Amankora RB rough A

Amankora offers guided
treks and excursions by car
or on foot throughout
the pristine valleys of Paro,
Thimphu, Punakha,
Phobjikha and Bumthang.
This circular journey of discovery,
your kora, is an odyssey into
the world’s last Buddhist kingdom.
T i b e t
P U N A K H A
L H U N T S ƒ
Jhomolhari
Lhuntshi
PARO
T H I M P H U
B U M T H A N G
Punakha
P A R O
Drukgyel Dzong
Pele La
Thimphu
Wangdue
Phodrang
Dochu La
Paro
Gangtey
Phobjikha
Trashi Yangtse
Jakar
Trongsa
Sakteng
Haa
W A N G D U E
T R O N G S A
Trashigang
P H O D R A N G
H A A
Mogar
T R A S H I G A N G
Zhemgang
M O N G A R
D A G A N A
Chhukha
THIMPHU
GANGTEY
PUNAKHA
BUMTHANG
Pemagatshel
Daga
S A M T S ƒ
P E M A
Damphu
G A T S H E L
G E Y L E G P H U G
C H H U K H A
S A M D R U P
J O N G K H A R
Z H E M G A N G
Phuentsholing
Samdrup Jongkhar
C H I R A N G
I n d i a
W E S T
B E N G A L
I n d i a
A S S A M
Combining aman, the Sanskrit-derived word for ‘peace’, with kora or ‘circular pilgrimage’
in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language, Amankora is a series of lodges in Bhutan’s central and
western valleys. Enabling a journey of discovery beneath the soaring Himalayan peaks,
Amankora’s lodges offer travellers the opportunity to experience in comfort Bhutan’s
remarkable landscape and rich cultural heritage.
paro
At an elevation of 2,250 metres,
Paro Valley is the entry point
for most journeys through the
Kingdom. The airport is located
approximately 30 minutes
from Amankora Paro.
Outdoor terrace and bonfire
paro
paro
Entrance
Surrounded by pine forest, the 24-suite
retreat contrasts rustic elements with
contemporary design. Its architecture
features natural rammed-earth walls,
gently sloping roofs and wood-panelled
interiors. The floor-to-ceiling windows
of the Living Room reveal a dramatic
vista of the 17th-century ruins of
Drukgyel Dzong, a monastic fortress,
and the snow-capped peak of
Jhomolhari (cover ).
Exterior
Living Room
Dining Room
Library
paro
National Museum
Local village
Dzong
Guest suites offer a combined lounge and bedroom furnished with a king-size bed, banquette window seat, reading chair and
traditional bukhari (wood-burning stove). The spacious bathroom is dominated by a large terrazzo-clad bath, and also features
twin vanities, a dressing area and a separate shower and toilet.
View from a suite
Suite bathroom; Bukhari – traditional wood-burning stove
paro
paro
Hot stone bath
Trekking (above); Tiger’s Nest (below)
The Amankora Spa in
Paro provides welcome
respite from the rigours
of trekking. Overlooking
pine trees and the lodge’s
herb garden, it offers a
glass-walled sauna, treatment rooms with hot
stone baths and a yoga/
meditation room.
Spa treatment room
Sauna
valley
thimphu
Set in the upper reaches of the Motithang area,
the 16-suite lodge of Amankora Thimphu is close
to the capital’s sights and shopping yet remains a
secluded retreat. The dzong-inspired architecture
incorporates white-washed stone buildings.
thimphu
Dotted with ancient monasteries and lhakhangs
(temples), Thimphu is home to many attractions
including Tashichho Dzong which houses the
seat of government and the office of His Majesty,
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Monks at Semtokha Dzong in Thimphu
Prayer flags
Shop windows on Norzim Lam in Thimphu
Living and Dining Room
thimphu
thimphu
Colourful local ceremonies
and Thimphu’s folk-heritage
and textile museums offer
engaging insights into
Bhutan’s cultural and
spiritual traditions.
Courtyard detail
Guest suites feature king-size beds, a bukhari
and a terrazzo-clad bath.
Kyecham Dance
Carving wood blocks for the
printing of traditional manuscripts
Suite lounge area
Suite
punakha
Reached by crossing a suspension bridge
over the Mo Chhu River, the Amankora
Punakha lodge incorporates a traditional
Bhutanese farmhouse built by a former
Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan).
punakha
punakha
Courtyard detail
Suspension bridge leading to Amankora Punakha
The lodge enjoys a tranquil setting with views of the river winding through the valley. Detailed woodwork embellishes the
traditional farmhouse structure.
Views from the farmhouse
Entrance
Amankora Punakha’s farmhouse
punakha
punakha
Identical in design to
those of Amankora Paro,
Amankora Punakha’s
eight suites are set in
an orange orchard with
views across rice terraces.
Lodge facilities include
spa treatment rooms and
a steam room, as well as
the Meditation Room,
Reading Room, Lounge
and Tea Pavilion.
Suite
Meditation Room
Lounge
punakha
punakha
The Dining Room
and several intimate
relaxation areas can
be found within the
farmhouse. The Courtyard offers outdoor
dining during Punakha’s
temperate months.
Dancer in full regalia
Tea Pavilion
Courtyard
An excursion to Punakha Valley reveals one of Bhutan’s most impressive monastic fortresses,
Punakha Dzong, which straddles the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers.
Dressed to celebrate the Paro
Tshechu Festival
Jacarandas in bloom (top); Punakha Dzong (above)
Girl selling kappang,
a traditional snack
Lodge at dusk
gangtey
In the little-visited Phobjikha Valley near
the village of Gangtey, the eight-suite
Amankora Gangtey is set on a forested knoll
with scenic views of the valley floor and the
16th-century Gangtey Goemba (monastery).
Part of an important wildlife reserve, the
valley is home each winter to a flock of
300 endangered black-neck cranes.
gangtey
Spa treatment room
gangtey
Dining Room
The lodge and its facilities have been designed to maximise the beautiful views.
Whether relaxing with a restorative massage in one of the two spa treatment rooms,
or lounging/dining in the combined Living/Dining Room with its floor-to-ceiling
windows, guests need never take their eyes off the valley’s magnificent scenery.
Entrance courtyard
Living Room
gangtey
gangtey
Suite bathroom
Suite interiors are identical to those of Amankora Thimphu,
and include a cosy lounge area.
Suite lounge area
View over the valley
Stays often begin with a
walk through the village
before visiting the altars
and ramparts of the
massive Gangtey Goemba
(monastery). Numerous
nature walks and treks
are offered throughout
the valley’s varied terrain.
Crossing Bailey Bridge
Black-neck cranes
Grandsons of a farming family playing inside the house
Yak with calf
A village in Phobjikha Valley
bumthang
Consisting of four valleys – Chhume, Choekhor, Tang and Ura –
Bumthang is home to no less than 29 temples and monasteries, and
is a treasure-trove of Bhutan’s art and painting traditions. The 16-suite
Amankora Bumthang rests adjacent to the Wandichholing Palace,
within the town of Jakar in the Choekhor Valley.
Monks relaxing near prayer wheels
Darts game - celebratory singing and dancing
when the target is struck
Jampa Lhakhang, one of the first Buddhist
temples in Bhutan
Wangdichholing Palace (left) and Amankora Bumthang (centre) overlooking Bumthang Chhu
bumthang
bumthang
The lodge features a
generously-proportioned
outdoor courtyard, warmed
by a bonfire at night and
ideal for lounging or
stargazing. The lodge’s
Spa offers three treatment
rooms and a steam room.
Suites are housed in four
separate dwellings.
Dining Room
Spa treatment room
Courtyard
Suite bathroom
bumthang
bumthang
Bumthang produces butter,
cheese, honey, spirits and
brandies, amongst other
products, and visits to organic
farms and local cottage
industries can be arranged.
School children in Jakar
Prayer flags
Main entrance
Courtyard with bonfire
Library
Sacred Buddhist art often takes the form of a mandala – the Sanskrit word for ‘circle’. This is a recurring theme for the lodges,
representing the circular journey that Amankora makes possible.
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang, Kingdom of Bhutan
Tel: (975) 2 331 333 Fax: (975) 2 331 999 Email: [email protected]
aman.com