 |
|
.gif) |
|
Cultural Tours |
|
|
|
|
|
Special Interest Tours
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trekking Tours
|
|
|
 |
|
Days
8
8
11
11
12
16
18
20
27 |
|
|
.gif) |
Deriving its name from two words, 'aman' meaning 'peace' in Sanskrit and 'kora'
meaing 'circular pilgrimage' in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language, Amankora
Bhutan (Aman Resorts) is a series of lodges sited throughout Bhutan's
principal western and central valleys. Each valley and lodge has its own
character, setting and experience.
AMANKORA PARO
Near Balakha Village, 30 minutes from Paro town and the airport, Amankora
Paro is located approximately 2,250m above sea level. The views take in 17th
century Drukyel Dzong and stretch to 7,300m high, snow-capped Jhomolhari and
beyond. There are six blocks with four suites each, two on the ground floor
and two on the upper floor. The 24 suites are similar in design featuring
natural rammed-earth walls, gently sloping roofs and wood-panelled interiors
with a king-size bed, a traditional bukhari (wood-burning stove) and a large
terrazzo-clad bath.
Steps rise to a large stone terrace that leads to the lodge's Living Room
that is furnished with banquettes and lounging chairs. Adjacent is the
Library and a small Boutique and beneath is the Dining Room which opens on
an external terrace overlooking a small stream. A track leads to a stone and
timber terrace that contains a central fireplace that is surrounded by two
lounging areas. On two levels, the Spa contains an arrival area, changing
rooms, sauna and steam rooms and a glass-walled yoga suite. Steps lead to
the lower level which includes one double treatment room and four single
rooms, each fitted with a shower and unique outdoor stone bath.
AMANKORA THIMPHU
Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city, is a two-hour drive from Amankora Paro or
one and a half hours directly from Paro's international airport. At an
altitude of 2,350m, Thimphu lies in a steep valley surrounded by richly
forested mountains dotted with ancient monasteries and lhakhangs (temples).
The town is built up from the Thimphu Chhu and is centred around the quaint
Clock Tower and its surrounding lanes of shops, vegetable and meat markets,
and assorted local restaurants. Up the valley lies the impressive
Trashichhoe Dzong and the Kingdom's only official golf course, a rolling
nine holes set against the back drop of chortens (Buddhist receptacles for
offerings), colourfully painted government agencies and the surrounding
mountains.
Sited in a pine forest in the upper reaches of the Motithang area of
the Thimphu Valley, Amankora Thimphu is a quiet retreat from the hustle and
bustle of the Kingdom's booming capital. Dzong-like architecture
incorporates high stone, white-washed buildings accessed through an enclosed
arrival court. Stairs lead from this entry point to a dramatic combined
Living and Dining room with soaring ceilings and wood panelled walls.
Adjacent is a flagstone outdoor dining deck with views over the nearby
stream and blue pine forest. Stairs lead down to the Spa that is appointed
with three treatment rooms, steam and sauna rooms and changing areas.
Two accommodation blocks house a total of 16 suites, featuring a combined
living and bedroom that includes a king-size bed, a reading chair and a
window banquette providing views across a landscaped courtyard or directly
onto the nearby stream and pine forest. Room interiors feature combined wood
panel and chocolate brown walls. The traditional bukhari is positioned
between the bedroom and the bathroom. The spacious bathroom opens from the
bedroom and provides a terrazzo-clad bath that enjoys a view through a
vertical slot window. A shower, toilet and twin vanities and hanging space
complete the bathroom. The suites are individually heated during the cold
winter months.
AMANKORA PUNAKHA
Situated a short drive north of the grand Punakha Dzong and Phuentsho Pelri
Palace (summer residence of His Majesty The King), Amankora Punakha is
accessed via a suspension bridge over the river Mo Chhu.
A short drive or walk takes guests to the lodge compound which is centred
around a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse built as a residence by Her Majesty
the Queen Mother to oversee the surrounding rice fields and fruit
plantations. This grand structure, with its vegetable dye wall paintings, is
now the combined common guest areas of the lodge with the Dining Room
situated on the ground floor and the upper floors offering intimate
relaxation areas and a traditional altar room for prayers or meditation.
The courtyard of the farmhouse is arranged for outdoor dining and
relaxing in Punakha's temperate climate.
Adjacent to the courtyard is the Tea Pavilion which
 was
once the
kitchen of the summer
palace.
Beyond this is a newly built two-storey Spa building housing a
yoga/meditation room which provides open views of the surrounding paddy
fields and on its lower level encompasses two private treatment rooms, a
steam room and changing area.
Eight suites, located in three rammed-earth buildings, are situated in an
orange orchard with views across the rice fields and back up the Punakha
Valley. The suites are identical to the design of the suites at Amankora,
Paro, featuring wood panelled interiors, a traditional bukhari, king-size
bed, terrazzo-clad bath, shower and vanities, and day bed. Suites are
individually heated during the cooler winter months and air-conditioned in
the summer months.
AMANKORA GANGTEY
Travelling easterly from Punakha, the road passes through the village of
Wangdue Phodrang and climbs past deep ravines with dizzying drops to the
little visited, picturesque valley of Phobjikha, home to the quaint rural
settlement of Gangtey. At an elevation of 3,000 metres on the western slopes
of the Black Mountains, Phobjikha is one of Bhutan's few glacial valleys. A
designated conservation area, it is winter home of the endangered
black-necked crane. The quaint village is dominated by the 16th century
Gangtey Goemba, which includes a school, meditation facilities and quarters
for monks, and is home to the mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, one of the
region's historically important Buddhist treasure discoverers.
Positioned on a forested knoll close to the valley floor is Amankora Gangtey.
A winding track leads guests through the forest and descends to the lodge
that enjoys sweeping views of the stunning valley landscape and fields of
dwarf bamboo and potato crops. The lodge accommodations and guest areas are
encompassed in one rammed-earth building. The combined Living and Dining
Room is appointed with cosy chairs and sofas and family style dining tables,
providing views through floor to ceiling windows of the valley and
surrounding mountains. Two massage treatment rooms and changing areas, and
an intimate yoga/meditation room are provided on the lodge's ground floor.
The eight suites are identical to those of Amankora Thimphu, offering an
open plan bedroom and bathing area. The aesthetics combine wood panelling
and chocolate brown walls, the traditional bukhari, terrazzo-clad bath,
shower and vanity, and day bed offering views across the valley. Suites are
individually heated during the cold winter months.
 Top of
page
 E-mail Us
|
