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Amankora Gangtey

COST: $$$$$

<p><strong>The Altitude:</strong> 9,843 feet.</p> <p><strong>The Perch:</strong> High up in the Himalayas' last surviving Buddhist kingdom, the eight-suite Amankora Gangtey has broad views over Gangtey Goemba, a 16th-century monastery, and the remote farmland of the Phobjikha Valley.</p> <p><strong>The Journey:</strong> Amankora, which means “circular journey” in Dzongkha (the local language), has five lodges scattered among the mountains around the town of Paro. Many guests at the Gangtey property—the highest of the five—visit as part of a circular journey that takes in all the lodges, but if you want to come directly from Paro, it's best to make the six-hour drive via chauffeured car.</p> <p><strong>The Best View:</strong> All rooms overlook the forested hills and sweeping meadows of Black Mountains National Park, Bhutan's largest nature preserve. If you come in winter, you may get to watch the hundreds of endangered black-necked cranes that swoop into the park each year from Tibet.</p>

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From Travel + Leisure , FEB 2009

The Phobjikha Valley is a magical hidden place about six or seven hours by road east of Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. You climb up and up, going by yaks, herders, nomads. The air becomes misty and cooler as you cross a pass at 11,000 feet. And when you arrive in the valley, you see the Gangtey Monastery perched above, as if it's flying up there ...MORE>>

– My Favorite Place: Robert Thurman

From Travel + Leisure , NOV 2008

High up in the Himalayas' last surviving Buddhist kingdom...MORE>>

– Kathryn O'Shea-Evans Best High-Altitude Hotels

From Travel + Leisure , JUN 2005

At the bottom of the top are hotels where room rates start...MORE>>

– Michael Gross The New Luxury

Last updated February 2009