Day 1

Paro-Thimphu

Start your Amankora Luxury Tour of Bhutan at the Paro International Airport, where you’ll be picked up and driven to Bhutan’s capital city, Thimphu. Within about an hour, you’ll arrive at the Amankora Thimphu resort, where you’ll be welcomed with a reading from the lodge’s resident astrologer. This is a great way to learn about the complex role that astrology plays in Himalayan Buddhism. With any luck, you may just catch a glimpse into the good fortune that awaits you during your week in Bhutan!

Spend the rest of the day exploring the sights and sounds of Thimphu. The Weekend Market is an especially bustling center of activity if you’re in town between Thursday and Sunday. You’ll also want to check out the Tashichhoedzong. This monumental fortress serves as the seat of Bhutan’s government and looks particularly enchanting when it’s lit up at night. Another must-see highlight of Thimphu is the 50-meter statue known as the Buddha Dordenma. This stunning representation of the Shakyamuni Buddha keeps a watchful eye over the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, which is a great attraction in its own right. Return to your luxury accommodations at Amankora Thimphu when you’re ready to get a good night’s sleep.

Day 2

Thimpu

Wake up refreshed and eager to learn; you’ll have a private meeting this morning with Mynak Trulku Rinpoche, a local guru who is recognized as the 12th reincarnation of an important historical lama. You can enjoy stimulating conversation over a cup of tea, meditate together, or simply ask the guru about his fascinating life. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better way to learn about Buddhism and Bhutanese culture.

Later, explore Thimphu’s many shops and restaurants; there’s no shortage of choices when it comes to fine Bhutanese and international food here. If you prefer to stretch your legs, consider hopping onto a bicycle or going for a hike. There are a few bike shops in town, and the path to the Tango and Cheri monasteries is a good option if you want to get out and enjoy the scenery. When you’re all done sightseeing for the day, return to Amankora Thimphu. We recommend treating yourself to a rejuvenating oxygen facial or holistic oxygen treatment at the hotel spa to unwind in style.

Day 3

Thimphu-Punakha

Your route today will take you from Thimphu to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. Expect to spend about three hours on the road, with a sightseeing stop at the scenic pass of Dochu La. The pass sits at about 3,100 meters and features an arrangement of 108 whitewashed chortens – not to mention a sweeping panorama of Himalayan peaks. You can also enter the Royal Botanical Park just above the chortens, which is home to more than forty species of rhododendron. If the weather’s fair, you can hike upwards through hemlock and birch trees for two or three hours. This trail ends at a small 18th-century temple known as Lungchutse Gompa. After hiking back to the pass, linger for a cup of coffee at the Druk Wangyel Cafe before continuing on to Punakha.

When you arrive at Amankora Punakha, you’ll be welcomed with a private lunch or dinner along the banks of the Mo Chhu river. Your chef will prepare a personalized four-course meal, and you’ll dine in a secluded grove of pine trees near the lodge. After you eat, walk off some calories by taking a day hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Temple. You’ll tramp along a quiet, forested trail for about an hour before reaching the temple. There are some colorful murals inside, as well as spectacular views from the temple’s hilltop position. When you return to Amankora Punakha, you’ll be ready to relax with a grounding face ritual at the resort’s Aman Spa. This acupressure and massage treatment uses frankincense and rose quartz crystal to promote physical and emotional well-being.

Day 4

Punakha

Pay a visit to the Punakha Dzong, which is widely considered to be the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan. It’s even more impressive when you realize it was built without a single nail! Afterwards, make sure to check out the Chimi Lhakhang, or Temple of the Divine Madman, to learn more about the country’s most outrageous religious icon. There’s also a lot to see in the countryside around Punakha. A good full-day option is the hike to Bhutan’s largest lake, Hokatsho Lake. For a shorter day hike, consider taking about three hours to walk to nearby Nobgang Village.

If you’re ready for something a little more exciting, you can embark on a private whitewater rafting trip on the rapids of the thrilling Mo Chhu river. If you prefer a more relaxing trip downstream, the Po Chhu offers a gentler route. Either adventure will be sure to help you work up an appetite, so you’ll be ready for your private cooking class with Amankora’s chef-in-residence. You’ll prepare and enjoy a range of classic Bhutanese recipes. After dark, you’ll want to return to the Punakha Dzong to see how its floodlights totally transform its appearance into something magical.

Day 5

Punakha-Gangtey

Your day begins with a two-hour drive to the Phobjikha Valley, famous for its migratory black-necked crane population. Your first stop will be the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre. In the wintertime, this is a great place to see the famous birds for yourself. Next, visit Gangtey Gompa, just a few minutes’ drive away. The courtyard here is home to an annual festival honoring the black-necked crane. But no matter what time of year you visit, Amankora will arrange for you to join a food offering ritual for the monks residing here. This is an ancient tradition meant to promote selflessness and accumulate merit.

After the offering, take the opportunity to explore the Gangtey Nature Trail just behind the gompa. The path leads you past Semchubara Village and ends at Khewang Lhakhang. For a longer hike, return to the Amankora Gangtey resort and join the trailhead for the Shashi La Nature Trail. You can expect to spend three or four hours on this steeper, more challenging route. Back at the lodge, your first day in Gangtey draws to a close with an atmospheric candlelit dinner. You’ll savour your meal in a rustic stone-built potato harvesting shed, just a few minutes from the resort.

Day 6

Gangtey-Paro

You’ll start the morning with a road trip from Gangtey to Paro, taking a five-hour route that passes through some of Bhutan’s most peaceful, bucolic countryside. When you arrive in Paro, the first thing you’ll want to do is visit the incredible Paro Takstang, or Tiger’s Nest Monastery. As a guest of Amankora Paro, you’ll be treated to a private barbecue-style lunch right at the foot of the monastery. Next, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the ancient Kyichu Lhakhang, where you’ll participate in a ceremony to light 108 butter lamps and dispel ignorance. If you’re traveling with your spouse, you can also renew your wedding vows by receiving a Bhutanese marriage blessing at another nearby temple.

Active travelers will be pleased to learn that there are lots of great hiking opportunities in and around Paro. The very best of them start at the mountain pass of Chelela, which is the highest motorable point in Bhutan at about 3,800 meters. You can reach the pass by car in about an hour; then you can trek uphill for another hour to catch a glimpse of Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, as well as other jaw-dropping Himalayan mountains. A downhill trek to Kila Nunnery is another great route to follow. The nunnery is clustered against a sheer rock face and serves as a place of study for about 100 nuns. When you return to Paro, you’ll have one last chance to go shopping and dining before tomorrow’s departure.

Day 7

Paro-Departure

It’s time to say goodbye to your guides and drivers; your Amankora Luxury Tour of Bhutan will conclude with your morning departure from Paro International Airport. We hope that we’ll be able to welcome you back to Bhutan soon!