Amankora Journeys
Climb mountain passes with breath taking Himalayan views, picnic in verdant valleys and immerse yourself in ancient spirituality
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These tailor made, luxury tours are spread across five of Bhutan’s most spectacular valleys. A hidden kingdom, where success is measured by the happiness of its people, Bhutan is thoroughly unique. Trek through Thimphu, Phobjikha, Bumthang, Punakha and Paro over twelve nights, resting in ultimate luxury at all five Amankora lodges across the country. Climb to mountain peaks and traverse dense forest, terraced rice paddies and clear lakes.
Amankora Bhutan luxury tours are entirely personalised and we include a private guide and driver for this special 12-night journey. You’ll stay in all five luxury lodges across Bhutan during the trip and spend your days trekking through one of the planet’s most beautiful and culturally rich countries. Your spiritual cup will be full, after visiting many ancient temples and monasteries, chatting to venerable monks and you’ll appreciate the excellent service and warm welcome of Aman at the end of each day.Â
These Bhutan luxury tours are for well-travelled individuals looking for the spiritually enriching experience of a lifetime. It’s a privilege to enter Bhutan, which has maintained its ancient way of life in honour of people and planet. You must be fairly healthy, as there are lots of walks and treks, but we do understand that not everyone is an athlete and can tailor accordingly. If you want immerse yourself in Bhutanese spirituality but rest your head in the lap of luxury at night, this is perfect for you. Â
These Bhutan luxury tours are an entirely personal affair. Here at Soul Sanctuaries, we listen to your deepest desires and take onboard all planning, leaving you to feel excited about the trip of a lifetime. It’s an absolute privilege to visit this mystical kingdom. You’ll have the opportunity to become immersed in an ancient way of living, traverse mountains and valleys, encounter endangered species and reconnect with self. Your Bhutan luxury tour begins in Thimphu, visiting museums and chortens, including Cheri Goemba, where the kingdom’s first community of monks was based. Your personally crafted tour includes a private guide and driver, with fantastic local knowledge. However, if you don’t have 12 nights to spare, take a look at this 7 night schedule or please enquire and let us know how many nights you have.
Although all private Bhutan luxury tours are different, here’s an example to give you an idea:
Day 1 Thimphu:Â Explore Thimphu museums and chortens
Day 2 Thimphu: Cheri Goemba, first community of monks
Day 3 Gangtey: Ascend a 3000m Mountain Pass and descend to Gangtey valley
Day 4 Gangtey: Witness the majestic black necked crane, an endangered species
Day 5: Bumthang: Traverse dramatic landscapes to Bumthang, the monarch’s ancestral home
Day 6: Bumthang: Explore Wangdichhoeling Palace, home to Bhutan’s 2nd King
Day 7 Bumthang:Â Travel to the rarely visited Tang Valley, ancient temples and monasteries
Day 8 Bumthang: Cross Shelthang Pass at 3600m and mountain bike into the Jakar Valley
Day 9 Punakha: Journey to Punahka valley, through high mountains and tiered rice terraces
Day 10 Punakha: Trek riverside to the temple of the Queen Mother’s protective deity
Day 11 Paro: Wind through Wang and Paro river valleys, visiting ancient ruins, evening talk with a monk
Day 12 Paro: Ascend to the most sacred Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Top Tip: In Thimphu we can arrange a session with local Astrologer Ap Dorji. A quintessential part of Bhutanese life, it’s a thoroughly interesting experience. Enjoy a Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath in Gangtey. Take a Zen massage in Bumthang. Go rafting or kayaking on the Punakha River, that’s great fun! In Paro, we can highly recommend Lighting 108 Butter Lamps at the sacred Kyichu Lhakhang temple. These Bhutan luxury tours are the spiritual experience of a lifetime.
Make An Enquiry12 night’s accommodation across 5 Amankora luxury lodges
Airport transfers to/from Paro Airport to Amankora Paro/Thimphu
All meals including house beverages and house wines/spirits
Private Guide and Driver for all tours
1 x 60 minute Spa treatment per person
Bhutan Visa processing and local airline booking service
Complimentary long road and monastery permits
Laundry
Wi-Fi
Government Tax and Service
Additional Fees
Government Royalties: USD$32.50 per person per day
Sustainable Tourism Fee: USD$10 per person
Visa for Bhutan: USD$40 per person
Bhutan Flight Costs at prevailing rate
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: USD$20,892
SHARED OCCUPANCY: USD$11,456
Airport Transfer Time: Approximately 10-15 mins drive from Paro Airport to the first lodge Amankora Paro. Thimphu lodge is then around 1.5 hours away.
Local Currency: The national currency is the ngultrum (Nu) and cash is most widely accepted throughout the Kingdom. Prices are usually quoted in ngultrum although USD is widely accepted and changed. You are recommended to carry cash in either currency or traveller’s cheques, as limited ATM access is available (only with credit cards currently and not always available). At Amankora, VISA, MasterCard and American Express are accepted and currency exchange to Bhutanese Nu is available using – USD, GBP, Euro & SGD.
Best time to go: Bhutan is very much a year round destination. The winter months offer clear, cobalt blue skies, starry nights, and temperatures that run down to freezing at night, and between 40 – 60F during the day, subject to which valley you are in. The air is very dry through the winter, so you do not feel the cold temperatures, and with the bright sun, the days are great for touring and hiking. The late spring/summer period offers clear mornings, clouds late afternoon and from mid-June till September, an occasional light shower in the afternoon and heavier rain overnight. The temperatures during this period run from mid 70 to high 80s, dropping into the 60s at night. In the spring/summer period the landscape is lush, the flowers are in full bloom, the farms busy and there is often plenty of wildlife to see along the roads and out on the trails.
Eco conscious: Currently the world's eco-friendliest country, praised by environmentalists for its low carbon emissions and heavy use of hydropower.
Children: Bhutan is not an overly child friendly destination in terms of interests for young children and the inevitable long hours required for road travel. If children enjoy travel and seeing culture, they’ll be entranced by the wonders of Bhutan, and cope well as the level of English is very high here. We can gear the program for more hiking excursions and outings if this would be more in line with the children’s interests.
Tips: Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines limit you to a max free baggage allowance up to 30kgs (economy) and 40kgs for (business) and only one hand baggage. Laundry service is complimentary at Amankora. Check with us on clothing requirements as it depends on the season, generally layers are better, natural fibers, good walking shoes or hiking boots if trekking, and no shorts/hats in monasteries. Electronic chargers and converters are available.