7-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour
Paro, Thimphu and Punakha in one week: the capital's dzongs, the Dochula pass, Punakha Dzong at the meeting of two rivers, and the hike to Tiger's Nest.
USD 1,800
Punakha
A warm, low valley of rice fields where Punakha Dzong stands at the meeting of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.
Overview
Punakha is lower and warmer than Thimphu and Paro, and it feels it: rice terraces line the valley, and oranges and bananas grow around the villages.
The valley was the capital of Bhutan for three centuries, and Punakha Dzong, at the confluence of two rivers, is one of the most beautiful buildings in the country. Most visitors arrive over the Dochula pass from Thimphu.
Places to visit in Punakha
- Punakha Dzong
- Built in the 17th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the dzong served as the seat of government until the capital moved to Thimphu. It is still the winter residence of the central monastic body.
- Chimi Lhakhang
- A small temple associated with Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Madman, visited by couples hoping for children.
- Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
- A hilltop temple reached by a walk through rice fields, with views up and down the valley.
- Punakha suspension bridge
- A long footbridge hung with prayer flags across the Pho Chhu, a short walk from the dzong.
- Dochula Pass
- On the road from Thimphu: 108 memorial chortens and, on clear days, views of the high Himalaya.
Things to do in Punakha
- Visit Punakha Dzong at the meeting of the rivers
- Walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang
- Cross the long suspension bridge over the Pho Chhu
- Hike up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
- Go river rafting on the Mo Chhu or Pho Chhu
Journeys that visit Punakha
5-Day Bhutan Short Tour
The essentials of western Bhutan in five days: Thimphu, Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang, and the hike to Tiger's Nest in Paro.
USD 1,200
10-Day Central Bhutan Tour: Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang
Beyond the western valleys to Phobjikha's glacial valley and the temples of Bumthang, Bhutan's spiritual heartland, with Tiger's Nest to finish.
USD 2,700
13-Day Bhutan West to East Tour: Paro to Samdrup Jongkhar
The whole country in one journey: from Paro and Tiger's Nest through Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang to the dzongs, temples and weaving villages of eastern Bhutan, leaving by road into India.
USD 3,600
Best time to visit
Punakha is pleasant for much of the year and a good choice in winter, when higher valleys are cold. The Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu festivals are held in early spring. The rice fields are green in summer and golden before the autumn harvest.
How to get there
Punakha is about 3 hours by road from Thimphu, over the Dochula pass, and about 4 hours from Paro.
Travel tips
- Bring sun protection: Punakha is warmer and sunnier than the higher valleys
- The walk to Chimi Lhakhang is flat and suitable for most travellers
Festivals in Punakha
- Punakha Dromchoe
- Punakha Tshechu
- Talo Tshechu
Experiences
Hot Stone Bath
Bhutan's traditional farmhouse bath: river stones heated in a fire and lowered into a wooden tub of water and wild herbs.
Archery
Bhutan's national sport: long-distance matches with bamboo and modern bows, full of songs, dances and good-natured teasing.
Homestays
A night with a Bhutanese family in a village farmhouse, sharing their meals, their fire and their daily routine.
Buddhist Heritage
Monasteries, temples and fortress-monasteries shaped by more than twelve centuries of Buddhism, and still at the heart of daily life.
Rafting
Gentle rafting on the rivers of the Punakha valley, with views of Punakha Dzong from the water.
Local Experiences
Small, everyday moments that make a journey: a farmhouse visit, a village market, a cooking lesson or a walk with local people.
More in Western Bhutan
Plan a journey that includes Punakha
Tell us your dates and interests. We will suggest a route and how many days to spend in each valley.