Driving times are approximate, depending on road conditions and how often you stop to admire the view!
- Paro to Chele La Pass; 1 hour
- Chele La Pass to Haa; 1 hour
- Paro to Thimphu; 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Thimphu to Dochu La Pass; 45 minutes
- Dochu La Pass to Punakha; 1.5 hours
- Punakha to Wangdue Phodrang; 30 minutes
- Punakha to Paro; 3 hours
If you are coming to Bhutan for a short(ish) visit (5 to 7 days), the chances are, you will not get further than Punakha, unless you are able to fit around the twice weekly flights to Bumthang.
Off the Primary National Highway, roads are single track, and of variable condition. They can also be steep and winding.
Paro and haa
Jomolhari (Bride of Kangchenjunga, 7,326m) from Chele La pass, at 3,988m Chele La is one of the highest road passes in Bhutan.
The Haa Valley from Chele La pass. The Haa valley was only opened to tourists in 2002, and remains relatively unvisited
Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), was consecrated to tame a Tiger Demon, after Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a Tigress.
Taa Dzong, the old watchtower above Rinpung Dzong. Now the National Museum housing artefacts covering 1,500 years of Bhutanese culture and history.
Rinpung Dzong. Dzongs are fortresses and are now often active administrative centres for each region. Consecrated in 1646.
Taa Dzong, the old watchtower above Rinpung Dzong. Now the National Museum housing artefacts covering 1,500 years of Bhutanese culture and history.
thimphu
Beautiful gateways like this one, on the road between Paro and Thimphu, are common, and mark entry into a new region, town, or building.
Tashichho Dzong. Buddhist monastery and fortress in Thimphu. Seat of the government and Druk Desi (King).Not accessible to visitors.
Thimphu | Druk Wangditse Lhakhang
A short hike to reach this beautiful lhakhang.Established in 1715 as the seat of the 8th Druk Desi.
Buddha Point. Buddha Dordenma, a symbol of peace, compassion, and enlightenment. Started in 2006 and finished in 2015, 54m in height.
Centenary Farmer’s Market.A chance to see the local produce of Bhutan. Fresh and dried cheese and chilies are a staple of Bhutanese cookery.
Jungshi Paper Factory. Traditional paper, Deh-Sho, is made from bark, from the Daphne and Dekap trees, entirely by hand.
Wangditse Viewpoint. Prayer flags at the viewpoint over the Thimphu valley. Start point for the short walk to the Druk Wangditse Lhakhang
Simtokha Dzong. Built in 1628, the location of the Dzong is significant as it stands at the boundary of three prominent regions.
Not accessible to visitors.
Takin at the Motithang Reserve.The National animal, storied to have been created by the Divine Madman, by joining the skull of a goat to the skeleton of a cow.
punakha
Dochu La pass (at 3,100m) is the boundary between Thimphu and Punakha, and has stunning views of the Himalayas. 108 memorial chortens and the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang.
Punakha Dzong is also known as the palace of great happiness / bliss and was built in 1637. It is the administrative centre for Punakha.
At 160 m long it is the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, and offers stunning views over the Punakha valley as the two rivers, the Pho Chhu and Puna Tsang Chhu join.
Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple blessed by Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Madman, who subdued a demon near the temple with his “Thunderbolt of Wisdom” (his phallus)
Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery. Beautiful buildings and stupa with an outstanding view over the valley.
Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang is high up on the valley side, about 15km drive from Punakha. It was founded in the mid 18th century.
The Wangdue Phodrang Dzong was built in 1638, and was almost completely destroyed by fire in 2012, and now has been painstakingly rebuilt (completed in 2021). Not accessible to visitors.
The heritage village of Wangdue Phodrang is on the valley side opposite the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong.
Bajothang | New Town, recently built to be the administrative centre of Wangdue Phodrang.