Phuntsoling |
From its vast views of the Indian plains, this overland
gateway town is the start of breath-taking drive round
hair pin turns through lush forests to the town and
valley of the inner Himalays altitudes up to 8,000
ft. |
Paro |
This beautiful terraced valley is the home to many
of Bhutan’s oldest temple and its first Airport. To
the north, Mount Jhomolhari (Mountain of goddess Jhomo)
reigns in sacred glory. The glacier waterways from
its five sister peaks through deep gorges, finally
covering to form the Paro river that nourishes the
rice fields and the apple and peach orchards of its
own valley. The national museum is located in a ancient
wath tower here, and Taktsang Monastery “Tiger Nest"
clings to sheer cliffs 900 mts above the valley. |
Thimpu |
the capital city of Bhutan, perhaps
the most unusual capital city in the world, is bustling
town on the banks of its own river and set gloriously
in the hills of its own valley, the regal town, home
to0 the revered Bhutanese Royal Family, the center
of government religion and commerce has grown along
side monasteries and forts. From the earliest fortess
- monastery - Simtokha Dzong build in 1627. |
Punakha |
The road winds up from Simtokha Dzong into pine forest
and through small villages for 20 kms and then opens
miraculously onto the northern ridge of the mountains.
The view over the Himalayan panoply a Dochula Pass
at 10,500 feet is one of the most spectacular in all
Bhutan. The views of the Himalayas can be seen on
the road, where the Pho Chu and Mo Chu river converge. |
Wandiphordang |
Wandiphordang is the last town on the central highway
before central Bhutan. Below, rich cattle pastures
at the junction of MO Chu and Tsang Chu river, a striking
Dzong guards this windy valley. |
Gantsay |
This small village at the edge of the Black Mountains
range is awash in golden hues from its yellow roofed
temple to the wheat fields where black necked crane
begin their migration dance before soaring off to
Tibet in the spring |
Tongsa |
In the center of Bhutan and four hours by road from
Wangdephordang. the approach to the town involves
a 14 Kms trip around the Tongsa valley. Spectacular
views frame the massive, many-leveled Tongsa Dzong
strategically located to guard what has been for centuries
the only east west route to Bhutan. |
Bumthang |
The Yutongla pass and a series of hair raising bends
at 11500 feet separates the valleys of Tongsa and
Bumthang. Nestled in the the fields are apple groves
of Bumthang Valley, ancient art filled temples dating
back to the seventh century to mark the origin of
Buddhism in Bhutan. |
Mongar |
Mongar is built on the side of a hill instead of next
to the river on the valley floor like towns in the
kingdom. A newly paved roads cuts through high passes
overlooking broad green valley before reaching picturesque
Mongar, the second largest town in the sub tropical
east. |
