andBeyond Open First Lodge in Asia : Punakha River Lodge Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan

Luxury travel company andBeyond has celebrated the launch of its first lodge in Asia, andBeyond Punakha River Lodge, situated in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.

Mark Wheeler's Vision for andBeyond in Asia

“The first fully andBeyond-owned and managed property to open on the continent, Punakha River Lodge kicks off a brand new era of expansion for our brand,” says Mark Wheeler, andBeyond Managing Director Asia, South America, and Business Development. “We are building onto our almost two decades of touring expertise in Asia to create a lodge footprint that will help us to continue to grow our conservation-led business model on three continents.”

Exploring Punakha River Lodge

Situated on the banks of the Mo Chu River in the Punakha Valley, the lodge features six tented suites, as well as a two-bedroom villa with a private pool and a one-bedroom villa, which boasts a plunge pool / hot tub, depending on the season.

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Bhutanese Design Inspiration

Like all andBeyond’s properties, the lodge draws inspiration from its natural surroundings and combines traditional Bhutanese style with a unique twist. Safari-style tented suites are suspended from a traditional Bhutanese timber structure. Decorative painted and gilded details appear in the woodwork, particularly in the bathrooms, which feature elegant brass-cladded bathtubs.

The blue poppy, the national flower of Bhutan, also makes an appearance as a recurring theme woven throughout the interior design. Handwoven Bhutanese wool products are used as upholstery, linen detailing and blankets, bringing a touch of bold and bright colour and texture to the simple and unpretentious design. Warm and soulful, the overall feeling is a tremendous sense of peace and well-being, combined with a genuine sense of place.

Exceptional Location and Activities

Boasting uninterrupted views of the Himalayas, the lodge site offers easy and unrivaled access to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a site that is a major drawcard for visitors to Punakha. A suspension bridge leads over the river and a selection of walking trails is situated nearby. The riverside setting is ideal for al fresco lunches and beach activities, such as yoga, massages, and swimming.

Unique Experiences and Attractions

The site also allows andBeyond to offer a variety of activities and experiences that are unmatched in the area, including cycling, river rafting, and kayaking, as well as exceptional nature hikes and birding opportunities.

The lodge’s direct access to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten Hike has allowed andBeyond to create a unique early morning experience. Other attractions in the area include the famed Punakha Dzong, as well as the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery.

andBeyond's Commitment to Sustainability

andBeyond’s first property in Bhutan, Punakha River Lodge has been imbued with the same warm and authentic brand of hospitality, with exclusive experiences including paddy field lunches, surprise drinks stops, and picnic lunches with unique views of the river. An extensive organic vegetable garden speaks to the company’s dedication to sourcing local, sustainably grown ingredients. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit a community farming project nearby.

“andBeyond’s investment in staff training and the bespoke experiences that we pride ourselves on offering will make the lodge stand out as unique,” concludes Wheeler. “We have looked outwards for inspiration, integrating the unique nature of the destination into our service ethos, thus creating a platform for guests to immerse themselves in this exceptional location and allowing the destination to shine.”

For more information, contact your preferred travel provider or visit andBeyond.com.

ABOUT andBEYOND

Established in 1991, andBeyond strives to leave our world a better place through the delivery of extraordinary travel experiences and our care of the land, wildlife, and people. We are bespoke tour operators for sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, South America, and Antarctica. We also own and manage 29 extraordinary lodges and camps across three continents. We positively impact 75 communities and directly conserve our footprint of 1 million acres. Our 2030 vision is to scale our impact through partnerships to support the conservation of an associated 40 million acres of key biospheres and to double our 2020 impact investment while offering discerning travelers a rare and exclusive experience of the world as it should be

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