The district at the heart of the country, where the rebuilt Wangdue Phodrang Dzong guards the road between western and central Bhutan.
Wangdue Phodrang lies just south of Punakha, where the Punatsang Chhu flows out of the valley towards the south. Its dzong, founded in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, commanded the routes linking east and west Bhutan.
In 2012 a fire destroyed much of the dzong. It was rebuilt on royal command using traditional methods, with modern fire and earthquake protection, and consecrated in November 2022. The district also includes the Phobjikha valley and the villages of the Black Mountains.
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
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. The Wangdue Tshechu is held in the dzong courtyard in autumn. Like Punakha, the valley floor is mild in winter.
Wangdue Phodrang town is a short drive south of Punakha. The main east-west road continues from here towards Phobjikha and Trongsa.
Tell us your dates and interests. We will suggest a route and how many days to spend in each valley.
