BT
Punakha
Bhutan’s former capital, with its most beautiful dzong at the meeting of two rivers
Bhutan’s former capital, with its most beautiful dzong at the meeting of two rivers
The vast dzong has courtyards, towering doors and richly painted temples. In winter it is home to the central monk body, and jacaranda trees flower purple in spring.
Dress formally and follow your guide’s timing.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Draped with prayer flags, this long footbridge sways high above the Pho Chhu near the dzong.
Photo: Doug Knuth, CC BY-SA 2.0
A short walk through rice fields leads to this 15th-century temple linked to the “Divine Madman”, Drukpa Kunley. Couples visit to be blessed for fertility.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0
A hike of roughly an hour through fields leads to this temple on a ridge, with fine views up the valley.
Photo: David Broad, CC BY 3.0
Most meals are eaten at hotels or with your guide; expect red rice, ema datshi, vegetables and meat curries.
Local farmhouses sometimes offer home-cooked lunches.
Punakha is about three hours by road from Thimphu, crossing the Dochula pass, and four to five hours from Paro airport.
Travel is usually with a guide and driver arranged by a licensed operator.
Bhutan’s ngultrum (Nu) is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee. Most visitors also pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per person per night, confirmed at that rate until 31 August 2027. Hotels, a licensed guide and transport are usually booked as a package through a tour operator.
Prices are approximate and exclude flights; check with your operator.
Dzong, temples and the valley.
Cross Dochula, walk to Chimi Lhakhang and visit Punakha Dzong in the afternoon.
Cross the suspension bridge and hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, or raft the river.
Jacarandas bloom around the dzong in spring.
The Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu are usually in February or March.
Punakha is much warmer than Thimphu.
Walk clockwise around chortens and temples.
Quick answers for planning time in Punakha.
US$100 per person per night for most visitors, confirmed until August 2027. Different rates apply to citizens of India and Bangladesh.
It is considered Bhutan’s most beautiful dzong, built in 1637–38 at the meeting of two rivers.
About three hours by road.
A 15th-century temple linked to Drukpa Kunley, visited for fertility blessings.
February to May and October to November.
Planning a wider trip? Our Bhutan travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.