Aman Resorts:
The name is derived from two words, “Aman” from the Sanskrit for “peace” and Kora in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language meaning “circular pilgrimage”. Aman Kora Resorts has several lodges mainly in western part of Bhutan and one in central part, which will be operational within the end of 2007. Every lodge has its own natural settings in harmony with Bhutan’s pristine environment, culture, ambience, excellent services and best views of the mountains, monasteries and valleys.

Aman Kora, Paro
It is 24 – Suit property situated close to Drukgyel Dzong, 30 minutes scenic drive from Paro Airport and 20 minutes from Paro Town. It is ideally placed within the pine forest equipped with Spa center and a cluster of six story buildings with suites in each unit. The buildings are connected by paved stone pathways and equipped with wonderful library.

The suites at Amankora, Paro are similar in design featuring natural rammed – earth walls, gently sloping roofs and wooden panelled interiors with bukhari ( traditional wood burning stove) and a large terrazzo – clad bath. There are six blocks with four suites each, two on the ground floor and two on the upper floor.

Aman Kora Thimphu
Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan; it takes around two hour drive from Amankora Paro or one and a half hours from Paro's airport. Thimphu lies at an altitude of 2,350m (7710ft). The valley is traversed by the Wang Chhu River and overshadowed by high lush peaks. The town is built up along the Wang Chhu. Towards the north of valley, lies the impressive Tashi Cho Dzong, the main secretariat which houses the summer residence of central monk body and main seat of the government.

Aman Kora Thimphu offers a quite and calm stay, free from the hustle and bustle of the core commercial area of the Kingdom’s capital. Dzong like architecture incorporates high stone walls and white washed buildings accessed through an enclosed arrival court. Paved stone stairs leads to a spacious combined living and dinning room and wooden stairs lead down to Spa with three treatment rooms, steam and sauna rooms and changing areas. The two accommodation blocks house 16 suites each providing the best view of nearby streams and forest.

AMANKORA, PUNAKHA
It is located towards the north of the Punakha Dzong and Phuentsho Pelri Palace (summer residence of His Majesty The King). It takes around 10 minutes to drive from the Punakha Dzong and it is accessible by a suspension bridge over the Mo Chu river.

After crossing a suspension bridge on foot, the guest can choose to take a short walk or ride on a converted motor transport to the lodge compound. The lodge is surrounded by 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 situated on the ground floor and the upper floors offering intimate relaxation areas and a traditional altar room for prayers or meditation. 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. Beyond this is a newly built two-storey Spa building housing a yoga/meditation room with open views of the surrounding paddy fields. The lodge also has two private treatment rooms, a steam room and changing area.

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 suitesare identical to the design of the suites at Amankora, Paro, featuring wood panelled interiors, a traditional bukhari (fire place), king-size bed, terrazzo-clad bath, shower and vanities. Suites are individually heated during the cooler winter months and air-conditioned in the summer months.

AMANKORA, GANGTEY
Traveling further from Punakha, the road takes to Wangdue Phodrang district through tropical vegetation to Nobding. Drive for about 20 minutes, the road diverges toward the picturesque glacial valley of Phobjikha valley, a quaint rural settlement of Gangtey. It lies on the western slopes of the Black Mountain at an elevation of 3,000 meters. The wide open valley houses the Gangtey Gompa, perched on the hill top overlooking the valley. It holds a Nyingma Buddhist School offering various religious courses for the monks from different parts of country and it is residence for the body reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, one of the most renowned saints in the Bhutanese history. This valley is a designated conservation area and is a winter habitat for the endangered Black Necked Crane.

Aman Kora, Gangtey is well placed on a forested hill just close to the valley floor. The paved road takes through the field of dwarf bamboos and stunning views of the potatoe fields. The lodge accommodations and other facilities are encapsulated in a rammed – earth building. The combined living room and dinning room is equipped with cozy chairs, sofas and family style dinning tables. It provides impressive views of the valley and surrounding Mountains through the windows.

Two massage treatment rooms and changing areas, and an intimate yoga/meditation room is provided on the lodge's ground floor. The eight suites offer open plan bedroom and bathing area. The aesthetics combine wood panelling and chocolate brown walls, the traditional bukhari (fire place), terrazzo-clad bath, shower and vanity, and day bed offering views across the valley. Suites are individually heated during the cold winter.

For tariffs, on this special luxury package, you can contact us or email us at info@bhutanjourneys.com.