{"id":11609,"date":"2025-10-11T10:31:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T10:31:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/?p=11609"},"modified":"2025-11-17T05:03:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T05:03:26","slug":"%e2%9c%a8-zhiwaling-heritage-honoring-the-past-celebrating-the-highlands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/travel\/%e2%9c%a8-zhiwaling-heritage-honoring-the-past-celebrating-the-highlands.html","title":{"rendered":"\u2728 Zhiwaling Heritage: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Highlands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>There are moments that beautifully weave together heritage, culture, and celebration \u2014 and this year, Zhiwaling Heritage stands proudly at the heart of it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In September, Zhiwaling Heritage was once again recognized on the international stage at the <strong>South Asian Travel Awards (SATA)<\/strong> in Sri Lanka. Represented by General Manager <strong>Mrs. Rinzin Lhamo<\/strong>, the property brought home <strong>two prestigious titles<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83c\udfc6 <strong>Leading Heritage Hotel\/Resort \u2013 Gold Winner<\/strong><br>\ud83c\udf3f <strong>Leading Eco-Friendly Hotel\/Resort \u2013 Silver Winner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-container-3 wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-container-1 wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2250\" height=\"1406\" src=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Zhiwa-Ling-Entrance-Bhutan-1-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Zhiwa-Ling-Entrance-Bhutan-1-edited.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Zhiwa-Ling-Entrance-Bhutan-1-edited-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Zhiwa-Ling-Entrance-Bhutan-1-edited-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Zhiwa-Ling-Entrance-Bhutan-1-edited-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Zhiwa-Ling-Entrance-Bhutan-1-edited-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Zhiwa-Ling-Entrance-Bhutan-1-edited-2048x1280.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-container-2 wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1151\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/16437-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/16437-edited.jpg 1151w, https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/16437-edited-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/16437-edited-1024x641.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/16437-edited-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1151px) 100vw, 1151px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This proud achievement was further complemented by another accolade \u2014 the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/luxurylifestyleawards.com\/news\/zhiwaling-heritage-hotel-bhutan-award-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Luxury Lifestyle Award for Best Luxury Heritage Hotel in Bhutan<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 a meaningful acknowledgment of the timeless Bhutanese architecture, environmental stewardship, and heartfelt hospitality that have defined Zhiwaling Heritage for the past two decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2>\ud83c\udfd4\ufe0f A Journey into Bhutan\u2019s Hidden Highlands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To celebrate the meaningful milestone and  this special occasion, we invite you to <strong>step into Bhutan\u2019s living heritage<\/strong> with a once-in-a-lifetime journey to <strong>the Royal Highland Festival<\/strong> \u2014 an annual celebration held on October 23\u201324 in the remote highland village of <strong>Laya<\/strong>, at 4,000 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Created to honor the <strong>Layap people<\/strong>, their resilient way of life, and their connection to the land, this festival opens a rare window into Bhutan\u2019s highland traditions. Songs, dances, ceremonial offerings, parades of yaks and horses, and ancient rituals all come alive against the dramatic Himalayan backdrop of <strong>Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Guests will follow a carefully curated 6-day itinerary that begins with a scenic drive through Dochula Pass and the lush Punakha Valley, followed by a highland trek from Gasa to Laya. Over two festival days, travelers will experience the warmth of local homestays, traditional offerings like <em>Buelwa<\/em>, poetic recitations known as <em>Auley<\/em>, and blessings in sacred temples that date back to the arrival of Zhabdrung Rinpoche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-container-7 wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-container-4 wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"371\" height=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpeg 371w, https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-300x239.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 371px) 100vw, 371px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-container-5 wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-2.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"396\" height=\"316\" src=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-2.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11617\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-2.jpeg 396w, https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-2-300x239.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-container-6 wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"474\" height=\"379\" src=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1.jpeg 474w, https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1-300x240.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Royal Highland Festival 2025 Itinerary Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Scenic drive through Dochula Pass with Himalayan vistas<\/li><li>Trek into the highlands to the village of Laya<\/li><li>Two days at the Royal Highland Festival (Oct 23\u201324)<\/li><li>Traditional music, dance, animal parades, and Layap rituals<\/li><li>Cultural walks through Laya\u2019s sacred temples and local homestays<\/li><li>Return journey through Thimphu with a stay at <strong>Zhiwaling Ascent<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udcc5 <strong>October 21\u201326, 2025<\/strong><br>\ud83d\udcb0 <strong>USD 2,675 per person (2 guests)<\/strong> \u2014 inclusive of accommodations, SDF, permits, transfers, guide, and meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2>\ud83c\udf3f Where Culture and Sustainability Meet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This journey is more than a festival \u2014 it is an <strong>immersion into the soul of Bhutan<\/strong>. And for us at Zhiwaling Heritage, these moments reflect the very spirit behind our recent awards: the <strong>celebration of cultural authenticity<\/strong>, <strong>environmental respect<\/strong>, and <strong>hospitality with heart<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we mark 20 years of sharing Bhutan\u2019s heritage with the world, we invite you to be part of this story \u2014 to travel not just to see, but to feel, to learn, and to celebrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udce9 For bookings and inquiries: <a>info@yangphel.com<\/a><br>\ud83c\udf10 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutbhutan.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.aboutbhutan.com<\/a> | @YangphelAdventure<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are moments that beautifully weave together heritage, culture, and celebration \u2014 and this year, Zhiwaling Heritage stands proudly at the heart of it all. In September, Zhiwaling Heritage was once again recognized on the international stage at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) in Sri Lanka. Represented by General Manager Mrs. Rinzin Lhamo, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":11618,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[27,28,251,26],"tags":[181,416,187,1425,38,68],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Zhiwaling Heritage: Honoring the Past in Bhutan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Experience Zhiwaling Heritage in Bhutan, where traditional architecture, local culture and highland serenity come together in a meaningful retreat.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/travel\/\u2728-zhiwaling-heritage-honoring-the-past-celebrating-the-highlands.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" 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