Destination: Bhutan | Private Client Luxury Travel

Unspoiled Asia
a once isolated kingdom
throws open its doors

Bhutan, located in the remote eastern Himalayas, isn’t an easy country to get to, or get into, but once you arrive, you’ll be well rewarded. It has adopted a more democratized government and is adapting to the growing number of tourists allowed within its borders. While the Buddhist culture and its traditions still prevail, and remain the main attraction for curious visitors, travelers can now find some luxuries, like upscale hotels and Wi-Fi.

All visitors, including those on official U.S. government business, must obtain visa clearance from Thimphu before travelling to Bhutan. Visa clearance takes at least 7 days to process and airplane tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without visa clearance.

US Department of State Bhutan Information

Official Bhutan website

Official Bhutan Visa Application

Vaccinations:
The Government of Bhutan recommends that visitors obtain tetanus, typhoid, and Hepatitis A inoculations before traveling to Bhutan. Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, and rabies vaccines are recommended for prolonged stays for people at risk. The influenza vaccine is also recommended.

Traveler’s Medical Insurance is highly advised:
Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. Medicare and other standard US Healthcare coverage does not extend to basic medical care or emergency care outside of the USA.

Travel to Bhutan is not easy, your main port of entry will be PBH Paro International.

DRUKAIR ROYAL BHUTAN AIRLINES is the main commercial airline into Bhutan.

Bhutan has exceptionally long and challenging travel times between each region. Most of the resorts have networked several lodges together as a single experience. Be advised that travel permits are required within Bhutan and it is best advised to have a driver and guide during your stay.

AMANKORA
Amankora Paro
Amankora Thimphu
Amankora Punakha
Amankora Gangtey
Amankora Bumthang

Size: 5 lodges with a total of 76 Rooms and Suites
Year Opened: 2004
Designer/Architect: Kerry Hill

Amankora has been a part of the legendary Buddhist Kingdom for 16 years and was the first resort in Bhutan. Offering five lodges: Paro, Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha and Bumthang, each a sanctuary designed to complement its uniquely beautiful setting, are spread across the central and western valleys. Combining the Sanskrit word for peace with the Bhutanese for circular journey, this year-round destination, one of the happiest places in the world, allows guests to create a tailormade tour of their own, visiting all or a selection of the lodges, with a driver and guide provided for the duration of their stay.

A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
PART OF MY AMAN PREFERRED PARTNER PORTFOLIO

PART OF MY SPECIAL PLACES PORTFOLIO
Contact me for pricing and availability.

COMO UMA BHUTAN
COMO Uma Paro
COMO Uma Punakha

Size: 2 lodges with a total of 39 Rooms and Suites
Year Opened: 2004
Designer/Architect: Cheong Yew Kwan

Experience the best of Bhutan at COMO Uma Bhutan in Paro and Punakha Valleys. Both locations offer exclusive private villas with sweeping views of the surrounding forest and mountains. At Paro, you can explore nearby highlights, including Tiger’s Nest monastery, while Punakha offers access to more remote areas of the Himalayas. And when it comes to luxury, both properties offer a wealth of options. Dine on fresh, organic cuisine, or relax body and spirit with a holistic, Asian-inspired treatment in the spa. There are one-on-one meetings with a Buddhist monk for truly enlightening experiences.

A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
PART OF MY COMO PREFERRED PARTNER PORTFOLIO

PART OF MY SPECIAL PLACES PORTFOLIO
Contact me for pricing and availability.

SIX SENSES BHUTAN
Six Senses Thimphu
Six Senses Punakha
Six Senses Paro
Six Senses Gangtey
Six Senses Bumthang

Size: 6 lodges with a total of 82 Rooms and Suites
Year Opened: 2021
Designer/Architect: Habita Architects

For those who see health and happiness as a journey of discovery, not a destination, Six Senses Bhutan offers uplifting experiences at every turn. The circuit immerses guests into Bhutan’s spirituality, culture, and hospitality as they travel between five individual lodges. Experiences include a sunrise meditation in Thimpu, afternoon cocktails riverside in a rice field in Punakha, watching Tibetan black-necked cranes at Gangtey, indulging in hot-stone baths at Bumthang, and gathering to dine and celebrate life in the stone ruins of Paro. You’ll leave feeling enlightened and reconnected (while not really wishing to leave at all).

A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
PART OF MY IHG/SIX SENSES PREFERRED PARTNER PORTFOLIO

PART OF MY SPECIAL PLACES PORTFOLIO
Contact me for pricing and availability.

&BEYOND PUNAKHA RIVER LODGE
Punakha

Size: 22 rooms
Year Opened: 2023

&BEYOND Punakha River Lodge, tucked deep in the lush green Punakha Valley and draped on the banks of the Mo Chu river, is a spectacular lodge, currently offering six intimate luxury tents, a one-bedroom suite (the River House), and a two-bedroom suite (the Family Suite), enveloped by vast expanses of verdant paddy fields and dense clusters of forested hills. Intricately built, the lodge has been created in the traditional Bhutanese architectural style and is in perfect harmony with the surrounding terrain. This will be &BEYOND’s first lodge in the magnificent kingdom of Bhutan.

A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
PART OF MY &BEYOND PREFERRED PARTNER PORTFOLIO

PART OF MY SPECIAL PLACES PORTFOLIO
Contact me for pricing and availability.

BHUTAN SPIRIT SANCTUARY
Paro

Located in a side valley of Paro is the serene Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, a place of balance and tranquillity. Offering a wellbeing-inclusive concept based on Bhutanese traditional medicine, restorative spa treatments, delicious meals, outdoor adventures and holistic experiences are included in your stay. Two rooms types offer spacious accommodation. Immerse yourself in a variety of activities such as cooking classes with one of the Bhutanese chefs, pottery classes in the art studio and traditional Bhutanese sports such as darts and archery in the apple orchard. Go hiking in the Neyphu Valley, visit the Eutok Goenpa Monastery, sink into a herbal hot stone bath, take day trips, stroll through the gardens learning about traditional Bhutanese ingredients and peruse the richly decorated library.

PART OF MY &BEYOND PREFERRED PARTNER PORTFOLIO

Bhutan is definitely a place I would work with a Destination Specialist, especially on your first visit. You will need to work with someone to arrange your visa for entry prior to arrival and transit options while in Bhutan.

&BEYOND: HIKE TO THE TIGER’S NEST
Popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest, Paro Taktshang is a revered temple and monastery in beautiful Paro. The sacred structure is spectacularly situated 900 metres (2 955 feet) above sea level, at the edge of a cliff in the upper Paro Valley. The temple is cloaked in folklore and myth, illustrating the sacred tales of Guru Padmasambhava, the source of Buddhism in Bhutan. Legend has it that the Guru flew from Tibet on the the back of a mystical tigress and landed on the steep cliff to meditate in a cave. In the late 17th century, the monastery was constructed around the cave by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, who was universally believed to be the reincarnation of the Guru.

I work directly with the Aman Resorts, COMO or Six Senses for Visa, Guide and transfer needs.

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My Virtuoso Bhutan Information Page
Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels, Water Adventures and Activities.