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Amankora Journey - Bhutan's Finest
Experience Bhutan in style as you experience the best of the country along with the luxurious elements of the Amankora Lodges detailing Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha and Paro on any combination you desire.
HIGHLIGHTS
Stay in Amankora Lodges throughout
Enjoy the intimate and VIP attention of Amankora
Ascend the famed Tiger's Nest - Taktsang Monastery
Enjoy a spontaneous style of sightseeing and discovering
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE PARO / THIMPHU
Arrive into Paro Airport and be met and transfer to your private vehicle and drive 1.5hrs to the capital city of Thimphu. Visit sites like the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of Third King of Bhutan His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who died in 1972. Visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the Thimphu Valley. Worth a visit too is the Centenary Farmers Market and craft bazaar. We will also see the unique Takin - the national animal of Bhutan.
Overnight: Amankora, Thimphu
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
DAY 2: THIMPHU / GANGTEY
After breakfast, we set off on our journey to Gangtey (4hrs drive). On the way, the road climbs to Dochu La Pass, located 3,050m above sea level and marked by a large array of prayer flags and 108 chortens. On a clear day, the pass offers a panoramic view of the Bhutan Himalayas. We then continue our drive and stop in Wangdue Phodrang and enjoy a picnic lunch in a peaceful setting by a natural gorge. Thereafter, continue our journey into Gangtey where we check in into the mesmerizing Amankora Gangtey with mesmerizing views of the Phobjika Valley.
Overnight: Amankora, Gangtey
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: GANGTEY
Begin the morning with a visit to the Gangtey Goemba visiting its ancient altars and ramparts. Stroll through the rustic village. Consider a visit to a local school and witness the daily routines of Bhutanese schoolchildren in the villages. Take a walk into villages next to the Phojikha Valley and visit a local farmer's house. Also learn about the Black Necked Cranes at the nearby Crane Centre where each winter, a flock of 300 endangered cranes arrive from Tibet. This evening, enjoy a special dinner in a potato shed where farmers store their harvests.
Overnight: Amankora, Gangtey
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4: GANGTEY/ PUNAKHA
After breakfast, we drive to Punakha. Visit the Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the unifier of Bhutan. We will also visit the famous Chimi Lhakhang where thousands of locals pray for fertility blessings and also to seek protection for their children. Spend some time admiring the green padi fields and terraces nearby. Proceed to check in at Amankora Punakha where you will walk through a swing bridge and then be escorted by buggy through fertile rice fields before arriving at your lodge.
Overnight: Amankora, Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: PUNAKHA
Today, consider a morning white water rafting on the Punakha River for some adrenaline rush. In the afternoon, we visit the Khamsun Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, perched high on a hill on the opposite bank of the Mo Chhu River. (The hike up requires some fitness and is a good exercise to prepare for the eventual Tiger's Nest hike)
Overnight: Amankora, Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: PUNAKHA / PARO
After breakfast, we visit the hill-top nunnery, Sangchen Dorji Lhundrup Chholing before making our return via the Dochu La Pass again. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in Thimphu before arriving back into Paro. Visit the 17th Century Paro Dzong and spend some time visiting Paro Town. Continue to the Zhiwa Ling for check in - a Unique Lodges of the World by National Geographic.
Overnight: Amankora, Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: PARO (INTO THE TIGER'S NEST)
Early rise as we make our way to the foothills of the Taktsang Monastery. Recommended is a hike up (we do not suggest pony rides) which takes about 1.5hrs to reach the mid point. Take a rest before continuing another hour's hike to the lookout point beside the monastery. Be in awe of the Taktsang Monastery which translates to "Tiger's Lair or Nest" where Guru Rinpoche was said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress. Enjoy some time thereafter for a picnic lunch and then descend down (estimated 2hrs). Return back to Paro where you have the rest of the day recovering or enjoy a massage to soothe the muscles.
Overnight: Amankora, Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8: PARO / BANGKOK
After breakfast, be transferred to Paro Airport for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Amankora has five nature-linked lodges nestled along a path of edifying momentum uncovering the richness of a pristine cultural and biogenetic evolution, deeply entrenched in the spectacular Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. The journey begins and ends in Paro, manifesting in a circular pilgrimage of enchanting spiritual reward.
