30 December 2025
Happy New Year!
With the close of another eventful year, looking back to all that was accomplished and all the friends we have made is a heartwarming process.
Bhutan is a small country, and yet because of the nature of our economy, spearheaded by tourism (the field to which all of us here at Zhingkham Excursions have given our hearts to and toiled for), this wonderful land does not feel so tiny. It is an interesting observation that when one travels, immerses himself in the culture of another, all prejudices are wiped clean from his mind, and he forgets the divide—or rather, he remembers the fundamental fact that all of us, regardless of religion or political and spiritual ideology, are all the same.
It is emotionally lifting when we look at the world that way, and the fact that we can work where this thought is presented to us again and again, and earn a livelihood, is something that personally I cherish very much.
This year has been a cornucopia of new experiences. Our team, for the first time in its young history, hosted (Bhutan side) and aided in the successful execution of a sizable conference delegation from India that came to Bhutan under the Department of Tourism’s MICE SDF incentive. The event organized by Pahal Travels was a great success, not only helping Bhutan in its growth via windfall sales, but also presenting Bhutan to a prolific and seasoned tour partner from India whose representatives have left Kingdom with a lingering thought—that happiness is, in fact, still a place.
Furthermore, we would also like to give thanks to our travel partners who have always placed their guests, and more precisely their trust, in us. One of our valued partners completed their group tour of Bhutan, opting to see the wilder and untamed side of the country that few dare to. Their group journeyed past the center mark of Bhutan, Bumthang, where most tourists make their return trip, and made it past Trashigang and Mongar, coming out of the east end of the country. The ideas that pushed these intrepid travelers inspire us and compel us to find ways of showing the people who come to Bhutan—adventurers old and young—a lifestyle that is fast fading. I personally would love to talk at length about a certain thought that arose from their excursion through the east. Yet, this thought and the prospects it will give are not mine alone to disclose. In the meantime, we give thanks to all of you, friends, for the opportunity you give us to do what we love.
So, with the close of this year and the advent of the next, here is to being hopeful. Here is to the idea that we are forming collectively as a team—an idea that we will soon share with all. Here is to the continuing of the lives and stories we get to share with you. Here is to all the journeys that we may plan for you and go with you to their bittersweet end.
Happy New Year,
Zhingkham Excursions.
Jigme