Buddhism teaches that one needs to give up attachments. Alas, Bhutan has forged an all but unbreakable bond with me, so enlightenment may just have to wait until my next incarnation. This little country tops many travelers’ bucket lists, and with good reason. The famously traditional Himalayan kingdom between Tibet and India packs an astonishing amount of beauty into an area less than half the size of South Carolina. Even in 2024, Bhutan’s landscape of rhododendron-filled forests, terraced fields, ornately embellished farmhouses and precariously perched monasteries remains almost entirely unspoiled. Its culture has yet to succumb to internationalization. And not least important for Andrew Harper members, several extraordinary hideaways have opened in recent years, breaking Aman’s long monopoly.

These new accommodation options, combined with a recent 50 percent reduction in the Sustainable Development Fee, mean that there’s never been a better time to explore Bhutan. Indeed, I wouldn’t wait too much longer. The capital, Thimphu, has sprawled into former rice paddies and orchards. Our guide pointed out low-slung buildings on a hillside above it: “Those are for cryptocurrency mining,” he told us. In the south, the king has plans to construct a futuristic Mindfulness City. Traditions remain strong in Bhutan, but the country has its eye on the future. Even this “last Shangri-la” is changing.

What has not changed is the need for help when planning a trip. Don’t let the complicated logistics of exploring Bhutan daunt you. I leaned heavily on our Travel Office to deal with the organization and paperwork, and my advisor made it quite easy.