the winter mountain retreat, an intense ultimate training ...€¦ · the winter mountain retreat,...

Winter High Altitude Training

In the heart of the Himalayas, the Kingdom of Bhutan is endowed with diverse landscapes of mountains and valleys that are the perfect settingto those seeking to push the physical, mental and spiritual boundaries of themselves.

The Winter Mountain Retreat, an intense ultimate training journey especially created by Amankora for active adventure seekers is a uniquediscovery of Bhutan’s natural and cultural treasures through intense hikes, bikes, and immersive spiritual experiences designed around thesetting of Amankora’s five lodges. At varying altitudes, from warm subtropical valleys to chilly high mountain passes, this breathtaking path ofthe Thunder Dragon is a journey of endurance and wellness for the mind, body and soul.

VALLEYS, ACTIVITIES, DISTANCES AND ELEVATIONS AT A GLANCE

DAY ONE Paro

▪ Drukgyel Hike – 1.2 km / 2,300 meters

DAY TWO Thimphu

▪ Dodedrak Hike – 2.5 km / 3,100 meters

DAY THREE Thimphu

▪ Winter Kora– 10.8 km / 2,320 meters

DAY FOUR Punakha

▪ Hike, Bike & Raft – 15 km / 1,463 meters

DAY EIGHT Bumthang

▪ Tharpaling – 8 km / 3,600 meters

DAY NINE Paro

▪ Jele Dzong– 12 km / 3,520- meters

DAY TEN Paro

▪ Bumdra – 14 km / 4,000 meters

TOTAL TRAINING

▪ 86.5 km / 32,003 meters climbed

DAY FIVE Gangtey

▪ Goemba Hike – 4 km / 3,000 meters

DAY SIX Gangtey

▪ Rhododendron – 7 km / 3,000 m

▪ Lawa La – 6 km / 3,500 meters

DAY SEVEN Trongsa / Bumthang

▪ Trongsa Trail – 6 km / 2,200 meters

DAY ONEArrival & Physical Conditioning (Stage One)

MorningArrival in Paro

Check-in at Amankora Paro andmeet our Aman Spa Specialistwho will welcome you and runyou through the program. Yourblood pressure and currentphysical status will be checkedand assessed into the training.

Our Executive Chef guide youthrough your dietary restrictionsand recommended meal plansbased on your health, age,lifestyle and food preferences.

MorningDaily Morning Ritual

An introduction to a daily set ofsimple gestures we will beestablishing together – quiet andmeditative ways to start your dayand to regulate your body and mindto the challenges of the day.

Cup of hot tea | Breathing Exercise| Meditation

AfternoonSunkey Blessing and Hike to Drukgyel Dzong

Begin your afternoon with a SungkeyBuddhist Blessing with a monk froma nearby monastery. The monk willendow you with holy water and ablessed thread to wish you well onyour Ultimate Training journey.Then, we commence with a lighthike to the Drukgyel Dzong, a ruinedfortress across the lodge built in1649 which is now being restored toits former glory.

DAY ONEArrival & Physical Conditioning (Stage One)

EveningAman Spa Treatment:Himalayan Oxygen Treatment(60 mins)

A revitalizing ritual especiallydesigned to balance your body toBhutan’s Himalayan landscapes,this treatment starts with a 30-minute oxygen machineinhalation while a therapist willsimultaneously give you asoothing foot or head massage.

A high concentration of oxygen willhelp boost your blood circulation,refresh your mind and awaken yourbody to help you adjust better withthe high altitude and the alpineenvironment.

A 30-minute customized bodymassage follows, using our AmanSpa aromatherapy-based massageoil to further help release musclefatigue after your long journey orafter a long hike.

DAY TWOMind Training and Emotional Control Training (Stage Two)

6.30-7 amDaily Morning Ritual

Quiet and meditative ways tostart your day and to regulateyour body and mind to thechallenges of the day.Cup of hot tea | BreathingExercise | Meditation

9 amTravel to Thimphu

After breakfast, journey toThimphu, Bhutan’s capital

10.30 amArrival in Thimphu

Check-in at Amankora Thimphu andmeet with our Aman Spa Specialistwho will welcome you and run youthrough the Thimphu leg of yourjourney with focus on Mind Trainingand Emotional Control Training

After lunch, spend some time withour Spa Specialist for a BreathingExercise at our Outdoor Terrace toput your breathing and oxygenintake in tune with yourenvironment.

2 pmDodedrak Hike

A magical monk village establishedaround the mysterious 12th centurytemple called Dodedrak, this scenichike with breathtaking views of theThimphu Valley is a 10-minute driveto starting point, 2 - 3 hours climbup, 1.5 hours down, total 4 – 5 hours,approximately a 300 meter climb.

In the evening, enjoy a 90-minuteHot Stone Massage at the AmanSpa before heading for dinner at theDining Room.

DAY THREEMind Training and Emotional Control Training (Stage Two)

9 amMemorial Chorten Kora

The Kora, meaning a circular journeyor pilgrimage in the Dzongkhalanguage is where Amankora derivesits name from. For the Bhutanese,going on a circular walk of anysacred monument for 108 times isan ultimate act of devotion and faith.This 10.8-kilometre spiritual walknot only helps you control your mindand develops your concentration butalso earns you spiritual merit andgood luck. You can opt to continueyour walk to the city centre after.

AfternoonMeditation and Spa Treatment

After lunch, spend your afternoon with a Meditation Session in the library and enjoy a 60-minute Himalayan Oxygen Treatment at the Aman Spa.

6.30-7 amDaily Morning Ritual


Breakfast

DAY FOURDaily Routine(Stage Three)

10.30 amHike, Bike and Paddle

After arriving in Punakha Valley,stretch your legs a bit for a hiking,biking and rafting adventure at thePo Chhu (Father) River where themelting mountain glaciers carrytheir waters to where the impressiveand historic Punakha Dzong sits.Begin your ‘Cultural Hike’ with a visitto the historic Punakha Dzong, thencoming out to a hill where thelongest chainlink suspension bridgein the world traverses the Po Chhu.

As you cross the bridge, mountainbikes will be waiting for on the otherend to start your 7.5 km bikingadventure north of the river passingthrough winding roads and scenicvillages until you reach a concretebridge where a rafting crew awaitson the other side of the river. Therafting adventure winds down to thewilder corners of the river and landsyou back on a river beach after thedzong where your car awaits.

6 -6.30 amDaily Morning Ritual


8 amTravel to Punakha

After having breakfast, journey toPunakha Valley

DAY FOURDaily Routine(Stage Three)

3 pmSwimming & Water Meditation

After enjoying a late lunch and ashort afternoon siesta, swim 20 - 30laps at the Amankora PunakhaLodge infinity swimming pooloverlooking the subtropical valley'smeandering river and rice fields.

Finish off with a poolside WaterMeditation Session with our SpaSpecialists and enjoy some healthyjuices thereafter.

5.30 pmAman Spa Treatment

Get recharged with a 90-minuteGrounding Massage Ritual - a KuNye full-body massage that honoursancient Tibetan healing traditions tostimulate muscles, while a subtlermassage energises the meridiansystem. This treatment incorporatesmassage along meridian lines,acupressure, kneading, and deep-tissue techniques.

Dinner follows at the Farmhousecourtyard.

DAY FIVEMind Training and Daily Routine(Stage Three)

5 pmBhutanese Hot Stone Bath

The Traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath is situated in a candle lit stone hut on a hill, a short walk from the lodge. Soak in a traditional wooden tub out in the open potato shed and enjoy this authentic Bhutanese healing experience while taking in views of the Phobjikha valley. Your body will benefit from the minerals in the heated stones and the healing effects of the local Khempa herbs.

Dinner follows after at the lodge.

2 pmGangtey Goemba Hike

After lunch, join a Singing BowlMeditation session with our SpaSpecialists before heading off toGangtey Goemba - a 16th centurymonastery situated picturesquely atthe hilltop at the edge of Gangteyvillage, making it the landmarkstructure of Phobjikha valley.

The Gangtey Goemba to TabadingPrimary School Hike takes about 1.5- 2 hours covering 2.5 miles / 4 km,with an altitude gain of 300 meters.



8 amTravel to Gangtey

After having breakfast, journey toPhobjika Valley

DAY SIXSpiritual and Energy Control Training (Stage Four)

7.30 amRhodondendron Forest Bathing and Hike

It takes 30 minutes to drive from thelodge to the starting point in aLongtey Village on the East-WestHighway. Start by walking downfollowing the path to the right of theroad. The path will lead throughbush bamboo towards a smallcluster of village houses and prayerflags. Continue straight through thevillage upwards until you reach thestart of the rhododendron forest.

For the next two hours, you mightfeel like you are in the setting of Lordof The Rings surrounded by tall oldtrees which appear to be livingcreatures around you. The last partthrough the forest is slightly steeperuphill until you reach the pass withviews of the Gangtey Village and therest of the valley. This is a nice placefor a packed lunch before youcontinue on the path as it slopesdown the valley towards the idyllicKumbu Village. This moderate hikeis a 3 - 5 hour walk back towards thelodge, approximately 6-7 km.

6.30 -7 amDaily Morning Ritual

Quiet and meditative ways tostart your day and to regulateyour body and mind to thechallenges of the day.

Cup of hot tea | BreathingExercise | Meditation

Al fresco Breakfast at the lodgeoutdoor terrace

2 pmHike to Meditation Huts

Scattered in a rock face in themountain behind the shedra areseven houses used as meditationfacilities for hermits. This secondhike for the day takes you to alocation overlooking the huts andwith extraordinary views ofGangtey. From the starting pointjust below the Lawala Pass, youwill walk upwards through bushbamboo and forest until reachinga lower mountain top. From here,you can choose which ever yak

trail you wish to follow untilreaching the mountain top. At thispoint, you may feel like you are ontop of the world surrounded by amagical fairytale landscape in alldirections.

Here, our accompanying spaspecialists will lead you on aPranayama Breathing Meditation,echoing the sense of spirituality thelocal hermits have imbued in theplace. This moderate hike is a 15minute drive to the pass, 1 hour walkup, 1.5 hour walk down or lessdepending on the ending point.

EveningAman Spa Treatment

After accomplishing these doublehikes, be rewarded with a 90-miunute Nourishing Massage Ritualbefore dinner. The blissful, nurturingtreatment is ideal for physically oremotionally exhausted souls. Theuse of marma point therapy bringsthe body back to a state ofheightened awareness and balance,while rhythmic massage techniquesease muscular tension, imbuing asense of complete restoration.

DAY SIXSpiritual and Energy Control Training (Stage Four)

DAY SEVENSpiritual and Energy Control Training (Stage Four)

5 pmArrival in Bumthang

Check-in at the AmankoraBumthang Lodge for a recovery rest before a 90-minute Bumthang Hot Compress at the Aman Spa. The treatment combines an ancient healing practice using benefits of local medicinal herbs together with full body oil massage and meridian point therapy. Hot herbal compress promotes deep relaxation, while soothing aching muscles and improving circulation.

11 amTrongsa Foot Trail Hike

This hike takes about 1-2 hours asthis ancient horse trail snakesthrough the broad-leaf forestvegetation, the valley floor whereyou will cross the Mandi Chhu on acantilever bridge and the denseforest to reach the Western gate ofthe historic Trongsa Dzong. Enjoy apicnic lunch before visiting thedzong and the magnificent Tower ofTrongsa Museum.



8 amTravel to Bumthang

After having breakfast, journey toJakar Valley stopping at Trongsa

DAY EIGHTSpiritual and Energy Control Training (Stage Four)

8 amTharpaling Spiritual Kora Hike / Bike

This challenging hike offers more thefeel of a pilgrimage. The 4-hourLamey Goemba- Zhambhala-Choejedrak trail climbs from anelevation of 2,800 m up to the passabove Tharpaling at about 3,600 m.After climbing through the forest,the reward awaits when you reachone sacred site to the next, includingChoejedrak – one of the four holycliffs. The trail starts from LameyGoemba above Jakar Dzong, a ten-minute drive from the lodge.

6.30 -7 amDaily Morning Ritual



Breakfast at the lodge

AfternoonAman Spa Treatment

After a hearty lunch at the lodge, have a 90-minute AmankoraHolistic Massage at the spa. Our therapists combine unique healing touch with a range of diverse techniques to create a tailor-made treatment, which can either focus on specific areas of tension or promote an overall sense of relaxation and wellbeing.

Dinner at the lodge

DAY NINEThe Athlete's Challenge, Completion of the High AltitudeTraining Journey (Stage Five)

1 pmTemple in the Sky

A hike up Jele Dzong trail startsfrom a small village located justabove the museum. The trailascends gently through the forestuntil reaching the hilltop where thetemple perches. From the top, youhave beautiful views of Paro valleyand the wintry mountains. On theway down, you may choose not tofollow the same trail, and ratherwalk straight through the forest onpaths made by yak or cattle.

Jele Dzong was built in the 15thcentury by Ngawang Chogyel, thegreat grandfather of the Zhabdrung.

This strenuous 6-hour hike was animportant and sacrred ancient trailthat once connected Paro withThimphu Valley before the modernhighways were built.



8 amTravel to Paro

After having breakfast, journeyback to Paro on a domestic flight

It begins with the Scrub & WrapRitual, followed by the MassageRitual and is rounded off with theFace Ritual. Each builds on thetreatment that came before,ensuring the guest feels connectedand centered both internally andexternally to reach a place of perfectcontentment – grounded in everysense of the word.

Dinner follows at the Dining Room

6 pmAman Spa Treatment

Immerse in a full 180 minuteGrounding Journey. As powerful aseach Grounding treatment is inisolation, their effects are multipliedexponentially when experiencedtogether. This journey is the ultimateGrounding experience, incorporatingall three of the treatments above.

5 pmSpa Specialist Check

Check-in at Amankora Paro andmeet with our Aman SpaSpecialist who will welcome youback and check your programprogress. Your blood pressure andcurrent physical status will bechecked again and assessed foryour final training tomorrow.

DAY NINEThe Athlete's Challenge, Completion of the High AltitudeTraining Journey (Stage Five)

6.30 amTiger’s Nest + Bumdra Hike

Far up and beyond TaktshangMonastery (Tiger's Nest) you willeventually find Bumdra located at amountain pass 13,120 ft / 4,000 mabove sea level overlooking ParoValley. Reaching this point will giveyou a huge sense of achievement asyou look down at the distancecovered!

The route to Bumdra starts from theiconic Taktshang (Tiger's Nest) base

5.30 – 6 amDaily Morning Ritual



Breakfast at the lodge

and follows the same trail until theTaktshang trail turns right above thecafeteria. The trail to Bumdra thencontinues straight past a handful oftemples and hermitages. It gets evensteeper after passing Taktshang asthe trail climbs harshly all the wayup to the cliff-hanging temple.

This very strenuous and difficult hiketakes 4.5 to 5.5 hours up (6 km) and3 - 4 hours down (8 km) where youwill end up next to Kuenga HighSchool where the car will be waitingto take you back to the lodge.

DAY TENThe Athlete's Challenge, Completion of the High AltitudeTraining Journey (Stage Five)

DAY TENThe Athlete's Challenge, Completion of the High AltitudeTraining Journey (Stage Five)

530 pmAwarding and Tree Planting

After the completion of yourtraining, we will award you with apine tree sapling, which you canplant on the pine forest to grow as areminder of your personalachievement and as a gift to ourfuture – a nod to Bhutan being theworld’s only carbon-negativecountry. The tree will be named afteryou and a name plate will be madefor the tree to commemorate yourHigh Altitude Training.

5 pmTshewang Long Life Blessing

Tshewang is a one-hour ritualperformed by 5 – 8 monks topromote a long life. On yourarrival at the lodge, this Buddhistblessing will commence, headedby the monk that also endowedyou with the Sungkey Blessing onyour first day, only this time hewill impart you with a bidding formore years of optimum healthand overflowing blessings. Youare free to leave anytime as theceremony continues for an hour.

EveningSpa Treatment and Dinner

Enjoy a final 30-minute Hot Stone Bath and 60-minute Himalayan Oxygen Treatment at the Aman Spa before you head out to the Amankora Paro Private Dining Room for a traditional Bhutanese Dinner with cocktails, canapes and traditional dance performances while a slideshow of your Winter High Altitude Training journey in photos will be projected on the wall during dinner.

DAY ELEVENA Farewell From Amankora

Breakfast at Amankora Paro

Check-out from Amankora and departure to Paro International Airport for your flight

INCLUSIONS

▪ 10-night accommodation in Amankora Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang and Paro lodges

▪ All meals, picnics and house beverages

▪ All Aman Spa treatments and sessions stated

▪ Activities, hikes and visits as stated in the programme

▪ English speaking guide, driver and vehicle for the entire journey

▪ One-way domestic flight from Bumthang for guest and guide

▪ Return airport transfers, laundry and wifi

▪ Monument passes and long road permits

FLIGHTS AND VISAS

Flights and visas can be arranged by Aman at supplementary cost.Please contact us if you need any assistance.

Visitors to the Kingdom of Bhutan are subject to additionalgovernment charges which include:

• FIT surcharge US$40 (single)/US$60 (double) per day

• Government sustainable fee: US$65 per person per day (exceptIndian nationals)

• A Sustainable Tourism Fund: US$10 per person

• Druk Air or Bhutan airlines tariffs and 5% handling fee

• Visa application fee: US$40 per person.

AmankoraBumthang. Gangtey. Paro. Punakha. Thimphu. Kingdom of BhutanTel. (975) 2 331 333 Fax (975) 2 331 999 Email: [email protected]

the winter mountain retreat, an intense ultimate training ...€¦ · the winter mountain retreat,...

Documents