The famous Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan opened up its tourism industry in the mid-2000’s. Amankorawas the first lodging which was allowed to be made inside its fringes. Amankora has made it possible for more people to discover this beautiful place.
The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is one of the world’s most famous destinations. It is a place of unblemished magnificence, where joy is esteemed more very than materialism. The sole-surviving Buddhist Kingdom was thoughtful in opening its ways to whatever is left of the world. Amankora was the first lodging which was allowed to be made inside its fringes. Wonderful valleys score the Kingdom’s rocky landscape, and Amankora’s five personal hotels Paro, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang, and Thimphu encourage a kora, or ’round trip’ of disclosure all through focal and western Bhutan. Amankora visitors can pick an adventure involving all or a blend of these cabins, guaranteeing a consistent uncovering of this astounding Kingdom large and in charge.
The exceptional cuisine, unique sightseeing and breathtaking view of nature are one of the highlights of the place. Amankora has introduced helicopter transfers between lodges, a series of Michelin-starred chef residencies at Thimphu Lodge, a unique helicopter breakfast experience at Twin Lakes, forest and prayer flag bathing experiences, immersive wellness retreats with visiting specialists, four new suites and a swimming pool at Punakha Lodge, poppy treks, and a matsutake experience.
HELICOPTER JOURNEYS
This ride by the helicopter helps in covering thousands of meters of Bhutan’s beautiful valleys, pass breathtaking views and dramatic drop-offs. Amankora has partnered with Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services in order to be able to give its customers’ Helicopter Journeys from the lodge to lodge revealing awe-inspiring Himalayan vistas and a new perspective of this remarkable Kingdom.
Michelin-Starred Guest Chef Series
Amankora is presenting a series of culinary evenings at Amankora Thimphu in July, August and September, hosted by three renowned Michelin-starred chefs. These magnificent feasts will include a multicourse menu which will be prepared by Chefs Bryce Shuman, Joshua Brown or Shinobu Namae together with Amankora’s own culinary team. The menu will be inspired by the Kingdom’s mountainous environment and the abundance of fresh local produce, each Chef will bring their own distinctive style to the Kingdom, ensuring a unique experience all around.
Breakfast at Twin Lakes
Have breakfast at the second highest peak of Bhutan with the sun shining brightly. A short helicopter ride from Amankora to Paro takes guests up the Paro Valley over lush forests and remote hamlets before embracing stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas along the Bhutan-Tibet border. The breakfast spot rests between two turquoise lakes above the Jomolhari Base Camp at Jangothang, where views of this 7,300-metre monolith – sacred to Buddhists as the abode of Earth protector Jumo – are unparalleled. After breakfast, guests get a chance to explore other sacred sites nearby including Jomolhari Temple, the meditation caves of Milarepa and Gyalwa Lorepa, and the spirit lake of Tsheringma. The return flight takes in stunning views of Singye Dzong, the legendary Lion Fortress.
New Suites and Swimming Pool at Punakha Lodge
Bhutan’s climate in the winters is very appealing to the tourists. The days are crisp with cobalt blue skies, night skies are full of twinkling stars, the temperature is pleasant between12-20°C during the day, occasional snowfall on the mountain peaks makes for breathtaking vistas across the valleys and the magical morning light is ideal for photography and relaxing. As March melts into May and spring becomes summer, Bhutan’s temperate climate sees daytime temperatures climbing to 26°C – ideal weather for relaxing in the sun and swimming.
Aman’s first swimming pool in the Kingdom will open in mid-June at Amankora Punakha, the mid-point of a roundabout journey consolidating each of the five lodges. The 30-meter infinity pool is encompassed by rice paddies and natural product ranches and gloats 360° mountain views. Involving a conventional Bhutanese farmhouse close to the Mo Chhu River in one of Bhutan’s most fruitful valleys, the eight-suite hold up is likewise introducing four spics and span, extra suites this late spring (mid-June).
Forest and Prayer Flag Bathing Experiences
Amankora’s one of a kind open bathing system encounters utilize no shower towels, cleanser or water. Truth be told, they just include being right now, alone, in nature. Woods loan themselves inherently to calm reflection, and the Himalayan Forest Bathing background includes moderate and peaceful strolling through the immaculate woodland wild. Drawing its name from the Japanese expression shinrin yoku, signifying absorbing the forest atmosphere’’, the training is easy, while the backwoods itself offers its tranquil rewards through sight, sound, smell and touch.
Prayer Flag Bathing shares this effortlessness and soul-boosting result, however its emphasis is on tuning in to the sound of petition banners fluttering in the breeze – regularly the main sound present. Mounted for happiness and longevity, luck and prosperity, prayer flags represent the Buddhist conviction that petitions can be conveyed by the breeze, and that any individual touched by this breeze will be elevated. Showering in the undulating sound of shuddering supplication banners is profoundly calming –This spiritual immersion is manifested in the well wishes of those thankful for every blessing.
Wellness Retreats with Visiting Specialists
Each of Amankora’s lodges offers a peaceful spa, but it is their peaceful natural settings that provide the real frame for regular immersive retreats. It is hosted by renowned wellness experts from around the world, these retreats are designed to balance body and mind through different practices, whether yoga, meditation, discussion, silence or therapeutic work.
From 15 to 22 September, Dr. Buathon Thienarrom will lead a retreat entitled ‘Enriching Life’ in view of the idea that attention to the body can be an instrument for the transformation of the brain. A very respected all-encompassing expert from Thailand, Dr. Thienarrom has a broad learning of alternative and Tibetan pharmaceutical, and also Taoist practice. She utilizes her mark technique ZenNaTai to enable the body to discharge strain and produce the flow of qi, unlocking positive energy from inside. The retreat includes three evenings at Thimphu, four evenings at Paro, an hour-long spa treatment and all dinners, street exchanges and touring.
Amankora will also host ‘The Inner Light Immersion’ from the 1 to 31 October. This is designed to reveal the ever deeper and richer layers of our spiritual selves, to discover inner wisdom through a series of spiritual healing treatments. This highly personalized immersion includes two nights at Thimphu and Punakha, and three nights at Paro, all meals, three 90-minute specialist therapies, one 60-minute Amankora holistic massage, one 60-minute traditional hot stone bath, a Buddhist blessing and ceremony, a 108-butter lamp offering at Taktsang Monastery and all transfers and sightseeing.
Poppy Treks and Matsutake Season
Bhutan’s white, red and pink poppies are a rare sight to the sore eyes, covering the landscape at elevations of 3,000 – 4,500 metres in one of the world’s most inaccessible terrains. This year, from the 1 June to 15 July guests of Amankora have the unique opportunity to witness this seasonal display of Bhutan’s national flower. Guests will get an opportunity to trek through the remote and untouched Haa Valley and spend either two (Red Poppy Trek) or three (White & Pink Poppy Treks) nights in tented accommodation as well as two nights at Amankora Thimphu and Amankora Paro lodges.
The highly sought-after matsutake mushroom is another seasonal delight that will emerge in the Bhutanese wilderness countryside in the late summer. This year, from the 1 August till 15 September, visitors of Amankora will have the opportunity to watch and enjoy with a four-night visit at Thimphu and Paro lodges, which incorporates a selective trek to the villa where the mushrooms are exchanged, in addition to all suppers including matsutake menus, and a private driver and guide for navigating this interesting nation.
