Dewachen is a charming hotel, set outside the village of Gangtey, at the edge of Black Mountain National Park in Western Bhutan. The valley is home to endangered Black Neck Cranes that migrate every year from the Tibetan Plateau during the winter months. Revered by Buddhist, a special festival is held in mid-November after their arrival in the valley, where they stay until end March. Dewachan is located near the marshes where these beautiful birds stay in the valley.
There are just 28 guest rooms in Dewachen Hotel. All are spacious in size and are decorated in traditional style with wooden floors, large beds, sitting areas and picture windows with great vistas of the valley. Electricity is provided by the hotel’s own generator and rooms are warmed by wood-burning stove or bukhari. There is an in-house restaurant with a professional chef who serves delicious traditional cuisine prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Guests at the Dewachen Hotel have the opportunity to explore the surrounding valleys and visit old monasteries some dating back to 16th-century. Although similar in design, most monasteries hold intricate religious paintings on silk called ‘Thankas’, depicting stories that only experts or learned Lamas can decipher. The hotel can also arrange horse riding to explore deeper into the valley or a hot-stone bath, a traditional alternative to spa or Turkish baths.
Amenities
Bar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableYoga Classes/Instruction On SiteStay Dewachen Hotel has 28 comfortable rooms all with en-suite facilities. All are spacious in size with wooden floors, handmade carpets and throws in vibrant traditional colours. Rooms have sitting areas with wood burning stove or bukhari and picture windows offering great views of the valley. Being in a remote valley, electricity is provided by hotel’s own generator for two hours in the evening and two hours in the morning. Hot water bottles are provided to heat up the beds.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Dewachen Hotel but there are no specific facilities available for children.
Dine There is an in-house restaurant at the Dewachen Hotel serving homemade traditional dishes with some European favourites prepared by a professional chef. The dining room and the alongside a well-stocked bar with large windows offers views of the valley.
Relax There are about three acres of grounds around Dewachen Hotel to relax. Inside there is a pool room, so there is plenty of space for guests to relax. Outside there are three acres of grounds and a hot stone bath.
Experience Gangtey is known for its black-necked cranes and Dewachen Hotel is well placed close to the marshes where they reside during the winter season. The best time to see them is between November to March. Other highlights in the area include Gangtey Gompa, a 17th-monastery located at the head of the valley. The hotel can also arrange horse riding, which is a great way to explore the valley. Alternatively, you can take one of the many nature trails and have a picnic outdoors.
Location Dewachen is located close to the Black-Neck Crane Information Centre and overlooks the valley.
Getting there International flights into Paro operate from New Delhi, Kathmandu and Bangkok with Bhutan's National Airline - Druk Air.
When to go In the western, central and eastern Bhutan you will mostly experience cold European-like weather. Winter lasts here from November to March. The Monsoon occurs between June and August when the temperature is normally between 8° and 21°C. October and November are arguably the best months, when the monsoon has passed and the skies are clear. The spring months of March, April and May are best for the flora, but it can be stormy as the monsoon builds up for July-September.
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