iRISE ABOVE ADVENTURE TRIPS
BHUTAN
KINGDOM OF HAPPINESS ADVENTURE
A Transformational Journey Through Sacred Himalayan Landscapes, Ancient Wisdom, and Deep Human Connection
APRIL 11-22, 2027
Some places in the world have a transformative power just by being there.
Bhutan is undoubtedly one of those rare, awe-inspiring destinations.
Nestled high in the Himalayas between India and Tibet, Bhutan proudly bears the title ‘Kingdom of Happiness’ — a sacred land where prayer flags flutter in the wind, monasteries cling to dramatic cliffs, ancient traditions pulse with life, and nature and spirituality intertwine seamlessly in everyday life.
This is more than an adventure; it’s a sacred pilgrimage through breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, deep reflection, and meaningful connection.
Together, we will explore hidden valleys, sacred temples, soaring mountain passes, stunning glacial vistas, immersive cultural encounters, and the extraordinary Domkhar Tshechu festival. Our journey will culminate in the legendary BumDrak Trek and the famed Tiger’s Nest Monastery, approached along a seldom-traveled route high above the clouds.
Throughout this unforgettable experience, you’ll find moments for introspection, heartfelt conversations, sisterhood, and reconnecting with your inner self in one of the most spiritually profound places on Earth.
Why This Journey Is Different
This experience was thoughtfully crafted to embody the spirit of the iRise Above community.
The itinerary masterfully combines adventure with serenity, blending exhilarating hikes with moments of restoration. Immerse yourself in vibrant culture and reflective depth, balancing movement with tranquility. Explore sacred sites and forge genuine connections with local communities.
Unlike hurried tourism, this journey invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and savor Bhutan in a truly meaningful and intimate way. Carefully paced with opportunities for rest, integration, and presence, it promises an enriching and transformational adventure.
Journey Highlights
THE DOMKHAR TSHECHU FESTIVAL
One of the most extraordinary experiences of our journey is attending the Domkhar Tshechu, an intimate, deeply authentic cultural celebration in the heart of Bhutan's Bumthang Valley.
Unlike larger festivals frequented by tourists, this celebration remains profoundly local and ceremonial. Ancient masked dances, vibrant textiles, sacred music, and centuries-old spiritual traditions unfold in the courtyard of a remote temple, set within the Himalayan landscape.
This is not a performance.
It is a living tradition—an invitation to step outside the pace of modern life and into a culture that values presence, community, and inner well-being.
As we witness these ancient ceremonies, we are invited to reflect on our own lives: what brings us meaning, what connects us to one another, and what it means not simply to survive but to truly flourish.
Bhutan is famously known for measuring success by Gross National Happiness—a philosophy that recognizes well-being, connection, cultural preservation, and stewardship of the natural world as essential to a meaningful life. These values resonate deeply with the spirit of this journey and the questions many of us carry: How do we live well? What truly matters? And how do we create a life that feels rich not only in achievement but also in purpose, joy, and connection?
The Domkhar Tshechu offers more than a window into Bhutanese culture. It offers an opportunity to pause, listen, and remember what it means to be fully present—to ourselves, to one another, and to the life unfolding around us.
A Question Worth Exploring
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE WELL?
Many of us spend years moving from one responsibility to the next, rarely pausing to ask what a meaningful life truly looks like.
This journey invites us to do exactly that.
Through shared experiences, breathtaking landscapes, meaningful conversations, and quiet reflection, we create space to explore what brings us alive, what sustains us through challenges, and what helps us cultivate a life rich in purpose, connection, wonder, and joy.
Because living well is not a destination.
It is a practice.
Sometimes the most powerful insights emerge when we step away from our everyday routines and into a landscape that invites us to see life through a different lens.
SACRED VALLEYS, TEMPLES & HIMALAYAN LANDSCAPES
Bhutan is a place where the landscape itself becomes a teacher.
Throughout our journey, we will travel through some of the country's most breathtaking and spiritually significant regions, including Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Phobjikha Valley, Bumthang, and Paro. Along the way, ancient monasteries rise from mountain ridges, prayer flags flutter in the wind, and sacred sites are woven seamlessly into everyday life.
Wide-open valleys, glacial landscapes, forest trails, and mountain passes create space for something increasingly rare in modern life: stillness. Here, surrounded by nature's quiet wisdom, we are invited to slow down, listen inwardly, and reconnect with the parts of ourselves that often get lost beneath the demands of everyday life.
We will hike to hilltop temples overlooking the Punakha Valley, walk among monasteries and sacred sites in Bumthang, cross high Himalayan passes, and explore some of Bhutan's most spectacular landscapes on foot. Along the way, we will encounter centuries-old traditions, living spiritual practices, and breathtaking views that remind us of our place within something much larger than ourselves.
Whether standing before the Fortress of Great Bliss in Punakha, overlooking the vast Phobjikha Valley, or watching clouds drift across the mountains from a remote trail, each experience invites us to pause, breathe deeply, and be fully present.
These are not simply places we visit.
They invite reflection, wonder, and a deeper connection to the world around us.
CULTURAL CONNECTION & LOCAL TRADITIONS
Beyond the mountains and monasteries, some of the most meaningful moments of our journey may come from the people we meet along the way.
Throughout Bhutan, we will have opportunities to connect with local communities, artists, monks, nuns, and families who generously share their traditions, stories, and way of life. These encounters offer a deeper understanding of a culture rooted in community, simplicity, gratitude, and a connection to place.
In Thimphu, we will visit the Choki Traditional Art School, where young artists preserve Bhutan's rich cultural heritage through woodcarving, weaving, embroidery, painting, and traditional craftsmanship. In Gangtey, we will gather for a farmhouse cooking experience and share a meal with a local family. We will visit monasteries and nunneries, learn about daily spiritual practice, and gain insight into traditions passed down through generations.
These experiences offer far more than cultural observation.
They invite us into genuine human connection.
As we listen to stories, share meals, and learn from the people we encounter, we are reminded that, despite differences in geography, language, and culture, many of the things that matter most are universal: belonging, purpose, community, resilience, and the desire to live a meaningful life.
Often, it is these moments of connection that stay with us long after a journey ends.
Who This Journey Is For
This journey is for young women after a breast cancer diagnosis who feel called to experience the world with curiosity, courage, and intention.
It is for those seeking meaningful adventure, authentic connection, and the chance to step away from the demands of everyday life to reconnect with themselves and what matters most.
Whether you are navigating a season of transition, celebrating a new chapter, seeking inspiration, or simply longing for time in nature and community, Bhutan offers a remarkable setting for reflection, growth, and discovery.
You do not need to be a seasoned trekker or experienced traveler to participate. What matters most is a willingness to embrace new experiences, move at your own pace, and stay open to the lessons that emerge along the way.
Our days will include hiking, cultural exploration, shared meals, meaningful conversations, and quiet reflection. We will also offer opportunities for challenge and adventure, as well as moments of rest, restoration, and awe.
Most importantly, this journey is for women who believe living fully is not something to be postponed.
It is for women who are ready to say yes to adventure, connection, possibility, and the life that is waiting to be lived.
Trip Details
DATES
April 11–22, 2027
DURATION
12 Days / 11 Nights
GROUP SIZE
Intentionally limited to preserve intimacy, connection, and shared experience.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
Domkhar Tshechu Festival
BumDrak Trek & Tiger's Nest Monastery
Sacred monasteries and temples
Cultural immersion experiences
Traditional farmhouse cooking experience
Bhutanese guides
Boutique accommodations
Daily opportunities for reflection and connection
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate.
Participants should be comfortable walking several hours on uneven terrain and hiking at altitude. The journey includes a two-day trek to BumDrak and Tiger's Nest Monastery.
INVESTMENT
$6,350 USD*
We believe transformational experiences should be accessible to women who feel called to participate.
To help make this journey more attainable, all participants will have access to the iRise Above Foundation's crowdfunding platform, allowing family, friends, and supporters to contribute toward their adventure. As a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, eligible donations made through the platform may be tax-deductible for U.S. donors, creating an opportunity for loved ones to support your journey while also receiving a charitable tax benefit as permitted by law.
In addition, a limited number of partial scholarships may be available for qualifying applicants based on financial need and available funding.
We encourage anyone who feels strongly called to this experience not to let financial concerns prevent them from exploring the opportunity. We are committed to working with participants to identify potential pathways for support whenever possible.
Questions about fundraising or scholarship opportunities? We'd love to connect with you.
A Journey Through The Kingdom of Happiness
Bhutan is one of the few places in the world that invites us to reconsider what it means to live well.
Rather than measuring success solely by economic growth, Bhutan is known for its philosophy of Gross National Happiness—a belief that well-being, community, cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and spiritual fulfillment are essential to a meaningful life.
As we journey through sacred valleys, ancient monasteries, mountain landscapes, and vibrant communities, we are invited to explore these ideas for ourselves.
What brings us joy?
What grounds us during life's challenges?
What helps us feel connected, purposeful, and fully alive?
Perhaps the greatest gift of Bhutan is not only what we see there, but what we carry home.
The memories of sacred places.
The friendships formed along the trail.
The moments of wonder and stillness.
And the reminder that a meaningful life is built not only through achievement, but through presence, connection, curiosity, and the courage to fully engage with the life we have been given.
Some journeys take us somewhere new.
The most meaningful journeys bring us closer to ourselves.
Join us as we explore the Kingdom of Happiness and discover what it means to truly live well.
