Soednam Zingkha Heritage Lodge
Haa Valley

Tucked away in the quiet and secluded village of Hatey, in the northern part of the Haa Valley, Soednam Zingkha Heritage Lodge is a traditional three-storey Bhutanese farmhouse, family-owned, and recently converted into a cosy guesthouse. Ideal for couples, families and solo travellers, Soednam Zingkha perfectly combines classic Bhutanese heritage and rural living with modern comforts; traditional Bhutanese paintings, compacted earthen walls and ancient timber beams run throughout the hotel and complement the comfortable bedding, heated rooms and modern en-suite bathrooms.

The traditional farm lodge is nestled within two acres of land, and comprises of 15 comfortable guest rooms, well-appointed with the latest amenities, and beautiful hand-painted murals adorn the walls to create a very authentic feel. Each room comes equipped with electric heating and free Wi-fi. 

Dining at the lodge is fairly simple, with the restaurant serving a selection of local Bhutanese dishes, as well as Indian and Chinese cuisine with some continental options, and there is also a well-stocked bar for cosy evenings, with evening entertainment which often includes local folk singing and dancing. At Soednam Zingkha you will find the most genuinely friendly and accommodating staff, very typical of Bhutanese hospitality, which makes for an incredibly wholesome stay.

With a stunning backdrop of evergreen pine forests, dipping in an out of the shadows of the towering snow-capped Himalayan mountains, this is the perfect spot for horse riding, mountain biking, archery, hiking to monasteries and trekking into the mountains and the many alpine lakes in the area. And for those looking for something a little more relaxed, there is a traditional hot stone bath as well as a Choesham (a traditional Bhutanese altar room), where you can spend time in meditation.

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson