Thimphu sightseeing - Punakha, Drive – 3 hr
Thimphu, perhaps the most unusual capital in the world, is a bustling town which is home to the most revered Bhutanese family, the Royal government and the judiciary and to several foreign missions and development projects.
Bhutan's National Library is located close to the thanka painting school and contains the best collection of religious and historical literatures in the Himalayas.
Visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery and drive further down with good views of the Thimphu valley.
Visit one of the Handicraft Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other Arts & Crafts stores. Here you can buy stunning Kiras that can be used as bed covers or wall hangings, jewelry and much more.
After lunch drive to Punakha, the road winds up from Simtokha Dzong into the pine forest and through small villages for 20 kilometres and then opens miraculously onto the northern ridge of the mountains. The views over the Himalayan panoply at Dochula Pass at 10,500 feet is one of the most spectacular in all Bhutan as you can see the whole range of the Bhutanese Himalayas from here. Overnight at hotel in Punakha. |