The Amankora collection is far from your typical resort, made up of five discreet lodges scattered across Bhutan's wild landscapes. Embracing Bhutan's traditional architecture and Aman's contemporary elegance, these lodges feature some seriously lavish amenities (terrazzo bathtubs, anyone?). With guided excursions readily available, Amankora let’s you really discover this little-visited kingdom without forgoing creature comforts.

Amankora Paro: Sunset Walk to Drukgyel Dzong A visit to Drukgyel Dzong is a wonderful way to spend a late afternoon/early evening. A thirty minute walk across open fields and village houses takes you to this historically significant structure where you can stroll around and gain insight into the history of the Kingdom. Before the sun sets, sit down by the big prayer wheel below the ruins, and relax whilst admiring the rural scenery and changing sky. Make your way back to the lodge by following the car road before day turns to night...   Drukgyel Dzong was built in 1649 to celebrate a decisive victory over Tibetan forces and to curtail further invasions. Under the leadership of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Bhutanese fought twelve battles with the Tibetans in different parts of the country, whereof one took place in Drukgyel Dzong. In the later years, the Dzong became an administrative centre under the Dzongpon (Lord of the Dzong) until gutted by a fire in 1951.   Visit to Sangchokhor Buddhist College On the top of the hill north-west of Paro town, Sangchokhor catches your eye. This beautifully situated temple is a teaching institution for 105 monks aged 15 – 30. It is also the home of the young reincarnation of Terton Drugda Dorji. On school days you can listen in on lectures and gain more knowledge about the monks’ educational program. The building also holds two altar rooms, and offers a magnificent view of Paro valley. The grassy area next to the stupa outside the temple is a nice spot for a picnic lunch. If you wish, we can also help you perform a spiritual cleansing (fumigation) ceremony to praise the mountain god and goddess, and for good luck.   We recommend you drive to Sangchokhor and then make the choice whether to hike or bike down. If you choose to hike, you can follow the scenic trail along the ridge leading down towards Dungtse Lhakhang. If you choose to bike, you can follow the same way which you came up; 30-45 minutes downhill on rough road followed by 8.7 miles / 14 km on paved road from Paro town back to the lodge.   Sangchokhor was originally built in the 18th century but was rebuilt about 30 years ago after a horrible fire. The original temple was built by the first “speech reincarnation” of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The institution now receives full government support as well as support from the Father of their Majesties the Queens. The lower altar room has a striking statue of Guru Rinpoche and unique 30-year old wall paintings created under the supervision of the Chief Abbot. The upper altar room is dedicated to the Zhabdrung lineage. Choedin Village Loop If you are in the mood for a walk off the beaten trail and do not feel like getting into a car, this is the perfect afternoon hike.   Set off from the lodge towards the Sagala Pass. Follow the dirt road until reaching the charming and petite Choedin Village. From here a trail sets off upwards through dense pine forest until reaching the ruins of Choedin Lhakhang at the top of the hill. Take time to admire the perfect views of Paro Valley and Tiger’s Nest and the thousands of pine trees. From here the trail leads you down to Tshento village just by Drukgyel Dzong. The loop can be completed in about three hours.   Bike from Lodge to Town Through Farming Villages From the lodge, follow the main road 3.7 miles / 6 km downhill to Zhiwa Ling Hotel. Here, turn right and conquer the steep hill upwards before turning left after a small stupa. Continue on the gravel road parallel to the main road which takes you through the tranquil village surroundings and provides insight to the valley’s farming traditions and rural life. After 8.7 miles / 14 km you will end up in town where you can enjoy a beer or some momos in one of the local bars before returning to the lodge by bike or car. Walk Above the Clouds from Chele La to Kila Goemba Chele La, the highest road pass in the country on 13,100 ft / 3,988 m, is decorated with thousands of prayer flags and offers astonishing long-reaching views, especially on clear days in the winter months (November-December). We suggest that you bring a picnic breakfast and get an early start from the lodge between 6 and 7 a.m. If you are lucky, you will reach Chele La just as the fog lifts. As you start climbing the hills towards the north of the pass, the mountain tops will appear one by one revealing Himalayan peaks such as the Jumolhari (24,000 ft / 7,314 m), Jichu Drake (22,290 ft / 6,794 m) and the World’s third highest mountain, Kangchenjunga, (29,169 ft / 8,586 m) located in Nepal/India. A variety of birds can also be seen and heard in the mountain landscape.   After one and a half hours of hill top climbing, you will reach a stone-bricked meditation hut with a breath taking 360° view. Enjoy your breakfast while taking time to admire the powerful surroundings before descending the last 45 minutes to Kila Goemba which can be seen hanging from the mountain side far below. Taksthang (Tiger’s Nest) Tiger’s Nest or Taktshang Goempa is one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments. It literally hangs off the face of a cliff 2,950 ft / 900 m above the valley floor. The legend states that Guru Rinpoche flew into Bhutan on a mythical tigress and meditated in a cave before bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The Taktshang Goempa is built around the cave, which is opened to the public once a year at the 30th of the 5th month of the Bhutanese calendar. The four-hour round trip hike offers spectacular views of the Goempa and the valley below, passing through pine and rhododendron forests, waterfalls and several lookout points. Bumdra Hike Far up and beyond Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) you will eventually find Bumdra located at a mountain pass 13,120 ft / 4,000 m above sea level overlooking Paro Valley. Reaching this point will give you a huge sense of achievement as you look down at the distance covered!   The route to Bumdra starts from the Taktshang base and follows the same trail until the Taktshang trail turns right above the cafeteria. The trail to Bumdra then continues straight past a handful of temples and hermitages. It gets even steeper after passing Taktshang as the trail climbs harshly all the way up to the cliff-hanging temple. Lhedi Goemba Forest Walk Lhedi, or Lhading Goemba, is situated en route to the first camp of the popular Jumolhari trek. A visit to the charming and sacred temple is a good hiking option for a half day hike.   Travel on a bumpy dirt road a few kilometres up the valley from Drukgyel Dzong until reaching Mitshi Zampa. Here you can see Lhedi perched in a hill in the distance. Start your walk from here by crossing the Swiss-built suspension bridge over the Paro Chhu. The trail climbs very gently, traversing through rice terraces and fields of millet. The trail continues along the river through blue-pine and fir forests until reaching the turnoff to the temple after about one hour. From here, the climb up to the temple should take just under an hour. Enjoy your picnic in the temple courtyard and take time to explore the goemba itself before commencing on the journey back. Dzongdrakha by Bike  Follow the main road from the lodge to town (8.7 miles / 14 km). Continue past the airport and take a right towards Chele La. On the way you can enjoy beautiful views of Paro Valley. The ascent to Dzongdrakha will certainly get your heart pumping as you climb turn after turn for about one hour until reaching the turn off to the temple. The last part to the temple has to be walked as it is too steep and narrow for a bike. From the turn-off, the walk to the temple and back, including a visit to the temple will take about 1.5 to 2 hours.   The chorten at the turn-off is a nice place to enjoy a picnic lunch before letting yourself roll down the hills and back into town where you can enjoy well deserved refreshments in one of the local bars. Yoga Yoga is an enjoyable way for children to build strength and flexibility, while increasing awareness of themselves, others and the world around them. Encouraging confi- dence and easing tension, yoga engages a child’s natural, boundless energy and conveys valuable lessons in positive thinking. Prayer Flag Printing On alternative days, a prayer flag printing session is offered in the evenings, where one can learn how to make the colourful prayer flags hung all around Bhutan’s landscapes and take them back home or hung on a hike to the Tiger’s Nest. Traditional Archery or Darts Two of Bhutan’s most popular sports, traditional Himalayan archery and darts both enjoyable and are offered at the lodge’s own archery grounds where older children and even parents can test out their aim and enjoy a game or two with the Amankora team. Blessings and Meditation Blessings and meditation can be arranged in any of the dzongs or lhakhangs around the Paro Lodge. The sacred and beautiful Kyichu Lhakhang (described under ‘Paro Cultural Tour’) is a wonderful location to perform the ceremonies below.   Thrisel is a one-hour blessing using holy water to cleanse the mind, spirit and soul under the guidance of a revered lama. As an ample quantity of holy water is used, the warmer months may be preferable.   Tshewang is a one-hour ritual performed by 5 – 8 monks to promote a long life. This elaborate ceremony involves an abundance of prayers, mantras and final blessings using a Dorji (Thunderbolt) as well as sacred scriptures touched to the head. Rimdo is an auspicious full day ceremony performed by 6 –8 monks to grant long life, bestow prosperity, wellbeing and the fulfilment of any personal requests. To a symphony of drums, horns, cymbals and bells, the monks will chant the holy texts and mantras. Your actual presence is only required for a short duration as the blessing continues to flow from morning to night. Breakfast at Twin Lakes Experience the morning sun kissing the peak of Bhutan’s second highest peak and the 2nd highest unclimbed mountain in the world, Mount Jomolhari, as you enjoy a sumptuous continental breakfast. A short helicopter ride takes you up the Paro Valley and over beautiful pristine forests and remote hamlets, opening to stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas along the Bhutan – Tibet border. Your breakfast picnic spot sits adjacent to two turquoise lakes, above the Jomolhari Base Camp at Jangothang, offering dramatic views of the revered snow-capped Jomolhari. Mount Jomolhari, also known as “the Bridge of Kangchenjunga” straddles the border between Tibet, China and northwestern Bhutan. With altitude over 7,300 meters, Mount Jomolhari is sacred to Buddhists who believe that it is the abode of the female protector goddess, Jumo of Tibet and Bhutan. Amankora Thimphu: Visit the Astrology School Pangri Zampa Lhakhang is idyllically located in the middle of a meadow by the river, a 20-minute drive from the lodge on the way to Tango and Cheri monasteries. The temple appeared in Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal’s vision which directed him from Tibet to Bhutan. The temple was built by Ngawang Choegyel, the great-grandfather of the Zhabdrung, and was the Zhabdrung’s residence when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616.   Today, the temple is used as an astrology centre of the state clergy, and is the home to around 50 monks studying astrology. During a visit to Pangri Zampa you can learn more about astrology, and also have your personal reading done. Dodedrak – A Hidden Favourite The hike to Dodedrak involves yet another struggle up the mountainside, but few hikes are as rewarding as this one in terms of scenic beauty and insights to Buddhist architecture, craftsmanship and mysticism.   After entering Royal property close to the 4th King’s Palace and walking the first ten minutes on paved road, the trail sets off steeply up the mountainside for about 1 – 1.5 hours. As you move upwards, Thimphu town reveals itself, and you will have great views of Wangditse and Dechen Phodrang temples. The last part of the walk takes you along the hillside overlooking Thimphu on your left, past a huge rock used as a study spot for the monks, and to a chorten. Awaiting around the corner, is the sight of a beautifully situated, magical monk village established around the mysterious 12th century temple, Dodedrak. Walk through the parish among the young monks until reaching the first of the three temples. Very often, you will see white languor monkeys playing in the trees below. The courtyard area outside the temples has great picnic spot. Take plenty of time to let the mystery reveal itself before returning to the real world.   When you are ready to leave this magical place behind, set off on the same trail that led you here until you again reach the chorten. From here, follow the upper trail which will lead you gently down towards Dechhencholing Goemba and the Queen Mother’s Palace. Tango Monastery and Tango Dzongkha Tango is a beautiful temple which is relatively easy to reach. The hike all the way up to Tango Dzongkha, a meditation retreat for hermits, is more challenging but will reward you with great views across Thimphu and Punakha valleys on clear days. Abundant flowering rhododendrons higher on the ridge make this hike even more inspiring in the spring.   Choose between two routes climbing uphill to Tango. After visiting the monastery, you will follow the upper trail just above the huge prayer flag in front of the temple entrance. The trail passes a few houses occupied by monks before crossing above a small incline and continuing steeply up a log skid trail in the left side-valley. After leaving the blue-pine behind, the vegetation is dominated by spruce and hemlock, prickly barberry bushes and Daphne plants.   When reaching a meadow, you have completed the steepest part, and can proceed through mixed juniper, cypress and spruce forest. There are a number of hidden meditation huts along this route, so remember to be quiet. A small path past a chorten and through prayer flags will lead you to the Dzongkha itself. Although there is no admission (due to the fact that Tango Dzongkha is a meditation temple occupied by hermits), the view from the temple; of Cheri Monastery, Drolay Goemba, Thimphu and beyond, are excellent. The chorten below the temple is a breathtaking picnic spot. Cheri Monastery – Hiking and Biking A 40-minute drive from the lodge, takes you to the starting point for the walk to Cheri Monastery which is believed to have been visited by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century.   After crossing a bridge, the main trail to Cheri zigzags upwards to a chorten. Remember to pass this in clock-wise direction as a sign of respect. Shortly after passing a few buildings, you will see the temple on your left. Sometimes you might spot goral (wild goat) jumping around the cliffs nearby. When returning back at the starting point, you might want to bike the 18 kilometres back to town or the lodge rather than drive!  Phajodhing and Pumola This is a difficult hike, yet one of the most popular and enjoyable hiking destinations around Thimphu due to its commanding location above the valley.   From the prayer flag decorated area around the Radio Tower, you will follow the trail climbing 660 ft / 200 m steeply upwards to Choekhortse Goemba. A gentler trail continues further up from here up through thick blue pine forest until reaching the first of two chortens which you pass before reaching the group of temples in Phadjodhing (12,100 ft / 3,690 m).   After visiting one or several temples and enjoying a well-deserved picnic lunch in the temple gardens where goats graze and puppies run around playfully, continue on the one hour journey along the mountain side to Pumola Monastery (12,170 ft / 3,710 m). From Pumola, a trail zigzags down the mountain to the Takin Preserve where you can study Bhutan’s national animal, before driving the last 10 minutes back to the lodge. Incense Making An enjoyable activity for adults and children alike, a half-day incense making and rolling class can be arranged by the team at the Nado Poi, the country’s foremost incense masters whose 350-year old incense recipes are beloved and highly-prized by everyone, including the Royal Family. The class gives one an insight on the exquisite natural ingredients that is used to make the incense, including the intensive (but fun) processes behind them. Art Classes Through the art-focused organisation known as VAST, the lodge can arrange art classes at their art gallery at the Tarayana Centre or at your own suite at the Amankora lodge. Whether you or your children are into pen-and-ink illustrations, pencil or graphite drawings, watercolours, oil or acrylic painting, sculpture or even would like to try your hands in making traditional Bhutanese art, the team can pair you and your children with a local artist who can help explore further your creative side. Pottery Class Not far from the lodge, the pottery studio of Ame Zam Ceramics can lead a beginner’s session on wheel throwing and turning clay into ceramics. If you have enough time to spare, you can come back to the studio days later for an additional session on trimming and glazing as soon as your work has dried enough for the next phases of this interesting workshop. Amankora Punakha: Cross the Longest Suspension Bridge in Bhutan If you are feeling adventurous and looking for a little thrill, you can take a walk across one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan. A short walk from the Punakha Dzong the bridge is built over the Pho Chhu river and serves as the main thoroughfare between Punakha town and the surrounding villages. A walk across this impressive structure offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the river flowing below. As a special memory, we recommend you take some prayer flags to hang on the bridge. Prayer flags can be arranged from the lodge. Long Life Blessing at the Nunnery The blessing for long life is called Tshewang and is a ritual blessing to extend the astrologers purported prophecies. This elaborate one hour ritual by six to eight monks involves ample prayers, mantras and a final Dorji (thunderbolt) or a sacred scripture blessing on the head. The blessing takes place at the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, a 40-minute scenic drive from the lodge. The buildings of this Shedra (Buddhist College) and the meditation centre are spread around the grassy perch and is home to a small and friendly community of nuns, ensconced on a ridge amid pine trees overlooking the valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang Prayer Flag Hoisting at Chorten Nyeabu A short and peaceful hike to this special 15th century temple to see the largest statue of Jowo Jampa– the Future Buddha, and Gum Shing– ‘the upside-down tree’ can be combined with hoisting of prayer flags and lunch on the temple’s scenic hilltop. Prayer flags are hoisted for happiness, long life, prosperity, luck and merit, to clear ones’ sins, and to offer karmic merit to all sentient beings. When the wind blows, it is believed that it carries the prayers on the flags, blessing all beings. Find the spot where you want to hoist your prayer flags, a local monk will accompany you to consecrate the hoisting. Rafting or Kayaking Spend a morning on the water and discover a whole new angle of Bhutan. If you are new to rafting and looking for an enjoyable and easy scenic float down the river and along with the view of Changyul valley where you can see the old monument, a Galem house, we recommend the Mo Chu (Female River) which is flowing below the lodge. The Pho Chu (Male River) on the other hand is for the more adventurous, who wish to tackle some of the kingdoms white water while enjoying the pristine forests and farmland on either side of the river. Rafting offers a more leisurely adventure with a private raft for your group of up to 8 people or if you wish to go solo, kayaking offers as much of a challenge as it does thrill. Giligang via Khamsum Chorten to Punakha Dzong If you are up for a combination of visits to the beautiful Khamsum Chorten, the old hilltop temple Giligang and Punakha Dzong, with the opportunity to experience stunning views of the valleys on both the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu side, this is an enjoyable yet challenging hike. The hike takes you through rice paddies and up the twirling trail to Khamsum Chorten where you can take a well-deserved rest while admiring this impressive structure and the beautiful view of the valley below. From here, the trail climbs slowly upwards on the mountainside all the way to Giligang. There are numerous places on the way with inspiring views of the surrounding temples, rice paddies, mountain tops and green forests. Giligang is a perfect spot to enjoy your picnic lunch.   From Giligang, the trail continues easily downhill along the mountain side until you reach Changyul Bridge just before Punakha Dzong. After a visit to the dzong, enjoy the drive back to the lodge while admiring the distance and height you have just covered. Jungle Hike to Hokatsho – Bhutan’s Largest Lake This pristine lake is hidden away in the middle of dense jungle vegetation. Those who venture on this journey are in for an exciting meeting with overwhelming natural beauty up close. The hike starts on a red mud path sloping uphill through small villages before reaching the 15th century temple Chorten Nyeabu (previously described). From here, the path follows a manmade creek all the way to the lake. As you proceed upwards, the vegetation gets denser. The mesmerizing sounds created by the many interesting insects are impressively loud yet sedating. When reaching the lake, a small path leads down to the water for some magnificent views of Hokatsho in its peaceful and untouched surroundings. However the hike/trail will be closed from mid-October till the end of December for any hikers. The locals believe that any visitors at or near the lake during the harvest season brings hail & rain (contamination), thus effecting their paddies. Take a few minutes to take in the beauty of the setting before continuing down again on an alternative path which is not as steep. (Should you wish to walk around the lake, this takes about two hours.) When reaching the village nearby Chorten Nyeabu, we can arrange for you to have your picnic lunch in one of the charming farmhouses scattered on the hillside overlooking the valley. Here you can enjoy the gorgeous views from the family room, and sip some ngaja with the locals, before you commence on the last hour down to the pickup point. Wangdue Excursion On the way to Gangtey and Bumthang, you will pass through Wangdue town, located on 4430 ft / 1350 m, which prominently overlooks the river. There are several sights to explore in Wangdue.   A visit to the 300-year old Nyezergang Monastery is an easy and interesting walk. Nyezergang means “a hill where sun beam falls‟ and it is believed that people who suffer from diseases caused by the sun can come here to be cured by the use of natural medicine in form of holy water and mantras. To increase your chances of being healed further, it is also highly recommended to visit and meditate in the Namgay La DrupKhang; a cave situated a six hour hike from Nyezergang.   After passing the check point, we recommend a last stop for a short walk up and through Rinchengang Village – the oldest clustered village in the country. It is believed that the original inhabitants of Rinchengang were laymen who had come to Bhutan on a pilgrimage from India. They were captured and kept as hired workers. Their masonry expertise is still sought-after during the construction of dzongs and lhakhangs. A small stone path leads through the 44 households; all built out of self-made mud bricks. From the village, you have a great view of Wangdue Dzong and Nyezergang. Day Trip to Gasa, Home of the Layap Nomads If you spend more than two days in Punakha, we recommend a day trip to beautiful Gasa, the most northern district of Bhutan bordering Tibet.   The drive to Gasa starts at Punakha lodge and takes approximately three hours. During the first hour the road follows the Mo Chhu River through dense jungle like forest and if you are lucky you can spot some monkeys near the roadside. The road then winds through the mountains and continues another hour until you get the first stunning view of the Gasa Dzong seated below majestic snow covered mountains. The impressive Dzong is located at 2,850 meters and is locally known as the Tashi Thongmon Dzong, named after the region’s protecting deity Tashi Thongmon. It was built in 1640 by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal as a fortress for defense. The fortress is unique with its circular shape and three watch towers that are placed at strategic points. On clear days you can see as far as Dochula, the pass you have crossed when traveling from Thimphu to Punakha. Walk from Lawola Pass to Amankora Gangtey If you are en route to Gangtey, you will cross the Lawola Pass as you descend into Phobjikha Valley. Rather than driving the last 15 minutes down, why not get out of the car and stretch your legs after the long ride?   From the pass, several yak-made trails lead through bush bamboo across a huge open area. A trail then continues through a small forest and across a small stream before continuing on to the lodge through Gela Village. The walk takes about one and a half hour. Torma Making Activity Colourful butter and flour tormas decorate altars and temples all over Bhutan and making them is a fun and interesting craft for both young and young at heart. If interested, our team can arrange one of the local monks to come to the lodge and teach the intricacies of moulding butter and flour to create these beautiful pieces for offering, especially during festivals and auspicious days. Altar Room Offerings On the second floor of the farmhouse, one of the rooms originally housed the family altar and we have restored it in Aman style for those who wish to take some time to meditate or pray. Every morning at 7:30 a.m. a member of the Amankora Punakha family burns incense and offers water at the altar to please the local deities. If you would like to make a water offering before you start the activities for the day, please let us know one day in advance. The water offering is believed to bring you good fortune throughout the day, and should take place before 08:00 in the morning. Bhutanese Cooking Class Master the art of Bhutanese cooking by signing up for a private cooking class with our chef. With many years of culinary experience, he is happy to share his knowledge and newfound passion for the Bhutanese cuisine. The location of the cooking class is the former farmhouse kitchen where you can learn how to prepare Ema Datse and Momos. You can choose from a list of the most popular Bhutanese dishes what you are interested in to learn as well. After your hands-on cooking class in the afternoon, you can enjoy the exotic aromas of your newly acquired culinary skills during dinner. Best of all, take a taste of Bhutan home to impress your family and friends with.