Detailed Program
On your arrival at Paro International, our local representative will meet you and transfer you to Thimphu Amankora Resorts for your night’s stay. Post visit National Memorial Chorten, National Museum and Folk Heritage Museum, and National Library. Overnight stay at Amankora Thimphu.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
After breakfast in the morning, visit the north end of the valley to view Trashi Chhoe Dzong, the seat of the Bhutan government, and Pangri Zampa, two 16th-century buildings that now house a monastic training school for astrologers. At the head of the valley, should you wish to stretch your legs, a short hike will take you to Cheri Goemba, the monastery where the first monastic body was established in the Kingdom. Back in town, visit a few of the capital cottage industries ranging from traditional paper making to hand-rolled incense. Overnight stay at Amankora Thimphu.
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
An early departure brings you on a dramatic drive over the 3,050m mountain pass of Dochu La and on to Punakha Valley. In midst of the journey, you will stop at Dochula Pass (3,080m) from where almost six high mountains, including Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m), Kangphugang (7,170 m), Zongphugang (7, 060 m), provides a breathtaking view. You will visit Punakha Dzong from which the city gets its name from, constructed strategically at the intersection of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu streams in 1637 From Punakha. Later in the afternoon hike to the village behind the lodge. Overnight stay at Amankora Punakha.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
Begin the day with a hike from Punakha Lodge through terraces of rice, chilies, and cabbage to the Khamsum Yuelly Namgyal Chorten a monument built by the Queen of Bhutan. It was built in accordance with the instructions of Lopon Sonam Zangpo, with the intention of bringing peace to the world in general, and clearing obstacles for the country of Bhutan in particular. Its exterior is in the form of a pagoda-like stupa while the interior consists of four stories containing images of the deities of mandalas of Vajarakilaya. Afterward, drive back to impressive Punakha Dzong. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic body of Bhutan and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. Overnight Stay at Amankora Punakha.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
After descending from Dochu La Pass, the road will lead back up the dramatic Wang Chu and Paro Chu river valleys before crossing through Paro towards the north end of the valley. Here, set in a pine forest, is the Amankora Paro lodge and spa. In the afternoon, stroll to the nearby ruins, visit some of the valley’s oldest and holiest religious monuments or amble down Paro main street. Evenings at Amankora Paro may include informative lectures on the history, religion, flora, and fauna of the region, or a film on the Himalayas. Overnight stay Amankora Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
The day starts with a visit to the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong watchtower. Here, a collection of artifacts provides a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. Just a short walk downhill lies the dominating Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese architecture. From the Dzong, cross Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilevered bridge, to reach the town temple built in 1525.
Enjoy a Picturesque picnic or a visit to a traditional farmhouse for lunch with a local family. The afternoon brings a choice of excursions visitors interested in further immersion in Bhutan culture and religion must experience the Kyichu Lhakhang, Dumtse Lhakhang, and the Drukgyel Dzong altar room.
Hikers can follow a beautiful trail behind the lodge which passes Drukgyel Dzong and winds along the Paro Chhu, crossing a suspension bridge and ambling through terraced farmland and forests before looping back down the river to a second bridge and returning to the lodge. Overnight stay at Amankora Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Spend the morning hiking to one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments, the Taktshang Goemba, more commonly known as the Tiger Nest. The 4-5 hrs return trek offers spectacular views of this sacred monastery perched on a cliff face almost 1,000m above the valley floor. The rest of the day can be spent browsing through shops in town, enjoying the spa, or exploring the rich forests that rise behind the lodge. Overnight Stay at Amankora.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Early morning transfer to airport with lots of wonderful experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bhutan Amankora Escape tour lasts for 8 days.
Visitors on the Bhutan Amankora Escape tour can see various attractions, including historic structures such as Trashi Chhoe Dzong and Pangri Zampa, traditional cottage industries such as paper-making and Nado hand-rolled incense Factory, the Punakha Dzong fortress, the Khamsum Yuelly Namgyal Chorten monument, the National Museum, the Paro Dzong, and the Taktshang Goemba monastery.
Visitors on the Bhutan Amankora Escape tour can expect a unique combination of luxury, comfort, tradition, and simplicity, as they explore the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Bhutan.
- Inclusion
- Exclusion
- Insurance
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
- 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium update).
- Bhutan visa fee – including all necessary processing
- Route Permit
- Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
- A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
- All land transportation by private vehicle
- Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Monuments entrance fees where applicable
- Drinking water
- All internal taxes and charges
- A sustainable development fee of $200. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, and poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.)
- Airfare & Travel Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature, Tips to guides and drivers
- Expenses occurred due to unavoidable events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
