This morning, we journey through the picturesque Dochula Pass, where 108 chortens were built by Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to honour Bhutan’s military victory and to memorialise fallen souls. Take in the sweeping views of the snow-capped Himalayas before descending into the lush valley of Punakha.
Visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, a 17th-century fortress that sits dramatically at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Once ravaged by fire and floods, it has been lovingly restored and stands today as a breathtaking symbol of Bhutanese architecture and resilience.
In the afternoon, enjoy a short hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built by Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. This exquisite chorten took over eight years to complete and showcases intricate details drawn from sacred scriptures, making it one of the most unique spiritual monuments in the world.