// staying at: Standard

Zhiwaling Ascent

LocationMotithang Forest

ClassStandard standard

Rate From$350per night · 20 suites

Kingdom of Bhutan

Verified stay

// sanctuary profile

The Spirit of Your Stay

"Zhiwa Ling Ascent offers a unique boutique experience as Thimphu’s first contemporary concept hotel, designed by an Austrian architect to harmonize with the pristine Himalayan environment. Perched on a forested ridge, it provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Thimphu valley and its surrounding peaks. The hotel emphasizes sustainability and mindful living, with energy-efficient systems and a minimalist design that prioritizes natural light and local materials. This retreat is perfect for guests seeking a modern, off-the-beaten-path experience that still honors the kingdom's cultural soul. Its serene gardens and high-altitude setting make it a premier destination for those looking to experience the quiet awe and tranquility that define the land of happiness."

Hospitality Standards Certified // Kingdom of Bhutan

// plan this trip

Plan Your Adventure

Tell us your dates and group size and a specialist will build an itinerary around this stay. You'll get a detailed quote within 24 hours.

Plan my trip

Available amenities

garden dining
nature trails
WiFi
panoramic views
rooftop lounge

20 suites available.

// architectural narrative

Interior & Soul

// geographical coordinates

Sanctuary Location

Zhiwaling Ascent

27.4852°N, 89.6104°E

Approximate locationKingdom of Happiness...

// around thimphu

Nearby experiences

See all experiences

ID: 005 Hours

thimphuVibrant Festivals

Thimphu Tshechu Thongdrel Dawn Festival

"Thimphu Tshechu is the capital's grandest annual religious event, celebrated over five days at Tashichho Dzong in autumn. Sacred Cham masked dances fill the dzong's vast stone courtyard daily, enacting narratives from Guru Rinpoche's life in brocade and carved wooden masks. The climax arrives before sunrise on the final day when the enormous Guru Rinpoche Thongdrel — a 20-metre applique thangka — is ceremonially unfurled before tens of thousands of devotees assembled in full traditional dress."

View experience

Dochula Pass 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens Sunrise Hike

ID: 015 Hours

thimphuSpiritual and Wellness

Dochula Pass 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens Sunrise Hike

"The 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens at Dochula Pass (3,088m) were commissioned by the Queen Mother to honour soldiers who died in Bhutan's 2003 counter-insurgency campaign, forming the largest modern chorten assembly in the kingdom. A guided sunrise hike reaches the pass in pre-dawn darkness, beginning the circumambulation of all 108 chortens as the Himalayan peaks materialise above the cloud sea — Masang Gang, Tsenda Gang, and Table Mountain visible on clear winter mornings."

View experience

ID: 024 Hours

thimphuNature Exploration

Sangaygang Nature Trail Forest Hike

"The Sangaygang trail ascends a forested ridge above Thimphu through protected bhutipine and oak woodland, preserving habitat for barking deer, Himalayan palm civets, and the colourful Himalayan monal pheasant. The trail emerges at a communication tower ridge with a 360-degree panorama over Thimphu valley, the meandering Wang Chhu, and the capital's dzongs and government buildings. Birding along the route regularly yields koklass pheasant, green-backed tit, and resident coal tit flocks in the forest canopy."

View experience

ID: 034 Hours

thimphuCultural Immersion

Thimphu Cultural Loop

"A city day covering Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma, and local craft spots."

View experience

Folk Heritage Museum Living Craft Afternoon

ID: 043 Hours

thimphuCultural Immersion

Folk Heritage Museum Living Craft Afternoon

"The Folk Heritage Museum in central Thimphu occupies a meticulously reconstructed 19th-century Bhutanese farmhouse, its three rammed-earth floors furnished with authentic household implements, storage vessels, and ritual objects from rural Bhutan's recent past. Heritage interpreters demonstrate traditional skills — back-strap loom weaving, butter churning, buckwheat grinding on a stone quern, and the preparation of ara grain spirit — using original methods and tools. Visitors handle implements and participate hands-on in the butter-churning demonstration."

View experience

ID: 0590 Minutes

thimphuSpiritual and Wellness

Traditional Hot Stone Bath

"A restorative Bhutanese evening wellness ritual after active travel days."

View experience

// refined selection

Other Extraordinary Stays

See all hotels

Luxury · $1,600/night

wellness and spa

Amankora (Thimphu)

"Amankora Thimphu is a secluded luxury lodge situated in a blue-pine forest in the Motithang area, offering a quiet sanctuary away from the city center. As part of the prestigious Aman Kora luxury escape circuit, it reflects the high-value tourism philosophy by providing an intimate and deeply spiritual atmosphere for its guests. The lodge features sixteen suites designed with white-washed stone and traditional wood, blending modern elegance with local Himalayan aesthetics. Guests can experience personalized service, world-class wellness treatments, and gourmet dining that highlights local ingredients. Its proximity to the capital's spiritual landmarks allows for a seamless blend of relaxation and cultural discovery in a serene mountain setting."

View hotel

Luxury · $650/night

Himalayan spa

Pemako (Thimphu)

"Pemako Thimphu, formerly known as Taj Tashi, stands as a majestic landmark in the heart of Bhutan's capital, where ancient tradition meets modern sophistication. The hotel’s architecture is inspired by the grandeur of Bhutanese dzongs, featuring hand-drawn Buddhist murals and intricate wood carvings that celebrate the nation's rich cultural heritage. Located in a city famous for its lack of traffic lights, the hotel offers guests immediate access to the bustling markets and the National Memorial Chorten. It provides a luxurious urban retreat with expansive views of the surrounding mountains, combining high-end hospitality with authentic local touches, such as traditional welcome ceremonies and specialized Himalayan spa treatments."

View hotel

Luxury · $450/night

WiFi

Le Méridien (Thimphu)

"Located in the heart of Bhutan's capital, Le Méridien Thimphu provides a sophisticated retreat that balances modern amenities with the country's rich cultural heritage. The hotel is within walking distance of the National Memorial Chorten and the city's main commercial district. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains while experiencing signature services such as the Explore Spa and a variety of dining options that offer both local and international flavors. The property is designed to cater to both leisure and business travelers, offering refined elegance and exceptional hospitality in a city known for its unique pace of life and traditional values."

View hotel

Luxury · $240/night

WiFi

Thimphu Heritage Hotel

"City hotel suitable for cultural tours and business stops."

View hotel

// start your journey

Start Your Discovery

"Let us craft a bespoke itinerary that includes these regional highlights and many more hidden gems within the Kingdom."

Plan my trip

// Bhutan Upward Travels

Welcomes You