Aman Luxury in the Land of the Thunder Dragon - Bhutan

Bhutan is a landlocked Buddhist Himalayan Kingdom with an unblemished culture and an appreciation of their own traditions and identity. Using Aman Lodges throughout the country, this comprehensive tour delves deep into Bhutan’s alluring interior.

The Amankora lodges offer unparalleled access for those wishing to discover Bhutan’s interior without compromising on the standard of accommodation. With the largest Aman lodge having a total of 24 rooms, the service and attention to detail throughout is of the highest quality. All the suites are spacious with a combined living and bedroom and bathrooms complete with freestanding baths and luxurious amenities. The food is delicious and often a mix of Bhutanese, Asian and Western delicacies complemented by delicious wines. All lodges offer fantastic treatments in dedicated spas and they also have libraries full of fascinating books on the Bhutan and its culture. Furthermore, you will be accompanied throughout with your own personal guide, you will travel on a personal journey throughout the country, discovering some of the more out of the way villages and monasteries that largely go unvisited.

Your journey begins with a night in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan since 1961. This charming town is full of things to do and see including the National Textile Museum, the Painting School and the Memorial Chorten. A visit to the bustling weekend market is also a fascinating experience and gives you a taste of the Bhutanese way of life.

You will then proceed on to Gangtey, located in a picturesque glacial valley. This area is renowned as a conservation area for rare black-necked cranes that migrate here every year from the Tibetan plateau. Gangtey is ideal for nature walks and treks and is also fairly flat so ideal to discover by mountain bike. A visit to the 16th century Goemba (monastery) is also a real highlight.

Moving onto Bumthang takes you deep into the heart of Bhutan and the eastern-most point that you will reach in the country. Known as the spiritual hub of this deeply religious country, Bumthang offers a myriad of ancient and auspicious monasteries and temples that will give you a valuable and fascinating insight into Buddhism and the spirituality of the Bhutanese people.

Returning west you will stop in Punakha, where the climate is more tropical due to the lower altitude. The dzong (fort-monastery) is particularly impressive here and this low valley is also a popular place for rafting and mountain biking. The style Aman lodge varies from the others as the communal living areas in Punakha are housed in a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse, offering guests a more authentic experience.

The final stop is in Paro, home to the world-famous Tiger’s Nest. This breath-taking monastery is located 900m above the valley floor and the views from the top between the clouds are stunning – you will have saved the best for last.

A suggested itinerary