Unwinding with a cascade of hot stones in Bhutan

The ancient Bhutanese ritual of hot stone baths, known to promote rest, is being offered in luxury hotels as well as rustic homestays

- Teja Lele

The wooden bath dominates the well-appointed room that looks over tall blue pine trees and colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Glowing river stones, slow-heated over a fire, drop down a slanted chute, warming the water and gently disseminating minerals. Leaves crowd the surface of the steaming water, inviting me to slip into the tub and relax. The stage is set for a Himalayan Hot Stone Bath, a signature therapeutic treatment that's been part of Bhutanese life for centuries.

But why a bath tub made of wood? I turn to the spa attendant at Amankora Paro, a luxury resort shrouded by a pine forest so verdant that it scents the crisp Himalayan air. Won't it be prone to mildew, cracks and leaks, I ask.

"A hard wood tub has a rustic, natural beauty and is a wonderful insulator. Wood has been used to craft bath tubs in Bhutan for centuries, and we find that they elevate a simple bath to a spiritual experience," says Tsering Peldon, the spa supervisor. An attendant sets down a glass bottle with apple juice and a stemmed glass, and points to a small ornate bell cast with Tibetan script next to twinkling candles. "Ring it when you're done," she says.

SCIENCE IN THE SPA

I slip into the heated natural river water, keen to enjoy the treatment that's known to release tension, boost relaxation, and cleanse the skin. The minerals released by the stones and khempa leaves (Artemisia absinthium) have created menchu, the medicinal water said to have a meditative and calming effect.