Places to Visit

Thimphu (Capital City)
Location: Western Bhutan
Distance from Paro: 65 km (2 hours)
Elevation: 2320m/ 7611ft above sea level.

Thimphu is a bustling city on the banks of the Thimphu Chhu and set gloriously in the hills of the Thimphu valley. It is home to the Bhutanese Royal Family, the Royal Government to several foreign missions and development projects. Bhutan’s only golf course, a nine-hole circuit, is situated next to the magnificent Tashichoo Dzong.

Some of the prominent places you will visit in Thimphu are Tashichoo Dzong, Weekend Market, Zorig Chusum Institute (Thirteen Crafts), Textile museum, Memorial Chorten, Hike to Cheri Monastery(Includes Dodina and Jigme Dorji Wild life Sanctuary), Paper factory, Folk Heritage Museum, Thangthong Dewachen Nunnery,Mini zoo, Sangaygang view point, Kuenselcholing hilltop where the world’s largest Buddha is being built, Evening Meal with music and dancing.

Paro
Location: West of Thimphu
Distance from Thimphu: 65 km(2 hours)
Elevation: 2250m/ 7382ft above sea level

This beautiful valley is home to many Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and temples. The country’s only airport is in Paro. This is also home to Mount Chomolhari(7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. It is also home to the only international airport.

Some of the prominent places you will visit in Paro are Hike to the famous Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s nest) and Ugyen Tshomo Lhakhang, Visit to the Farm Houses, Rimpung Dzong, Ta Dzong(National Museum), Kichu Lhakhang, Drugyel Dzong, Day excursion to Chelela with a hike to Kila Goemba.

Punakha
Location: Between Thimphu and Wangdue
Distance from Thimphu: 77 km(3 hours)
Elevation: 1350m/ 4430ft above sea level

Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. It is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo(Chief Abbot) and the monk body. It has a temperate climate and its rich fertile valley is fed by Pho(male) Chu and Mo(female) Chu (river). It is also a place for white water rafting.

Some of the prominent places you will visit in Punakha are Hike to Lungchotse Lhakhang on the way to Punakha, Punakha Dzong, Hike to Kham Sum Yule Lhkhang, Hike to Chimi Lhakhang, visit to the Farm houses and the market.

Gangtey
Location: Between Wangdue and Trongsa
Distance from Punakha: 65 km(2 hours)
Elevation: 2800m/ 9186ft above sea level

The valley of Phobjikha is well known as the winter home of the black necked cranes. Bhutan is home to around six hundred black necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in the winter months from Tibetan plateau. These elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to end of March. Overlooking the Phobjikha valley is the Gangtey Goenpa. This is an old monastery that dates back to the 17th century.

Some of the prominent places you will visit in Gangtey are Gangtey monastery, Black Necked Crane observation center, small textile cottage factory and Gangtey Nature Trail(day hike).

Trongsa
Location: Central Bhutan
Distance from Thimphu: 199 km(7 hrs 30 min)
Elevation: 2180m/ 7150ft above sea level

Trongsa forms the central hub of the kingdom and is historically the place from where attempts at unifying the country where launched. It is also famous for birding and to watch variety of primates. Trongsa also boasts of famous Nabji Korphu Community Trek.

Some of the prominent places you will visit in Trongsa are Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa Museum, Community Trek and birding.

Bumthang
Location: Central Bhutan, east of Trongsa
Distance from Trongsa: 68 km(2 hrs 30 min)
Elevation: 2600m/ 8530ft above sea level

This fascinating valley is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Its gentle sloping hills offer plenty of walking opportunities to the many temples that dot this valley. The valley is also famous for its production of honey, cheese, apples and the yathra- a woolen material that has multiple uses.

Some of the prominent places you will visit in Bumthang are Hike to Tamzing Monastery, visit to Mebartsho(Burning Lake), Kurjey Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, Jakar DzongDay excursion to Ura Valley and Hike to Ogyen Choling Palace.

Mongar
Location: Eastern Bhutan, Between Bumthang and Trashigang
Distance from Bumthang: 198 km(7 hrs 30 min)
Elevation: 1600m/ 5250ft above sea level

he journey from Mongar to Bumthang is one of the most beautiful in the Himalayas crossing the 3,800m high Thrumsingla pass. Mongar marks the beginning or eastern Bhutan. The second largest town in the sub tropical east, Mongar, like Trashigang further east is situated on the side of a hill in contrast to other towns of western Bhutan which are built on the valley floor.

Some of the prominent places you will visit in Mongar are Mongar Dzong, Yakgang Lhakhang, day excursion to Khoma village to witness the art of weaving(textile).

Trashiyangtse
Location: North Eastern Bhutan
Distance from Trashigang: 53 km(2 hours)
Elevation: 1871m/ 6137ft above sea level

Trashiyangtse is also home to the black necked crane especially in Bumdeling. This is the eastern most part of Bhutan and borders Arunachal Pradesh in India.

Some of the prominent places you will visit in Trashiyangtse are Chorten Kora, Arts and Crafts institute and Crane roosting ground.

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