Uma Paro Himalayan Explorer
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This seven-night trip takes us to the heart of the ethereal kingdom of Bhutan. From the gravity defying Tiger’s Nest monastery to the temple of the Divine Madman, this trip combines spectacular drives, unique nature walks, and fascinating monastery visits. We spend four nights at Uma Paro and three at our new lodge,in Punakha. We journey deep into the Kingdom’s heartland exploring three distinctly different but important valleys; the bustling capital of Thimphu in a valley dotted with monuments, museums and markets; the almost tropical Punakha/Wangdue valley with its magnificent dzongs; and the emerald valley of Paro with its rice paddies and ancient temples. Throughout our adventure we return nightly to the simple luxury and comfort of our Uma lodges.
What's Included
7 Day Programme
Himalayan Explorer Seven Night Itenerary. 4 Nights at Uma by COMO, Paro and 3 Nights at Uma by COMO, Punakha
- Accommodation for four nights at Uma Paro and three nights at Uma Punakha on a full board basis
- Six and a half day privately guided walks with picnic lunch taking
- All museum and visitor centre entry fees and road permits
- The services of an experienced English-speaking Bhutanese Uma Paro guide
- One COMO Shambhala Massage (60 minutes) per person
- Inclusive of 10% service charge and 10% sales tax
- All Bhutanese Government visa fees and royalties
- Complimentary scheduled one-hour daily Yoga class whilst at Uma Paro (except Sundays)
- Complimentary use of the library, internet facilities, swimming pool, steam room and gym at Uma Paro
- *Beverages Excluded and includes picnic lunches during exursion days.
Uma Paro is a 10 minute drive from Paro Airport. Flights are available from Kathmandu, Delhi, Bangkok and Calcutta but all flights at Paro are by visual flight rules only and are restricted to daytime hours.
Location
Uma Paro sits on a 38 acre tree-clad hill overlooking the Paro Valley. Paro is the cultural heart land of the ancient Kingdom of Bhutan, The Land of the Thunder Dragon. The word Uma means living house, and Uma Paro is truly a home away from home, the perfect place to escape and explore into the rich textures of the local traditions, religions and customs. The small size of Uma Paro allows guests to intimately and personally experience the geography, spirituality and culture surrounding the property.
Room Type
Superior Room
These comfortable double rooms overlook the surrounding pine forests and feature a king-sized bed, hand-painted traditional Bhutanese wall designs and a well-appointed bathroom with combined shower bathtub. (25 m²/269 ft²)
Deluxe Room
Larger that the Superior Rooms, Deluxe Rooms provide undisturbed views over the Paro Valley. Rooms feature a king-sized bed and generous bathroom with bathtub and separate shower stall. (32 m²/344 ft²)
2 COMO Suites
These oversized suites have separate dining, sitting and study areas as well as a kitchenette. The bright bedroom features 180-degree views of the Paro Valley. Suites can be inter-connected with a Deluxe Room. (95 m²/1,023 ft²)
One Bedroom Villas
These spacious freestanding villas feature a separate bedroom and sitting area with a traditional Bukhari woodburning stove as well as a private spa treatment area. All villas offer personal butler service. (92 m²/990 ft²)
1 COMO Villa
The stately COMO Villa features one king-sized and one twin bedroom, a living area with panoramic views of the Paro Valley, an outdoor hot stone bathtub, a private spa treatment area and an open-air courtyard with fire pit. All villas offer personal butler service. (300 m²/3,229 ft²)
Room Amenities
- Large, oversized bathrooms and separate showers
- Cable TV with DVD players
- Electronic Safe Deposit Box
- ADSL internet access High Speed Internet Access (Deluxe, Suites and Superior Rooms only)
- WiFi (All Villas)
- Direct Dial Phone
- Non-smoking rooms
- Heated towel racks
- Yoga mats
- Minibar
- Complimentary coffee/tea making facilities
- Hairdryer
- COMO Shambhala bathroom amenities
Activities
- Yoga
- Gym
- Meditation
- Pranayama
- Swimming Pool
Food & Restaurants
Bukhari
Serves cuisines that are modern, light and respectful of local nuances. Menus revive traditional Bhutanese offerings as well as serving wholesome COMO Shambhala Cuisine, Western and Indian dishes.
Uma Bar
Adjacent to Bukhari, our relaxed Uma Bar provides all-day dining and refreshments from 11am. The ideal place to enjoy morning coffee, an early evening cocktail or a drink from the extensive wine list, our expert staff can also whizz up a revitalising non-alcoholic smoothie or fruit juice.
| Departs | Board | Room | UK Airport | Airline | Price 7 Nts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALL US FOR TAILOR-MADE QUOTE | |||||
For other dates, please call for quotes on 01293 229 895
For other dates and durations, please call for your tailor made quote.
Prices are per person based on 2 sharing a room.
Uma Paro Himalayan Explorer Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival, check-in, property show-round and local sightseeing
Uma Paro staff will welcome you at the airport for the 10-minute transfer to the property. After settling in our first foray into the Kingdom begins with sightseeing in Paro town and a visit to a local temple. This afternoon provides an opportunity to acclimatise to the rarefied air at this altitude and to get to know your guide, who will offer some additional sightseeing options for the rest ofthe day depending on your interests and energy levels.
Day 2 - Paro to Punakha Valley via Thimphu and Dochu La
The capital Thimphu itself sprawls up the wooded western hillside of the Wang Chhu and you may wish to shop here. The drive onto Punakha is truly awe-inspiring as it zigzags up to the 3,140m-high mountain pass of Dochu La with its forests of fluttering prayer flags, maze of memorial chortens and, on a clear day, sweeping views of the main Himalayan range. Up river, deep in the verdant terraced hills past Punakha Dzong, is our home for the next three nights, Uma Punakha.
Day 3 - Khamsan Yuley Namgay Chorten Walk, Punakha Dzong and Chimmi Lhakhang
We have a full day for further exploration of the scenic Punakha Valley, which at 1,200m is low enough to allow bananas and oranges to grow. This morning we walk up through whitewashed homesteads and farmland to Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten, a shrine recently built by the royal family (the chorten can be clearly spotted from our breakfast table). In the afternoon a short walk across rice paddies takes us to Chimmi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley.
Day 4 - Chotren Nibu and Khabasa village
After breakfast drive to Chorten Nibu, which dates back to 18th Century; the Chorten is a little known treasure with a magnificent statue of Maitreya (the Future Buddha) and fine images of the great lamas of the Drukpa Lineage. This magical spot was once a dense forest inhabited by evil spirits. In 2005 the Monastery began to house orphans from the nearby village. The hike back to Uma Punakha is around 45 minutes and passes through a Khabasa village and past Thodrup lhakhang. After lunch, there is the option to drive to Talo Nobgang village, or try white water rafting (minimum age is sevenyears). Alternatively try a wellness therapy such as a traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath. (Charges apply)
Day 5 - Punakha Valley to Paro via Chuzom and Tamchhu Lhakhang
Time to retrace our steps over the Dochu La for a second view of the wonderful Himalayan range. Returning to the Chuzum (river confluence) we catch a glimpse of the three shrines in Nepali, Tibetan and Bhutanese style which were built to ward off evil spirits near the checkpoint. On the final leg the road snakes alongside the Pa Chhu river, through apple orchards and rice paddies. After check-in, we invite you to spend the rest of the day relaxing around the property, enjoying the facilities.
Day 6 - Walk to Zurig Dzong, Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong, Paro town, Kyichu Lhakhang and Drukgyel Dzong.
We wind through pine forests high above Uma Paro to the pretty grounds of the fortress-like monastery of Zurig Dzong. We traverse across to Ta Dzong. The trail then leads across Paro Chhu (river) via the traditional covered bridge Nyamai Zam, and then past the main archery ground, Ugyen Pelri Palace and into Paro town. Few miles north of Paro, we pay our respects at Kyichu Lhakhang; one of the oldest temples with its magical orange tree that bears fruit all year round.
Day 7 - Highlights of the Paro Valley–Taktsang Walk
One of the most amazing and important pieces of architecture in Bhutan is Taktsang Goemba, or Tiger’s Nest Monastery. We make an early start to avoid the hot sun during the two-hour climb to the Tiger’s Nest viewpoint. Descending steeply, we then climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall and entering through the main gates which are decorated with murals. Returning to Uma Paro in the afternoon there’s time to relax and enjoy the facilities including the steam rooms, swimming pool etc
Day 8 - Depart Bhutan.
Druk Air normally departs in the morning, so after breakfast your 10 minute transfer to Paro International Airport will be arranged depending on the flight schedule.
