Amankora Punakha

Situated a short drive north of the impressive 17th-century Punakha Dzong and Puntsho Pelri Palace, Amankora Punakha is accessed by crossing a suspension bridge over the Mo Chhu (Mother River).

 

A short walk or drive takes guests to the large compound designed around a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse. This was built by a former Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan) as a residence to oversee the surrounding rice paddies and fruit orchards. The quaint, three storey structure with its preserved vegetable-dye wall paintings is now the combined common guest area. The Dining Room is situated on the ground floor, and the upper floors offer intimate relaxation areas and a traditional altar room for prayer and meditation.

 

The Courtyard of the farmhouse is suitable for outdoor dining and relaxation during Punakha’s temperate months. Adjacent to the Courtyard is a Tea Pavilion that was once the kitchen of the summer palace. Beyond this is the two-storey Spa which provides a yoga/meditation room on its upper level with open views of the surrounding rice paddies, and two private treatment rooms, a steam room and changing areas on the lower level.

 

Identical in Bhutanese-inspired design to those of Amankora Paro, eight Suites are located in three, rammed-earth buildings set in an orange orchard with views across the rice paddies and up Punakha Valley. Punakha’s rooms include a traditional Bukhari, king-size bed, terrazzo-clad bath, and a daybed. Suites are individually heated during the cooler winter months and air-conditioned in the summer months.

 

Amankora Punakha offers exciting excursions into Punakha valley including a trip to visit Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most impressive monastery-fortresses.