We reached the end of human settlements beyond Ngalakhang :D. Covered about 60 kms in all, of which more than 40 kms were just broken roads and big stream rocks. ![]() We slept with sore bums but the experience was totally worth every bit. Some steep uphills followed by some steep downhills, following the Bumthang Chu, school girls for company early in the morning … Whoa! It was one perfect day. ![]() We walked all the way back to Jakar, sighting the beautiful Bumthang airport.ĭay 12 – Jakar to Kurji to Thangbi to some village to Ngalakhang and some villages beyond by mountain bike – Two of us spent the whole day mountain biking in the villages of Bumthang. Panorama of the Punakha Dzong on the banks of Mo Chu and Po Chuĭay 11 – Bumthang touring, Tamshing Tsechu – Early in the morning we visited the Chakar Lakhang, and then followed it up with the Jakar Dzong, Kurji Lakhang and then attended the Tsechu at the Tamshing Lakhang. On the way to Bumthang, we also spotted a centuries old prison. It has gurgling streams and beautiful meadows adorning every bit of it. Bumthang is known as Bhutan’s Switzerland. We reached the Jakar town towards evening and walked around. On the way back, we saw the charred remains of the Wangdue Dzong overlooking the Punat Sang Chu.ĭay 10 – Punakha to Bumthang via Pele La – Through the most beautiful and picturesque country side, we traveled to Bumthang. The river after the confluence is called Punat Sang Chu. Then, we made our way to the Wangdue’s (pronounced as Wang-di) Tsechu (festival). Punakha Dzong is super duper beautiful as it lies at confluence of Mo Chu and Po Chu rivers. From here, the roads split into four directions to go to Paro, Haa Valley, Thimphu and Phuentsholing.ĭay 9 – Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang – At Punakha, we visited the magnificent Chimi Lakhang (and got blessed with a 10-inch wooden phallus), Punakha Dzong and then the longest suspension foot bridge in Bhutan across the Po Chu. On the way we crossed Chukzom it is the confluence of Paro Chu and Thimphu Chu rivers. ![]() Âĭay 8 – Haa Valley to Punaka via Chukzom, Dochu La – After spending half a day in Haa Valley, we moved to the erstwhile capital of Bhutan, Punakha. Plenty of houses had the painting of a phallus on their exterior walls to symbolize fertility □. Almost all the places were very clean and rivers were clean even when they flowed through towns. We were constantly overcome by the kindness shown by the people from The Land of Thundering Dragons whether be it the grocer lady who graciously offered us peaches for free or the cabbie or the owner of a big hotel compassion was part of them. ![]() No one seemed to be in a hurry and everything seemed to move at a comfortable steady pace. At most places, life had come to a complete standstill. Through every minute of the trip, we met fantastic people, came across rushing rivers, crossed 3 high mountain passes, beautiful roads, native culture and festivals, cheerful monks, spicy food and everything in between. I had heard plenty of stories about Bhutan and my legs were itching to get there. When Sudar called me one fine morning and said “Bhutan”, I immediately started dreaming about The Land of the Thundering Dragons. The recent trip to Bhutan was amazing beyond measure.
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