New luxury lodge makes this remote country more appealing than ever

Some 600,000 people visited the Himalayan nation of Nepal in the first eight months of 2023. Visitors to the nearby Kingdom of Bhutan made up less than a tenth of that figure despite the similarities in the landlocked destinations, between which lies only a slither of Indian territory.

Peaceful vistas surround this new andBeyond property.

Each of the South Asian countries has magnificent mountain landscapes, atmospheric monasteries, temples and other markers of religion, countless spectacular treks – and sublime accommodation.

Yet there have been roadblocks to tourism growth in Bhutan. Apart from geopolitical issues, these have been deliberate, designed to limit arrivals for environmental, spiritual and cultural preservation reasons.

Beauty outside and in.

In 2022, as Bhutan opened its borders to travellers after pandemic lockdowns it began to charge tourists a $US200 ($310) Sustainable Development Fee a night, up from a pre-shutdown fee of $US65.

But the fees have been a little too effective and in June, the government eased the rules governing length of stay. But it still wasn’t enough for a country hoping to increase tourism’s contribution to its GDP. So, as of this month,the Sustainable Development Fee has been halved to $US100 for at least four years.

The interiors echo andBeyond’s ethos of decor reflecting the place and culture around it.

Happily for andBeyond, an outfit renowned for exemplary safari camps in Africa, this coincides with the opening of their first property in Asia.

AndBeyond Punakha River Lodge is on the banks of the Mo Chu River in the Punakha Valley, and features six tented suites and two villas: one, a two-bedroom with private pool and a one-bedroom, with a plunge pool that can be a hot tub when the weather warrants it.

It carries andBeyond’s ethos of simple, sustainable and responsible tourism with design and decor reflecting the place in which the lodge operates. Safari-style tented suites are suspended from a traditional Bhutanese timber structure. Painted and gilded details in the woodwork reference local motifs with the blue poppy, the national flower of Bhutan. Handwoven Bhutanese wool products are used as upholstery, with quality fabrics bringing sumptuous texture and colour to the “unpretentious” yet “warm and soulful” design, aimed at engendering peace and wellbeing, two qualities Bhutan is famous for.

Peaceful surrounds.

The lodge has great views of the Himalayas, good access to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a major drawcard for visitors to Punakha. The riverside setting invites outdoor activities such as picnics, yoga, massages al fresco and swimming.

River rafting and kayaking, cycling, hiking and birdwatching are on offer.

There’s an extensive organic vegetable garden onsite and guests can visit a nearby community farming project.

The opening is right on time for Bhutan’s September-December peak tourist period, which includes many religious and cultural events.

See andbeyond.com