8 Days • 7 Nights
8-Day Amankora Luxury Journey
Tour Includes
About the Trip
The journey balances immersive cultural discovery with unhurried moments of rest and reflection, so that Bhutan is experienced in depth rather than at speed. Each day ends at a serene luxury lodge — refined design, hushed natural settings and deeply personal service — with a spa, hot-stone baths and quiet firesides to melt away the miles. Every meal is included and every detail anticipated.
For travellers who want the kingdom's soul and the very finest comforts in equal measure, there is simply nothing like it.
Trip Highlights
- Seven nights across Bhutan's most celebrated luxury lodges in three valleys
- Full board throughout with private guide and driver, at an unhurried pace
- Thimphu's dzong, museums and living craft traditions
- The dramatic Dochula Pass and the fertile Punakha valley
- A riverside hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
- Punakha Dzong and the fertility temple of Chimi Lhakhang
- The Tiger's Nest pilgrimage followed by a restorative spa afternoon
- A traditional hot-stone bath and a soothing signature massage
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
The flight into Paro threads between Himalayan peaks — a breathtaking arrival. Met by your private guide, drive about ninety minutes to Thimphu and settle into your luxury lodge before a gentle introduction to the capital: the National Memorial Chorten and the Folk Heritage and Textile museums.
Explore the northern valley: Tashichho Dzong, the seat of government, and Pangri Zampa, home to Bhutan's school of astrology. Those who wish can hike toward Cheri Goemba, where the country's first monastic body was founded, before visiting paper-making and weaving workshops keeping ancient crafts alive.
Drive across the Dochula Pass, its 108 chortens and, on a clear day, a wall of snow peaks on the horizon. Pause at the 17th-century Simtokha Dzong and in the Wangdue valley before descending to your lodge amid the terraced fields of Punakha.
A scenic morning hike along the Mo Chhu through rice terraces to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built by Bhutan's four queens. Then the magnificent Punakha Dzong, a riverside picnic, and a gentle walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the revered fertility temple.
Ascend once more over Dochula and follow the Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu rivers to Paro, where your lodge sits peacefully among the pines. The afternoon is at leisure — a stroll to nearby ruins and temples, or simply the spa, with an evening talk on Bhutanese history and culture.
The National Museum in the Ta Dzong watchtower, then downhill to the exquisite Paro Dzong and across the traditional cantilever bridge. Visit the town temple and, in the afternoon, the ancient Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred sites, with lunch at a traditional farmhouse.
The spiritual highlight — the pilgrimage to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest, perched nine hundred metres above the valley. Take the four-to-five-hour walk at your own pace, with a picnic along the way, then surrender the afternoon to the lodge spa and a soothing hot-stone bath.
An early breakfast and a private transfer to Paro airport for your onward journey — leaving with far more than photographs. Tashi Delek.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Bhutan visa and all internal permits arranged for you
- All government royalties and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- 7 nights in Bhutan's premier luxury lodges — 2N Thimphu, 2N Punakha, 3N Paro
- Full board throughout — daily breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodges and on excursions
- A senior licensed English-speaking guide throughout
- A private vehicle with an experienced driver throughout
- All sightseeing, monument entry fees and road permits
- A traditional hot-stone bath and a signature spa massage per guest
- Private airport transfers at Paro and full concierge assistance
Exclusions
- International airfare and Drukair flights into Bhutan (we can arrange these)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
- Personal expenses, shopping and laundry beyond that provided
- Tips and gratuities for your guide and driver
- Pony hire at Tiger's Nest (optional)
- Any experience not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & Permits: International visitors need a Bhutan visa and internal permits, arranged in advance through a licensed operator — we handle all of this for you. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates
- Sustainable Development Fee: Bhutan levies an SDF per person for each night of the stay to fund conservation and free healthcare and education; in this package the current SDF is already included in your price
- Guide & Driver: Every day is accompanied by a licensed Bhutanese guide and a private driver. Bhutan is explored on a set itinerary rather than independently, which makes the whole trip effortless
- Altitude: Paro sits at about 2,200m and Thimphu at 2,300m, with passes above 3,000m. Take the first day gently, walk slowly and drink plenty of water
- Full Board: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included every day, so you never have to think about where to eat
- Dress Code: Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting dzongs, temples and monasteries. Modest, layered clothing is ideal for the changing mountain weather
- Tiger's Nest Hike: The Taktsang pilgrimage is a moderately steep 4-5 hour round trip. A pony can be hired for the uphill stretch to the halfway cafeteria if you prefer
- Currency: The Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) is pegged to the Indian Rupee. Cards work in Thimphu and Paro, but carry cash for smaller towns, markets and monasteries
- Connectivity: Pick up a local B-Mobile or TashiCell SIM on arrival; hotel wifi is available but can be slow in remote valleys — a good excuse to switch off
- Local Customs: Photography inside temples is often restricted, so always ask first. Bhutan is plastic-conscious and tobacco sales are banned, so pack accordingly
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all meals included?
Yes. This is a full-board holiday — breakfast, lunch and dinner are included every day, at your hotels and at hand-picked local restaurants along the way.
Which lodges do we stay in?
You stay at Bhutan's premier luxury lodges across Thimphu, Punakha and Paro. We confirm the specific properties with you before travel and can tailor the mix to your preferences.
Is a guide and private vehicle included?
Yes — a senior licensed guide and a private vehicle with driver accompany you throughout, along with airport transfers and full concierge assistance.
Do we need a visa for Bhutan?
Yes, and we arrange it for you together with all permits. The current Sustainable Development Fee is included in your package price.
How demanding is the Tiger's Nest hike?
It is a moderate four-to-five-hour walk with some steep sections. Ponies can be arranged for the uphill stretch, and the afternoon is reserved for the spa to recover.
What is included beyond sightseeing?
Full board at the lodges, a traditional hot-stone bath and a signature spa massage per guest, all permits and entry fees, and unhurried time to simply enjoy each place.
Can the journey be customised?
Entirely. The pace, the activities and even the lodges can be tailored, and experiences such as a cooking session, archery or an astrology reading can be added.
When is the best time to travel?
Bhutan is a year-round destination; spring and autumn offer the clearest skies and mildest days, while winter is crisp and bright and summer lush and green.
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