Western BhutanThimphu City
Best March – May, September – November
A calm, small capital city. Old temples, new Bhutanese design and lots of local crafts.
Western Bhutan
Punakha Valley
Our home valley. Warm, green and calm, where two rivers meet below Bhutan's most beautiful dzong.
The valley
A closer look at Punakha Valley
Punakha was the old winter capital of Bhutan. It is still slow and peaceful. Rice fields drop down to the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. The valley stays warm and green when the high passes turn cold.
Our office is in Punakha, so we know this valley well. We know the best farmhouse for red rice lunch, the quiet river walk at sunrise and the best spot for evening light on the dzong.
Highlights
- Punakha Dzong where two rivers meet
- Long bridge full of prayer flags
- Easy walk to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
- Farm lunch by the river and a hot stone bath
- Best season
- October – April
- Region
- Western Bhutan
Continue exploring
Other regions of Bhutan
Western Bhutan
Western BhutanParo Valley
Best March – May, September – November
The door to Bhutan, and the way up to Tiger's Nest monastery on its high cliff.
Central BhutanBumthang Cultural Heartland
Best March – May, September – November
Four holy valleys with old temples, buckwheat fields, holy lakes and Bhutan's oldest pilgrim sites.
Plan your journey
Let us plan your Bhutan trip
Tell us your dates, your pace and what you want from Bhutan. Our Punakha team will build a day-by-day plan for you.