An Epic Journey Through Bhutan

Dzong temples decorated with traditional thangka paintings and colorful ritual cakes reminiscent of Catherine Wheels, celestial institutes and the National Chorten Memorial, where residents come for daily worship, spinning prayer wheels and walking meditative loops around the outside, all set the spiritual scene in Bhutan’s easy-to-explore, low-key capital. 

Patchwork fields meet gentle forested slopes in this peaceful central valley, criss-crossed by nature trails and home to the renowned Gangtey Monastery where morning prayers with monks in the Shedra are a special way to start the day. No wonder it’s a haven for the endangered Black Neck Cranes that migrate here each winter from the Tibetan Plateau.  

Known for its quality produce, the low-altitude Punakha Valley is all terraced rice paddies, red chilies and aubergines drying in the sun on corrugated tin roofs. Two rivers, Pho and Mo Chu, converge in the valley, whilst tucked-away temples – such as the infamous Chimi Lhakhang monastery, surrounded by fluttering prayer flags – can only be reached on foot.

The single-street town lined with shops is the place for picking up the softest yak-wool shawls, Bhutanese whisky, intricate wood carvings and singing bowls to take home, as well as lighting butter lamps at sacred shrines, seeing the collection of relics at the National Museum and resting up ahead of a challenging hike up to Bhutan’s iconic Taktsang Monastery, known as Tiger’s Nest.