ERCHED atop craggy Himalayan peaks between India and China, the awesome, remote, and stunningly beautiful Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan is slowly awakening. To offer foreign visitors a rare – and close-up – glimpse of some hitherto sequestered regions, Amanresorts has pioneered a novel circuit with a series of intimate lodges called Amankora (derived from “aman” or “peace” in Sanskrit and “kora” or “circular pilgrimage” in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language).

Guests may savour a single lodge alone or experience Bhutan through a tailor-made journey visiting Amankora Paro, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang, and Thimphu. Each valley is distinctive, with imposing cliff-edge dzongs (fortress monasteries), sparkling streams and splendid views of the Himalayas. Visitors arrive by Druk Air from New Delhi or Bangkok at Paro Airport from where it is a 20-minute drive to Amankora Paro. In the shadow of the 7,300m Mt Jhomolhari, Amankora Paro is cosily understated. Its architecture

draws from traditional Bhutanese design and features natural rammed-earth walls and gently sloping roofs. There are just 24 suites. Thimphu is flanked by forested slopes dotted with ancient monasteries and lhakhangs (temples). It remains, remarkably, the world’s only capital without traffic lights. Amankora Thimphu is a quiet retreat. The dzong-like architecture incorporates stone, white washed buildings and traditional wood burning “bukhari” stoves. A flagstone outdoor dining deck offers views of blue pine forests.

The road to Punakha climbs through pine forests, past waterfalls, chortens and prayer flags, crossing the 3,116m Dochu La Pass. Not far from the imposing Punakha Dzong, Amankora Punakha is sited in a scenic orange orchard. Farther east is Gangtey in the Black Mountains. Phobjikha is a high glacial valley and winter home to black-necked cranes. Here, the eight suites of Amankora Gangtey offer a serene welcome at the end of the circuit. There is no better time to visit the magical Kingdom of Bhutan. Journey with Aman.