From Paro and the capital Thimphu to Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang, Aman resorts guarantee a luxurious holiday and the chance to see some of the top attractions in Bhutan. Rates are high but all inclusive.
Named Amankora, or Peace and Pilgrimage, the five boutique hotels offer spacious suites, maximum 24, and fabulous views in peaceful locations. These eco-friendly zen-style retreats perfectly reflect Bhutan’s spiritual nature and the principle of gross national happiness. Luxury is discreet, dining traditional and night life means gazing at the stars.
Luxury Holidays in Bhutan, Relax and Explore, Paro to Thimphu
Just 30 minutes from the airport, the Aman resort in Paro is the ideal place to recover from jetlag. Set in pine forests, it’s a peaceful retreat with rammed-earth walls typical of Bhutanese architecture. Interior décor is mostly wood with a little steel cladding for a contemporary touch. Amenities include a library, sauna, spa and traditional hot stone bath.
Just over an hour away, Thimphu’s Aman resort nestles among blue pines, on a scenic ridge overlooking the capital. It is designed like a dzong, or fortified monastery, but displays some modern features. There are floor to ceiling windows alongside warm wooden panels and Bhutanese wood burning stoves. A steam room, spa, dining deck and mountain stream complete the picture.
Guests can visit temples, museums and dzongs while the more active may set off on a morning trek to the fabulous eagle’s nest monastery of Taktsang.
Bhutan Luxury, Punakha and Gangtey, Aman Resorts
Beyond the spectacular Dochu La pass draped in prayer flags and shrines, the Aman luxury tour heads down to the lush tropical valley of Punakah. Rising three floor high in the style of a traditional farmhouse, the resort is accessed across a suspension bridge over the Mo Chu river. All around are orange trees and rice fields. Guests relax in scenic surroundings and may dine al fresco in the courtyard. There’s a tea pavilion, altar room, spa and a yoga and meditation area.
Punakha’s attractions include a lovely riverside dzong, temples and walking trails through paddies and forests.
Further east in the Black Mountains, in the high glacial valley of Phobjikha Gangtey, the Aman resort offers just eight suites in secluded luxury. Guests familiar with Bhutan Amankora will soon feel at home, ready to enjoy a soothing massage after the long but spectacular journey. There are guided walks in the valley, a gompa and village and in winter, flocks of black-necked cranes from Tibet.
Bhutan Luxury Travel Tour, Boutique Hotel and Central Valleys
The Aman luxury travel tour concludes in Bumthang or central Bhutan. Visitors will find the resort in the Chokor Valley, a beautiful area with apple orchards, pine trees and barley fields. The district is renowned for spinning and weaving and abounds in holy sites, from impressive monasteries to sacred pools and springs. There are popular cultural treks and dramatic festivals, such as the Naked Dance or Fire Blessing.
The Aman resort stands close to the grounds of one of Bhutan’s royal palaces and claims an intimate atmosphere, with 16 suites in 4 dwellings. Wood panelling interior, traditional stove, and terrazzo-clad bath are standard. Other amenities include a library, lounge and spa with massage and other rituals based on the traditional use of Bhutanese plants and herbs.
Solange Hando - I am a travel writer, editor and photographer, contributing to a range of publications in the UK and worldwide.
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