The much-anticipated Six Senses Bhutan, a collection of five boutique lodges, is ready to make its debut this fall. Three of the five lodges (in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro Valley) are opening on October 26, while the last two lodges (Gangtey and Bumthang) are targeting openings by March 2019.
Six Senses Thimphu, the largest lodge in the collection, is known as a “Palace in the Sky,” as its design is inspired by the architectural elements of a dzong (fortress) and by the clouds. Six Senses Punakha, located in the low-lying valley of Punakha, is dubbed a “Flying Farmhouse Amidst Rice Fields” because it takes inspiration from the farms and vegetable terraces across the valley and the traditional cantilever bridges of Bhutan. Six Senses Paro is located at an elevation overlooking the valley and next to ancient stone ruins of a dzong (fortress); this lodge is called “Stone Ruins.”
Looking toward 2019: Closer to central Bhutan is the glacial valley of Phobjikha. This valley is home to Six Senses Gangtey, which is called the “Traditional Birdwatching Bridge” due to its bridge-like building with a large glass area overlooking the valley where birds travel. Further east in the historic and spiritual center of Bhutan is Six Senses Bumthang. The building is located in an evergreen pine forest and with its fusing to trees and gardens it is referred to as a “Forest in a Forest.”
Nice Touch: All lodges have over-sized decks and large, floor-to-ceiling windows to ensure all views are uninterrupted.
Six Senses Bhutan’s Paro Lodge is located at an elevation overlooking the Paro Valley.
Like all Six Senses properties, each will have a spa and wellness center with facilities and treatments reflecting the valley in which they are set. Therapies range from hot-stone baths in Thimphu and Bumthang to a pyramid meditation room and swedana treatment at Gangtey, to a dip in the heated outdoor pool at Punakha or treatment in a spa room overlooking the ruins in Paro.
Want to experience more than one lodge? Guests can arrange custom journeys that include stays at several of the lodges. The surrounding Bhutan terrain is an ideal location for active experiences, including hiking up to Chorten Ningpo in Punakha; participating in local farm activities in Gangtey; treehouse dining at Bumthang; or a private dinner in the 15th-century stone ruins at Paro. Six Senses Bhutan’s cultural excursions offer a glimpse at local life and can include ara (alcohol) making, traditional farming, yathra (native wool) weaving, archery and mushroom-foraging depending on the season. For more spiritual and introspective experiences, guests can explore nearby monasteries, temples and religious sites or participate in guided meditations or butter lighting ceremonies with Six Senses’ resident monk.
Tip: According to Six Senses Bhutan, March to April and September to November are the best times for hiking and trekking as the weather is the most pleasant. From June to August, guests can observe landscapes with blooming flowers and vegetation, while December to February is ideal for mountain viewing during sunny days.
For booking enquiries, contact James Sio (resm-bhutan@sixsenses.com), the reservations manager.
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