Bhutan

Paro valley is one of the most populated areas of the whole country. The valley of Paro contains a wealth of attractions and requires a few days to be properly explored. Casting a shadow across the town of Paro is the elegant and perfectly symmetrical Rinpung Dzong. Built in by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. Eighteen kms from Paro town on the south side of the valley are the burnt ruins of Drugyel Dzong victorious fortress. It was from this monastery that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the th century.

Thimphu, perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world, is a bustling town on the banks of its own river and set gloriously in the hills of its own valley. A regal town, Thimphu is home to the revered Bhutanese Royal family and to several foreign missions and development projects. On the bank of the river lies Tashichho Dzong,the main,the main secretariat building which houses the throne room of His Majesty the king of Bhutan. Five miles from Thimphu stands the Century Simtokha Dzong on a lifty ridge.Built in,the oldest Dzong in the land houses the school for Buddhist studies.The road to Dorchula Pass and on to eastern Bhutan winds its way upwards from Simtokha Dzong.

The road winds up from Simtokha Dzong into pine forest and through small villages for Kms and then opens miraculously onto the northern ridge of the mountain.The view over the Himalayan panoply at Dorchula Pass at Feet is one of the most sepactacular in all Bhutan. Punakha lies about two hours drive from Dorchula down low in its valley.Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan untill. Punakha Dzong was strategically built at the junction of the two rivers in the Century by the first Shabdrung to serve as the religious and admininistrative centre.Punakha Dzong houses sacred temples including the Marchen where the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal lies in the state.


In the cenre of Bhutan and four hours by road from Wangduephodrang, Tongsa offers a welcome rest to travellers.The approach to the town involves a frustrating trip around Tongsa Valley. A vantage point from the opposite side of the valley,still from Tongsa,provides a spectacular view of Dzong and the town.Like alomost all towns in Bhutan,the secular and the religious centre,the Dzong,dominates the horizon,dwarfing the surrounding buildings. Tongsa is the Royal Family’s ancestral home.Protected from invaders by an impenetrable valley,Tongsa Dzong is an impregnable fortress.The Dzong itself is a labyrinth of temples corridors and offices holding court over the local community.