Amankora Punakha is the most romantic lodge in Bhutan's gentlest valley. Aman built it around a 300-year-old farmhouse, originally the home of a former Je Khenpo, Bhutan's chief abbot, set above rice terraces near the Mo Chhu river. Arriving is part of the experience: you cross a suspension bridge over the river and walk up through orange groves to the lodge.
Punakha sits at about 4,100 feet, much lower and warmer than Paro or Thimphu and the royal family spends winters here. The lodge has 12 suites, each with a king bed, a wood-burning stove, a window seat and a terrazzo bathtub. A heated infinity pool looks over the rice terraces and the two-storey spa has a hammam, a Jacuzzi and a cold plunge.
Amankora is a circuit of five lodges across Bhutan and many couples move between them, starting in Paro and ending in Punakha or Gangtey. Each lodge has the same calm, minimalist style and Punakha is the warmest and softest of them. It is very expensive and it suits couples who want privacy, space and seamless service. Those who prefer warmth and color in their décor, or who want to save, may prefer COMO Uma Punakha or a mid-range hotel in the valley.
Highlights at a glance
- Arrival by suspension bridge through orange groves
- Restored 300-year-old farmhouse
- Heated infinity pool over rice terraces
- Two-storey spa with hammam and cold plunge
- Part of Aman's five-lodge Bhutan circuit
Why Couples Love Amankora Punakha
The arrival sets the tone. You leave the car by the river, cross a swaying suspension bridge and walk up through orange orchards to the farmhouse. By the time you reach the courtyard, the outside world feels far away.
The setting is soft and green. Punakha's subtropical valley grows much of Bhutan's vegetables and the lodge overlooks terraced rice fields that change color with the seasons, bright green in summer and gold in autumn.
Then there is the Aman style: calm, uncluttered and quietly attentive. Staff anticipate needs without fuss and the lodge's small size means you rarely see more than a few other guests. For a honeymoon, it offers space to rest between the bigger sights of Bhutan, with a pool, a spa and a terrace with a view.
Suites to Book
Amankora Punakha has 12 suites. Ten measure 52 square meters and two larger Mo Chhu Suites measure 144 square meters and can be combined into two-bedroom layouts.
All suites share the Amankora look: rammed earth and timber, a king bed, a traditional wood-burning stove, a window seat and a bathroom with a terrazzo bathtub, twin vanities and separate shower and toilet.
For most honeymooners, a standard suite is more than enough. Ask for one with a view over the rice terraces. The Mo Chhu Suites are worth it for a big celebration or for couples who want a separate living space. The farmhouse also has a private dining room, a library, a lounge and an altar room for Buddhist rituals, which guests can use.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Meals are served on an outdoor terrace overlooking the valley or in the farmhouse dining room. The menu mixes Bhutanese and international cooking and the lodge offers a farmhouse dinner inspired by recipes once made for the royal household.
Some of the best moments are away from the lodge. Ask for a riverside barbecue on the Mo Chhu, with candlelight after dark, or a breakfast picnic on a morning hike. A Bhutanese cooking class, starting with a visit to the farmers' market, is a fun shared activity.
The two-storey spa has a yoga studio, a meditation room and hydrotherapy facilities, including a hammam steam room, a Jacuzzi, a cold plunge and a bucket shower. Treatments focus on traditional Bhutanese therapies. A complimentary yoga session runs each morning. The heated outdoor infinity pool, around 30 meters long, looks over the rice terraces.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do in Punakha
Punakha Dzong, at the meeting of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers, is one of the most beautiful buildings in Bhutan. The king married here in 2011, which gives it special meaning for newlyweds. Your guide can arrange a visit and the lodge can tailor timing to avoid crowds.
A gentle hike through farmland leads to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a temple on a ridge with views up the valley. Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple, is a short walk through rice fields and couples often go for a blessing.
For something active, raft the calm Mo Chhu or walk across the long Punakha suspension bridge, draped in prayer flags. The Kaja Throm market in nearby Khuruthang shows daily life in the valley. On the drive from Thimphu, stop at Dochula pass for its 108 chortens and, on clear days, Himalayan views.
Getting There
Punakha is about four hours by road from Paro International Airport (PBH), via Thimphu and Dochula pass. The road winds and climbs, so most couples spend their first nights in Paro or Thimphu and drive to Punakha after that. The descent into the valley is beautiful, with banana trees and orange orchards replacing pine forest.
All travel in Bhutan is arranged with a licensed tour operator, who provides your guide and driver. Aman can also arrange its own Amankora journeys, which link its lodges in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang with guides and vehicles included.
Ask your operator for an all-in quote that includes Bhutan's government charges as well as the lodge, since these add significantly to the daily cost.
Is It Worth It?
Amankora Punakha is one of the most expensive places to stay in Bhutan. Rates sit in the top tier and the daily government charges come on top. For couples who want the Aman experience, with calm design, space and flawless service, the value is in the details: the arrival over the bridge, the riverside dinners, the spa and the views.
It is not for everyone. Some find the minimalist style a little austere and the suites lack the color of traditional Bhutanese hotels. COMO Uma Punakha offers a strong alternative at a lower price and mid-range hotels in Khuruthang can save thousands on a longer trip.
Punakha is warm by Bhutan standards, pleasant in spring and autumn and mild in winter. Summer is hot and wet. Mosquitoes are more common here than in the higher valleys, so pack repellent.
Insider tips
- Request a suite facing the rice terraces, which are greenest in summer and golden in autumn.
- Book the candlelit riverside barbecue on the Mo Chhu for a special night.
- Combine Amankora Punakha with Amankora Gangtey for a quiet second half of your trip.
- Visit Chimi Lhakhang early in the morning before tour groups arrive.
