Amankora Resort, Bhutan, Asia Vacation and Amankora Resort Luxury Travel Package
Bhutan, Asia



General Information

Amanresorts can tailor make an Amankora Journey based on preferred days of stay.

Specially created menus featuring matsutake mushrooms will be available at Amankora Paro and Amankora Thimphu. 

As close to being there as one might imagine, Amanresorts is pleased to present BHUTAN, the pictorial journey where images of a remote culture and its sustained traditions are at every turn revealed as wholly captivating.

Adhering to ancient cultural, religious and social traditions, Bhutan annually offers a limited number of travellers wonderful insights into life in the Himalayas as it has been lived for many centuries. Descending from 7,500-metre high Alps in the north to the low-lying plains of the south, Bhutan’s rivers have forged deep valleys separated by high mountain passes. Historically isolated, each valley’s scenic beauty and topography affords visitors an opportunity for unique journeys of discovery between them.

Combining the Sanskrit word 'aman' or peace with 'kora' or circular pilgrimage in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language, Amankora is a series of guest lodges located throughout Bhutan's principal western and central valleys of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha and (from 1 November, 2007) Bumthang. Together they provide an ideal circuit for discovery of cultural traditions unchanged over centuries.
 

Deriving its name from two words, 'aman' meaning 'peace' in Sanskrit and 'kora' meaning 'circular pilgrimage' in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language, Amankora is a series of lodges sited throughout Bhutan's principal western and central valleys. Each valley and lodge has its own character, setting and experience.

Guests may either visit one of the lodges or, to best experience all that Bhutan has to offer, Amanresorts can plan a tailor-made journey, including one or more of the Amankora lodges located in Paro, Punakha, Gangtey, Thimphu or (from 1 November, 2007) Bumthang.

Amankora Paro

Near Balakha Village, 30 minutes from Paro town and the airport, Amankora Paro is located approximately 2,250m above sea level. The views take in 17th century Drukyel Dzong and stretch to 7,300m high, snow-capped Jhomolhari and beyond. There are six blocks with four suites each, two on the ground floor and two on the upper floor. The 24 suites are similar in design featuring natural rammed-earth walls, gently sloping roofs and wood-panelled interiors with a king-size bed, a traditional bukhari (wood-burning stove) and a large terrazzo-clad bath.

Steps rise to a large stone terrace that leads to the lodge's Living Room that is furnished with banquettes and lounging chairs. Adjacent is the Library and a small Boutique and beneath is the Dining Room which opens on an external terrace overlooking a small stream. A track leads to a  stone and timber terrace that contains a central fireplace that is surrounded by two lounging areas. Set on two levels, the Spa contains an arrival area, changing rooms and a glass-walled sauna and yoga/relaxation suite. Steps lead to the lower level which includes one double treatment room and four single rooms, each fitted with a shower and unique outdoor stone bath.

Amankora Thimphu

Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city, is a two-hour drive from Amankora Paro or one and a half hours directly from Paro's international airport. At an altitude of 2,350m, Thimphu lies in a steep valley surrounded by richly forested mountains dotted with ancient monasteries and lhakhangs (temples). The town is built up from the Thimphu Chhu and is centred around the quaint Clock Tower and its surrounding lanes of shops, vegetable and meat markets, and assorted local restaurants. Up the valley lies the impressive Tashichoe Dzong and the Kingdom's only official golf course, a rolling nine holes set against the back drop of chortens (Buddhist receptacles for offerings), colourfully painted government agencies and the surrounding mountains.

Sited in a pine forest in the upper reaches of the Motithang area of the Thimphu Valley, Amankora Thimphu is a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Kingdom's booming capital. Dzong-like architecture incorporates high stone, white-washed buildings accessed through an enclosed arrival court. Stairs lead from this entry point to a dramatic combined Living and Dining room with soaring ceilings and wood panelled walls. Adjacent is a flagstone outdoor dining deck with views over the nearby stream and blue pine forest. Stairs lead down to the Spa that is appointed with three treatment rooms, steam and sauna rooms and changing areas.

Two accommodation blocks house a total of 16 suites, featuring a combined living and bedroom that includes a king-size bed, a reading chair and a window banquette providing views across a landscaped courtyard or directly onto the nearby stream and pine forest. Room interiors feature combined wood panel and chocolate brown walls. The traditional bukhari is positioned between the bedroom and the bathroom. The spacious bathroom opens from the bedroom and provides a terrazzo-clad bath that enjoys a view through a vertical slot window. A shower, toilet and twin vanities and hanging space complete the bathroom. The suites are individually heated during the cold winter months.

Amankora Punakha

Situated a short drive north of the grand Punakha Dzong and Puntsho Pelri Palace (winter residence of His Majesty The King), Amankora Punakha is accessed via a suspension bridge over the river Mo Chhu.

A short drive or walk takes guests to the lodge compound which is centred around a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse built as a residence by Her Majesty the Queen Mother to oversee the surrounding rice fields and fruit plantations. This grand structure, with its vegetable dye wall paintings, is now the combined common guest areas of the lodge with the Dining Room situated on the ground floor and the upper floors offering intimate relaxation areas and a traditional altar room for prayers or meditation. The courtyard of the farmhouse is arranged for outdoor dining and relaxing in Punakha's temperate climate. Adjacent to the courtyard is the Tea Pavilion which was once the kitchen of the summer palace. Beyond this is a newly built two-storey Spa building housing a yoga/meditation room which provides open views of the surrounding paddy fields and on its lower level encompasses two private treatment rooms, a steam room and changing area.

Eight suites, located in three rammed-earth buildings, are situated in an orange orchard with views across the rice fields and back up the Punakha Valley. The suites are identical to the design of the suites at Amankora, Paro, featuring wood panelled interiors, a traditional bukhari, king-size bed, terrazzo-clad bath, shower and vanities, and day bed. Suites are individually heated during the cooler winter months and air-conditioned in the summer months.

Amankora Gangtey

Travelling easterly from Punakha, the road passes through the village of Wangdue Phodrang and climbs past deep ravines with dizzying drops to the little visited, picturesque valley of Phobjikha, home to the quaint rural settlement of Gangtey. At an elevation of 3,000 metres on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, Phobjikha is one of Bhutan's few glacial valleys. A designated conservation area, it is winter home of the endangered black-necked crane. The quaint village is dominated by the 16th century Gangtey Gomba, which includes a school, meditation facilities and quarters for monks, and is home to the mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, one of the region's historically important Buddhist treasure discoverers.

Positioned on a forested knoll close to the valley floor is Amankora Gangtey. A winding track leads guests through the forest and descends to the lodge that enjoys sweeping views of the stunning valley landscape and fields of dwarf bamboo and potato crops. The lodge accommodations and guest areas are encompassed in one rammed-earth building. The combined Living and Dining Room is appointed with cosy chairs and sofas and family style dining tables, providing views through floor to ceiling windows of the valley and surrounding mountains. Two massage treatment rooms and changing areas, and an intimate yoga/meditation room are provided on the lodge's ground floor.

The eight suites are identical to those of Amankora Thimphu, offering an open plan bedroom and bathing area. The aesthetics combine wood panelling and chocolate brown walls, the traditional bukhari, terrazzo-clad bath, shower and vanity, and day bed offering views across the valley. Suites are individually heated during the cold winter months.

Amankora Bumthang

Adjacent to the first and second King of Bhutan's palace, Wangdicholing, Amankora Bumthang lies within the district's main trading and administrative centre, Jakar, in the Choekhor Valley, one of four valleys making up the region commonly known as Bumthang.

Access to Amankora Bumthang passes alongside the former royal sport ground of Bhutan's first two kings, a traditional and much-used archery, and circles an imposing peach tree planted by the late Queen Mother. The lodge is surrounded by an apple orchard with pear trees along its boundary with the Palace.  A dzong-inspired hallway at the lodge's entrance opens onto a Library and a comfortable Living Room appointed with lounge chairs, daybeds and a traditional bukhari. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of a landscaped courtyard adjoining the shared Palace grounds. Adjacent is the elegantly-appointed Dining Room with its soaring 18ft ceiling. Outdoor dining areas under the shade of local fruit trees are also provided in the courtyard. The Spa, located just above the entranceway, offers three cosy treatment rooms, a steam room and changing area. Accessed through an impressive stone-clad hallway, 16 guest Suites are situated in four separate blocks, each containing two suites on the ground floor and two on the upper floor. Each suite features wood-panelled interiors, a traditional bukhari, king-size bed, terrazzo-clad bath, shower, twin vanities and daybed overlooking the courtyard and nearby Wangdicholing Palace and monastery.

VH

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