In the spirit

Visit Bhutan for the Paro Tshechu Festival at Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary.

11 March 2025

Imagine you’re standing on a mountainside, the air crisp enough to make your cheeks turn pink, blossoms are starting to flirt with the sunlight, and in the distance, monks are twirling in the kind of colourful robes that would make your Instagram melt. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? But it’s not. It’s Bhutan. And more specifically, Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary.

This little slice of luxury heaven isn’t your average hotel. Oh no. It’s a wellness-inclusive retreat tucked into the Neyphu Valley, where the pine trees look like they’ve got Pinterest accounts and the rugged cliffs make you think, “Wow, I really should take up rock climbing.” Except you don’t, because Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is all about indulgence, not exhaustion.

Now, from 7 to 14 April 2025, this magical place is opening its doors for the Paro Tshechu Festival, and honestly, if you’ve been waiting for a sign to book a life-changing holiday, this is it!

The venue is a wellness-inclusive retreat tucked into the Neyphu Valley.

Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary awaits the eager traveller.

The Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary specialises in Traditional Bhutanese Medicine.

The Paro Tshechu Festival is five days of pure spectacle.

This isn’t just a holiday - it's a reminder that the world is still brimming with magic.

What’s the Paro Tshechu Festival, you ask? Think five days of pure spectacle. Dances so intricate they make “Strictly” look like a warm-up, folk songs that tug at your heart, and monks performing like they’ve been headlining this gig since the 17th century, which they sort of have.

The festival honours Guru Rinpoche, the OG spiritual superstar who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, and honestly, you’ll feel the energy of it in every drumbeat and swirl of fabric.

It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s the kind of thing you’ll be bragging about at dinner parties for years.

Now, back to Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary. Checking in here isn’t just about the fancy touches (of which there are loads, don’t worry). It’s about you. They specialise in Traditional Bhutanese Medicine, which, frankly, sounds like something you’ve needed forever but didn’t know existed.

You’ll get a consultation with a local TBM doctor and herbal treatments that make you feel like Gwyneth Paltrow on a very good day.

And the food. This is dining with a capital D. You’re looking at four-course lunches and six-course dinners, all made from seasonal, local goodies and served with mountain views that feel like they were painted just for you. Think Bhutanese classics with a little Asian and Western flair sprinkled in because, you know, variety is the spice of life.

When you’re not eating (unlikely, but just in case), you can throw yourself into all the incredible activities.

Hike up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which clings to the cliffs like it’s auditioning for a fantasy novel. Join a monk-led ceremony that’ll make your soul do a little pirouette. Or just sit still and soak in the magic because, honestly, even the air here feels like it’s working overtime to rejuvenate you.

This exclusive 7-day, 6-night festival package starts at US$2,800++ per person (not bad for a week of bucket-list quality experiences, am I right?), and it’s got all the wellness treatments, culinary treats, and immersive activities you could hope for.

Basically, this isn’t just a holiday. It’s a reminder that the world is still brimming with magic and it’s all waiting for you in Bhutan.

Book your spot. BhutanSpiritSanctuary.com is where the magic starts.

firstclassmagazine.co