Holiday with Amankora

Trip Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days
Trip Type: Leisure Holiday
Grade & Elevation: Moderate, 3200 ft.
Tour Start & End Point: From Bangkok/Kathmandu-Paro
Group Size: Minimum 2 or above
Trip Season: Sep - Dec & Feb - Jun

Trip Highlights: Discover the beauty of Bhutan on foot with a hiking programme. For those preferring the option of a more relaxing day, one of the tour days can be replaced with a visit to Bhutan's capital city of Thimphu. The day includes a short hike in the morning with museum visits and shopping in the afternoon.

AMANKORA PARO Thirty minutes from Paro’s international airport, the lodge contrasts rustic with contemporary design, featuring natural rammed-earth walls and a gentle sloping roof. A lime-washed stone pavilion houses the Living and Dining Rooms, Library, Boutique and Outdoor Terrace. Behind the main cluster of buildings is the Spa which includes a sauna, steam room, five treatment rooms with hot stone baths, changing rooms and a glass-walled yoga suite. There are six dwellings with four suites each, two on the ground floor and two on the upper floor. The 24 suites are similar in design with a king-size bed, a traditional bukhari

(wood-burning stove) and a large terrazzo-clad bath.

AMANKORA THIMPHU The lodge incorporates tall, white-washed stone buildings accessed through an enclosed entrance court. The Living and Dining Room features soaring ceilings and an outdoor dining deck with views of the nearby stream and surrounding forest. The Spa includes three treatment rooms, a steam room and changing areas. Two dwellings house a total of 16 suites featuring a combined living and bedroom that includes a king-size bed, two reading chairs and a window banquette providing views across a landscaped courtyard or directly onto the nearby stream and pine forest. Room interiors feature wood panel and chocolate brown walls. The traditional bukhari is positioned between the bedroom and the bathroom with a shower, toilet and twin vanities. The suites are individually heated during cold winter months.

AMANKORA PUNAKHA Accessed by crossing a suspension bridge over the Mo Chhu, the lodge is centred by a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse built by a former Je Kempo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). This quaint, three-storey structure with its preserved vegetable dye wall paintings is now a reception area with a Dining Room, traditional Altar Room, a courtyard for alfresco dining and a tea pavilion. Just beyond is the Spa with two treatment rooms, a steam room, changing areas and a yoga / meditation room. Eight suites, located in three rammed-earth dwellings, are situated in an orange orchard with views across the rice fields and up the Punakha Valley. The suites are identical to the design of the suites at Amankora Paro and feature wood-panelled interiors, a traditional bukhari, king-size bed, terrazzo-clad bath, shower, vanities and daybed. Suites are individually heated during the cooler winter months and air-conditioned in the summer months.

AMANKORA GANGTEY Floor-to-ceiling windows in the combined Living and Dining Room offer beautiful views over the expansive Phobjikha Valley. Spa facilities include two treatment rooms and changing areas. The eight suites are identical to those of Amankora Thimphu, offering an open plan bedroom and bathing area. The design combines wood panelling and chocolate brown walls, traditional bukhari, terrazzo-clad bath, shower, vanity and daybed offering views across the valley.

AMANKORA BUMTHANG Overlooking established orchards and nestled near the grounds of one of Bhutan royal palaces, the lodge offers a Library, comfortable Living Room, regal Dining Room and cosy Spa with three treatment rooms, a steam room and changing areas. Accessed through an impressive stone-clad hallway, 16 guest suites are situated in four separate dwellings, each containing two suites on the ground floor and two on the upper floor. Suites feature wood-panelled interiors, a traditional bukhari, king-size bed, terrazzo-clad bath, shower, twin vanities and daybed overlooking the courtyard, nearby Wangdichholing Palace and monastery.

Day: 01 Arrive Paro and drive to Thimphu (55 kms/approx 1 ½ hrs)
Your luxury tour of Bhutan, begins with an arrival at Paro airport (Bhutan’s only International Airport), where you will be met by our Representative for your transfer Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu. On arrival in Thimphu check in at the Amankora Lodge. The Amankora Lodge in Thimphu, is raised up in a blue-pine forest of the Motithang area, sitting close to the capital’s intriguing sights and traditional shops.
Overnight in Thimphu.

Day: 02 In Thimphu
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a sightseeing tour of Thimphu, visiting the National Library housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts, the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) which conducts training courses in Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum. After lunch, visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”, the centre of Bhutan’s government and religion, King's Memorial Chorten and the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts.
Overnight in Thimphu.

Day: 03 Drive Thimphu - Gangtey (150 kms/approx 04 hrs)
An early breakfast followed by a drive to Dochula pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) and on to the Phobjikha Valley passing through dense forests and oak, rhododendron tress, reaching Gangtey (Phobjikha).
On arrival in Gangtey check in at the Amankora Lodge, Gangtey. The Amankora Lodge Gangtey, is set in the remote wilderness of the Phobjikha valley, offering magical views across the bird-strewn gorge and to the empowering Gangtey Goemba, a 16th century monastery.
Later walk around Gangtey village and visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in this region.
Overnight in Gangtey.

Day: 04 Drive Gangtey - Punakha (75 kms/approx 3 hrs)
After an early breakfast, short nature walk around the valley followed by drive to Punakha via Wangduephodrang. En-route visit Wangdue Dzong which is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers.
On arrival in Punakha check in at the Amankora Lodge. The Amankora Lodge in Punakha, is set in sparkling verdancy east of the Dochu La Pass and just north of the resplendent Punakha Dzong.
Overnight in Punakh

Day: 05 In Punakha
Breakfast at the hotel followed by hike up through fields of chilies, cabbages and rice along the banks of the Mo Chhu to the upper end of the valley and the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning monument recently built by the Queens and consecrated in 1999.
On the way back visit impressive Punakha Dzong, built at the junction of two rivers, this was the capital of Bhutan till about 50 years ago, and still serving as the winter headquarters of the Buddhist monks. Following lunch take a quick drive to the village of Talo for a walk in the beautiful and quiet grounds of the village temple and visit the home village of the Kingdom’s four Queens.
Afternoon at leisure or explore around.
Overnight in Punakha.

Day: 06 Drive Punakha – Paro (125 kms/approx 04hrs)
Drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro Town towards the north end of the valley.
On arrival in Paro check in at the Amankora Lodge. The Amankora lodge in Paro, is nestled among glistening conifers, and is a 24-suite pine forest retreat.
Later visit Ta Dzong, with it’s fascinating collection of arts, paintings, exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts. Also visit the Rinpung Dzong, known as ‘fortress of the heap of jewels’.
Overnight in Paro.

Day: 07 In Paro
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by an excursion to the Taktsang Monastery. Perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor, according to the legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress, and meditated at this place, hence the monastery is also called ‘Tiger’s Nest’.
After lunch drive to Drukgyel Dzong. This dzong, with a picturesque village nestling below its ramparts, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Also visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 7th century, it is one of the two oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan.
Overnight in Paro.

Day: 08 Depart Paro
Your tour of Bhutan comes to an end with a transfer to Paro airport, intime to connect your flight home.

Royalty and taxes to the government
Accommodation on twin sharing basis
Transportation within Bhutan
Services of guide
Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Tea and Snacks
All sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
Entrance fees to temple and monuments
Visa Fee and One time payment of US$ 10 each for Tourism Development Fund
Air Ticket - Kathmandu / Bangkok - Paro - Kathmandu/Bangkok

Personal Travel Insurance
Laundry bill
Phone call
Personal expenses
Drinks and beverages

The above rates are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. The rate can be higher depending upon the nature of services desired beyond the set of entitlements.

On the day of departure from Bhutan, our obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirement shall be payable on actual basis.

In order to secure Druk-Air tickets to and from Bhutan and good hotels, tour payment must be made 2 months prior to the date of arrival in Bhutan.

Visa is cleared by the government only after the receipt of full tour payment. Without visa, Druk-Air will not issue tickets. Once the tour reservation has been confirmed, Ghale Treks will provide advance payment options.

How this trip makes a difference!

Every booking you make creates a donation. Ghale Treks is a proud supporter of Creative Hands (CA) a social welfare organization. We send part of your service charge to Creative Hands who support worthy causes in poorer communities. Your money will go to education, disabled or physically challenged people, street children, victims, and those living in rural and remote areas of Nepal. Read more about the great work that Creative Hands do and where your donation goes here: http://www.creativehands.org.np

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