Bhutan is one of the ultimate luxury destinations. Partly, this is because so few tourists visit, making it refreshingly exclusive. Mountain views, a colourful culture and astonishing architecture are just the start. Better still, Aman has opened five Amankora lodges across the country. So each night you rest somewhere incredible, yet still get off the beaten track by day. As ever, the whole tour is private and tailored to you.
The five Amankora lodges sit in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang. Helpfully, they run on a fully inclusive basis. So all meals, drinks and experiences are included. The staff, meanwhile, are superb, and the rooms are vast. It is the little touches that delight most. For example, they clean your walking boots each night, ready for the morning.
Begin in Kathmandu, which offers a short, breathtaking flight on to Bhutan. You stay at the beautiful Dwarika’s for two nights. So you have time to find your feet and explore with a private guide. You could also reach Bhutan via Bangkok, Delhi, Singapore or Mumbai. Either way, the Himalayan flight is unforgettable.
Fly to Paro, with the Himalayas unfolding on your left. Your guide and driver then take you to Thimphu for two nights at Amankora Thimphu. So you might walk in the hills behind the lodge. At the weekend, the market is a colourful start. For something more immersive, visit Dodedrak, built around a 12th-century temple. There you can join the monks for lunch and see 900-year-old paintings.
Next, drive to Punakha via the Dochula Pass. On the way, stop at Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, reached through lush paddy fields. That evening, head to Punakha Dzong for prayers. The following day, a lovely trail leads through farmland to the Khamsum Chorten. From the top, the valley views are superb. Best of all, Aman sets up a picnic along the way. You stay at Amankora Punakha.
Then drive back to Paro and Amankora Paro. First, take a three-hour walk on the Choedin village loop, past old ruins and traditional life. The next day brings the highlight: the walk to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. So you climb through rice fields, past chortens and farmhouses, often invited in for tea. Then comes the 900m ascent to Taktsang itself, clinging to its cliff.
Since you have seen the great dzong at Punakha, we skip Paro’s and head further afield. So you cross the dramatic Chele Pass to the remote Haa Valley. Along the way, the views back over Mt Jomolhari are magnificent. There you enjoy a picnic lunch and meet off-the-beaten-track communities. On the way back, we can even arrange bikes. So you free-wheel from the pass down into Paro.
Naturally, the Amankora lodges are the heart of this trip. Each is serene, all-inclusive and beautifully run. So you can add nights in Gangtey or Bumthang too. Either side, the lovely Dwarika’s and Dwarika’s Dhulikhel bookend the journey. Of course, we know every one personally.
Throughout Bhutan, you have a private car, driver and personal guide. So the itinerary bends entirely to your interests. Meanwhile, Aman’s signature experiences add real magic. For example, picnics in stunning spots or tea in a local home. As a result, the whole tour feels effortless and exclusive.
Generally, spring and autumn bring the clearest skies and finest views. They also coincide with many of Bhutan’s vivid festivals. By contrast, the summer monsoon brings cloud and rain. So we usually favour those windows. Either way, we advise on the ideal timing for your dates.
Bhutan feels quite unlike anywhere else. So the culture remains gloriously intact. Monasteries cling to cliffs, and prayer flags flutter on every pass. Meanwhile, the people wear national dress with pride. As a result, even a short visit leaves a deep impression. In short, it is a country that stays with you.
Above all, this suits travellers who want the very best. For example, it is ideal for a milestone trip. Equally, it rewards anyone craving comfort with their culture. Couples and small groups enjoy it most. As a result, it is our most indulgent way to see Bhutan.
As ever, this is only a starting point. So we shape the route, the nights and the experiences to suit. In the end, the trip is entirely your own.
Put simply, this is Bhutan at its most refined. So every lodge, drive and walk is considered. In the end, it is a journey to treasure for years.
Simply put, the Amankora lodges are exceptional. They are all-inclusive, beautifully staffed and superbly located. So they let you explore hard by day, then unwind in real comfort.
Most guests fly via Kathmandu for the spectacular Himalayan approach. Bangkok, Delhi and Singapore also connect. We arrange the whole routing for you.
It is a steady climb of around 900m, taking a few hours. So a reasonable level of fitness helps. You can also turn back at the halfway viewpoint.
Entirely. Add nights in Gangtey or Bumthang, or pair Bhutan with Nepal. Simply share your dates and interests, and we will craft the rest.
| £8995P.P |
|---|
| Days | Location | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1-2 | Kathmandu | Dwarika’s |
| Day 3-4 | Thimphu | Amankora Thimphu |
| Days 5-6 | Punakha | Amankora Punakha |
| Days 7-9 | Paro | Amankora Paro |
| Day 10 | Kathmandu | Dwarika’s Dhulikhel |
| Day 11 | Kathmandu Airport | Fly Home |
Fly to Kathmandu, the gateway for the short, breathtaking flight on to Bhutan. You stay at the superb Dwarika’s for two nights to find your feet. Explore the city with a private guide. You can also access Bhutan via Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi or Mumbai.
Fly to Paro, with Himalayan views on your left, and meet your guide and driver for the drive to Thimphu. Spend two nights here, with the first afternoon at leisure or a gentle walk in the hills behind the lodge. At the weekend, visit the local market. For something more immersive, head to Dodedrak, built around a 12th-century temple, to join the monks for lunch and see 900-year-old paintings.
Drive to Punakha via the Dochula Pass, stopping at Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, reached by a short walk through paddy fields. That evening, head to Punakha Dzong for evening prayers.
Spend a day exploring Punakha. A lovely trail leads through farmland and villages to the Khamsum Chorten, with amazing views back over the valley. Aman will set up a picnic along the way.
Drive back to Paro and take a three-hour walk on the Choedin village loop, passing the ruins of Choedin Lhakhang and Drukgyel Dzong. Along the way, you see traditional life on display.
Set off on the walk to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, starting through the rice fields along the river. You pass chortens, traditional farmhouses and an archery ground, often invited in for tea. Then climb the 900m ascent to Taktsang itself.
Since you have seen the great dzong at Punakha, head instead to the remote Haa Valley, crossing the Chele Pass with views back over Mt Jomolhari. Enjoy a picnic lunch and meet the off-the-beaten-track communities. On the way back, we can arrange bikes to free-wheel down from the pass into Paro.
Fly to Kathmandu and spend the night on the ridge of the valley at Dwarika’s Dhulikhel.
We can tweak and change any element of this itinerary and you can depart on any day you want, add nights here and there, and we can fully customise your day-to-day experiences depending on your interests. Here are just a few ideas of many that we can look at and discuss when we come to plan your tailor-made itinerary.
Extend your stay. The Amankora Hotels have such a wide-ranging programme of unique experiences from long day-hikes to interesting immersive experiences. This itinerary doesn't include the Amankora lodges in Gangtey or Bumthang, but they can easily be included if you have time
Combine with other Aman Hotels in Asia such as Amanbagh and Aman-i-Khas in India or Amanpuri in Thailand for a beach stay at the end. If you feel even even longer, then you could opt with a combination with Vietnam, Loas or Cambodia. Anything is possible!
If you really want to jazz up the experience, you can fly by helicopter from lodge to lodge, or take the heli on a mountain flight in the north of Bhutan
The itinerary starts and ends in Kathmandu, but you can opt to start from Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi, Mumbai or Calcutta
We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.