The Himalayan Kingdom Bhutan is a small country yet wonderful. This country is nestled between India and Tibet. The awe-inspiring natural scenery and the strong sense of culture and tradition of Bhutan make it one of the most favorite holiday destinations in the world. It will leave you rejuvenated and relaxed while exploring its pristine environment and harmonious society. The way of hospitality is at its best in the tiny kingdom of Bhutan that is also known as the “Last Shangri-La”.
Distance from Thimphu to Punakha drive:
The distance from Thimphu to Punakha drive is 86 kilometers and takes approximately 2 hours 28 minutes. The drive is fine towards the Dochula Pass, even though the road widening work is going on. However, the one and half hour drive are bad till Punakha due to the damaged roads.
Thimphu to Punakha- sightseeing along the way:
Starting from Thimphu, a 15 minutes drive will take you to a Goemba. As it is away from the city, it is the perfect place of worship and meditation. The beauty of the main temple, the statue of Lord Buddha and the miniature paintings will be striking you with amazement. You can take pictures from outside the Goemba. From there, the Goemba stop won’t take 30 minutes.
After traveling for 45 minutes from Goemba, you will reach Dochula Pass which is situated at an elevation of 3,100 meters. It is not much high but it is definitely one of the most beautiful. 108 Chortens sitting on the Pass that takes every traveler’s attention no matter which time of the year you go there.
When you reach the top of the Pass you can see slices of the Himalayan Mountains. You can visit Yeshi Handcrafts for some traditional shopping and drink coffee at the Druk Wangyal Cafe for refreshment and then start your journey again for Punakha.
On the way of the Dochula Pass as you can see do some sightseeing, one among them is the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang Dochula, which is a monastery with the beautiful painting and intricate designs. After an hour drive, you will reach Lobesa Village. You can stop here and view the scenery and the little houses from the roads and enjoy the weather.
In the afternoon, you can halt at the Lobesa Hotel and have lunch. You can rest at the hotel for an hour then finally leave for Punakha.
After reaching Punakha you can halt at the Punakha Valley point for clicking pictures and viewing the scenic beauty of the valley. You can stay overnight at a hotel.
Read before you drive to Punakha:
- As the Thimphu to Punakha drive will be through road widening work, you need to shut your van’s windows due to the dust outside.
- You must consider taking an AC car because it will become difficult and hectic to travel in a Non-AC car.
- Due to the road widening work, there will be no stalls for snacks or water, so prepare beforehand and carry enough snacks and bottles of water.
- The driver must be well-known about the roadblock timings so that you do not face any difficulty while reaching Punakha.
For a safe and hassle-free journey to Punakha, you can book the car rental in Bhutan from a trusted travel operator like AV Tours. We will provide you the best services from bookings, sightseeing to reaching your destination with proper guidance.