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.

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 you can get a visa on arrival to transit through.
***Arrival options:***
***From Kathmandu:*** Druk Air *9.10am arrive Paro 10.30am (https://drukair.com.bt/)* *or Bhutan Airlines 9.35am arrive 10.50am (https://www.bhutanairlines.bt/)*
***From Delhi:*** *Druk Air 12.30pm arrive Paro 15.20pm or Bhutan Airlines 14.20 arrive Paro 17.00*
***4pm*** *Welcome circle and reception*
***5pm*** *Hot Stone Baths, massages and Forest bathing at Taktsangri la hotel*
***7pm*** *Opening ceremony*
***8pm*** *Inheritance Dinner - come in the year 2180 as your 7th Generation grandchildren*
*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*** *Depart on hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery*
***Noon*** *community 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 Zen Punakha*
***7pm*** *Arrival and dinner at Zen Punakha*
***9pm*** *Fire circle*

**Air Day**

**Wednesday, 21st October**
Air Day is a celebration of all life unleashing our fullest potential.
***8am*** *Air Day movement activities*
***9am*** *breakfast*
***10am*** *Depart for river rafting experience in Phochuu River*
***1pm*** *Farm to Table Lunch at Dumra Farm*
***3pm*** *Immersive Farm tour*
***4pm*** *Guided meditation in Punakha Dzong*
***7pm*** *Return to Zen Punakha*
***8pm*** *Unleashing Potential Dinner in Zen Punakha*
***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*
***11am*** *Day 2 at the Royal Highland Festival*
***1pm*** *Tocha Lunch at Festival gifted by NRM 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*
***7pm*** *Closing dinner in Folk Heritage Museum*
***9pm*** *Closing 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

Our opening hotel has 18 stunning bedrooms that we have booked for the UP Game.
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 18 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.

Zen Punakha

Zen Punakha is a stunning hotel with 23 bedrooms. Our tranquil retreat is nestled in Woolakha, just 2 km from Khuruthang town in the heart of the Punakha Valley.

Overlooking the river, town, and surrounding hills it offers a peaceful atmosphere with minimalist interiors designed for rest and reflection. Simplicity, comfort, and serenity — all in one place.

Laya Homestay

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.

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

Private Room / Suite

Immersive 7-day experience
Private room or suite

$6000
Shared Room

Immersive 7-day experience
shared room during your entire stay

$4000
Artist Scholarship

Academy Scholarship as part of an Exchange Program for the experience

Apply Now
Local Scholarship (Scholarship)

Option for Local low-income participants to contribute to the experience through the Academy Scholarship

Apply Now
One Day Participation

Immersive One-Day experience. Accommodation included.

$300
One Day Participation (Scholarship)

One-Day experience for low-income Gaians.

Apply Now