Sukhasiddhi / Lama Palden Pilgrimage to Bhutan 2026

I am thrilled to be the Coordinator once again for this year’s Pilgrimage to my favorite place on earth: Bhutan.

Nestled high in the eastern Himalayas between India and Tibet, Bhutan—roughly 11x times smaller than California — is often described as one of the world’s last great spiritual sanctuaries. For centuries, its remote mountain valleys helped preserve a culture deeply rooted in Vajrayana Buddhism, where daily life, governance, and the natural environment are shaped by spiritual values. Monasteries cling to cliffs, prayer flags flutter across high passes, and ancient pilgrimage paths wind through forests that many people believe are inhabited by protective beings and local spirits.

Bhutan is considered sacred not only because of its temples and monasteries, but because the land itself is sacred. Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century, blessing the landscape and subduing harmful forces. Many of the country’s most revered sites—such as cliffside meditation caves (like the famous Taktsang/Tiger’s Nest) and mountain temples—are believed to be places where great masters practiced and attained realization.

Unlike many places where modernization has eclipsed spiritual life, Bhutan has consciously worked to preserve its sacred heritage. The country famously measures progress not only through economic growth but through “Gross National Happiness,” emphasizing spiritual well-being, cultural preservation, environmental protection, and good governance.

For many visitors and pilgrims, Bhutan feels sacred because spirituality is not confined to monasteries—it permeates the rhythm of everyday life. From morning prayers echoing through mountain valleys to masked dances performed during religious festivals, Bhutan remains a place where the ancient Buddhist view of a living, sacred world is still vividly alive.

This will be my fourth trip to Bhutan, and I am filled with deep gratitude and tremendous excitement. Although the pilgrimage is currently full, you can register for the Wait List or learn more about Pilgrimage on the Sukhasiddhi Foundation website.