Punakha is the old capital of bhutan. Located at 1,200 metres above sea level, the Punakha valley has a lower altitude and more temperate climate than the other destinations we visited.

We hiked through fields of rice paddies and farmhouses one morning to see the sun rise over Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.

Stay

Punakha Lodge, Amankora

An old farmhouse built by the former chief abbot of Bhutan and can only be reached by crossing a suspension bridge over the Mo Chhu river.

Dzongs are traditional Bhutanese fortresses. the dzong in Punakha is one of the most important and impressive dzongs in the country.