Brilliance of Bhutan

Flying in to Paro, you’ll transfer to the Bhutanese capital Thimphu to begin your luxury Bhutanese adventure. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Memorial Chorten, which was built in honour of Bhutan’s 3^rd king and is a thriving social hub, particularly for the elderly community, as well as a Buddhist temple. The fortress-like Changangkha Lhakhang is the oldest temple in the valley and offers stunning views over Thimphu.  Other attractions include the takin enclosure, home to Bhutan’s goat-like national animal, and a newly-built gargantuan Buddha statue which overlooks the valley from a height of 169 feet. You can learn about Bhutan’s rich cultural history at the School of Arts and Crafts and Folk Heritage Museum, meet nuns at Zilukha nunnery, and check out the monastery-fortress Tashichho Dzong, home to the Bhutanese government. Your home in Thimphu is Amankora, a luxurious lodge modelled after the dzongs, like Tashichho Dzong, which are so characteristic of Bhutan.

Departing Thimphu, you’ll begin the 3 hour journey to the serene town of Punakha across the stunning Dochula Pass. Punakha lies at a lower altitude than Thimphu and is relatively warm for Bhutan, with lush vegetation and paddy fields. Upon arrival, check out Chimi Lakhang, the iconic temple of fertility. Punakha Dzong is the most celebrated of its kind in the country, a magnificent example of Bhutanese architecture full of traditional art, and is surrounded by hiking and mountain biking trails. A short drive away in Wangdi Province is the medieval village of Rinchengang, overlooking the ruins of Wangdi Dzong. Your hotel is the luxurious COMO Uma Punakha, a beautiful lodge in the style of traditional Bhutanese architecture with sweeping views over the fertile Punakha Valley.

The next morning you’ll begin your drive to Jakar, which is long – around 8 hours – but worth it for the incredibly picturesque views over the Black Mountains of the Pelela Pass and Yotong La Pass. En route, stop off at the Chumi Valley to learn about the wool weaving for which this area in famous. Arriving in Jakar, you’ll check in to your hotel; the elegant Amankora Bumthang, which like its sister property in Thimphu is in the style of a traditional Bhutanese dzong. Jakar and its surrounding valley is considered to be a particularly sacred region of Bhutan, and as such there are plenty of temples and monasteries to visit here: Jampay Lakhang is one of the first two Buddhist temples established in the country, while Kurjey Lakhang temple is where members of the royal family are cremated.

The next stop on your journey is the isolated valley of Phobjikha. You’ll stop en route at the town of Trongsa; Trongsa Dzong is the largest in Bhutan and is home to the royal family. Phobjikha Valley itself is a haven for nature lovers and hikers, home to Bhutan’s endangered black necked cranes. You may well catch a glimpse of them on the Phobjikha Nature Trail, which ends up at the bustling Gangtey Goempa, a beautiful monastery home to many monks on a hilltop overlooking the valley. You can visit the Crane Center to get a better look at the area’s iconic inhabitants, and you’ll have the option of visiting a local village and farmhouse for lunch or dinner. Your hotel is the beautiful Amankora Gangtey.

Retracing the drive across the Dochula Pass, you’ll arrive back at Paro, the final stop on your luxury Bhutanese adventure, where you’ll stay at the luxurious COMO Uma Paro. Paro is a historic town which epitomises Bhutan’s commitment to preserving its millennia-old culture and way of life; the town centre is a great place to pick up some local handicrafts. The undoubted highlight of a trip to Paro, though – if not your entire time in Bhutan – is a visit to the iconic Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. Perched precipitously on a cliffside, this beautiful spot is well worth the three hour hike. After 3 nights in Paro, your luxury Bhutanese adventure has come to an end, and you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.