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The former capital, Punakha was built as a defensive stronghold in the 17th century.
Punakha Dzong
The country's most idyllic dzong is situated at the confluence of two rivers. Breathtaking from outside and rewarding inside with rich wall paintings and friendly local monks.
Reached by crossing the 3,116 meter Dochu La, the fertile valley floor is the winter home of the country’s largest monk body and produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables which you won’t see anywhere else in the country.
Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman
A gentle stroll across rice paddies and through a small settlement of painted houses brings you to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman, one of Bhutan’s favorite — and most unorthodox — saints.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip to Punakha by contacting one of our Bhutan specialists
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Suggested itineraries featuring Punakha
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Punakha, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Punakha
- Wangdiphodrang 12 kilometers away
- Thimphu 26 kilometers away
- Phobjikha Valley 41 kilometers away
- Paro 48 kilometers away
- Trongsa 65 kilometers away
- Jakar 89 kilometers away
- Bumthang 103 kilometers away
- Trashigang 170 kilometers away
Photos of Punakha
Our expert guides to exploring Punakha
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Punakha, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Punakha at its best.
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Festivals of Bhutan Festivals of Bhutan
Festivals of Bhutan
Festivals are very important to Bhutanese people, they're a great excuse to celebrate and socialize. We can highly recommend incorporating a festival into your tailor-made trip to Bhutan, as an ideal way of immersing yourself in the country's culture.
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Accommodation choices for Punakha
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Punakha. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Meri Puensum Resort
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COMO Uma Punakha
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Amankora Punakha
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Six Senses Punakha
Punakha
Ideas for experiencing Punakha
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Punakha, and which use the best local guides.
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Punakha Dzong Excursion Punakha Dzong Excursion
Punakha Dzong Excursion
Built in 1637, Punakha Dzong served as the seat of the government until the mid 20th century. Over the centuries it has suffered damage from several fires and flooding but still remains one of the most impressive dzongs in Bhutan.
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