" Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but foot prints "
- The Himalayan Kingdom of BHUTAN -Places to Visit
PARO(Altitude: 2280m)
Temp. Max 26 degree centigrade & Min -5 degree centigrade
Best season: Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov.
This beautiful valley, which encapsulates within itself rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends, is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, the country’s only airport and the National Museum. Mount. Jhomolhari (7300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial waters plunge through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro River). Paro is also one of the most fertile valleys in the Kingdom, producing a bulk of the famous red rice from its terraced fields.
THIMPHU (Altitude: 2320m)
Temp. Max. 25 deg. centigrade & Min. -3 deg. centigrade
Best season: Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov.
The capital of Bhutan, and the center of government, religion and commerce, it is a unique city with an unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. Although not what one expects from a capital city, Thimphu is still a fitting and lively place. Home to civil servants, expatriates and the monk body, Thimphu maintains a strong national character in its architectural style.
PHUNTSHOLING (Altitude: 1829m)
Temp. Max. 40 degree centigrade & Min. 17 degree centigrade
Best season: Jan, Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov.
It is the gateway to the south, is a thriving commercial center on the northern edge of the Indian plains. Situated directly at the base of the Himalayan foothills, Phuntsholing is a fascinating mixture of Indian and Bhutanese, a perfect example of mingling of people and their culture. Being the frontier town Phuntsholing serves as the convenient entry/exit point for Bhutan and also the important link to visit the Indian state of West Bengal, Sikkim and Assam.
What to see in PHUNTSHOLING
PUNAKHA (Altitude: 1300m)
Temp. Max. 35 degree centigrade & Min. 04 degree centigrade
Best season: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov.
Punakha served, as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it is the winter seat of Je Khenpo (chief Abbot). Blessed with temperate climate and fed by Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. There are splendid views of the distant Himalayas at Dochula pass (alt. 3,100 m) on Thimphu – Punakha road.
WANGDIPHODRANG (Altitude: 1350m)
Temp. Max. 30 degree centigrade & Min. 04 degree centigrade
Best season: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov.
The last town before central Bhutan, Wangdiphodrang is like an enlarged village with a few well provided shops. Located towards the south of Punakha, the higher reaches of the Wangdiphodrang valley provide rich pastureland for cattle. This district is also famous for its fine bamboo work and its slate, stone carvings.
TRONGSA (Altitude: 2316m)
Temp. Max. 26 degree centigrade & Min. -1 degree centigrade
Best season: Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov.
Trongsa forms the central hub of the nation and is historically the place from where attempts at unifying the country were launched. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular and for miles on end, the Dzong seems to tease you, wondering if you will ever reach there.
BHUMTHANG (Altitude: 2600m – 4000m)
Temp. Max. 23 degree centigrade & Min. -5 degree centigrade
Best season: Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov.
This fascinating valley is religious heartland of the nation and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Here tales of Guru Padsambhava and his re-incarnates, known as Lingpas, still linger in most nook and corners that have become now sacred ground.
MONGAR (Altitude: 1600m)
Temp. Max. 26 degree centigrade & Min. 08 degree centigrade
Best season: Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov.
The journey from Bumthang to Mongar is one of the most beautiful in the Himalayas crossing 3,800 m high Thrunsingla pass. Mongar marks the beginning of eastern Bhutan. The second largest town in the subtropical east, Mongar, like Tashigang further east, is situated on the side of a hill in contrasts to other towns of western Bhutan which are built on the valley floor.
TRASHIYANGTSE (Altitude: 1000 m- 5000 m)
Best season: Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov.
Trashiyangtse is a rapidly growing town and the administrative and religious center for the people of Trashiyangtse. It was carved out from Trashigang district in 1992 as a separate district. The district pushes up to into the north-east Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and elevations range from 1000m to 5000 m. Situated in a small river valley, it is a lovely spot from which to take walks in the surrounding countryside. Trashiyangtse is famous for its wooden containers and bowls, which make inexpensive, attractive and useful mementos of a visit to this remote region.
TRASHIGANG (Altitude: 1151m)
Temp. Max. 31 degree centigrade & Min. 10 degree centigrade
Best season: Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov.
In the far east of Bhutan, on the bank of Gamri Chu River, lies Trashigang, the country’s largest district. Trashigang, once the center of a busy trade with Tibet, is today the junction of east west highway with road connecting to Samdrup Jongkhar and then to the Indian state of Assam. This town is also used as the market place for the hill people from Merak and Sakteng who are remarkable for their exceptional features and costumes.
SAMDRUP JONKHAR: Gateway to Eastern Bhutan
Temp. Max. 35 degree centigrade & Min. 22 degree centigrade
Best season: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec.
The gate way to Eastern Bhutan, Samdrup Jongkhar is situated in the south eastern part and shares borders with the Indian state of Assam. It is by far the largest urban centre in eastern Bhutan. It lies at elevations ranging from 200m to 3,500m. In the earlier past, many British Political Officers stationed in Sikkim took the rote from Samdrup Jongkhar to enter into Bhutan. Historically it was administered by the Gyadrung stationed at Dewangiri. Today the road from Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar, completed in the 1960s, enables the eastern half of the country to access and benefit from trade with the south as well as across the Indian border as in the past where it was the main trading centre for the Bhutanese. Samdrup Jongkhar is a convenient exit town for tourists who have arranged to visit the neighboring Indian state of Assam.