Mindful Happiness
Bhutan
October 18th - October 25th
An immersive adventure to explore a vision for a thriving future of Mindful Happiness.
Experience Bhutan like never before — from the iconic Tiger’s Nest to the Royal Highland Festival at 4,000m. Discover a nation where Gross National Happiness leads the way, and mindfulness is a way of life.
Apply to join us and develop the best version of yourself.
Last year we hosted the Planetary Happiness UP Game in Bhutan and it was such a success we are repeating it to deepen our relationships.
Our goal is to create a collaborative experience to each others visions and solutions from the future. We will have so many experiences that will be nothing short of spectacular.
Most of the magic of the UP Game will remain a mystery until you experience it… But to give you a taste for what is in store…
Time Day
Sunday, 18th October
We step outside of linear time and into our best selves.
Before you arrive secure you visa for Bhutan from 18-25th here. And if you are coming through India you can secure your visa here. From Nepal via Kathmandu you can get a visa on arrival to transit through.
Arrival options:
From Kathmandu: Druk Air 9.10am arrive Paro 10.30am or Bhutan Airlines 8.25am arrive 9.40am
From Kolkata: Bhutan Airlines 8.25am arrive Paro 9.55am
From Delhi: Druk Air 12.30pm arrive Paro 15.20pm or Bhutan Airlines 13.00 arrive Paro 15.50
All flights will be met with our guide and bus transport - those arriving from Kathmandu or Kolkata will have time to explore Paro high street with lunch
4pm Welcome circle and reception at Tatsangri-La Hotel
5pm Hot Stone Baths, massages and Forest bathing
7pm Opening ceremony, Canapés & Cultural program
8pm Welcome dinner
After dinner fire circle
Water Day
Monday, 19th October
Water Day is a celebration of the rise of communities and the commons. Anticipate feeling a new sense of community, belonging and shared purpose.
7.30am Breakfast
8.30am Opening circle and depart on hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Noon Water Day picnic lunch
2pm Tiger’s Nest tour and guided meditation
4pm Start mindful guided descent
6pm Water Day Evening circle to share insights and deepen connections
7pm Community Abundance Banquet Dinner
9pm Evening hot stone baths
Fire Day
Tuesday, 20th October
Fire Day is a celebration of the transformation conscious culture on society and the economy. Anticipate a powerful journey of reflection and integration into the new.
7.30am Fire team movement activation
8.30am Fire Day breakfast
9.30am Departure to Thimphu
12pm Fire Circle at Dragon Courtyard of Six Senses Thimphu
1.30pm Six Senses Thimphu lunch experience
4pm FabLab GMC & GNH Design experience
6pm Afternoon journey to Wangdue Ecolodge
8pm Dinner at Wangdue Ecolodge
9pm Fire circle and depart to Kichu Hotel for those staying there
Air Day
Wednesday, 21st October
Air Day is a celebration of all life unleashing our fullest potential.
8am Air Day movement activities
9am Breakfast at Wangdue Ecolodge
10am Depart for river rafting experience in Phochuu River
1pm Immersive Lunch at Spirit Lodge
4pm Guided meditation in Punakha Dzong
7pm Return to Wangdue Ecolodge
8pm Unleashing Potential Dinner in Wangdue Ecolodge
9pm Concert and dance
Earth Day
Thursday, 22nd October
Earth day celebrates Planetary Thriving and our relationship and union with Gaia. Anticipate a variety of activations and ceremonies that will leave us inspired, hopeful and deeply connected with nature.
7am breakfast and departure
11am lunch and transfer from bus to 4x4's to journey to the highlands of Laya
1pm Hike or horse ride up to the Laya village
4pm Earth team immersion and attend the Royal Highland Festival with cultural exchange and immersion in local traditions
7pm Earth Day Dinner in Laya Homestay
Earth Day surprise activation
Aether Day
Friday, 23rd October
Aether Day is the grand crescendo. We bring all our stories together into a unifying narrative that only we can tell - Our Gaian Tradition.
8am Breakfast and Aether Day Circle
9am Attend the Royal Highland Festival
1pm Tocha Lunch at Festival gifted by HRM King of Bhutan
5pm Group ceremony at Highland Festival
7pm Closing Dinner
9pm Live music and closing party
Night at Laya Homestay
Mindful Happiness Day
Saturday, 24th October
7am Breakfast
8am Depart on hike down
11am Return to to Gasa
1pm Hot springs in Gasa
3pm Bus to Thimphu
5pm Fertility Temple in Punakha
7pm Check into Zhiwaling Ascent hotel
8pm Closing dinner and party
Accommodations
During this UP Game, we will journey across Bhutan, immersing ourselves in its breathtaking landscapes and cultural richness. Our travels will take us from world-class luxury resorts to authentic traditional homestays, offering a full spectrum of experiences that connect comfort with cultural depth.
Taktsangri-La
Nestled at the base of Bhutan’s legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Taktsangri-La is a serene retreat lovingly known as “Faraway Heaven.” Overlooking the Paro Valley, mountains, and the sacred cliffside temple itself, our boutique hotel offers beautifully appointed rooms surrounded by lush gardens and panoramic views.
We are a 15-minute walk from the start of the Tiger’s Nest trail. As a once-in-a-lifetime experience, our group will receive private access to the monastery above Tiger’s Nest for a sacred Water Day lunch, a space normally closed to tourists, reserved especially for us.
Whether you're seeking peace, purpose, or inspiration, Taktsangri-La will be the perfect place for you to reconnect with nature, spirit, and community.
While specific elements of Bhutanese dzong and farmhouse architecture have been incorporated into the design, Zhiwaling Ascent consciously exemplifies the goals of minimalism. The result is a contemporary style with simple, minimal overtones.
The hotel is modest in size with an emphasis on personal connection, created by the many open spaces throughout the building. These spaces provide both spiritual sanctuary and respite for weary travellers. Strong ecological principles are also embedded into the design. From the double-glazed windows built to capture the sun, to the innovative collection of rainwater from the roof, to the generation of hot water by way of solar panels - Zhiwaling Ascent was developed to be totally energy efficient.
Zhiwaling Ascent
Wangdue Ecolodge
Wangdue Eco Lodge in Wangdue Phodrang is a family managed ecotourism venture. Built on the ancestral land of the family, the valley faces the confluence of two rivers. The four cottages having two suites each are a short walk along the ridge. Each Eco-Suite is self contained for a couple or family, having the option for twin beds or a king sized bed. Along with its large dressing and bathroom suite.
Laya Homes Stay sits nestled in the remote highlands of Laya, offering an authentic, traditional Bhutanese homestay experience.
As our base for the Royal Highland Festival, it provides a gateway for up to us to journey with local horses up to 4,000m in elevation, immersed in culture, community, and mountain serenity.
From here, we will hike or horse ride up tp 4000m elevation to attend the Royal Highland Festival, immersing ourselves in cultural celebration, mountain landscapes, and local community life.
Learn more about the festival here.
Laya Homestay
Costs
Participation is $4000 per person which covers all meals, experiences, accommodation at all locations.
Solo rooms and suites are $6000.
UP Game participation fees are designed to only cover the costs of the creation of the experience. The amount invested is rewarded in Stars in the United Planet DAO.
There are up to 12 Academy scholarship positions available in the UP Game for a cost of $2000 plus the cost of the visa.
We have 12 local participation places without accommodation.
Apply for a scholarship here or register below.
Choose your Participation
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Private Room / Suite
Immersive 7-day experience
Private room or suite -
Shared Room
Immersive 7-day experience
shared room during your entire stay -
Artist Scholarship
Academy Scholarship as part of an Exchange Program for the experience
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Local Scholarship (Scholarship)
Option for Local low-income participants to contribute to the experience through the Academy Scholarship
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One Day Participation
Immersive One-Day experience. Accommodation included.
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One Day Participation (Scholarship)
One-Day experience for low-income Gaians.