BUILDING: WILDERNESS TREKS

Places to See:

Phuentsholing (300m / 985ft)
The gateway to the south, this town is a thriving commercial center on the northern edge of the Indian plains. Situated directly at the base of the Himalayan foothills, Phuentsholing is a fascinating mixture of Indian a Bhutanese, a perfect example of the mingling of peoples and cultures. Bering a border town, Phuentsholing is a convenient entry / exit point for visiting Bhutan and also the neighboring Indian states of West Bengal, Sikkim and Assam.

Paro (2,200m / 7,218ft) This beautiful valley encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries, the country's only airport, and the National Museum. Mt. Chomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley. Its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro River). The Paro valley is one of the kingdom's fertile, producing the bulk of Bhutan's famous red rice from its terraced fields.
Thimphu (2,400m / 7,875ft) Thimphu lies in a beautiful, wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside on the bank of the Thimphu Chhu river and is the capital town of Bhutan, the center of government, religion and commerce.  Despite recent developments, Thimphu still preserves its charming medieval feel with an interesting combination of traditional and modernity. It is a very lively place which also surprisingly is the only world capital city having no traffic light.
Punakha (1,300m / 4,265ft) Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (chief Abbot).  Blessed with a temperate climate and fed by the Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. There are splendid views from Dochu -la pass (3,088m/ 10,130ft) on the Thimphu - Punakha road.
Bumthang (2,600 - 4,500m / 8530ft - 14765ft): This lovely valley is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of its oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Tales of Guru Padmasambhava and the tertons ('religious treasure discoverers') still linger in this sacred region. Many visitors have described this valley to be the spiritual heartland of Bhutan. Bumthang encompasses four major valleys Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor (also known as Bumthang valley).

Samdrup Jongkhar (280m. / 920 ft): The road from Tashingang to Samdrup Jongkhar, completed in the 1960s, enables the eastern half of the country to access and benefit from trade with the south as well as across the Indian border. Samdrup Jongkhar is a convenient exit town for tourists who have arranged to visit the neighboring Indian state of Assam.

Dechenphu Lhakhang:
To reach Dechenphu Lhakhang involves a short climb up a stone staircase to an elevation of about 2660m (8725ft). The imposing tall, red goenkhang (chapel) is dedicated to the powerful deity Gyenyen and is said to be able to supply weaponry for an endless number of soldiers. Many of the paintings in the adjoining goemba (Buddhist monastery) have been restored.

Distance and driving times between various places