Amankora

Our 9 day Amankora journey began with a flight from Bangkok into Paro with Druk Air, navigating one of the most challenging airports in the world. Tucked into a narrow valley, the descent offered breathtaking views of Bhutan’s peaks and valleys—a perfect preview of the incredible landscapes ahead. At the airport, we were greeted by Yonten, our guide, and Ugyen, our driver, whose warmth and care shaped our journey into something truly special. Thimphu: 3 Nights - Bhutan’s Modern Heart An hour drive from Paro airport, Thimphu was our first stop where Amankora’s lodge provided a tranquil escape just outside the bustling capital. Yonten guided us to the Tashichho Dzong and the towering Buddha Dordenma, helping us connect with Bhutan’s blend of tradition and modernity. Evenings at the lodge were spent by the fire, enjoying hearty meals and reflecting on the day’s discoveries. We also had the pleasure of meeting Theo Cromhout, Aman’s new Country General Manager for Bhutan and a fellow South African. Theo’s leadership and attention to detail were evident throughout our stay, adding an extra layer of care to an already exceptional experience. Gangtey: 2 Nights - Quiet and Exclusive The 5 hours drive to Gangtey was unforgettable, with mountain passes offering breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayas. The lodge, with just eight suites, felt wonderfully exclusive and perfectly at home in its surroundings. Perched above the Phobjikha Valley, it provided sweeping views of the beautiful landscape. Here, we spent peaceful days hiking through forests and villages, soaking in the valley’s untouched beauty and visiting the ‘town fair’ which happened to be on at the time we visited. Returning to the lodge in the evenings for a hot stone bath with a view of the valley and Dzong (a must do) and dinner in a rustic potato shed lit by 140 candles, was the perfect way to end the day. Punakha: 2 Nights - Spiritual and Unique Punakha is a 3 hour drive from Gantey and was vibrant and lush, with its terraced rice fields and orchards. The lodge here has a traditional Bhutanese house owned by the royal family, in addition to the modern Aman suites. This house offered a rare opportunity to meditate in the same room where the King and the Abbot of Bhutan would retreat for their spiritual practice. We also visited the iconic Punakha Dzong and took part in a private blessing at a nunnery, where the chanting of the nuns created an atmosphere of serenity and reverence, a truly moving and beautiful experience. Paro: 2 Nights - The Grand Finale Paro is a 3.5 hour drive from Phunaka and was the perfect conclusion to our journey. The Amankora lodge, set amidst pine forests, was serene and luxurious. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery was the pinnacle of the trip, a challenging 2-3 hour climb with an incredibly rewarding Monastery with 7 Temples that symbolized everything we’d experienced in Bhutan—spirituality, effort, and awe. Yonten’s guidance and encouragement made the journey even more meaningful, and reaching the cliffside monastery was a moment we’ll never forget. Yonten: Guide and Friend Yonten wasn’t just our guide; he became a great friend too. His deep knowledge of Bhutan’s culture and Buddhism enriched every experience, but he also knew how to share insights without overwhelming us. Beyond that, he cared for us in ways that went beyond his role—helping me replace my broken iphone, taking us to a pharmacy when we needed medicine, and sharing personal stories about his family and life in Bhutan. We also had the honor of celebrating his 40th birthday during the hike to Tiger’s Nest, a moment that made an already unforgettable day even more meaningful. Reflections and Practical Notes October was an ideal time to visit Bhutan, with its crisp autumn air and colorful foliage. While the nights were cool, heavy winter gear wasn’t necessary—the lodges were warm and cozy, with fireplaces, in-room electric and fire heaters, and plenty of blankets to ensure comfort. This journey with Amankora was more than a luxurious getaway—it was a deeply personal connection to Bhutan’s landscapes, culture, and spirituality. From meditating in Punakha’s royal retreat to the blessings at the nunnery and intimate lodge in Gangtey and the breathtaking hike to Tiger’s Nest, every moment felt intentional and special. Yonten’s guidance, and the care of the Amankora team made this a journey we’ll treasure forever. If you’re considering Bhutan, Amankora offers a perfect blend of comfort, authenticity, and cultural immersion.

You begin your journey to the hotel by walking on soft pine needles through a primeval forest. We stayed at 3 of the Amankora resorts and this one had the friendliest staff and best food. Sangay and Lotay, our guide and driver, were absolutely the best ever! We spent a week with them with endless learning, fun and shared wisdom. I cannot imagine a better hotel experience staying in Bhutan and give them the highest recommendations.

it is the largest and the first-established amankora. it is located 30minutes away from the Paro airport in a very quiet area. it is surrounded by the woods, viewing the dzong and the mountain peaks. The feeling of the Bhutan nature is enchanting. it is very well positioned to visit the Tiger's nest monastery. the living/bar area is very charming. Amankora rooms are standardised across the different locations. The luxury standards of Aman group are highly respected and the staff is really professional. Unfortunately privacy is not fully guaranteed without closing the window wooden shutters. this is pity as the view is very relaxing. From my room i saw inside 6 rooms of my neighbours. I would highly suggest to change the window glasses (anti-reflection) or to find a solution by consulting the architect....

The very first Aman in Bhutan made this stay extra special. Phuntsho and his team made sure that we were pampered. Amazing hot stone bath, great archery (although i prefer the one in Punakha which was overlooking the rice paddy field) but the path heading up there made it a mystery. Great outdoor bbq / chill out place. The room was the exact same layout that i've had in Punakha and it just felt like home straightaway, just remember to close the window shade if you are heading to the shower!

This was our first extended stay in an Aman hotel. We had spent three nights at Amandari in Ubud, Indonesia, and had visited Amangalla in Galle, Sri Lanka. For our trip to Bhutan, which we had been planning for 10 years, Aman seemed the right choice for a foreign destination filled with adventure and spirituality. We arrived at the airport and our guide who would be with us for the entire 10 days picked us up and took us to the first lodge. We were welcomed at the entrance with hot towels and a “welcome home”. Coming from NY, I was skeptical. Most hotels attempt to create a home-like environment, I wasn’t sure how homelike this would be in a place we had never visited before. I was quickly convinced otherwise. Amankora has 5 lodges spread across the tiny Kingdom, which function as one system. We were lucky enough to visit all of them. Built about 20 years ago, the lodges’ architecture reflects the Bhutanese fortresses that dot the landscape. The locations are set near Royal grounds or spiritual areas, and the commons spaces look out over the beautiful views and surroundings. A surprising element was that the suites have a similar layout across all the lodges, so you quickly become accustomed to the space when you travel to a new destination. But the Aman is not alone in this game. In the past five years, other hotel chains like Six Senses, have set-up lodges in the same locations with newer facilities and architecture. The distinguishing factor for us was not the “hard” product but the “soft” product - the care the staff and teams provided across all the sites. When we ordered a green smoothie at breakfast at the first lodge, the same drink was provided every morning across the other four lodges as well. Pillow types were remembered in the rooms, lodge managers would greet us and wave goodbye at departure, even the spa attendants knew that we liked doing yoga at 7am in the morning, and reserved us a space. We went during the shoulder season, expecting monsoon rains to dampen our plans or prevent certain activities. Instead, the weather seemed to cooperate with us throughout the entire journey at outside festivals, mountain hikes, and long bike rides. The benefit to the uncertain weather was that there were fewer guests at the lodges, since it wasn’t peak season, and the staff’s attention was exclusively on us. We didn’t want to leave by the end. A Buddhist principle is that all things in life are impermanent. Saying goodbye to our guide and driver was harder than we thought. It’s not easy to leave a place this thoughtful in its arrangements, but we are looking forward to returning home soon.