+ All Categories
Home > Documents > Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome...

Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome...

Date post: 30-Sep-2020
Category:
Upload: others
View: 1 times
Download: 0 times
Share this document with a friend
57
1 Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN • INDIA • SRI LANKA
Transcript
Page 1: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

1

Aman Pr ivate Jet Expedit ion

8-24 October 2017

C H I N A • B H U TA N • I N D I A • S R I L A N K A

Page 2: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

WHAT’S INSIDE

Page 3: YOUR PRIVATE JET

Page 4-6: THE JOURNEY AT A GLANCE

Pages 7–61: THE EXPERIENCE IN DETAIL

Chapter One... Aman, Shanghai, ChinaChapter Two... Amandayan, Lijiang, ChinaChapter Three… Amankora Thimphu, BhutanChapter Four… Amankora Paro, BhutanChapter Five… Amanbagh, Alwar, IndiaChapter Six…. Aman-i-Khás, Ranthambore, IndiaChapter Seven…. Amangalla, Galle, Sri LankaChapter Eight…. Amanwella, Tangalle, Sri Lanka

Page 62: TOUR LEADERPage 63: CLIENT AGREEMENT

Page 3: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

3

YOUR PRIVATE JET GULFSTREAM G200

• Seats: 8 guests per jet

• Luggage Restriction: each passenger is limited to 44 pounds of checked baggage in one (1) bag, as well as one (1) carry-on luggage piece limited to 15 pounds. In addition, smaller carry-on items such as a laptop, backpack, handbag/purse, and/or camera bag are permissible.

SCHEDULED FLIGHTS:

DATE FROM TO DEPART ARRIVE DURATION

10 October 2016 Shanghai (PVG) Lijiang (LJG) 11:00 15:00 4 hours

12 October 2016 Lijiang (LJG) Paro (PBH) 10:30 11:503 hours 20 minutes

with touchdown in Dhaka(-2h time difference)

16 October 2016 Paro (PBH) Jaipur (JAI) 09:30 11:50 2 hours 50 minutes (-30m time difference)

20 October 2016 Jaipur (JAI) Colombo (CMB) 12:30 15:35 3 hours 5 minutes

Page 4: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

4

THE JOURNEY AT A GLANCEDAY 1 Sunday, 8 October 2017Aman, Suite (Shanghai, China)• Arrive in Shanghai, China on your long-haul flight.• Private transfer to Aman (45 minutes).• Welcome cocktails.

DAY 2Monday, 9 October 2017Aman, Suite (Shanghai, China)B D

• Full day touring in Shanghai including optional morning Bund architecture tour with an expert. • Farewell cocktails & dinner.

DAY 3 Tuesday, 10 October 2017 Amandayan, Courtyard Suite (Lijiang, China)B L

• Private transfer to airport (45 minutes).• Private jet to Lijiang (11:00-15:00) with lunch onboard.• Private transfer to hotel (50 minutes).• Welcome cocktails.

DAY4 Wednesday, 11 October 2017Amandayan, Courtyard Suite (Lijiang, China)B L D

• Full day touring.• Cocktails and calligraphy lesson• Farewell dinner with live entertainment.

DAY 5 Thursday, 12 October 2017Amankora, Suite (Thimphu, Bhutan)B L D

• Private transfer to airport (50 minutes)• Private jet to Paro, Bhutan (10:30-11:50).• Private transfer to Thimphu (1 hour).• Welcome cocktails with special guests.

DAY 6 Friday, 13 October 2017 Amankora, Suite (Thimphu, Bhutan)B L D

• Full day touring.

DAY 7 Saturday, 14 October 2017Amankora, Suite (Paro, Bhutan)B L D

• Full day touring in Paro and Thimphu.• Private transfer Paro-Thimphu at your leisure. • Private blessing with Rimpoche.

Page 5: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

5

DAY 8 Sunday, 15 October 2017Amankora, Suite (Paro, Bhutan)B L D

• Full day touring at Tiger’s Nest.• Farewell dinner.

DAY 9 Monday, 16 October 2017Amanbagh, Courtyard Haveli Suite (Alwar, India) B L

• Private transfer to airport (30 minutes).• Private jet to Jaipur, India (09:30-11:50) with lunch onboard.• Afternoon touring in Jaipur.• Private transfer to hotel in Alwar (2 hours).

DAY 10 Tuesday, 17 October 2017Amanbagh, Courtyard Haveli Suite (Alwar, India)B D

• Full day of touring and visit to local village.• Fire Meditation.• Farewell dinner.

DAY 11 Wednesday, 18 October 2017Aman-i-khas, Luxury Tent (Ranthambore, India)B L D

• Private transfer from Alwar to Ranthambore (3 hours 30 minutes) • Late afternoon camel safari.• Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment.

DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October 2017 Aman-i-khas, Luxury Tent (Ranthambore, India)B L D

• Morning jeep safari.• Enjoy lunch at the Lodge.• Afternoon jeep safari.• Farewell dinner.

DAY 13 Friday, 20 October 2017Amangalla, Chamber (Galle, Sri Lanka)B L

• Private transfer to Jaipur (3 hours).• Private jet to Colombo, Sri Lanka (12:30-15:35) with lunch onboard.• Private transfer from Colombo to Galle (3 hours + traffic).

Page 6: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

6

DAY 14 Saturday, 21 October 2017Amangalla, Chamber (Galle, Sri Lanka)B D

• Full day guided exploration of Galle Fort on foot with private butler. • Cocktails with presentation by local history expert. • Farewell dinner.

DAY 15 Sunday, 22 October 2017Amanwella, Suite (Tangalle, Sri Lanka)B

• Private transfer Galle-Tangalle at your leisure (approximately 2 hours + traffic). • Welcome cocktails.

DAY 16 Monday, 23 October 2017Amanwella, Suite (Tangalle, Sri Lanka)B D

• Enjoy your day at leisure. Optional morning visit to Tangalle Market and Village Nature Walk.• Farewell cocktails & dinner with live entertainment.DAY 17

Tuesday, 24 October 2017 B

• Private transfer from Tangalle to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo (3 hours 30 minutes + traffic).

Page 7: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

7

SHANGHAI, CHINA Shanghai is one of Asia’s most dynamic metropolises, buzzing with new architecture, world-class dining, shopping, arts and nightlife. Of the city’s many unique traits, perhaps the most striking is its mix of architectural styles: traditional Chinese, European colonial and ultra-modern. From the dense shikumen, two- to three-story tenements protected by brick walls, to the stately, colonnaded financial buildings on the Bund, to the newest stamps on the city’s landscape made by the world’s “starchitects,” Shanghai’s skyline is truly unforgettable.

Page 8: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

8

AMAN in SHANGHAIOpening in 2017, Aman’s fourth property in China is a tranquil village of historic dwellings, surrounded by sacred camphor woodland – a peaceful, introspective setting that belies its proximity to vibrant downtown Shanghai. Both forest and village tell an incredible story – of millennia of history, daring engineering feats and a philanthropic endeavour spanning hundreds of kilometres along the country’s eastern reaches.

Page 9: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

9

Page 10: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

10

Day 1 Sunday, 8 October 2017Aman, Suite (Shanghai, China)

Guests are met in the arrivals hall at Hongqiao or Pudong Airport in Shanghai. Look for an Aman signboard.

Private transfer to Aman (approximately 45 minutes + traffic).

Cocktails – 18:00: A private cocktail reception to meet fellow travelers.

Dinner - from 19:00: Enjoy dinner on your own. Dine at your choice of restaurants on property or at a local restaurant in the city (approximately 45 minutes + traffic).

Day 2Monday, 9 October 2017Aman, Suite (Shanghai, China)Included Meals: B D

Breakfast from 7am: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.

EXPERIENCES: Today’s touring will be with your private car, driver and guide.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a casual, local restaurant of your choice, on your own.

Optional Morning Bund Walking Tour (Group): If you wish, join your tour leader and fellow travelers for a half-day Bund Walking tour led by an expert. Alternatively, you may choose to tour the Bund with your private guide.

Meet an expert in Shanghainese history for a lively tour of the city via its architecture, which encompasses classical Chinese, Sino-European versions of Art Deco architectural styles, as well as contemporary fair. The expert will regale you with tales of the city’s past and present as they relate to single-story shikumen dwellings and towering skyscrapers.

Page 11: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

11

Walk along Shanghai’s landmark waterfront, The Bund, a vestige of the city’s capitalist days in the first half of the 20th century. Great foreign commercial houses, banks and consulates built their imposing office buildings on this stretch of Zhongshan Lu on the Huangpu River. The area was initially a British settlement; later the British and American settlements were combined into the International Settlement.

A building boom at the end of 19th century and beginning of 20th century led to the Bund becoming a major financial hub of East Asia. By the 1940s, the Bund housed the headquarters of many, if not most, of the major financial institutions operating in China, including the “big four” national banks in the Republic of China era. However, with the Communist victory in the Chinese civil war, many of the financial institutions were moved out gradually in the 1950s, and the hotels and clubs were closed or converted to other uses.

Private Touring: You will have a private guide, driver, and car. Discuss with your guide where you would like to go.

Suggestions –

• French Concession Streets: Relive Shanghai’s Jazz-Age heyday while strolling the tree-shaded streets of the French Concession, whose Huaihai Road is lined with smart boutiques. Little disrupts the pre-World War II layout and architecture of the neighborhood, making it easy to imagine the glamorous life of Shanghai’s elite.

• Yu Gardens: Go to the old Chinese city and the Yu Gardens. The Yu Gardens are the most celebrated classical Chinese gardens in Shanghai, capturing the essence of southern Chinese landscape design from the Ming and Qing dynasties and characterized by an exquisite layout, beautiful scenery, and artistic architecture.

• M50 Art District: One of the best places to view (or even buy) contemporary art in Shanghai is among the galleries in the Moganshan Lu warehouse district, colloquially known as “M50”. Your contemporary art expert will give you a private tour of some of the top galleries. Start at the city’s first contemporary art space, ShanghART Gallery, which focuses on local artists and, to a lesser degree, the rest of China, and then stop by the massive Art Scene Warehouse, which often hosts group exhibits.

Page 12: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

12

• Duolun Road: Built in the early 1900s, Duolun Road was originally named “Darroch,” after a British missionary, and was famous as a hotspot for leftist writers, progressives, and Chinese celebrities. While the name was changed to “Duolun” in 1943 to divorce it from its Western origins, much of the area has been restored, and is a muddle of east and west, with influences stemming from Islamic, French, traditional and modern Chinese sources, among others. Today, in keeping with tradition, the lively street is still home to an eclectic group of artists, selling everything from red books to calligraphy, vintage prints to bottle art, a unique blend of the antiquated and the modern. Also worth a visit is the nearby Duolun MOMA Museum.

Farewell Cocktails & Dinner - 18:00: Gather together for a farewell reception at the hotel.

Day 3Tuesday, 10 October 2017Included Meals: B L

Breakfast – from 7am: Enjoy breakfast before checking out.

09:30: Departure via private transfer to the airport (approximately 45 minutes).

11:00: Private jet from Shanghai to Lijiang (approximately 4 hours).

Lunch will be served onboard the jet during this flight.

Page 13: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

13

LIJIANG, CHINA With its charming canals, brightly coloured wooden homes, and winding cobbled alleyways, Lijiang’s unspoilt beauty belies its 800 years.

Thanks to its remote location, as well as a concerted effort on the part of its inhabitants, Lijiang’s particularly well-preserved Old Town earned a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Page 14: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

14

AMANDAYANPerched above the winding lanes of Lijiang Old Town, Amandayan draws its name from the Sanskrit-derived word for ‘peace’ and ‘Dayan’, the historic name for Lijiang when it was first established in the 13th century. Open views from Amandayan offer a glimpse of the sights to explore close by, from the centuries-old UNESCO World Heritage-protected Old Town to the patchwork fields of the surrounding villages, and the snow-capped summits that define the horizon.

Designed in the traditional architectural style of the Nakhi people, Amandayan is housed in a series of small buildings arranged around peaceful courtyards with views of the landscape.

Page 15: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

15

SUITES

Elegant, clean lines ensure Amandayan’s Suites are contemporary in style yet unmistakably Chinese. The 35 suites are decorated with materials and fabrics from the region, including Yunnan pine and Dong Bei elm-wood carvings. Every suite opens onto a courtyard or a terrace with views of Lijiang’s rooftops, Lion Hill or the UNESCO-protected Old Town, and the mountains beyond. Stone floors subtly reference the resort’s proximity to the mountains, while furniture is crafted in tactile elm.

DINING, WELLBEING & FACILITIES

Dine at your choice of Chinese and Western restaurants and enjoy the Tea House, Library, boutique, cinema, and Aman Spa’s gym and Pilates/yoga studio, and swimming pool.

The resort’s Chinese restaurant, ManYi Xuan (“lingering peace”), includes four private dining rooms and serves Yunnan and Cantonese cuisines for lunch and dinner, and a steaming dim sum lunch. The Lounge serves Western and Asian cuisines for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an emphasis on locally-grown, seasonal produce and organic meat. The Tea House enjoys views of Lijiang Old Town, and offers indoor and outdoor dining. In the afternoons, traditional Chinese and Western tea ceremonies with savoury bites, cakes and pas tries can be enjoyed alongside dim sum.

Page 16: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

16

Day 3 Tuesday, 10 October 2017Amandayan, Courtyard Suite (Lijiang, China)Included Meals: B L

15:00: Arrive in Lijiang by private jet. Private transfer to Amandayan (50 minutes).

Important Notes for Lijiang:

• The altitude at Lijiang is around 2400m (7,800 feet).

• Symptoms of altitude sickness can include headaches, diarrhoea, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations and raised blood pressure

• Owing to the high altitude, the air humidity is low. We would therefore advise that you stay fully hydrated with lots of water to counteract the low humidity and avoid dehydration

• Whilst you are acclimatising, try and avoid any strenuous activity

• Be sure to keep yourself warm by wearing appropriate clothes as the temperature drops at night in Lijiang

• The sun’s rays are especially strong at high altitude, so ensure you have sunglasses and adequate sunscreen

Relax and freshen up.

Cocktails – 18:00: Gather together to sip cocktails from a platform overlooking the Old Town.

Dinner – from 19:00: Have dinner on your own. Try the organic cuisine at the Tea House terrace on property or dine at a local restaurant in town. Please let us know in advance if you would like to dine in town so we can make arrangements.

Page 17: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

17

Day 4Wednesday, 11 October 2017Amandayan, Courtyard Suite (Lijiang, China)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast – 7:30am: Enjoy in the lobby lounge.

EXPERIENCES: Today’s touring will be with your private car, driver, and guide.

Suggested collection time is 09:00. Suggested return time is at 17:00.

Old Town: Explore the charming Old Town, a world of narrow cobbled streets, virtually unchanged since the Ming Dynasty, where canals are lined with weeping willows and decorative arched bridges connect one alley to the next. The buildings’ colourful façades give way to shops selling local arts and crafts.

• Mu Mansion: Set in the southwest of the Old Town, explore the grounds of the Mu Mansion, the rebuilt palatial estate of the Nakhi leaders who ruled over Lijiang for more than 400 years. The original Mu estate was built in 1382, but war and revolution left their mark before a severe earthquake in 1996 destroyed the original structure. What stands today is a faithful re-creation, completed in 1998, comprising 100 buildings spread across 3.2 hectares (eight acres).

• Golden Pagoda: Visit the Golden Pagoda, a Tibetan temple in Lijiang.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Range: Enjoy a 40-minute drive taking in the 13 snow-capped peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Range (18,360 feet), the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Viewed from Lijiang Old Town in the south, about 15 kilometres (nine miles) away, the snow-covered and fog-encircled mountain is said to resemble a jade dragon lying in the clouds.

Lunch: Enjoy a packed lunch from your hotel while on the mountains.

Page 18: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

18

Impression Lijiang Show: After lunch, watch the 12:25 showing of Impression Lijiang, a cultural show with an outdoor cultural performance featuring singing and dancing demonstrating the traditions and lifestyles of the Nakhi, Yi and Bai regional minorities. Directed by renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou, this high-altitude experience has Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as its backdrop at 10,100 feet.

Blue Moon Valley: If you wish, stop by Blue Moon Valley. In the lush valley at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain runs a vivid blue river which from a distance resembles a blue crescent moon.

Ancient Baisha Village: Baisha is part of the Lijiang UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s main streets are lined with a variety of quiet shops with Naxi women cheerfully selling vegetables in the streets. Explore the old stone streets of Baisha, where Artisans can be heard hammering away at their craft.

Cocktails & Calligraphy Lesson - 18:30: Gather for cocktails and a calligraphy lesson at your hotel before dinner.

Farewell Dinner & Entertainment – 19:00: Come together and enjoy a special menu of seasonal Nakhi cuisine on your last night in Lijiang. Live guzhen (traditional Chinese instrument) will be performed in the background during dinner.

Day 5Thursday, 12 October 2017Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast –07:30: Enjoy in the lobby lounge.

09:00: Departure via private transfer to the airport (approximately 50 minutes).

10:30: Private jet from Lijiang to Paro (approximately 3 hours 20 minutes, –2 hours time difference). There will be a brief touchdown in Dhaka.

Page 19: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

19

THIMPHU, BHUTAN Set in a steep valley at an altitude of 2,350m (7,709ft), Thimphu is surrounded by richly forested mountains dotted with ancient monasteries and temples. The town, Bhutan’s capital since 1961, is built up from the Thimphu Chhu (river) and is centred by the Clock Tower and its surrounding lanes of shops, vegetable and meat markets. Although Thimphu is home to some 104,000 people and is an architectural hybrid of past and present with monasteries, palaces and dzongs side-by-side with more modern additions, the town is still entirely free of traffic lights. Elsewhere in the valley, you can visit Pangri Zampa, two 16th-century buildings that now house a monastic astrologer training school, and, at the head of the valley, a walk across one of the country’s oldest cantilever bridges leads to Cheri Goemba where the Kingdom’s first monk community was based.

Page 20: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

20

AMANKORACombining the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’ with kora or ‘circular pilgrimage’ in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language, Amankora is a series of lodges across the central and western valleys of Bhutan. The sole surviving Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom, Bhutan is located between the Tibetan Plateau and India, making it one of the most remote and pristine environments on earth. Descending from 7,000-metre high peaks in the north to the low-lying plains of the south, Bhutan’s rivers have forged deep valleys separated by high mountain passes. Historically isolated, each valley’s scenic beauty and topography affords visitors an opportunity for unique journeys of discovery between them.

Situated in a blue pine forest in the upper reaches of the Motithang area of the Thimphu Valley, the 16-suite Amankora Thimphu is close to the capital’s sights and shopping, while remaining a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the Kingdom’s main commercial centre. The resort’s dzong-inspired architecture incorporates whitewashed stone buildings accessed through an enclosed arrival courtyard. Stairs lead from this entryway to a combined Living and Dining Room with soaring ceilings and wood-panelled walls. An outdoor dining deck provides views of the nearby stream and surrounding forest. The Spa features three treatment rooms (two single and one double), a steam room and changing areas.

Page 21: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

21

ROOMS, SUITES AND VILLAS

Amankora Thimphu suites combine a bedroom and lounge, and feature a king-size bed, a reading chair and a window banquette. A traditional bukhari is positioned between the bedroom and the bathroom. The suite’s interior features wood panelling and chocolate brown walls, and the spacious bathroom opens from the bedroom and provides twin vanities, separate shower and toilet, hanging space and a terrazzo-clad bath.

Page 22: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

22

DINING

The Dining RoomDine on traditional Bhutanese cuisine prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a warm ambience of soaring ceilings and wood-panelled walls. Amankora Thimphu’s Dining Room, looking out on the nearby stream and forest, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, specialising in Indian, Western and Bhutanese dishes. The stay at Amankora includes full board of breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

Page 23: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

23

Day 5Thursday, 12 October 2017 Amankora, Suite (Thimphu, Bhutan)Included Meals: B L D

Lunch: Have lunch during the flight.

11:50: Arrive in Paro by private jet. Private transfer to Thimphu (approximately 1 hour + traffic).

You will be escorted to your suite. Freshen up and relax; spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure.

Cocktails with Special Guests - 18:30: Enjoy welcome cocktails and meet Lhatu Wangchuk, theformer UN Ambassador from Bhutan. Engage in a discussion about The Gross National Happiness (GNH), the Bhutanese philosophy which serves as a beacon for the search for greater well being and advancement. Crafted by the Fourth King of Bhutan, the concept of GNH offers an index system within which material and spiritual needs are measured as a ranking of a citizen’s contentment.

Dinner: After cocktails, have dinner in Amankora’s Dining Room on your own. All meals are included at Amankora.

Day 6Friday, 13 October 2017 Amankora, Suite (Thimphu, Bhutan)Included Meals: B L D

Meals: Your stay at Amankora is all-inclusive; enjoy your meals on your own.

EXPERIENCES: The day is yours to explore Thimphu with your private car, driver, and guide. Discuss with your guide what you would like to see.

Suggested collection time is 09:00. Suggested return time is at 17:00.

Page 24: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

24

Astrology School – Pangri Zampa Lakhang: This former temple is now used as an astrology centre of the state clergy, and is the home to around 100 monks studying astrology.

National Library of Thimphu: Home to ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts, this stunning example of Bhutanese architecture was established in 1967 to preserve and promote religious and cultural degradation from rapid modern development. The library holds more than 10,000 volumes of scriptures in classical language and on the top floor, rare and sacred classical texts written in gold and silver letters are displayed.

National Textile Museum: Learn about the art of weaving, one of the Kingdom’s most important arts. The exhibition displays the major weaving techniques and styles of local dress and textile made by the Bhutanese women and men.

Memorial Chorten: Drive to the Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The basic structure of the chorten consists of a square foundation symbolising the earth, a dome symbolising water and 13 tapering steps symbolising the element of fire. The shrine is surmounted by a golden sphere that resembles a shimmering crown.

Motithang Takin Preserve: The takin is the national animal of Bhutan. There is a folk legend that when the Buddhist saint known popularly as The Divine Madman visited Bhutan in the 15th century, he was asked by the people to perform a miracle to demonstrate his credibility. He first demanded to be fed and he quickly devoured a large cow and a goat. The saint then placed the remains of the goat inside the cow’s carcass and ordered this new creature to rise and run into the fields, thus creating the takin.

Trashi Chhoe Dzong: Also known as Thimphu Dzong, it serves as the seat of the government and the centre of all religious affairs of the Kingdom.

Handmade Paper Factory: Visit Thimphu’s paper factory, where lovely sheets of traditional Bhutanese paper are made, which sometimes incorporate flowers or plants into their fiber. The art of handmade paper in Bhutan dates back to the 8th century, although usage

Page 25: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

25

was limited mainly to religious purposes. Today it is considered an important element in the preservation of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. The tiny factory allows guests to view the papermaking process and purchase samples and gift items from their shop.

Day 7Saturday, 14 October 2017 Amankora, Suite (Paro Bhutan)Included Meals: B L D

Meals: Your stay at Amankora is all-inclusive; enjoy your meals on your own.

Today you will move from Thimphu to Paro. Official check-out time is at 12:00. Depart for Paro at your leisure (1 hour); we suggest you leave after lunch.

Further Suggestions in Thimphu: Continue to explore Thimphu with your private car, driver, and guide.

Thimphu Weekend Market: Visit the vibrant Thimphu weekend market, which sells produce, local handicrafts and a range of other goods.

Folk Heritage Museum: A restored three story traditional packed mud and timber house, it showcases traditional artefacts used both in the present and the past as well as local folklore and legends.

Changangkha Lhakhang: An old fortress-monastery dating to the 12th century, it remains an active centre of Buddhist worship for Thimphu residents. The temple houses a statue of the eleven-headed God of Compassion, Avalokitesvara, and it is also a place of pilgrimage for families praying for the health of sick children.

Cheri Monastery: Explore the Cheri Monastery, home to Bhutan’s first community of monks. Established in 1620, Cheri Monastery has hosted its share of distinguished guests, from visiting Tibetan lamas to the founder of the Bhutanese state. A short distance outside Thimphu, Cheri Monastery sits atop a hill, and offers striking views of the valley below.

Page 26: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

26

PARO, BHUTAN Nestled among brush-covered hills of the Paro Valley, the village of Paro is home to some of Bhutan’s most treasured historical sites. The surrounding valley’s mixture of rolling hills and steep, mountainous inclines make Paro an ideal location for both novice and expert hikers, on their way to marvel at the Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) or simply ascending to appreciate the scope of the sunset as it sinks beneath the lip of the timberline.

Page 27: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

27

AMANKORA PAROSituated in Balakha Village, the 24-suite Amankora Paro contrasts rustic elements with contemporary design. Its architecture features natural rammed-earth walls, gently sloping roofs and wood-panelled interiors. Centred by a large flagstone courtyard, a lime-washed stone pavilion houses the living and dining room facilities, library and outdoor terrace, all warmed by fireplaces.

Page 28: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

28

SUITES

Like those at Amankora Thimphu, Amankora Paro suites combine a bedroom and lounge, and feature a king-size bed, a reading chair and a window banquette. A traditional bukhari is positioned between the bedroom and the bathroom, and the suite’s interior features wood and black stone panelling. The spacious bathroom opens from the bedroom and provides twin vanities, separate shower and toilet, hanging space and a terrazzo-clad bath.

DINING ROOM

The Dining RoomLocated below the Living Room, the Dining Room opens onto an external terrace which overlooks a small stream. Views extend to snow-clad Jhomolhari and the ruins of the ancient dzong. Classic simplicity of form meets a warm ambience with communal tables and dark wood walls reflecting historic Bhutanese motifs. Amankora Paro’s Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, specialising in Indian, Western and Bhutanese dishes.

Page 29: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

29

Day 7Saturday, 14 October 2017 Amankora, Suite (Paro Bhutan)Included Meals: B L D

Arrive in Paro from Thimphu and check in.

Lunch: Dine at Amankora Paro if you haven’t yet had lunch at Amankora Thimphu.

EXPERIENCES in Paro: If you wish, continue touring with your private car, driver, and guide.

Paro Dzong: Also known as the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels, it contains several important temples dedicated to prominent deities. Today the Dzong is the administrative seat of the District of Paro and it also houses a state-sponsored monastic community of 350 members. The central tower, or utse, is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan and displays superbly carved woodwork.

National Museum of Bhutan: View the extensive collections of Bhutanese cultural and religious artefacts spanning the centuries, including perhaps the most significant group of thangkas in the country. Don’t miss the large Temple of the Tree of Wisdom, an intricately carved sculpture depicting the history of Buddhism and its various branches.

Kyichu Lkakhang: One of the oldest and most sacred temples in the Kingdom, dating back to the 7th century when the seed of Buddhism was planted in Bhutan.

Blessing Ceremony with Rimpoche - 17:00: Gather at Amankora Paro for a long-life ceremony and blessing, conducted by a tulku, a reincarnated lama.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner in Amankora Paro’s Dining Room on your own.

Page 30: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

30

Day 8Sunday, 15 October 2017Amankora, Suite (Paro Bhutan)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the Dining Room. Don’t forget to pick up your packed lunch to take on the hike (let Remote Lands know in advance if you wish to order one).

Tiger’s Nest: Rise early for a half-day hike to Tiger’s Nest. We recommend you leave no later than 8:30 for this activity. Tiger’s Nest, or Taktshang Goempa, is one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments. It literally hangs off the face of a cliff 900 meters (2,952 feet) above the valley floor - and has an altitude of 10,240 feet. The legend states that Guru Rinpoche flew into Bhutan on a mythical tigress and meditated in a cave before bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. An approximately two-hour trek of moderate difficulty straight uphill will bring you to an observation pavilion at the halfway point to the monastery, where you may pause for tea and contemplation. Many people turn back here, but we recommend that you brave the final approach to Taktsang, which takes about 45 minutes longer.

After the hike, relax at the hotel and enjoy a hot stone spa treatment, or continue to explore Paro and the valley.

Farewell Cocktails & Dinner - 18:30: Come together and enjoy cocktails, then a special menu of seasonal Bhutanese cuisine on your last night in Paro.

Day 9 Monday, 16 October 2017Amanbagh, Courtyard Haveli Suite (Alwar, India) Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast – 7:30am: Enjoy breakfast in the Dining Room before checking out.

08:00: Departure via private transfer to the airport (approximately 30 minutes).

09:30: Private jet from Paro to Jaipur (approximately 2 hours 50 minutes, –30 minutes time difference).

Page 31: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

31

JAIPUR, INDIA Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is known as the Pink City for its hallmark pale-pink stucco architecture. Home to a beguiling array of temples, forts, art galleries, gardens and bazaars, the city’s most iconic structure is City Palace, a gorgeous and intricate example of Mughal and Rajput architecture that was the former seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur.

Page 32: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

32

AMANBAGHAmanbagh is a verdant oasis of mature palm, fruit and eucalyptus trees lying within a walled compound once the staging area for royal hunts. Evoking the palatial elegance of the Moghul era, Amanbagh provides a tranquil base from which to explore the rich heritage of Rajasthan, India’s dramatic frontier region. The topography of the surrounding Alwar region consists of sandy plains interspersed with craggy hills, a stark contrast to Amanbagh’s verdant setting, which give the property its name, from aman, meaning ‘peace’ in Sanskrit, and bagh, meaning ‘garden’ in Hindi.

Page 33: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

33

SUITES

Garden Haveli SuitesEight Garden Haveli Suites are located on the ground level on either side of the swimming pool. The entrance to each Suite is via a courtyard with an outdoor dining area. Inside, a living area includes a large daybed, two armchairs and a writing desk. Beyond is a private courtyard. The adjoining bedroom features a domed ceiling high above a king-size bed and a bathroom filled with natural light.

Page 34: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

34

DINING

The RestaurantThe Restaurant is positioned on the ground floor of the main building and provides a regal atmosphere beneath a double-height ceiling. The menu’s focus is fresh and seasonal Indian and Western cuisine. Salads, herbs and many vegetables are grown in the Amanbagh organic kitchen gardens.

The Library TerraceLocated on the second floor of the main building, the Library Terrace is ideal for informal dining in the evening, particularly under a starlit sky.

The Roof TerraceElevated above a canopy of trees, the Roof Terrace provides sweeping views over the surrounding landscape and is another option for dining and refreshments.

Page 35: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

35

Day 9Monday, 16 October 2017Amanbagh, Courtyard Haveli Suite (Alwar, India) Included Meals: B L D

Lunch: Have lunch onboard your private jet.

11:50: Arrive in Jaipur by private jet.

EXPERIENCES: Spend some time in the Pink City of Jaipur with your private car, driver, and guide.

Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace): Built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the Wind Palace is the most recognisable monument of Jaipur. The five-storey, semi-octagonal monument has 152 windows with overhanging latticed balconies and is now a museum.

City Palace Museum: Home to the ruling families of Jaipur since the mid-18th century, the palace’s many courtyards and sprawling grounds occupied one-seventh of the old walled city of Jaipur, and its ornate architecture perfectly blends Rajput and Mughal styles.

Market: A treasure trove for shoppers, Jaipur’s markets and bazaars offer a wide range of handicrafts, most of which are produced in and around the city. The city is also one of the most important centres in the world for cutting and polishing precious and semi-precious stones, including diamonds.

• Johri Bazaar: Smaller lanes Gopalji ka Rasta and Haldiyon ka Rasta house numerous establishments selling jewellery, while on the main road itself there are silversmiths and boutiques selling traditional tie and dye fabrics and textiles.

• Tripola Market and Chaura Rasta: The best stops for textiles, utensils, ironware and baubles. If you want to see the artisans at work, step into the side lanes and see for yourself.

• Bapu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar: Two delightfully bustling bazaars offering textiles, local perfumes and shoes made of camel skin.

• Mirza Ismail Road (M.I. Road): The broad thoroughfare houses a large number of emporia selling a variety of goods ranging from jewellery

Page 36: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

36

and brass work to textiles, blue pottery and woodwork.

Amber Fort: Drive 30 minutes out of town to Amber, which was the ancient capital of this region and an active centre until 1727, when the rulers moved their court to Jaipur.

Depart for Amanbagh in Alwar at your leisure (approximately 2 hours); we recommend you leave Jaipur no later than 5pm.

Upon arrival at Amanbagh, relax and enjoy refreshing organic drinks from the hotel garden.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner in Amanbagh’s Restaurant on your own.

Day 10Tuesday, 17 October 2017Amanbagh, Courtyard Haveli Suite (Alwar, India) Included Meals: B D

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at The Restaurant.

EXPERIENCES: Visit the villages and ruins of the region with your private car & driver cum guide.

Suggested collection time is 09:00. Suggested return time is at 15:00.

Bandhavghar: Twelve kilometres from Amanbagh, fifteen minutes by jeep, sits the intriguing old ruined city of Bhangarh. A medieval site of great archaeological importance, the city was built in the late 1500s and legend has it that the now uninhabited city of once magnificent bazaars, palaces, gardens, temples and bathing pools was deserted overnight just a generation after its completion - it is famously named the ‘Bhangarh of Ghosts.’

Mansarover Lake: Head to Mansarover Lake by the Kashmiri-built Shikara boat. The lake was named for a body of water in the Himalayas that promises beauty and youth to anyone who bathes in it and purportedly has the same properties.

Ajabgarh Fort & Village: Visit Ajabgarh, a remote

Page 37: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

37

tribal village of the Meena minority people, who have maintained their own separate and distinct customs as a result of their isolated lifestyle. The Meena, who are said to have descended from the Matsya Avatar, or the fish incarnation of Vishnu, inhabit the area from Jaipur to Sikar in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan.

Lunch: Have lunch on your own back at the hotel or enjoy a packed lunch (arrange in advance).

Cowdust Tour - 15:30: Explore the villages surrounding Amanbagh in the afternoon when our local neighbours are herding their goats, cows and buffalos home after a day’s grazing. The locals will wave and the children will run after the car and you may even be invited for chai in one of our neighbour’s homes – for many guests, it is a profound and inspiring experience.

Don’t forget your camera and please don’t demean our neighbours by offering anything to them (this quickly leads to expectations and future begging) other than your warm smiles & genuine respect. You are welcome to support our local neighbours by way of a donation back at Amanbagh.

Fire Meditation - 17:45: If you wish, take part in Fire Meditation, based on the idea that fire is the most pure of the five elements. Participants sit on cushions around a fire called a hawan, which is made up of natural herbs and fragrant wood from the Himalayas. The session consists of chanting the Gayetri mantra, one of the most powerful mantras in Hindu intended to energize all of the body’s 24 chakras, or centers of spiritual power.

Farewell Dinner - 19:00: Come together for a final dinner at Amanbagh.

Day 11

Page 38: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

38

Wednesday, 18 October 2017Aman-i-khas, Luxury Tent (Ranthambore, India)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast: Have breakfast at the Restaurant before checking out.

Private transfer to Aman-i-Khás, Ranthambore (approximately 3.5 hours). Depart at your leisure. This transfer will be with driver-only. If you wish to have a guide and tour along the way or stop in Jaipur, please let us know at least one day in advance (additional cost).

Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot during the drive across some of Rajasthan’s most ruggedly beautiful terrain.

Page 39: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

39

RANTHAMBORE, INDIA Set beside the starkly handsome Aravalli Hills, Ranthambore National Park is one of the world’s premier tiger sanctuaries. Measuring 1,334 square kilometres, the park is home to an array of wildlife and takes its name from nearby Ranthambore Fort, one of the oldest forts in the Subcontinent with a history stretching back more than a millennium. More recently, the region was once a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur and was designated a nature preserve in 1955, one of the first in India.

Page 40: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

40

AMAN-I-KHÁSOpen from October through May each year, the best season for wildlife spotting, Aman-i-Khás is a wilderness camp located in a brushwood forest on the fringes of Ranthambore National Park. Combining the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’, aman, with the Hindi word for ‘special’, khás, Aman-i-Khás offers accommodation in 10 air-conditioned tents each with soaring canopies draped in the Moghul style. There are also three separate tents for dining, spa treatments and relaxing. Twice-daily, guided wildlife viewing excursions take guests into the park to spot indigenous game including tigers, leopards, hyenas, sloth bears, crocodiles and chital deer.

Page 41: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

41

TENTS

Aman-i-Khás features 10 tents identical in style, each set on a raised concrete plinth. They echo the rich Moghul travelling tents of bygone days with ‘rooms’ separated by cotton drapes. Constructed of canvas and supported by a steel frame, with interior walls and ceilings draped in fine cotton, each tent is air-conditioned and measures 108 square metres. Entry is through a screened area that contains an armchair, dining table and chairs. There is also room to sit outside on the concrete deck. The centre of the tent, with its soaring six-metre canopy, features an oversized daybed ideal for resting between safari drives.

Page 42: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

42

RESTAURANT

The Dining TentSoftly lit by lamps, the Dining Tent is furnished with one large central table and several smaller tables. Indian cuisine and a range of Western dishes are served, and the freshness of produce is ensured by the camp’s own organic vegetable garden.

Page 43: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

43

Day 11Wednesday, 18 October 2017Aman-i-khas, Luxury Tent (Ranthambore, India)Included Meals: B L D

Arrive at Aman-i-khas and check in. Freshen up and relax for the rest of the afternoon.

Camel Safari (4 guests per Jeep) - 16:00: If you arrive at Aman-I-Khas before sunset, go on a camel safari. Sunset is approximately at 18:00. A camel safari is the ideal way to get a true feeling of the extraordinary terrain encircling Aman-i-khas. From the superior vantage point of a camel’s back, sight foxes and other mammals such as deer and antelope, and of course the many varieties of birds that adorn the skies. Camel-back safaris certainly underscore the sense of ‘arrival’ in Rajasthan. Your journey by camel can take you to a small hilltop ‘close to Aman-i-khas’ where you can enjoy sunset while having a bird’s eye view of where humans and tigers became neighbours, and enjoy sundowners.

Welcome cocktails and Dinner - 18:30: Enjoy welcome cocktails at the camp’s fireplace followed by a special dinner at the pool accompanied by a live music performance.

Day 12Thursday, 19 October 2017 Aman-i-khas, Luxury Tent (Ranthambore, India)Included Meals: B L D

Morning Wildlife Safari (4 guests per Jeep) - 6:30am: Enjoy tea or coffee and a quick bite before the first safari excursion.

Trips are led by National Park-appointed guides who take guests through the park on a variety of routes. Snacks and drinks are provided.

Page 44: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

44

Journey in an open-top vehicle that transports guests on wildlife safaris into the core of Ranthambore National Park, which measures around 400 square kilometres, and presents the best opportunities to search for tigers, leopards, jungle cats, hyenas and sloth bears. Guests are not guaranteed a tiger sighting, but the area is among the best to do so in India. Chital deer, antelope and gazelle can also be seen roaming the savannah whilst the lakes and waterholes are home to the Indian marsh crocodile. Bird life, both resident and migratory, is prolific and over 350 species have been sighted within the park.

Breakfast - 10am: Return to camp where breakfast is served either in the Dining Tent or in the privacy of your own tent.

Freshen up and spend the rest of your morning at leisure.

Lunch: Have lunch before the afternoon safari.

Afternoon Wildlife Safari (4 guests per Jeep) - 14:30: Depart from the camp at around 14:30 and return around 18:00pm. Excursion times are set by the park authorities as only a limited number of vehicles are permitted inside the park core at any one time.

Farewell Cocktails & Dinner - 19:00: Enjoy cocktais and dinner together at the camp reflecting on the day’s sightings.

Day 13Friday, 20 October 2017Amangalla, Chamber (Galle, Sri Lanka)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the Dining Tent before checking out.

08:30: Private transfer to Jaipur airport (3 hours).

In Jaipur, board the private jet.

12:30: Private jet to Sri Lanka (3 hours 5 minutes).

Lunch will be provided onboard the jet.

Page 45: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

45

GALLE, SRI LANKA

A charismatic UNESCO World Heritage site that combines native Sri Lankan traditions with Portuguese, Dutch and British heritage, the cosmopolitan port city has been a centre of trade for more than a millennium. Nowadays eclectic architectural styles sit side-by-side, and the energetic city radiates out from 17th-century Galle Fort on the coast.

Page 46: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

46

AMANGALLAIn the historic port of Galle, Amangalla sits within the ramparts of Galle Fort. Named after the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’, and galla, the Sinhalese word for the town of Galle, the resort reveals the Fort’s daily activities and rich legacy, its narrow streets lined with buildings from the Dutch and British colonial eras. Offering views of the resort’s 200-year-old gardens and of the Fort and harbour beyond, Amangalla provides for the leisurely exploration of this historic trading port and the surrounding countryside.

Gentle strolls directly from the hotel unravel the unique history of this magnificent 36-hectare hexagonal stone fort, revealing colonial buildings still in use today, bustling narrow streets proffering the crafts of many generations, and the ramparts and seawall, where locals and visitors gather alike to fly kites, play cricket or simply inhale the wonders of its maritime legacy.

Page 47: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

47

CHAMBERS

Ten chambers are located within the Church Street Wing and face the Fort ramparts. The entry leads into the open-plan room, featuring the bathroom, bedroom and separate sitting area. The bathroom has a large shower and free-standing bathtub. A gracious and authentic turn-of-the-century ambience is recreated with a four-poster king-size or twin bed arrangement, planter’s chair, writing desk, dining table and a pettagama chest perched atop gleaming teak floorboards.

Page 48: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

48

RESTAURANT

The ZaalThe Zaal – the Great Hall – as it was known in Dutch times, is the entry point to the resort and features high ceilings, overhead fans and chandeliers. There is relaxed seating within as well as on the veranda facing the tree-lined street. The menu provides light meals and snacks in the morning and afternoon tea is served daily.

The Dining RoomAdjacent is the Dining Room that provides an intimate setting for dining with a colonial accent. The Dining Room is furnished with period chairs and tables, crisp white linen and antique silverware, with many of the original pieces being returned to their rightful place in the room. The Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and provides a choice of traditional Sri Lankan curry and home-cooked dishes.

Page 49: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

49

Day 13Friday, 20 October 2017Amangalla, Chamber (Galle, Sri Lanka)Included Meals: B L

15:35: Arrive in Colombo by private jet. Private transfer to Galle (approximately 3 hours + traffic).

After checking in, freshen up and relax.

Dinner: Have dinner at Amangalla’s Dining Room or a local restaurant on your own.

Day 14Saturday, 21 October 2017Amangalla, Chamber (Galle, Sri Lanka)Included Meals: B D Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the Dining Room.

EXPERIENCES: Explore Galle Fort on foot accompanied by your private butler to learn the history of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Galle Fort: Spend time walking through the Dutch fort and along the old ramparts overlooking the turquoise sea. The fort covers 36 hectares (90 acres) and includes the well-preserved Groote Kerk (Dutch Church), Dutch Government House, the New Oriental Hotel (built in 1684), an old bell tower and perhaps most impressively, a tide-based sewage system. The Fort was established by the Portuguese in 1505 when a small foreign trading post was established. In 1640, the Dutch captured Galle, and by 1663 had constructed great ramparts and massive bastions to protect their interests. Within these ramparts, narrow streets are lined with houses displaying their Dutch and English heritage. Flanked by pillared verandas, these colonial homes and government offices remain in use today.

Page 50: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

50

Galle National Museum: Housed in an old Dutch building at the centre of the Fort, the museum features exhibits on colonial weaponry, including a collection of Portuguese and Dutch swords, stone cannon balls, and battle axes made of brass and iron. Native handicrafts like turtle-shell ornaments and decorative pieces are also on display.

Lunch: Have lunch on your own at your choice of restaurants.

Maritime Archaeology Museum: Destroyed in the 2004 tsunami, the collection has been re-established in the newly renovated Dutch warehouse in Galle Fort. The exhibits of artefacts discovered on the ocean floor around Sri Lanka include the Avondster, a Dutch ship that wrecked off Galle Fort in 1659.

Gem Shopping: In a country where precious gems are mined, jewellery shops are in abundance. Browse the shops in search of treasure and don’t forget to bargain. Please keep in mind that buying gems in Asia as a visitor is always a risky endeavor. Before making any purchases, be sure to inquire as to the return policy for the gems.With that in mind, we advise that you do not purchase any jewels with the intention of resale, but rather buy reasonably priced jewelry that you enjoy for its aesthetic qualities.

Spa: Enjoy a 90-minute complimentary treatment at the Amangalla spa, The Baths. Recapturing a bygone era, five serene treatment rooms and two hydrotherapy pools host a variety of treatments: traditional aromatic massages, ayurvedic anointments, classical facials, reflexology, scrubs and wraps. An ayurvedic doctor is on hand to diagnose your dosha, give any lifestyle advice or heal an ailment. We recommend scheduling your treatment in advance.

The heart of The Baths is two chambers of hydrotherapy pools with sauna, steam room and cold plunge pool. Ask the staff to turn on the steam and sauna 10 minutes before you need them, and spend an hour going from one to the other for purifying relaxation. It is complimentary to all guests.

Farewell cocktails & dinner - 18:00: Gather together for cocktails and enjoy a presentation by a local history expert, followed by dinner together.

Page 51: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

51

Day 15Sunday, 22 October 2017 Amanwella, Suite (Tangalle, Sri Lanka)Included Meals: B

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the Dining Room before checking out.

Today you will move from Galle to Tangalle. Official check-out time is at 12:00. Depart for Tangalle at your leisure (approximately 2 hours + traffic); we suggest you depart before lunch.

Lunch: Have lunch at your choice of restaurants in town or at Amanwella.

Page 52: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

52

TANGALLE, SRI LANKATangalle is one of the largest towns in southwestern Sri Lanka, a haven of sandy beaches, mild temperatures and lush forests. The name of the town in Sinhala means ‘projected rock’, referencing the rocks which form the coastline in the town area, and it remains a vital fishing port for the region.

Page 53: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

53

AMANWELLAAmanwella is situated just west of Tangalle in a mature coconut grove fronting a crescent-shaped beach. The resort’s name derives from combining the words aman, or ‘peace’ in Sanskrit, and wella, the Sinhalese name for ‘beach’. The modernist design, informed by Sri Lanka’s most notable architect, Geoffrey Bawa, makes use of local materials and suites are linked by pathways, interspersed along the hillside to the west of the public areas, providing views of the ocean and beach flanked by two rocky headlands.

Page 54: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

54

SUITES

Situated mostly on the hillside, the Suites enjoy views of the coconut grove and ocean. Floor-to-ceiling glass and latticed panels form two sides of the dwelling – one opening onto a private walled-in entry courtyard and plunge pool, with the terrace side opposite affording open views. There is a combined sleeping and living room with a king-size bed, writing desk, armchair with footstool and credenza. Sliding screens divide this area from the open-plan bathroom featuring a freestanding bathtub, twin vanities, dressing area and shower. Access to the spacious terrace, with dining table and lounger, is via sliding doors from the living areas and bathroom.

Page 55: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

55

RESTAURANTS

The Restaurant Set within the cluster of public buildings at the southern end of the resort and open all day, the Restaurant is perched eight meters above sea level, offering stunning views across the pool towards coconut palms and the beach. Inside the Restaurant, doors open onto an internal grassed courtyard landscaped with frangipani trees and reflecting pools. The cuisine is Asian and Mediterranean with an emphasis on fresh local seafood from the Indian Ocean.

The Lounge and Bar Adjacent to the Restaurant, the Lounge and Bar also feature panoramic views, serving drinks and snacks alongside a range of sundowners. A selection of cigars is also available until late.

The Pool TerraceNext to the swimming pool, the Pool Terrace is ideal for alfresco dining. During the day, simple lunches as well as fresh young coconuts and local fruit are served, while evening menus include antipasti and home-style dishes.

The Beach ClubClose to the beachfront amidst coconut trees, the Beach Club provides an alternative venue for lunch and private dinners. The menu includes simple Asian salads, Mediterranean classics (using fresh local seafood), granitas and freshly churned ice cream. Seafood is cooked over a coconut charcoal barbeque and served with garden fresh salads and local relishes.

Page 56: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

56

Day 15Sunday, 22 October 2017 Amanwella, Suite (Tangalle, Sri Lanka)Included Meals: B

Arrive at Amanwella from Amangalla and check in.

Enjoy a refreshing afternoon stroll through the surrounding forests or relax on the idyllic beach.

Cocktails - 18:00: Enjoy a welcome reception.

Dinner - from 19:00: Dine at the Dining Room or a local restaurant on your own.

Day 16Monday, 23 October 2017 Amanwella, Suite (Tangalle, Sri Lanka)Included Meals: B

Yoga: If you wish, start the day off with an early morning complimentary yoga session on the beach.

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at your leisure.

EXPERIENCES: Explore Tangalle and the surroundings with a private car & driver cum guide.

Early Morning Tangalle Market Visit: Ten minutes’ drive east of Amanwella, the town’s large fishing fleet and busy harbour make for a vibrant experience, and the daily fish, fruit and vegetable markets provide a colourful insight into Sri Lankan life.

Morning or Evening Village Nature Walk: An early morning or an evening stroll along the village paths that wind through the jungle offers a snapshot of daily village life. Amanwella is situated in the heart of Wella Wathura village, and chances abound to also view the diverse plants and wildlife in the area including monkeys, migratory birds, monitor lizards, hare and mongoose.

Farewell Cocktails & Dinner - 18:30: Enjoy farewell cocktails and dinner on the beach with a short cultural show.

Page 57: Aman Private Jet Expedition 8-24 October 2017 CHINA • BHUTAN … · 2017. 3. 21. · • Welcome cocktails & special dinner with live entertainment. DAY 12 Thursday, 19 October

57

Day 17Tuesday, 24 October 2017Included Meals: B

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at the Restaurant.

Official check out time is at 12:00. Leave your luggage with the bell desk and enjoy the hotel’s facilities until your private transfer.

Private transfer from Tangalle to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo (approximately 3 hours 30 minutes + traffic).

End of Aman Remote Lands Private Jet Expedition.


Recommended