Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel Lobesa
Today, after early breakfast, we will do a 2-3 hr return hike to Tango Monastery and then after lunch transfer to Punakha valley via the sacred mountain pass, Dochula. The Monastery was founded in 1222 by the Tibetan saint Phajo Drugom Zhigpo. The round-trip hike through the pristine forests takes about 3 hr.
After the hike, a traditional lunch will be served at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant. After lunch, visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum where the 13 traditional arts & crafts of Bhutan is taught. Just located nearby is the National Library & Archives of Bhutan considered as the national treasure and is the fundamental source of history, medicine, arts & culture.
We then drive to Punakha valley via Dochula, a sacred mountain pass at an altitude of 3150m above sea level. At 11km before reaching Punakha town, visit the famous 15th-century Chimi Lhakhang popularly known as the "Temple of Fertility" and explore the nearby village where houses are adorned with colourful paintings of phalluses.
Distance from Thimphu to Punakha 74 km, Time 2.5-hours, Punakha Altitude 1,200m