Amankora Western Valleys
A seven-night private Amankora circuit through Bhutan's western valleys, with two-night stays where they matter and a quiet Gangtey interlude.
This seven-night route is the clearest first Amankora journey. It begins with Thimphu's cultural context, slows down in Punakha, crosses into Phobjikha for Gangtey's open valley, and ends in Paro with a protected day for Tiger's Nest. This is an Amankora-based private itinerary planned by Himalayan Locals. Suites, lodge sequence, flights and experiences remain subject to live confirmation. Published Amankora tariffs vary by lodge, season and occupancy, so the final proposal is quoted for your dates rather than shown as a fixed package price.
- Duration
- 8 Days | 7 Nights
- Location
- Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bhutan
- Difficulty
- Easy to Moderate
- Season
- Year-round cultural journeys · winter dates available, subject to route and weather
- Group
- Private journey for 1-8 guests
Journey highlights
- A private lodge-to-lodge journey using named Amankora properties.
- All meals, selected beverages, private touring, permits and monument access included as quoted.
- Seven-night journey benefit: one 60-minute Amankora Holistic Massage per person at Punakha or Bumthang.
- Daily pacing can be adjusted around walks, cultural visits and rest time.
- One itinerary, driver-guide team and local support from arrival to departure.
Full itinerary
Arrive Paro and Drive to Thimphu
Your guide meets you at Paro Airport for the drive to Thimphu. Follow the valley road to your hotel and settle in after the flight. Keep the evening light, with time for a short walk nearby and a conversation about the days ahead.
Stay: Amankora Thimphu
Meals: Dinner
Thimphu Cultural Day
Spend the morning getting to know Thimphu through its chortens and cultural sites. Buddha Dordenma and the Memorial Chorten are options to discuss with your guide, alongside museum or craft visits that follow opening hours and your interests. Leave space in the afternoon for the city streets and a café break, rather than moving straight between monuments. Return to your hotel in the evening for dinner and time to relax.
Stay: Amankora Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula
Leave Thimphu for Dochula Pass and pause among its 108 chortens before descending into the Punakha Valley. Take time for photographs at the pass when visibility allows. In Punakha, the dzong and riverside setting introduce Bhutan's former capital, with visits arranged around access and arrival time. Check into your valley stay by evening and enjoy a slower finish after the mountain drive, without a crowded list of additional stops.
Stay: Amankora Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Punakha Valley
Keep a full day for Punakha's dzong and the surrounding river valley. Walk at an easy pace through the village roads or rice-field setting, with your guide choosing a suitable route for the conditions. There is time for photographs and breaks between visits, followed by an afternoon at your stay rather than another long transfer. The evening remains open for dinner and a quiet view of the valley as the daylight fades.
Stay: Amankora Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Punakha to Gangtey
Travel into the hills around Gangtey and Phobjikha, where forest roads open into a broad valley of meadows and scattered farmhouses. Visit Gangtey Monastery if the arrival time and access allow, then take a short walk to get familiar with the valley. The afternoon leaves room for photographs and a warm break before check-in. Spend the evening at your stay, with dinner and time to rest in the cooler mountain setting.
Stay: Amankora Gangtey
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Gangtey to Paro
Enjoy a final morning in Phobjikha before setting out toward Paro. The westward journey crosses forested hills and changing valleys, so most of the day belongs to the road. Your driver arranges breaks and photo stops around the journey rather than adding a busy sightseeing programme. On reaching Paro, check into your hotel and rest. The evening gives you time to prepare for the hike or cultural activities planned for tomorrow.
Stay: Amankora Paro
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Tiger's Nest and Paro
Start early for Paro Taktsang, known as Tiger's Nest, and follow the forest trail toward the cliffside monastery. Walk at a comfortable pace, allowing time for the climb, viewpoints and steps near the monastery. After returning to the trailhead, take a break before any further Paro sightseeing; shorter visits depend on your energy and the remaining time. Finish the evening at your hotel or around the town, with dinner and time to rest.
Stay: Amankora Paro
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Paro Airport Departure
After breakfast, check out and meet your driver for the private transfer to Paro Airport. The pickup follows your confirmed flight time, allowing for luggage and airport formalities. Your Bhutan journey ends at the airport, with no additional sightseeing scheduled on the departure morning.
Stay: Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Pricing and planning
USD 8,900 / INR ₹8,55,000
- Luxury: USD 8,900 / INR ₹8,55,000. From, per person, twin sharing. Dates, room category and availability are checked again before payment.
Inclusions
- Accommodation in Amankora suites on single or double occupancy as quoted.
- All meals, including picnics arranged between lodges.
- Selected in-house beverages, including house wines and spirits.
- Private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide for daily touring.
- Paro Airport transfers and private transfers between Amankora lodges.
- Monument access passes, touring permits, Wi-Fi and laundry service.
- Personal itinerary planning before arrival and local support throughout Bhutan.
- Seven-night journey benefit: one 60-minute Amankora Holistic Massage per person at Punakha or Bumthang.
Exclusions
- International flights to and from Bhutan.
- Bhutan visa fee and Sustainable Development Fee, unless added to the final proposal.
- Premium beverages, personal purchases, gratuities and travel insurance.
- Services outside the confirmed itinerary or caused by airline and weather disruption.
- Service charge and government taxes where these are shown separately in the final quote.
Questions before you book
Is the displayed journey price fixed?
No. Amankora suite rates change by lodge, season and occupancy. Himalayan Locals checks live availability and returns one dated proposal showing accommodation, touring, taxes, SDF and visa costs separately before payment.
Is this an official Aman package?
This is a private Bhutan itinerary planned by Himalayan Locals around Amankora lodges and the published Amankora Journey inclusions. Every stay and benefit is reconfirmed with the property for your dates.
Are the Bhutan visa and Sustainable Development Fee included?
They are not assumed inside the lodge rate. The final proposal lists the visa fee and current Sustainable Development Fee separately, based on nationality and confirmed travel dates.
Can the route be changed?
Yes. Lodge nights, hiking level, flight sectors and signature experiences can be adjusted before confirmation, subject to availability and the minimum stay required for each Amankora Journey benefit.