Amankora, Kingdom of Bhutan

A tailor-made guided journey through the magical and mystical Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan

7 nights from around £6,000pp on all-inclusive basis, private guide/driver, flights and transfers

Amankora is the collective name for 5 luxury Aman Lodges sprinkled across the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. With your own driver/guide and staying in Aman Lodges throughout the country, this enchanting tour takes you deep into Bhutan’s alluring culture, traditions and identity, and enables you to discover its majestic scenery and extraordinary architecture. With Aman, meaning ‘peace’ in Sanskrit, and kora, meaning ‘circular pilgrimage’ in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language, Amankora perfectly describes the experience that awaits you in the magical and mystical Kingdom of Bhutan.

The Journey

Amankora offers a variety of itineraries to suit each individual, and under Aman’s care, guests can enjoy a seamless journey through the enchanting landscape. You can choose a bespoke itinerary incorporating up to five different lodges, carefully positioned throughout the valleys – Paro, Punahkha, Thimphu, Gangtey and Bumthang, each offering its own dramatic backdrop and amazing views. If you wish to visit all the lodges in one trip, then you'll need at least ten days. Alternatively, we can tailor-make your journey to suit the time you have available.

The traditional 7 night tour starts at Amankora Thimphu, a peaceful retreat located on a ridge overlooking Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital city. From Thimphu you will be driven by your personal driver/guide to Gangtey and stay at the Amankora Gangtey in the Phobjikha Valley - a glacial valley virtually untouched by modern civilisation. Then to Punakha, a short drive north of the grand Punakha Dzong and Phuntsho Pelri Palace (summer residence of His Majesty The King) is Amankora Punakha. Accessed via a suspension bridge over the river Mo Chhu. Next you travel on to Amankora Paro which is in the forest near Balakha Village, 30 minutes from Paro town and at approximately 2,250m above sea level. From Amankora Paro ascend to the sacred Tiger's Nest Monastery, clinging to a 900m cliff face where Buddhism is said to have arrived and

is one of Bhutan's national treasures.

We can tweak any aspect of this itinerary to create your own luxury Bhutan holiday.

Accommodation

Aman is famous for its paired back styling and supremely comfortable and luxurious accommodation. It's no different in Bhutan. With the largest Amankora lodges having just 24 rooms, the service and attention to detail throughout is of the highest quality. All the suites are spacious with a combined living space and bedroom, and bathrooms complete with freestanding baths and luxurious amenities.

Facilities & Services

The food is delicious and often a mix of Bhutanese, Asian and Western delicacies complemented by delicious wines. All lodges have libraries full of fascinating books on the Kingdom and its culture, and all lodges offer fantastic treatments in dedicated spas.

In keeping with the peaceful and natural environment, each of the Amankora spas maintains a low-key indulgence, embracing the simplicities of plants, herbs and Bhutan's natural resources. Infused with cedarwood incense, the spas promote spiritual healing through meditation and Reiki, whilst the relaxation rooms and saunas increases tranquillity.

Weather & Seasons

Best time to visit is October to December and February to May. There are a number of festivals celebrated in Bhutan, in particular Tshechu, which takes place during late summer and autumn with Thimpu Tshechu being the most popular.