Timphu to Punakha, May 4, 2026

We traveled on our bus from Timphu (elev. 7,567 ft) to Punakha (elev 4.500 ft) via Dochala Pass at over 10,000 ft. Shortly after leaving Timphu we viewed the Big Buddha across the valley and at the same time the nearby oldest Dzong (fortified castle) in Bhutan. At the pass we visited the commemorative stupas (monuments) and the meditation caves and enjoyed hot lemon ginger tea at the cafe. Continuing we stopped to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens with 40 species of rhododendrons and a video about the park, then on to lunch at the White Dragon Hotel in the Punakha area. After lunch we visited the impressive Dzong of Punakha which was the capital of Bhutan until it was relocated to Timphu in 1955. Gorgeous temple (with 100 pillars) and grounds at the fork of two rivers where the kings of Bhutan are coronated. Our last stop of the day involved a steep and curving drive up to a nunnery built in 2015 by the mother of the four queens who are married to the 4th king of Bhutan (who abdicated about 26 years ago in favor of his now 44 year old son). We saw an 8 year old girl returning to the nunnery dressed in nun's clothes. Supposedly this is a life-long commitment that cannot be reversed. That did not set well with us. In the early evening, our tour leader, Sonam, gave us a lesson on mandala. Then in three groups we used five colors of rice to create our own mandala. Then we finished the day with a well-deserved dinner - again native foods including vegetables and curries. Pretty good stuff..Read more