next briefing afternoon. A slow day to prepare our head, heart and hands for tomorrow’s journey.
An early morning walk to Changangkha Lhakhang starts the day, with a temple visit from 8am. After breakfast, Global GNH Forum keynotes and sessions fill the day. Lunch together, then more forum sessions in the afternoon. The evening brings a dinner at Folk Heritage and guest speakers, a warm and inspired close to the formal program.
Following morning meditation, pack your bags and enjoy our final breakfast together. As we say our ‘see you soon’s,’ aboard the transfer to the airport or wave goodbye as you continue on your own journey.
Danny Almagor is co-founder (with his wife Berry) and the Executive Chair of Small Giants. Danny was the inaugural Social Entrepreneur in Residence at RMIT, the founder and former CEO of Engineers Without Borders Australia and is the co-founder and Chair of the Impact Investment Group. He has founded over a dozen for profit and non profit organisations including The Sociable Weaver, The Impact Club, and Beyond Creative. He has served on numerous boards, including Tom Organic, The School of Life, The Cape ecovillage, Pacific Biotechnologies, Smiling Mind, The Gross National Happiness Centre in Bhutan.
He has studied Aerospace Engineering, Business Administration and outdoor education. He loves to cook, read, rock climb, talk about philosophy, garden, travel and jump on the trampoline with his three kids. He doesn’t like to run marathons, watch horror films, drink beer, spend time on social media, or invest in anything that isn’t impact.
Dasho Lhatu is the Executive Director of the Gross National Happiness Centre Bhutan (GNHCB), and devoted to promoting sustainable and equitable development both in Bhutan and internationally.
He has served two terms in the Parliament of Bhutan (2008-2013 and 2018-2023) and held government roles for nine years. Lhatu spent over seven years with the UNDP in Bhutan as Operations Manager and four years in the private sector as Director of Community and Corporate Relations for Mountain Hazelnuts.
Tsoki currently serves as the Director, and oversees the Centre's overall management in Bhutan. She believes every Bhutanese has a responsibility in nurturing the values of Gross National Happiness. Prior to joining the GNHCB in 2015, Tsoki worked with the UNDP for over a decade under different portfolios including operations and program administration.
This is an all-inclusive cost for the duration of the program, including accomodation, in-country travel, meals, access to Bhutanese parliamentarians, intimate workshops and an immersive leadership experience delivery by the faculty at Small Giants Academy.
This cost is exclusive of flights from your origin to Bhutan.
Bhutan is committed to high value, low impact travel experiences which is reflected in the cost of this journey. Following sustainable tourism practices is made possible by daily government travel permit charges and independent operators.
Impact Safari is an initiative of Small Giants Academy, which is a registered not-for-profit charity. Our cancellation policy is intended to provide you with maximum flexibility while ensuring our team can make preparations to deliver the incredible experience you’re expecting.
Please notify us of a cancellation by email so we can provide you with a refund minus the following cancellation fees:
Smart move. To secure your place or ask any questions, please email Impact Safari Producer, Anna here:
Small Giants is located on the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
