Accommodation
Amankora Punakha Lodge offers eight suites, located in three rammed-earth buildings, are situated in an orange orchard with views across the rice fields and back up the Punakha Valley. The suites are identical to the design of the suites at Amankora Paro, featuring wood panelled interiors, a traditional bukhari, king-size bed, terrazzo-clad bath, shower and vanities, and day bed. Suites are individually heated during the cooler winter months and air-conditioned in the summer months.

The lodge compound of Amankora Punakha is centred around a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse built as a residence by Her Majesty the Queen Mother to oversee the surrounding rice fields and fruit plantations. This grand structure, with its vegetable dye wall paintings, is now the combined common guest areas of the lodge with the Dining Room and intimate relaxation areas as well as a traditional altar room for meditation and prayer.

The courtyard of the farmhouse is arranged for outdoor dining and relaxing in Punakha's temperate climate. Adjacent to the courtyard is the Tea Pavilion which was once the kitchen of the summer palace.

Sightseeing
A visit to Punakha Dzong, which straddles the confluence of the Mother (Mo) and Father (Pho) rivers, is one of the highlights of Punakha.

Amankora, Gangtey
Location
Amankora Gangtey Lodge, located in the picturesque valley of Phobjikha near the village of Gangtey, is set on a forested hill with scenic views of the valley floor and the dominant 16th century Gangtey Goemba (monastery). A winding track through the forest, with sweeping views of the stunning valley landscapes and fields of dwarf bamboo and potato crops, descends to the Amankora Gangtey Lodge. At an elevation of 3,000 metres on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, Phobjikha is one of Bhutan's few glacial valleys.

Spa
Two massage treatment rooms and changing areas, and an intimate yoga/meditation room are provided on the lodge's ground floor.

Accommodation
The lodge accommodations and guest areas are encompassed in one rammed-earth building. The combined Living and Dining Room is appointed with cosy chairs and sofas and family style dining tables, providing views through floor-to-ceiling windows of the valley and surrounding mountains.

The eight suites are identical to those of Amankora Thimphu, offering an open plan bedroom and bathing area. The aesthetics combine wood panelling and chocolate brown walls, the traditional bukhari, terrazzo-clad bath, shower and vanity, and day bed offering views across the valley. Suites are individually heated during the cold winter months.

Sightseeing
A walk through the Gangtey Village. The quaint village is dominated by the 16th century Gangtey Goemba, which includes a school, meditation facilities and quarters for monks, and is home to the mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, one of the region's historically important Buddhist treasure discoverers. A visit to the ancient altars and ramparts of the massive Goemba. Crane Centre at Gangtey, a designated conservation area, it is winter home of the endangered black-necked crane.

Amankora Thimphu
Location
Amankora Thimphu Lodge, located in Thimphu - Bhutan's capital city, is a 2-hour drive from Amankora Paro or one-and-a-half hours directly from Paro's international airport. Sited in a pine forest in the upper reaches of the Motithang area of the Thimphu Valley, Amankora Thimphu is a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Kingdom's booming capital, set in a Dzong-like architecture incorporating high stone, white-washed buildings.

At an altitude of 2,350m, Thimphu lies in a steep valley surrounded by richly forested mountains dotted with ancient monasteries and lhakhangs (temples). The town is built up from the Thimphu Chhu and is centred around the quaint Clock Tower and its surrounding lanes of shops, vegetable and meat markets, and assorted local restaurants. Up the valley lies the impressive Trashichhoe Dzong and the Kingdom's only official golf course, a rolling nine holes set against the back drop of chortens (Buddhist receptacles for offerings), colourfully painted government agencies and the surrounding mountains.

Dzong-like architecture incorporates high stone, white-washed buildings accessed through an enclosed arrival court. Stairs lead from this entry point to a dramatic combined Living and Dining room with soaring ceilings and wood panelled walls. Adjacent is a flagstone outdoor dining deck with views over the nearby stream and blue pine forest.

Accommodation
Two accommodation blocks house a total of 16 suites, featuring a combined living and bedroom that includes a king-size bed, a reading chair and a window banquette providing views across a landscaped courtyard or directly onto the nearby stream and pine forest.

The room interiors feature combined wood panel and chocolate brown walls. The traditional bukhari is positioned between the bedroom and the bathroom. The spacious bathroom opens from the bedroom and provides a terrazzo-clad bath that enjoys a view through a vertical slot window.

A shower, toilet and twin vanities and hanging space complete the bathroom. The suites are individually heated during the cold winter months.more...