Bangkok to Bhutan—A Father-Daughter Journey
Full Itinerary
Having recently completed two wonderful father-son trips to the summit of Kilimanjaro and to Antarctica, it was time for a special father-daughter journey. After much research, my daughter Ellen and I decided that Bhutan would be our destination. How could we resist a visit to this Himalayan kingdom that officially measures Gross National Happiness rather than GNP! That decision led to extensive planning with Cox and Kings. How long could Ellen be absent from her husband and three small children in Bethesda, MD? What time of year would fit both of our schedules? What sort of travel in Bhutan would be best for us? Where else might we visit along the way? Our many questions were promptly and expertly answered and we quickly realized that with Cox and Kings we were in good hands.
The final plan was for a three day visit to Bangkok—a city that I knew but Ellen had never seen—and a ten day hiking/driving trip across Bhutan staying at each of the five excellent Amankora Hotels that are perfectly sited along the route.
In Bangkok Cox & Kings arranged for us to be met as we left the plane and we were whisked through the airport formalities and on to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Our guide, Vee Petcharat, welcomed us warmly and saw to it that our stay in Bangkok and nearby Ayutthaya was terrific. There is so much to see and do that our short time was not nearly enough, but Vee was a master at getting the most out of every moment.
After Bangkok we flew on Druk Air through Calcutta to Paro with a great view of Mt. Everest from the plane. When we landed in Paro, Bhutan's only airport, our Bhutan experience began immediately as we were taken to a colorful local festival—a highlight of any trip to Bhutan—and then to an exhibition of Bhutan's national sport of archery. It is amazing that the archers can be so accurate at 150 meters. No wonder Bhutan has never been conquered!
That night we stayed at our first Amankora Hotel in the capital city of Thimpu. It is impossible to say enough about the Amankora experience. The room, food, staff, spa, amenities and courtesies are a charming mix of the best of Bhutan and the highest standards of the modern world. To say that we were pleased would be a gross understatement. While in Thimpu we were lucky enough to be able to witness a major festival with colorful costumes and dances and large crowds. What a photo op!
Over the next several days, with our wonderful and tireless guide, Tashi, and our expert driver, we drove and hiked up and down the mountain passes and through the valleys that make up the extravagant scenery of Bhutan—the mountainsides full of prayer flags and chorten shrines, the massive dzongs, and the beautiful monasteries. All along we met friendly and helpful people who made us feel most at home and safe and at end of each day we knew there would an Amankora waiting to welcome us. There are endless short and long hikes in Bhutan with something of real interest in all of them. Our last and most memorable hike was up to the monastery called Tiger's Nest, set spectacularly on a steep, high cliff side—quite a climb but well worth the effort.
As breathtaking as is the natural scenery of Bhutan, we will remember as well the fascinating life of this remote land and its people—from the legends of Guru Rimpoche and Kunley (the divine madman), to the unique Bhutanese blend of the modern and the traditional in government, religion, medicine and everyday life. And the people of Bhutan—dressed in their ghos and kiras—with their smiling faces are simply unforgettable.
So Ap (father) Lou and Bum (daughter) Ellen thank you Cox & Kings for arranging such a great, great experience for us. It was a trip of a lifetime!
—Lou Hoynes and Ellen Alexander.
The final plan was for a three day visit to Bangkok—a city that I knew but Ellen had never seen—and a ten day hiking/driving trip across Bhutan staying at each of the five excellent Amankora Hotels that are perfectly sited along the route.
In Bangkok Cox & Kings arranged for us to be met as we left the plane and we were whisked through the airport formalities and on to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Our guide, Vee Petcharat, welcomed us warmly and saw to it that our stay in Bangkok and nearby Ayutthaya was terrific. There is so much to see and do that our short time was not nearly enough, but Vee was a master at getting the most out of every moment.
After Bangkok we flew on Druk Air through Calcutta to Paro with a great view of Mt. Everest from the plane. When we landed in Paro, Bhutan's only airport, our Bhutan experience began immediately as we were taken to a colorful local festival—a highlight of any trip to Bhutan—and then to an exhibition of Bhutan's national sport of archery. It is amazing that the archers can be so accurate at 150 meters. No wonder Bhutan has never been conquered!
That night we stayed at our first Amankora Hotel in the capital city of Thimpu. It is impossible to say enough about the Amankora experience. The room, food, staff, spa, amenities and courtesies are a charming mix of the best of Bhutan and the highest standards of the modern world. To say that we were pleased would be a gross understatement. While in Thimpu we were lucky enough to be able to witness a major festival with colorful costumes and dances and large crowds. What a photo op!
Over the next several days, with our wonderful and tireless guide, Tashi, and our expert driver, we drove and hiked up and down the mountain passes and through the valleys that make up the extravagant scenery of Bhutan—the mountainsides full of prayer flags and chorten shrines, the massive dzongs, and the beautiful monasteries. All along we met friendly and helpful people who made us feel most at home and safe and at end of each day we knew there would an Amankora waiting to welcome us. There are endless short and long hikes in Bhutan with something of real interest in all of them. Our last and most memorable hike was up to the monastery called Tiger's Nest, set spectacularly on a steep, high cliff side—quite a climb but well worth the effort.
As breathtaking as is the natural scenery of Bhutan, we will remember as well the fascinating life of this remote land and its people—from the legends of Guru Rimpoche and Kunley (the divine madman), to the unique Bhutanese blend of the modern and the traditional in government, religion, medicine and everyday life. And the people of Bhutan—dressed in their ghos and kiras—with their smiling faces are simply unforgettable.
So Ap (father) Lou and Bum (daughter) Ellen thank you Cox & Kings for arranging such a great, great experience for us. It was a trip of a lifetime!
—Lou Hoynes and Ellen Alexander.
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