Bhutan Holidays
The small Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan, with a population of only about 700.000 people, lies along the ridges of the eastern Himalayas, bordering the global giants of Tibet and India. Most of the country is mountainous, with some of the highest unclimbed Himalayan peaks on earth. It was these mighty Himalayas which protected Bhutan from the rest of the world and left the kingdom blissfully untouched.
Bumthang Valley (Trongsa & Jakar)
The Bumthang region in central Bhutan actually encompasses four major valleys, Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume. The largest one and the one with the most important dzongs and monasteries is Chokhor Valley and it is this valley that is generally referred to as Bumthang Valley. It is a special area as not only was the legendary saint Pema Lingpa born here, but the Bhutanese Royal family trace their lineage back to him and this area and also this is the first place in Bhutan where Guru Rimpoche introduced Buddhism.
Trongsa lies right in the middle of the country, separated from both east and west by high mountain ranges. Trongsa Dzong is a stunning fortress and a labyrinth of temples, towers and courtyards built on many levels dramatically into the side of the hill and visible for many miles around. It is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family and the first two hereditary kings ruled from this dzong. There is a tradition still adhered to today, that the crown prince serves as the Trongsa penlop (regional ruler) first before acceding the throne. The Ta Dzong, the great watchtower on the hill above the dzong, has been converted into a museum and gives and unrivalled view over the surrounding valley
A little further east is the town of Jakar, which is the local major trading centre and home to the Wangdichholing Palace, which was built in 1857 and was the residence of the first king of Bhutan.
The Tang valley is the most remote of Bumthang’s four valleys and is best known for Membartsho, the ‘Burning Lake’ where Pema Lingpa is said to have entered a pool carrying a burning butter lamp and on re-surfacing he returned with not only the lamp still alight, but also with more treasures hidden by Guru Rinpoche.
Southeast of Jakar is the Ura valley, the highest of the valleys and believed to have been home to the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan. Ura itself is an intriguing little cobbled village, where the local women wear sheepskin shawls in cold weather and there is a lively three day festival of masked dancing in May.
The valleys of Bumthang are renowned not only for all the beautiful monasteries, but also for the wonderful scenery and there are many lovely day hikes that can be enjoyed in the area and also, being some distance from Thimphu and Paro, the area is a little more remote and so there tend to be fewer tourists here.
Our preferred hotels include:
Amankora Bumthang
Gangtey (Phobjikha Valley)
The beautiful glacial Phobjikha Valley lies in the mountains east of Wangduephodrang. It is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country due to it being the winter home of the rare black-necked cranes who come here in search of a milder climate. They tend to arrive in late October and depart late February/early March and for those in Gangtey in November the Black-Necked Crane Festival on 12 November is a real highlight.
This region is often referred to as Gangtey on account of the great monastery of Gangtey, located on the ridge above the valley. Established in the 17th Century, this beautiful and striking goemba includes a school, meditation facilities and quarters for monks and is home to the reincarnation of Pema Lingpa.
This bowl-shaped valley is also ideal for some easy trekking and there are a number of lovely day treks that take you through little villages, surrounding hills and forests, fields of beautifully tended crops and past various chortens, so it is well worth staying a few days here.
Our preferred hotels include:
Amankora Gangtey
Dewachen Guesthouse
Paro
This beautiful valley encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, the country’s main airport and the National Museum. Mt. Chomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro River). The Paro valley is one of the kingdom’s most fertile, lined with lush terraced fields that produce everything from apples to asparagus and the bulk of Bhutan’s famous red rice.
Taktshang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest), the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched high up above the Paro Valley on the side of a sheer cliff, is reached by a trail through the forest starting just outside Paro. It is a steep climb, starting through pine forest, but as you reach above the treeline the views open up as far as the eye can see. The final part of the trek takes one up and down hundreds of steps, but reaching the monastery brings a sense of real achievment and this has to be one of the most spectacular monasteries in the world.
Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), also known as ’The fortress of the heap of jewels’ was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on a hill above the town. The approach to the dzong is through a traditional covered wooden bridge (called the Nemi Zam) and then up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls. Overlooking the river and visible throughout the valley, this is one of the most impressive dzongs from the outside and equally fascinating on the inside.
On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to protect the dzong below. (“Ta” means “to see” in Dzongkha, so the watchtower of a dzong is always called a “Ta dzong”). In 1968 Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection
The natural beauty of Paro valley is enhanced by the traditional architecture and colourful decoration of the many farm houses dotted about the fields and on the hillsides. The two to three-storied Bhutanese farm houses are handsome in appearance, with colourfully decorated outer walls and lintels and are traditionally built without the use of a single nail. All houses follow the same architectural style and a visit to a farm house gives an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of a farming family
Our preferred hotels include:
Amankora Paro
Uma Paro
Gangtey Palace
Zhiwa Ling
Punakha
Punakha is located to the east of Thimphu and sits in a beautiful, fertile and warm valley at the junction of the two rivers Mo Chhu (Mother River) and Pho Chhu (Father River) and served as the capital of Bhutan for over 300 years. Although the seat of government is now in Thimphu, the royal family retains strong links with the town.
The principal highlight and arguably one of the country’s most impressive and beautiful buildings is Punakha Dzong, which was built as a defensive stronghold in the 17th Century. Surrounded by lilac jacaranda trees (in the spring), the two rivers serenly flow either side of it and this gorgeously photogenic building, approached by a pretty little wooden bridge across the river, is still the winter home to the central monk body and headquarters of local government, thus ensuring this dzong remains a busy and integral part of the local community.
Nearby is the Chimi Lhakhang, a small temple that is a approached by a lovely walk through the surrunding paddy fields, and is devoted to the ‘Divine Madman of Bhutan’. It is also a place of pilgrimage for childless women keen to get a blessing from the saint.
Punakha also has one of the most famous festivals in the country, taking place in February/March. It is unusual in that it re-creates a 17th Century battle scene against the Tibetan army in which an important relic is saved.
It is also possible to enjoy some rafting down the river as well as some trekking and mountain biking in the area.
Our preferred hotels include:
Amankora Punakha
Thimphu
Thimphu became Bhutan’s capital in 1961 and is now a vibrant and bustling town combining the traditional with the modern. It is home to the royal family, the principal seat of government and the central ‘monks body’ as well as a wealth of cultural highlights.
The National Memorial Chorten in the heart of Thimphu, serves as a memorial to the Third King (the ‘founder of modern Bhutan’) and is also dedicated to world peace. For many locals it is the focus for their daily worship and so it is a lively and buzzing place with many people walking around the chorten and turning the large prayer wheels.
The impressive Trashi Chhoe Dzong to the north of the city used to be home to the original National Assembly and now houses the secretariat, the throne room and offices of the king and the ministries of home affairs and finance.
Thimphu has a wonderful weekend market where local vendors from throughout the region sell their goods, anything from numerous chillies to mangoes, dried fish and even a leg of yak. One can also find locally produced fabrics and handicrafts, such as prayer wheels, baskets and hand made bows (archery is the national sport!).
The National Institute for Zorig Chusum is where students are instructed in many of Bhutan’s traditional arts, such as drawing, painting, woodcarving and embroidery. You can see the students at work and is well worth a visit.
Other highlights, which offer a fascinating insight into the Bhuitanese culture, include the Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, the Thangtong Nunnery, paper-making factory, the National Library, the huge new golden Buddha overlooking the valley and you can even see a takin, which is the country’s national animal in an enclosure on the edge of the town.
Our preferred hotels include:
Amankora Thimphu
Taj Tashi
Trashigang & Eastern Bhutan
Eastern Bhutan is separated from the rest of the country by the steep mountains that run from the Tibetan border down through the country into India. Consequently travelling in this part of the country can be slow, but compensated for by the wonderful scenery and the lack of other travellers. This is remote and rural Bhutan at its most pristine and unspoilt and a world of mountains, rivers, isolated villages and colourful ethnic groups.
Trashigang town used to be the main trading centre with Tibet and remains today the principle market place for the semi-nomadic people of Merak and Sakteng. It is also the junction of the east-west highway, with a road connection down to Samdrup Jongkhar on the border with the Indian state of Assam. The Trashigang dzong, built in 1659, sits on a jagged piece of land jutting out from the town and is the first landmark that can be seen from the road winding up to the town as it commands a remarkable view out over the surrounding countryside. This dzong is unusual in that it only has one dochey (courtyard).
The accommodation is limited in this part of the country and tends to be in small guesthouses or farmhouses, all of which can be very basic and the travelling can be slow, bumpy and dusty, so travelling to this part of the country can be challenging. However for those who make it, the beauty of the people, the scenery and the culture more than make up for it.
Trekking in Bhutan
As with other countries in the Himalayas, there are many wonderful treks to enjoy ranging from short day hikes to week long and even month long treks for those with time and stamina!.
Bhutan is a wonderfully photogenic country and these treks will take you on a journey through a huge variety of amazing scenery, including rolling hills, snow-capped mountains, rhododendron forests, terraced paddy fields and highland Yak grazing pastures.
Treks are typically supported by a full trekking team including your guide as well as a cook and pony team who carry the luggage, put up your tents and serve up delicious meals throughout the day. The tents are comfortable, but not luxurious, the food is good especially when you consider how remote you are and the quality of guiding is wonderful. In some areas it is also possible to stay at local farmhouses with the local people, which is a fun experience, but arguably more basic and rustic than camping.
Please do contact us and we can tailor a trek to suit your requirements and time schedule.
Amankora Bumthang
Location: Amankora Bumthang is located in the heart of the Bumthang valley close to the Wandichholing Palace in Jakar
Rooms: 16 guest suites
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, laundry, library, safe deposit boxes, spa, steam bath, yoga/meditation room and massage
Activities: Hiking, cultural visits/tours, cycling
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: Being an Aman property, this is a luxury hotel and the only 5 star hotel in the area. Definitely the the best hotel in the Bumthang Valley.
Amankora Gangtey
Location: Amankora Gangtey is located on the edge of the forest and enjoys wonderful views out across the Phobjikha Valley
Rooms: 8 suites
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, spa facilities
Activities: Hiking, archery, mountain biking, visits to the Black-Necked Crane research centre
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: This is one of the smallest of the Amankora properties, but the quality is excellent and the best hotel in the Phobjikha Valley by a long way.
Amankora Paro
Location: Amankora Paro is located in the forest near Balakha Village, 30 minutes from Paro town and the airport.
Rooms: 24 suites
Facilities: Restaurant, bar and spa.
Activities: Hiking, cultural sightseeing, shopping and exploring Paro
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: This is a typical Aman hotel – Modern, luxurious, contemporary style. Very comfortable with great food and service and the best hotel in Paro.
Amankora Punakha
Location: Amankora Punkaha is located in a rural location up the Punakha Valley a few kilometres from Punakha town
Rooms: 8 suites
Facilities: Bar, laundry, library, safe deposit boxes, spa, steam bath, yoga/meditation room and massage
Activities: Visit to temples, archery, fishing, golf, white water rafting
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: This is a delightful Amankora lodge in a wonderful location. Typical Aman with great staff and excellent food
Amankora Thimphu
Location: The lodge is located in Upper Mothitang area in Thimphu and the property in set on a hillside clad amongst high pine trees with a stream below and sits fairly secluded from town area offering one a complete privacy and a tranquil environment
Rooms: 16 suites
Facilities: Bar, foreign currency exchange, front desk, laundry, gift shop, mini library, apa, steam bath and massage
Activities: Cycling, cultural visits/tours, shopping, trekking, folk heritage museum and the bustling changling methang market, archery, fishing golf and white water rafting
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: A nice and luxurius amn hotel in the hills of the city and very good services
Dewachen Hotel, Gangtey
Location: The Dewachen Hotel is located on the edge of a pine forest with fabulous views out across the Gangtey (Phobjikha) valley and ideally situated to explore one of Bhutan’s prettiest valleys.
Rooms: 16 double rooms
Facilities: Restaurant & bar
Activities: Visits to the Black-necked crane wintering grounds, day hikes, archery
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: This is a clean, comfortable 3 star hotel with a real Scandinavian feel on the inside due to all the wood and the cosy wood-burning stoves. Great staff, good food and, with the exception of the Amankora lodge, this is the nicest property in the Phobjikha valley.
Gangtey Palace
Location: Located a few minutes drive outside Paro town and enjoys great views over the town and the surrounding valley.
Rooms: 14 rooms
Facilities: Restaurant, bar and Hot stone baths
Activities: Cultural sightseeing, Trekking
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: Set in a wonderful, old, historic property, this hotel is simple, yet offers clean, comfortable rooms with lovely views over the valley and a great atmosphere to the hotel.
Taj Tashi
Location: Taj Tashi is set in the heart of Thimphu town and about one hour’s drive from Paro Airport.
Rooms: 66 rooms & suites
Facilities: Restaurant, Fitness Centre, Laundry Services,Spa, Business Centre, Lounge Bar.
Activities: Cultural sightseeing, Hiking, Biking
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: This is the only luxury 5 star hotel within the town of Thimphu itself. Great service, luxury rooms – a great place to stay.
Uma Paro
Location: Set in the pine forest overlooking the Paro Valley and just 10 minutes from Bhutan’s main airport.
Rooms: 29 rooms including 9 villas
Facilities: Lounge, Como Shambhala Retreat Spa, Yoga Studio, Internet, Swimming pool.
Activities: Visit to Monasteries, Mountain Biking, Archery, Trekking, Yoga.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: This is a delightful property in a nice location and close to Paro town. Nice rooms, good food, lovely views and a chilled atmosphere. A great option.
Zhiwa Ling Paro
Location: Set in 10 acres in the upper Paro valley about 25 minutes from Paro town.
Rooms: 45 suites
Facilities: Restaurant,Fitness Centre, Laundry Services, Sauna/Spa, Internet, In room safe, Butler Service, Business Centre.
Activities: Sightseeing of the all the cultural highlights, Archery, Biking in Paro, Horse riding, Fly fishing.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome
Our View: This is one of Paro’s few luxury hotels set in a quiet location outside of the town and offers great accommodation and a lovely place to base oneself to explore the Paro area.
Description
The Drukpa Kagyupa school of Mahayana Buddhism, the Bhutanese form of Buddhism, provided the essence of a rich culture and fascinating history, which the people of Bhutan have so carefully guarded and protected over centuries, thus further ensuring the country’s isolation and uniqueness. The Bhutanese people have treasured their natural environment and regarded it as the source of all life, which has meant that Bhutan entered the 21st century with its environment still richly intact. 72% of the land area is still under forest cover and Bhutan has been identified as one of the ten biodiversity hotspots of the world.
Bhutan’s early history is steeped in folklore and mythology and the country still retains all the charm of the old world. It was only in 1974 that the country opened for tourism, and travellers today experience the full glory of this ancient land through its strategic fortresses known as dzongs, numerous ancient temples, monasteries and stupas which dot the countryside, prayer flags fluttering on hillsides, lush forests, rushing glacial rivers and the warm smiles and genuine friendliness of the people
Druk Path Trek
The scope for trekking in Bhutan is immense, from short walks to arduous treks. The short 5 day trek below leads from Paro to Thimphu or vice versa, crossing the chain of mountains that separates the two valleys. Although the route is sparsely inhabited, there are wonderful lakes teeming with fish and the area is famous for its spectacular rhododendron forests, which bloom in May. In the clear weather of late autumn and winter there are great views of the Himalayas. This trek is usually possible from late February to June and from September to December.
Day 1 – Fly from London
Day 2 – Arrive Delhi or Kathmandu – 1 night
Day 3 – Fly to Paro – transfer to Uma Paro Hotel – evening visit to market & town – 2 nights
Day 4 – Full day sight seeing
Day 5 – Start of trek – Paro to Jele Dzong, 8 km, 3 hrs
Day 6 – Jele Dzong to Jangchulakha, 10 km, 3-4 hrs
Days 7 – Janggchulakha to Jimilangtsho, 11 km, 4 hrs
Day 8 – Jimilangtsho to Simkota, 11 km, 4 hrs
Day 9 – Simkota to Phajoding, 10 km, 4 hrs
Day 10 – Phajoding to Thimphu, 5km, 3 hrs – Taj Tashi Thimphu – 2 nights
Day 11 – Full day excursion to Punakha and Wangduephodrang
Day 12 – Full day sight seeing in Thimphu – transfer to Paro – Uma Paro Hotel – 1 night
Day 13 – Fly to Delhi or Kathmandu – 1 night
Day 14 – Fly to London
2012 price from £2,732 per person
supplement cost for Amankora Thimphu instead of Taj Tashi Thimphu £765 per person
(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Delhi/Paro/Dheli/London and excluding hotel in Delhi/Kathmandu on first and last night).
Jomolhari Trek
The scope for trekking in Bhutan is immense, from short walks to arduous treks. The trekking itinerary below covers an eight day trek, starting at Drukgyel Dzong, Paro, passing through scattered hamlets and farmland into a deep and richly forested valley, which leads to a high alpine pastureland where yak herders graze their animals. The trek offers a taste of the great variety of Bhutanese landscape. This trek is usually possible from April to June and from September to November.
Day 1 – Fly from London
Day 2 – Arrive Delhi or Kathmandu – 1 night
Day 3 – Fly to Paro – transfer to Uma Paro Hotel – evening visit to market & town – 2 nights
Day 4 – Full day sight seeing
Day 5 – Start of trek – Paro to Shana, 17 km, 5-6 hrs – camp at 2,870 m
Day 6 – Shana to Soi Thangthangkha, 20 km, 7-8 hrs – camp at 3,750 m
Days 7 – Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang, 19 km, 7-8 hrs – camp at 4,040 m
Day 8 – Jangothang to Lingshi, 18 km, 7-8 hrs – camp at 4,000 m
Day 9 – Lingshi to Shodu, 22 km, 8-9 hrs – camp at 4,100 m
Day 10 – Shodu to Barshong, 16 km, 6-7 hrs, camp at 3,600 m
Day 11 – Barshong to Dolam Kencho, 15 km, 5-6 hrs
Day 12 – Dolam Kencho to Dodena, 8 km, 3 hrs – transfer to Thimphu – Amankora Thimphu – 1 night
Day 13 – Full day sight seeing in Thimphu – transfer to Paro – Uma Paro Hotel – 1 night
Day 14 – Fly to Delhi or Kathmandu – 1 night
Day 15 – Fly to London
2012 price from £3,265 per person
(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Delhi/Paro/Dheli/London and excluding hotel in Delhi/Kathmandu on first and last night).
A Sojourn to the Last Mountain Kingdom
This comprehensive 10 day tour takes you through the extraordinary kingdom of Bhutan, visiting some of its most fascinating historical and religious sites. The itinerary combines western and central Bhutan, visiting Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang, returning west to Paro for the end of the trip.
Day 1 – Fly from London
Day 2 – Arrive Delhi or Kathmandu – 1 night
Day 3 – Fly to Paro – transfer to Thimphu – Taj Tashi Thimphu – 2 nights
Day 4 – Full day sight seeing
Day 5 – Drive to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan – 2 nights
Day 6 – Full day sight seeing
Days 7 – Drive to Bumthang – 2 nights
Day 8 – Full day sight seeing
Day 9 – Drive to Gangtey – 1 night
Day 10 – Drive to Paro – Uma Paro Hotel – 3 nts
Day 11 – Full day sight seeing
Day 12 – Full day sight seeing to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
Day 13 – Fly to Delhi or Kathmandu – 1 night
Day 14 – Fly to London
2012 price from £3,980 per person
(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Delhi/Paro/Dheli/London and excluding hotel in Delhi/Kathmandu on first and last night).