The Kingdom of Bhutan is reopening its borders to international visitors on 23 September 2022, inviting travellers worldwide to rediscover its awe-inspiring landscapes, nurturing people and incomparable spirit.
To celebrate, COMO Hotels and Resorts will welcome travellers with a new seven-night experience incorporating the many jewels of Bhutan across its two luxury lodges, COMO Uma Paro and COMO Uma Punakha.
The Jewels of Bhutan itinerary includes spectacular drives, unique nature walks, and monastery visits, including a hike through the lush Paro Valley to the Taktsang' Tiger's Nest' Monastery, one of Bhutan's most important pieces of architecture.
Highlights include:
- The opportunity to engage with young monks at Chorten Ningpo, a 17th-century educational institution.
- Walking across farmhouses to an ancient fertility temple -Chimmi Lhakhang.
- Stunning views of the Himalayas from the Dochu La mountain pass.
The first night is spent above the emerald Paro Valley at COMO Uma Paro, overlooking rice paddies and ancient monasteries, where guestrooms blend traditional Bhutanese craftsmanship with modern amenities. The hotel's COMO Shambhala Retreat will include a signature treatment, two bathhouses and a large indoor pool facing the mountains across the valley.
For the following three nights, guests will be transferred to COMO Uma Punakha, offering intimate lodge-style accommodation with views of the Mo Chu River, local, seasonally-led dining experiences at Bukhari restaurant and unrivalled access to the best of the Himalayan Kingdom. After exploring Punakha, guests will return to COMO Uma Paro for three more nights to complete the experience.
Marking the beginning of an unforgettable journey, the Jewels of Bhutan offering also comprises a traditional butter lamp ceremony, a spiritual blessing representing the eradication of darkness and ignorance with wisdom and light. A profoundly spiritual destination, Bhutan's population uplifts and encourages positivity for all visitors.
"Folklore has a very special significance among Bhutanese families. We share stories from generation to generation. It is widely believed that yetis exist in Brigdungla in Bumthang, as well as magical lakes such as Chumphu, or the Floating Goddess Lake," said Ugyen Dendup, a long-serving activity guide at COMO.
In Bhutan, the collective wellbeing of the population and government are guided by the Gross Domestic Happiness concept. One of the philosophy's core pillars is ecological sustainability, which implies sustainable development should take a holistic approach toward notions of progress. Currently, Bhutan is the only carbon-negative nation in the world, with 70 percent of land covered by forests. In line with the philosophy, COMO Bhutan is committed to operating sustainably by sourcing produce from a local Bhutanese farmer and its own vegetable garden while contributing to community upliftment. Recently, COMO Uma Paro helped a female entrepreneur set up the country's first prayer flag printer and shop.
This year will also see the highly anticipated opening of the Trans-Bhutan Trail, connecting 250 miles of valleys and districts along centuries-old pathways, much of which can be explored during COMO's Jewels of Bhutan itinerary. Later in the year, acclaimed photographer Michael Turek, will lead a Himalayan film photography retreat between 9 to 16 November as part of the brand's series of COMO Journeys, venturing into the remote reaches of the Kingdom to capture its natural and cultural beauty.
