100% customisable travel idea
Sublime Quintet The Amankora Experience in the Buddhist Kingdom
Bhutan
100% customisable travel idea
Bhutan
100% customisable for you
Delhi, along with Kolkata and Kathmandu, is one of the main gateways to Bhutan. Overnight stay at The Oberoi Gurgaon, a true haven set away from the city’s bustle.
Flight to Paro, followed by a drive to Thimphu, set in a valley at 7,874 feet (2,400 metres) above sea level. Combining tradition and modernity, the country’s political and economic capital is rapidly expanding, yet remains a small, calm and pleasant city. It's dynamic and cultural, with bustling markets and local crafts, making it an essential stop in Bhutan.
Check in for two nights at Amankora Thimphu, perched above the city in a forest overlooking a gently flowing river. Built like a dzong around a grand ceremonial courtyard, the lodge offers sixteen spacious, elegant and welcoming rooms opening onto the courtyard or the river. The spa offers a full range of Ayurvedic treatments.
Already included - Accompanied by your private guide, you enjoy a day discovering Thimphu. Visits include the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of Bhutan’s third king; the weaving centre, where you observe traditional techniques and meet local artisans; a workshop producing traditional paper; and the VAST Gallery, an NGO supporting contemporary artists and emerging local talent.
The drive to Gangtey (around 6 hours) is spectacular. You will cross Dochula Pass at 10,131 feet (3,088 m) above sea level, overlooked by peaks rising beyond 22,965 feet (7,000 m). On arrival, visit Gangtey Gompa, the largest Nyingma monastery in Bhutan. Check in for two nights at Amankora Gangtey. Set at 9,843 feet (3,000 metres) above sea level, the lodge blends seamlessly into the landscape, built on a wooded knoll. The design is pared back, with wood used almost exclusively as an eco-friendly building and decorative material. The result is understated yet sophisticated, with a bold minimalist philosophy and clear inspiration from Japan.
Already included - A full day exploring the Gangtey Valley. Visit the Black-Necked Crane Conservation Centre, dedicated to the protection of these rare migratory birds. The centre also provides insight into the valley’s natural and cultural history. The rest of the day is ideal for exploring the surroundings on foot or, if you're feeling more active, by mountain bike.
Drive eastwards from Gangtey to the Bumthang region, a journey of around 100 miles (160 km) that takes approximately ten hours. En route, stop in Trongsa to visit its superb dzong, built in 1644 to unify the kingdom. You'll admire its remarkable murals, spin prayer wheels and watch monks moving quietly through the courtyards in their red robes. The road continues towards Jakar, following the Bumthang Chhu River for much of the way, before reaching Bumthang.
Check in for three nights at Amankora Bumthang. Here, luxury is discreet, with elegant, warm spaces and carefully considered décor. Inside, a central fireplace faces a cosy seating area, while the outdoor terrace offers views over the former royal palace.
In your itinerary - The day after your arrival, discover Bumthang with an English-speaking guide. The tour consists of a mini pilgrimage linking three temples: Jambey Lhakhang, one of the country’s oldest, built in the 7th century by the King of Tibet; then Kurjhe Lhakhang; and Tamshing Lhakhang. A lovely 1 hour 30 minute walk, punctuated by an unexpected visit to a cheese dairy and a brewery. The following day, still with a private guide, you explore the beautiful Tang Valley, with its temples and monasteries. Along the way, stop at Membartsho to visit a convent, then continue to Ogyen Chhoeling Palace Museum for a deeper understanding of the kingdom’s culture, history and religion.
Drive to Punakha via Yutong La Pass. A stop is planned at Trongsa Dzong, the former seat of power for central and eastern Bhutan. Check in for two nights at Amankora Punakha. Built around a former royal palace, just a few miles from Punakha, and set amid rice fields and orange groves on the banks of the Pho Chhu River, this Aman property is one of the most atmospheric in the country. The journey there is part of the experience, only adding to its charm. You cross a suspension bridge over the river, lined with prayer flags, then continue by electric cart along a narrow path through the rice fields.
Already included - A day exploring Punakha , with a private guide. You will visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 - the second dzong in Bhutan and, for many years, the seat of government. In the afternoon, you pass through the small village of Chimi Lhakhang, home to the Temple of the Divine Madman. Lama Drukpa Kunley, more commonly known as the “Divine Madman”, is one of the kingdom’s most revered saints. The site is also traditionally associated with fertility blessings.
Drive to Paro via Dochula Pass. The views of the Himalayan peaks are stunning.
Check in for two nights at Amankora Paro. The suites are beautifully designed, combining light and dark woods within stone buildings that echo local architecture. The spa is particularly notable and very much part of the experience. As you may have guessed, in a country guided by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, Aman has found a fitting home.
In your itinerary - Taktsang Gompa, the “Tiger’s Nest”, one of the most revered sites in the Himalayan world. Founded in the 8th century by Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, Bhutanese pilgrims aspire to visit it at least once in their lifetime. You follow the same path, ascending through villages and forests of pine, oak and rhododendron. Prayer flags flutter in the wind, and the views from the cliffside are exceptional.
For this final day in India, the Oberoi Gurgaon, a concept hotel combining stylish rooms, fashionable restaurants and luxury boutiques on the outskirts of Delhi, offers a moment of calm before your international flight. Guests can enjoy a 60-minute Padabhyanga Ayurvedic massage at the spa, signed “JIVA”, followed by dinner at the hotel - a graceful way to bring the journey to a close.
Later in the evening, transfer to the airport and Night on board.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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