CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S EVE 2019/2020 IN BHUTAN

Why spend Christmas holidays in Bhutan and celebrate New Year there?

Because you like to immerse yourself in another culture, feel the magic of nature, be fascinated by craftsmanship and buildings, participate in ceremonies with monks and sing Mantras with them in the temple and be taught by them. 

Thanks to the long stays and closes contacts of Emanuel Flückiger and Christine Jäggi, you will get to know Bhutan in a unique way. 

You will also visit Punakha, Thimphu and Paro and do some hikes, sightseeing and learn about the Bhutaniese culture. At each place you  recharge your batteries and rejoice in life with 

Meditation, yoga, painting and sculpting, hiking, participating in rituals and ceremonies, being in silence, dancing, celebrating, with open senses and being connected with oneself and others. 

Special ceremonies at Christmas and New Year

Day 8 + 9: Saturday/Sunday, 28th/29th December Thimphu and excursion to Tango Monastery

In the morning we walk for about 2 hours through the forest to the golden Buddha, the largest sitting Buddha in Asia. Afterwards we drive to the commemoration. If you like, you can be treated with a Buddhist healing massage in the Healing Center. In the evening ritual. 

After the morning meditation we drive about 45 minutes to Tango Monastery. The hike to the monastery is a pilgrimage path that is easy to walk. In one of the temples there is a cave with the footprint of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). This monastery is one of the most important in Bhutan. 

Overnight at Hotel Zhiwa Ling Ascent, (B/L/D)

Day 10: Monday, 30.12. Drive to Paro 

After the morning meditation and breakfast we leave Thimphu and drive to Paro. After Chuzom we will see three stupas, one Tibetan, one Nepalese and one Bhutanese. A little later we stop and cross the iron suspension bridge with the many prayer flags. 

Paro is small and consists of two main streets with many souvenir shops with Bhutanese crafts. 

We visit the Dzong and then drive to the hotel, which is built a little outside of Paro in the traditional style. 

Overnight at Hotel Zhiwa Ling (B/L/D)

Day 11: Tuesday, 31.12. New Year's Eve

The last day of the year 2019! 

After the morning meditation we begin with our ritual, which will accompany us throughout the day. Around noon we drive to Kychu Temple, which was built in the 7th century. It is one of the oldest and most important temples. A ceremony awaits us. 

In the afternoon we prepare in peace for the evening and the night.

It will be varied: with solemn, contemplative sharing, letting go of the old, inviting the new, dancing, creating, rituals and an unforgettable ceremony. 

Overnight stay in Hotel Zhiwa Ling Paro (B/L/D) 

Day 12: Wednesday, January 1, 2020, New Year's Day

After the short night, we start the morning calmly and meet for lunch together.

We will spend the afternoon in nature and if you feel like it, you can start the new year with a Hot Stone Bath, the traditional bath of the Bhutanese, which is supposed to banish all suffering. Or you can arrange the day according to your needs and treat yourself to a massage, for example. 

In the evening a surprise ritual awaits you.

Overnight stay in Hotel Zhiwa Ling Paro (B/L/D)

Day 13: January 2, excursion to the Chelela Pass, 3810m

Today we go up high: a varied 2-hour drive to Chele La Pass, where in good weather there is a magnificent view of the holy mountains Jhomolhari, Tserim Kang and Jichu Drake. We hang up our brought prayer flags and let our wishes flutter into the universe. 

We picnic a little below the pass and then drive back to Paro. 

Overnight stay in Hotel Zhiwa Ling Paro (B/L/D)

Day 14:January 3, Paro, Hike to Taktsang Lhakhang (Tiger Nest)

The Taktsang Lhakang is probably the most photographed temple in Bhutan and the visit of one of the great highlights of a Bhutan journey. Depending on your physical condition it takes between 3-4 hours for the 800 meters altitude difference to reach the temple. The way is well developed and easy to walk. It is a pilgrim path that has been used for years. 

Hardly anyone can escape the fascination that this unique building exudes and many mystical and magical things are told. You will hear them when you are there. 

The rest of the day is at your free disposal. 

In the evening a ritual awaits you again, where you can look forward to it. 

Overnight at Hotel Zhiwa Ling Paro (B/L/D)

Day 15 +16: 4th/5th January, homeward journey

After breakfast you will be driven to the airport, the departure is later in the morning. Maybe you look a little wistfully out of the window and see the Jhomolhari slowly disappear in the distance and think back with joy to the past days and experiences. 

With good visibility, you will again see the highest mountains in the world, first the third highest Kanchenjanga, shortly after Mt. Everest, next to Makalu and Lhotse. What an experience!

Landing in Delhi and individually flying home.