5-day Cultural Sojourn in the Land of the Thunder Dragon
Lodged between the Tibetan Plateau and India, Bhutan is one of the most remote and unaltered environments on earth. To fully experience the cultural traditions, scenic beauty and spirituality of this sole surviving Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom, Aman Resorts recommends journeys of seven nights or more. However, Aman Resorts has also created exclusive four-night offers in the valleys of Paro & Thimphu to give travellers a taste of this unique destination.
Experience Bhutan’s cultural traditions, highlights of picturesque Paro and the capital city of Thimphu. This 5-day programme combines appreciation pf Bhutan’s arts and culture with healing traditions of Amankora’s spas.
Itinerary
Day 01 / Arrive Paro – Thimphu
From the flight in, weaving through the valley, arrival in Bhutan is like no other. The scenic transfer takes guests from Paro’s International Airport to Amankora Thimpu. After lunch, visit the Textile Museum, National Library, Folk Heritage Museum and a Tantric Buddhist worship house for a long life blessing. Upon return to the lodge, relax with a head, neck and shoulder massage.
Overnight Amankora Thimphu.
Day 02 / Thimphu
Begin the day with a sunkey ceremony or travel blessing. In the morning visit the School of 13 Traditional Arts, a paper making factory, incense factory and traditional medicine hospital, where a diagnosis from a local healer may be obtained. After a picnic lunch along the river near the head of the valley, a hike follows a path through small hamlets and beautifully-terraced farmland. In the evening a full body massage and body scrub with traditional Bhutanese ingredients will ease any tensions from the day’s activities. Over drinks or dinner, enjoy a discussion of the history of Bhutan.
Overnight Amankora Thimphu.
Day 03 / Thimphu – Paro
Transfer to Paro for a visit to the Vajrana Art Gallery to view the works of some of the up and coming contemporary artists in Bhutan. After lunch at Amankora Paro, hike to Drukyel Dzong and continue on to eventually cross the Paro Chhu (river) before heading through terraces of rice and buckwheat dotted with small hamlets set against a richly forested backdrop. Back at the lodge, a stretch massage will follow a steam or sauna.
Overnight in Amankora Paro.
Day 04 / Paro
Start with a visit to the cultural riches of the National Museum followed by a short walk down to Paro Dzong, a fortress also called Rinpung or ‘fortress on a heap of jewels’. Following an early picnic lunch, a hike up to the revered 7th century ‘Tiger Nest’ or Taktsang Lhakhang follows the route of one of Bhutan’s most sacred pilgrimages. In the evening, a hot stone bath and deep tissue massage will relax the mind, body and spirit in preparation for international departure the following morning.
Overnight in Amankora Paro.
Day 05 / Depart Paro
Early morning transfer to airport for international departure. Tashi Delek!
Tour Cost
- US$6,280 Suite (Double Occupancy)
- US$5,515 Suite (Single Occupancy)
Other Costs
- USD $916 Return airfare from Bangkok to Paro
- USD $536 Return airfare from Kathmandu to Paro
Tour Validity
- Oct 01, 2008 – Dec 31, 2009
Tour Inclusions
- Rates listed include accommodation for 04 nights in Amankora suites, all meals and house beverages, laundry, airport and lodge transfers between Paro and Thimphu, visa processing assistance.
- Rates are subject to 15% government tax and service charge, daily FIT surcharge of US$40 (single occupancy) / US$60 (double occupancy), government royalties of US$65 per person per day, and Tourism Development Fund (TDF) tax of US$10 per person.
- A visa application fee of US$20 will be charged at time of booking.
- Rates and government taxes are subject to change without notice.
Tour Validity
- Oct 01, 2008 – Dec 31, 2009