Paro, Bhutan
Amankora Paro
A quiet and peacefully refined lodge in an excellent location for visiting the ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Taktsang Gompa, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, Amankora Paro also has a wealth of other historic sites within a short distance.
A quiet and peacefully refined lodge in an excellent location for visiting the ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Taktsang Gompa, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, Amankora Paro also has a wealth of other historic sites within a short distance.
A quiet and peacefully refined lodge in an excellent location for visiting the ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Taktsang Gompa, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, Amankora Paro also has a wealth of other historic sites within a short distance.
A quiet and peacefully refined lodge in an excellent location for visiting the ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Taktsang Gompa, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, Amankora Paro also has a wealth of other historic sites within a short distance.
Location
Set on a south-facing forested hillslope above the Paro Chu river valley, this retreat enjoys a serene vantage point near the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, the 17th-century fortress built in 1649 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders. The location of Amankora Paro offers both historical resonance and natural beauty, with sweeping views across the valley.
Downstream towards the main settlement of Paro, a side valley leads to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched dramatically 1,000 metres above the valley floor. Revered as Bhutan’s most iconic landmark, it is said Guru Padmasambhava arrived here on the back of a tigress, sanctifying the site.
Downstream towards the main settlement of Paro, a side valley leads to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched dramatically 1,000 metres above the valley floor. Revered as Bhutan’s most iconic landmark, it is said Guru Padmasambhava arrived here on the back of a tigress, sanctifying the site.
Accommodation
With sublime views through misty pine forests to the Drukgylel Dzong and the often-snow-covered Jhomolhari mountain, Amankora Paro is a small hotel whose design draws inspiration from traditional Bhutanese farmhouses. Expect a mindful sanctuary of tall lattice windows, shallow pitched roofs, and soaring beams where there’s a harmonious blend of rustic authenticity and minimalist elegance.
There are 24 spacious suites here, each designed to emphasise space and calm. Interiors feature king‑size beds, banquette window seating, wood‑burning stoves, and terrazzo‑clad bathtubs. The atmosphere is warm yet understated, with natural timber and clean lines enhancing the sense of the quiet retreat that this place undoubtedly is.
There are 24 spacious suites here, each designed to emphasise space and calm. Interiors feature king‑size beds, banquette window seating, wood‑burning stoves, and terrazzo‑clad bathtubs. The atmosphere is warm yet understated, with natural timber and clean lines enhancing the sense of the quiet retreat that this place undoubtedly is.
Communal areas include a guest lounge, a restful library, a tasteful boutique, and a multi-use meeting room. Patios and terraces offer tranquil outdoor spaces to take in the crisp mountain air and forest views. A two-storey spa houses five treatment rooms, a traditional hot stone bath, sauna, steam room, and a yoga studio, all designed to integrate natural textures and light.
Meals are enjoyed in the peaceful dining room and by the firepit on a terrace overlooking Drukgyel Dzong. Menus blend Bhutanese and Western influences, highlighting seasonal, local ingredients such as yak and Bumthang honey. Simple wooden furniture and soft lighting keep the focus on flavour and place, while the terrace draws in the scent of pines and sweeping valley vistas.
Meals are enjoyed in the peaceful dining room and by the firepit on a terrace overlooking Drukgyel Dzong. Menus blend Bhutanese and Western influences, highlighting seasonal, local ingredients such as yak and Bumthang honey. Simple wooden furniture and soft lighting keep the focus on flavour and place, while the terrace draws in the scent of pines and sweeping valley vistas.
Experiences
- No stay at Amankora Paro is complete without making the journey to the sacred Taktsang Gompa (Tiger’s Nest), Bhutan’s most famous monastery, precariously perched on a cliff high above the valley floor.
- Visit Ta Dzon, an ancient watchtower that has been turned into the national museum. It showcases Bhutanese art, relics and cultural heritage.
- Take part in the symbolic lighting ceremony of 108 butter lamps in Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples.
- Dine in the forest beneath a Bhutanese ceremonial tent while enjoying a traditional dance and music performance.
- Have a tour of the local farmers’ market in Paro. It’s a wonderful insight into daily life and culture in Bhutan.
- Get your hands into the soil while you help out in the lodge’s kitchen garden. As you learn about the sustainable sourcing of food, you’ll be enjoying some green therapy.
- Mindful activities abound at the lodge. You can take yoga and breathwork classes and then soak away the stress in a Himalayan stone bath.
Positive Impact
We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to environmental stewardship. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to environmental stewardship. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
Community
The lodge supports Bhutan’s cultural and social fabric through temple restoration projects, skill-sharing with local communities, and educational outreach. The Amankora maintenance team have been heavily involved in the rebuilding of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. Guests and staff often contribute to initiatives such as funding wells and pump systems for villages, reinforcing a model of community-based tourism.
Environment
Environmental stewardship is central, with measures like eliminating single-use plastic bottles, installing a reverse osmosis and four-step filtration system, and introducing refillable glass bottles. The lodge also grows food across its gardens to reduce reliance on imports, aligning with Bhutan’s carbon-negative ethos and renewable energy grid.
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