The Endless Knot

*** REGISTRATION FOR 2025 IS CLOSED ***

*** BHUTAN EASTER RETREAT 2026 WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON ***

With inmense gratitude for the oportunity to go back to the Himalayas, I am delighted to announce the much awaited Bhutan Yoga Retreat 2025. I will be leading a Yoga group on its journey into the unique Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan that I had the chance to call home 15 years ago.

This Yoga Retreat is envisaged as a great opportunity to enhance our connection to ourselves. We will be practicing Tibetan Heart Yoga, a yoga system based on Buddhist Wisdom and rooted in a lineage started by Master Naropa and Niguma, yogis who lived around 1100 AD.

The combination of modern and ancient yoga asana (poses) and their corresponding meditation will drive us to cultivate virtuous states of mind and heart.
We work from the inside with our thoughts, intentions and ethics, and from the outside with our asana (poses) and breath. Yoga is not only physical exercise; it becomes a transformative spiritual practice.
We will reconnect with our true self by exploring our Mind’s own Nature, noticing our negative tendencies and changing the views that obstruct seeing the things as they really are.

This retreat is an inmense opportunity to experience simultanously a tour through Bhutan (a Vajrayana Kingdom) and the practice of Yoga rooted on Buddhism Wisdom. I find it very profound to practice where Yogis still meditate retreated in caves.
These conditions are ideal to cultivate personal growth.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

When: 13th to 26th April 2025 (14 days over Easter).

Itinerary: Delhi-Paro . Thimphu (2 nights) . Punakha (2 nights) . Jakar (1 night) . Tang (3 nights – Retreat) . Mendrel gear (1 night). Paro (3 nights) . Delhi (1 night). [see below for the detailed program]

Price per person for a group of 6-8 participants: 3.995 € / person.
Single room occupancy (in homestay only on request): 4.310 €

Travel agent organiser: Bhutan Insight Travel Agency in Munich.

INCLUDED IN PRICE

• Yoga and meditation trip to Bhutan in a small group (6-8 pax)
• Druk Air flight Delhi-Paro-Delhi / Economy
• 11 overnight stays in Bhutan in a double room, including 3 overnight stays in a homestay
• Meals as per program
• Day room at Delhi airport before the return flight (no meals)
• Daily Yoga and Meditation in Bhutan with me: Tsering Om (Dr. Christine Boucard)
• English/German speaking local tour guide in Bhutan
• Activities, hikes and sightseeing as per program
• All trips, transfers, permits and entrance fees as per program
• Tourism tax (SDF), visa application and Bhutan visa
• Certificate of insurance, detailed travel documents

NOT INCLUDED

• International long-haul flight
• Other overnight stays, meals, activities outside of Bhutan
• E-Visa India (approx. €25)
• Tips, drinks, donations, extras (hot stone bath, massages)
• Costs incurred due to illness, accidents, route changes due to force majeure, flight cancellations or postponements, etc.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS

• Premium or business class; price on request
• Travel insurance (cancellation/interruption of trip, foreign health and accident insurance)
• Follow-up program: Bhutan Insight will be happy to help you organize your personal wishes and ideas

ABOUT ME
Tsering Om (Dr. Christine Boucard) – (click here for more)
I am French-Italian, born in Barcelona; I live at the moment with my family in Munich.
I have lived in various parts of Europe and Asia, including three years in Japan as a neuroscientist and two years (2009-2011) in Bhutan.
I have been teaching yoga since 2007 and have studied various teaching styles. However, my focus is Tibetan Heart Yoga, which is based in Tibetan Buddhism.
In Bhutan, I especially taught yoga to locals, people in fragile communities, and to foreign visitors. I organized retreats as well. In parallel, I took part in a research project on the subject of happiness.
The years I had the chance to call Bhutan home were essential for my personal inner growth.
At present, in addition to teaching yoga, I work as a humanistic psychotherapist. I support my clients with the knowledge and wisdom that I have acquired over these many years of study.
Yoga, meditation, psychology, neuroscience – they all have the goal of understanding the mind and the potential to accompany people in their search for change.

DETAILED TRAVEL PROGRAM

(Meals included: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

April 13th Sunday | Flight to Delhi (not included in the program)
Individual arrival in Delhi.

April 14th Monday | Flight to Delhi – Paro, drive to Thimphu
Flight over the snow-capped Himalayan peaks to the Kingdom of Bhutan. Welcome by the local tour guide and onward journey to Thimphu (+/-1h). With around 120,000 inhabitants, it is one of the smallest capitals in the world and the balancing act between modernity and tradition makes the visit quite exciting.
To get in the mood for the Buddhist kingdom, stop at the large Buddha Dordenma. In the gesture of calling to the earth, he towers mightily over the valley and offers a beautiful view of the city.
Later, we stroll through the Centenary Farmers Market, which not only offers vegetables, fruit and yak cheese, but also beautiful handicrafts from all parts of the country. We walk around the stupa of the Memorial Chorten, one of the most spiritual places for the local population.
At dinner we get to know each other and are introduced to yoga and meditation by Tsering Om.
[1 night at the Pelyang Hotel / B, L, D]

April 15th Tuesday | Hike on the Divine Madman Trail
In the morning we set off for Dochu La (3.100 m). From the top of the pass we hike up and down through a mystical forest covered in “fairy hair”, moss and flowering rhododendrons to the village of Thinleygang. The old pilgrimage path is named after Drukpa Kuenley, the “mad saint”. He came to Bhutan in the 16th century and is said to have used his thunderbolt to defeat a powerful demon who was causing trouble in the Punakha region. Walking time approx. 4 hours.
Picnic at a small monastery.
On the way to the mild Punakha Valley, visit the Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility), an influential place of Drupka Kuenley. Let yourself be surprised by his heroic deeds and unconventional teachings!
Yoga and meditation before dinner.
Divine Madman Trail Walking time approx. 4 hours.
[2 nights in the idyllically located Happiness Field Farmstay / B, L, D]

April 16th Wednesday | Punakha Dzong & Yoga
The morning is reserved for the most beautiful dzong in the country, the Punakha Dzong. This outstanding example of traditional architecture was commissioned by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel (1594-1651). He established the Drukpa Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana) in Bhutan. A simple way of life and the low importance of material possessions are characteristic of this school. With the introduction of his “dual system” of secular and religious government, he created the conditions for the founding of the state, which lasted until the establishment of the current monarchy.
In the afternoon we hike through rice and chili fields up to the exceptionally beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Chorten (walking time approx. 30-40 min). Its three levels are densely painted with deities. In good weather, the top terrace not only offers a wonderful view of the snow-capped mountains on the horizon, but also the opportunity to do some yoga under the guidance of Tsering Om.

April 17th Thursday | Bumthang, spiritual heartland of Bhutan
A long day of driving is ahead. In the afternoon, we reach the region of Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, via many bends with wonderful forest landscapes and views. Important teachers and saints such as Guru Rinpoche and Pema Lingpa worked here. They subdued demons and, under magical circumstances, concealed “Terma“, hidden objects that are believed to have a very special blessing power. The many temples and monasteries in a very small space testify the deep connection Bhutanese people have with their faith.
[1 night in the Rinchenling Lodge / B, L, D]

April 18th Friday | Yoga Retreat
We follow the footsteps of Guru Rinpoche and Pema Lingpa and undertake a circular hike to important shrines in the Choekhor Valley of Jakar: Jambay Lhakhang from the 7th century, Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the holiest places in the kingdom, and Tamshing Lhakhang. Pema Lingpa spent the last years of his life here. He was an important Master and Terton (treasure finder) of the Nyingma school of Tantric Buddhism and is still considered the patron saint of the kingdom today.
Lunch in the farmhouse, then drive along a small mountain road into the untouched Tang Valley (2,800m).
Yoga and meditation before dinner.
[3 nights in the Ogyen Choling Heritage House / B, L, D]

April 19 Saturday | Yoga Retreat
The imposing old princely palace of Ogyen Choling is located at the end of the Tang Valley. The family owes its former wealth to the caravan route that passed through here and led to Arunachal Pradesh in the east. Ashi Kunzang, who grew up here, renovated the old palace with her Swiss husband, set up an in-house history museum and pretty guest rooms. The property includes a mighty house temple with wonderful wall paintings, which we can use as a retreat for yoga and meditation.
Meditation, yoga in the morning.
Lunch and free time for walks, conversations, visit to the Ani Lhakhang, which is said to be ancient and full of secrets.
Yoga and meditation before dinner.

April 20th Sunday | Yoga Retreat
Meditation, yoga in the morning.
Free time or hike to the meditation rock of Guru Rinpoche (walking time approx. 45 min). The place is considered very auspicious and is visited by many pilgrims.
Lunch in the farmhouse.
Afternoon visit to the nuns of Pema Choling. Insight into their training practice and spiritual responsibility.
Yoga and meditation before dinner.

April 21st Monday | Drive towards the west via Trongsa
Meditation and yoga in the morning.
Afterwards, we leave the peace and contemplation of Tang and make our way west. Passing Trongsa (lunch break and opportunity to visit the museum in the Ta Dzong), we pass the Yotong La (3.460 m) and Pele La (3.420 m) passes and reach the village of Mendrelgang in the late afternoon.
Yoga and meditation.
Travel time approx. 5 hours.
[1 night in the Mendrelgang Heritage Home / B, L, D]

April 22nd Tuesday | Kyichu Lhakhang, first harbinger of Buddhism in the kingdom
Meditation and yoga in the morning.
Then we head past Thimphu back to Paro.
A special sanctuary just outside the town is the Kyichu Lhakhang. As a first harbinger of Buddhism in the region, the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo had the temple built in the 7th century to symbolically imprison a powerful demoness. It is said that she wanted to thwart the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet. The icon of Jowo Jamba is the monastery’s greatest treasure, as is the statue of Chenrezig with 1000 arms and 11 heads. Wall paintings in the main temple illustrate the deeds of Buddha. The newer temple building is dedicated to the secret teachings of the Nyingma school. But above all, Kyichu became the home of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991) when he fled Tibet in 1959. His residence, which we visit, was opened to the public in memory of this outstanding master and teacher. It is a place of blessing and peace.
Yoga and meditation in the evening.
[3 nights at the Rema Resort or similar / B, L, D]

April 23rd Wednesday | Spiritual hike to Chumphu
Today we are going on a picturesque hike through untouched nature, blooming rhododendron forests, past meditation caves, holy rocks and waterfalls to Chumphu, the former meditation place of Guru Rinpoche at an altitude of 3.078 m. After his historic visit to Taktsang, he returned to the “cave of holy water” to meditate. The statue of Dorji Phamo (highest female incarnation in Tibet and head of Samding “Temple of floating meditation” in Tibet) is particularly revered at this place of power. It is said that prayers and wishes that are entrusted to her with a pure heart will come true. And you will certainly find a quiet place for a yoga exercise or meditation.
(Walking time approx. 3,5 hours up, 2,5 hours down. The path is a little longer than the hike to the Tiger’s Nest, but less strenuous. Only the last part is steep).

April 24th Thursday | Taktsang Monastery
Early in the morning, when the fog still hangs in the trees, we hike up old paths to Taktsang Monastery (3.120 m), known as the Tiger’s Nest. The pilgrimage site sits daringly on a mighty rock face 900 m above the valley floor.
We look for a quiet spot to meditate, because Taktsang is considered one of the most promising places for meditation, contemplation and prayer.
Back in the town, there is time for a good coffee, a massage or a stroll through the many shops in search of last-minute souvenirs.
Walking time to/from Taktsang approx. 4 hours ↑ ↓ 650 m elevation.

April 25th Friday | Tashi Delek Druk Yul ! Flight Paro – Delhi
Farewell to Druk Yul, “Land of the Dragon”.
Drive to the airport. Flight Paro – Delhi.
Everyone takes their individual flight “home”.
Depending on your departure, a day room is available at the airport in Delhi.

April 26th Saturday | Arrival “home”

The times given are average values ​​and may vary depending on road and weather conditions or for other reasons.
Program subject to change.

Contact: you can call or write to me if you have questions or want to book your place:
tsering.om@gmail.com
+49-157 7173 1858