andBeyond Punakha River Lodge

andBeyond Punakha River Lodge sits on the bank of the Mo Chu river in the Punakha Valley, surrounded by rice and chilli farms and forested hills. The lodge has nine rooms: six tented rooms, a one-bedroom River House suite, and a two-bedroom Family Suite. The buildings follow traditional Bhutanese architectural methods and sit low against the landscape.

The valley is well positioned for river activities. You can raft or kayak the Mo Chu, or choose from a range of hikes and longer treks into the surrounding hills. The lodge functions as a practical base for all of these.

For those who want less exertion, the spa sits inside an orange orchard beside a small stream. It offers massage and wellness treatments, yoga sessions, and the traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath — a heated-stone tub particular to this part of the world and worth trying.

Meals draw on Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese influences. The lodge serves lunch in the paddy fields and sundowners on the suspension bridge, which is strung with prayer flags. The valley's most prominent landmark is the Punakha Dzong, a fortress-monastery that also serves as the valley's administrative centre and is close enough to visit on a day trip.