Amankora

Kingdom of Bhutan

A total Bhutan experience

A SPECTACULAR JOURNEY
THROUGH BHUTAN

The first resort in Bhutan and with five lodges across its central and western valleys, Amankora has been a part of this legendary Buddhist Kingdom for almost 20 years. Dedicated to providing an unparalleled experience of this pristine, year-round destination – one of the happiest places in the world – Amankora’s five lodges are each a sanctuary designed to complement its uniquely beautiful setting.

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above cover photo:
A view of a pool of one of five lodges along the Bhutan Kingdom

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THE JOURNEY

Amankora’s five distinct lodges offer a circuit of Himalayan sanctuaries, inviting guests to embark on a multi-destination itinerary through the Kingdom of Bhutan. Guests can choose a journey entailing all or a combination of Amankora’s lodges, with a variety of adventures available to explore.

All journeys include

• Flight reservations and visa processing assistance
• Airport transfers to/ from Paro Airport to Amankora Paro/ Amankora Thimphu
• Personalised itinerary planning
• All meals (breakfast and 3-course lunch and dinner)
• Picnics en route to other Amankora Lodges
• In-house beverages including house wines and spirits
• WiFi access and laundry
• For stays of seven nights or more in any lodge, or a combination of lodges, a tailor-made Bhutan itinerary will include complimentary road permits, private transport with a driver and guide, and one 60-minute Spa treatment

AMANKORA LODGES

Amankora is a series of five lodges spread across the central and western valleys of Bhutan, the Himalayas’ last Buddhist Kingdom. To best experience all that Bhutan has to offer, Amankora tailors personalised journeys that include a combination of its lodges located in the valleys of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang.

AMANKORA PARO LODGE
Nestled amongst thick pine, Paro Lodge presents 24-suites, a two-storey spa and a glass-walled yoga studio. Meanwhile, keen hikers can take the 4-hour journey from Paro Lodge to Tiger’s Nest.

AMANKORA THIMPHU LODGE
Set in the upper reaches of the Motithang area, the 16-Suite Lodge of Amankora Thimphu is built in the style of a traditional dzong fortress and is close to the capital’s shops and sights.

AMANKORA PUNAKHA LODGE
Reached by crossing a suspension bridge over the Mo Chhu River, Punakha Lodge incorporates a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse built by a former Je Khenpo (chief abbot of Bhutan).

AMANKORA GANGTEY LODGE
In the little-visited Phobjikha Valley near the village of Gangtey, the eight-suite Amankora Gangtey Lodge is set on a forested knoll with scenic views of the valley floor and the 16th-century Gangtey Goemba monastery. Part of the Black Mountains National Park wildlife reserve, the valley is home each winter to a flock of 300 endangered black-neck cranes.

AMANKORA BUMTHANG LODGE
Bumthang, directly translating as ‘beautiful field’, is home to 29 temples and monasteries, including the ancient Jambay Lhakhang, and is a treasure-trove of Bhutan’s art and painting traditions. The 16-suite Amankora Bumthang Lodge rests adjacent to the Wandichholing Palace, within the town of Jakar in the Choekhor Valley.

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WELLNESS
AMAN-I-KHÁS

HERBAL HEALING AND HOT-STONE BATHS
Known in Bhutan as khempa, the herb artemisia is a natural analgesic, used as a healing addition to the traditional Himalayan bathing ritual. A short walk from Aman Gangtey, atop a hill above the picturesque Phobjikha Valley, a wooden hut with bamboo doors houses Aman’s Bhutanese hot-stone bath. Soak in candlelight in waters rich in minerals and floating sprigs of khempa, and enjoy a hot apple cider as the sun sets.

MOVEMENT AND MEDITATION
The Amankora day begins with morning yoga in the spas’ dedicated mountain-view studios. The Lodges also run a programme of yoga-focused wellbeing retreats and monks frequently visit from Bhutan’s monasteries to lead meditation sessions, share their teaching and offer blessings to Lodge guests.

FLAG AND FOREST THERAPY
Inspired by ancient Buddhist teachings, grounding sensory experiences give guests an opportunity to pause, focusing only on listening, breathing and feeling. Forest bathing involves take tranquil walks through pristine wilderness, absorbing the forest’s healing ambience. An iconic part of Bhutanese culture for centuries, prayer flags are mounted to encourage happiness and prosperity. The sight and sounds of the colourful flags as they flutter on the mountainside create a focal point for transformative meditation.

THE WELLNESS FACILITIES

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An array of Bhutanese, Western and Indian dishes are served across all five Amankora Lodges, using local ingredients such as yak meat and fresh honey from the Bumthang Valley. Private dining can be arranged both inside and outside the Lodges, whether for an intimate dinner or group celebration.

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365 DAYS OF HAPPINESS

Bhutan is a global pioneer, the first nation of the world to systematically measure its success not by the strength of its economy but by the happiness of its people. Such a unique approach befits a country unlike any other – a wild, spiritual and majestic mountain kingdom where tranquility reigns and everything is off the beaten track. Whether travellers visit in the height of summer, when the Himalayas are carpeted with wildflowers, or the depths of winter, when cobalt skies segue into spectacular starscapes – Bhutan is a year-round revelation.