THIMPHU
Altitude : 8500 m/ 7,600 feet
Thimphu is Bhutan's capital city and centre of government, religion and commerce. About two hours drive from Paro towards east is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. Home to civil servant, expatriates and monk body, Thimphu maintains a strong national character in its architectural style.
Place to see is Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in the memory of Third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. The monument inside this stupa depicts the basic teaching of Nyingmapa tradition, Phurpa, Kagye and Lama Gondu. It also serves as a place where the Thimphu residents come to pay their daily respect and circumambulate the stupa.
Tashichodzong, meaning "fortress of the glorious religion", was initially erected in the year 1641 and later in 1965 the Third King rebuilt it into the present form. The fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organizations and also headquarters for monastic body of Bhutan. Bhutan's spiritual leader Je Khenpo and the monks of both Thimphu and Punakha reside here during summer. It is also the venue for Thimphu Festival in the autumn.
Simtokha Dzong, about 4 miles from Thimphu, is situated on a lofty ridge is the first fortress among the chain of fortresses built around the country by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 17th century.
National Library, the history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts that are preserved at the National Library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts, the library also has modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.
Painting School, this institute caters to students the techniques of ‘thirteen arts and crafts’. Traditional paintings, sculptures and other forms of traditional arts are taught here and one can also witness the students at work.
Folk Heritage Museum, this heritage museum, housed in a 19th century farmhouse displays the living style of the 19th century Bhutanese family.
Textile Museum, a recent addition in the capital city, this museum displays the colorful and intricately hand woven archaic textiles of Bhutan.
Weekend Market, if you are in Thimphu during weekends you should not miss a visit to the weekend market. Vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday night. It's an interesting place to visit, where village people bring their products of vegetables, foodstuffs and handicrafts to sell. At the northern end of the market is a collection of stalls where they sell indigenous goods and handicrafts products. Here you will find locally produced goods, including religious objects, baskets, fabrics and different hats from various minority groups.

MONGAR
Altitude: 1,600 m / 6000 feet
The drive from Bumthang to Mongar will surely enchant you as it offers one of the most spectacular views of the country. Evergreen junipers and colourful Rhododendrons cover the hillsides, as fresh new scenery unfolds with every twist and turn of the winding road. Sound of the rushing streams and cascading waterfalls greets you as you look down at the valley looming in the distance below the precipitous rock face.

PARO
Altitude : 2,200 m/8,500 feet
Situated at an average elevation of 8,500 feet high from sea level, home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries. Paro valley has managed to keep its bucolic nature in spite of the Bhutan's only airport and many development activities. Depending on season the valley floor is covered with brown or green fields, while small villages and isolated farms dot the landscape. The valley is also known for the produce of Bhutan's famous red rice. It has always been one of country’s strongest and important fortresses and on several occasions it was used for defending the valley from the Tibetan incursions.
The place to see is Drukgyal Dzong, ‘Bhutan’s victory fort’, overlooking the beautiful village with Mount Jumolhari in the background. This ruin Dzong (Fortress) was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders led by Mongolian warlord, Gushri Khan. Historically and strategically it withstood all its glory and had captured western eyes in 1914 vide National Geography magazine. The Dzong was destroyed by fire in 1951 and is now preserved as heritage site.
Rinpung Dzong meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels", built at the same time of Drukgyal Dzong, now serves as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro district and residence for the 200 monks. Walking up through the traditional bridge, and over a stone inlaid path, you enjoy the great view of the superb architecture and the life around the Dzong. It is also the venue for Paro festival, held in the spring.
Ta Dzong, overlooking the Rinpung Dzong was built in 1951 as a watchtower. Unlike the rectangular shape of the Dzongs, Ta Dzong is round, and more like parts of a European castle. From 1967 the Dzong was re-established as the National Museum by the third king. It holds fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangka, weaponry, statues, remains of animal, stamps.
Kichu Lhakhang, to subdue demon in the entire region of Himalaya, a Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century miraculously built 108 temples. Kichu is considered to be one of them and is one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan.
Paro Town, rows of shops line the main road built in traditional architecture. This stretch of about 250 meters, with farmers leading their horses, its occasional idlers leaning against the storefronts, the town of Paro strangely resembles a village of the old American West.
Farm House, Bhutanese farmhouses are colorful, decorative and traditionally built without any nails or iron bars. Majority of the houses are with three stories, first floor is utilized for sheltering cattle, second floor for the family to live in and the top for storing and drying of foods and fodder for animal. Almost all the farmhouses follow the same architectural pattern. A visit to farmhouse is interesting and provides you with an experience to the daily life of average Bhutanese.
Druk Choeding built in 1525 by Ngawang Chhogyel, one of the prince-abbots of Ralung in Tibet and an ancestor of the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

BUMTHANG
Altitude : 2,600 m / 8,530 feet, 500 m/ 13,125 feet)
It is about two and half hours drive from Trongsa to Bumthang. Located at an altitude of 8530 - 13125 feet above sea level, Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys- Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. Choekhor and Chumey are agricultural valleys while Tang and Ura depend mostly on the animal husbandry. Bumthang is considered the holiest valley in Bhutan. Many Bhutanese from all over the country visit here on pilgrim to pay their respect and to be blessed by the many holy sites where various religious masters have meditated.
Jambay Lhakhang, Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo miraculously built 108 temples in 7th century in order to consecrate the Himalayan region. Jambay Lhakhang is one of those temples. This is the venue for Jambay Lhakhang Festival during October or November.
Kurjey Lhakhang, it takes about 30 minutes of hike north to reach Kurjey Lhakhang. It was during 8th century a king from Bumthang, known as Sendhu Raja had invited Guru Rimpoche (Precious Master), who brought Buddhism into Bhutan, to cure him from a dreadful disease. Guru meditated at Kurjey for three months, left his body print on the rock and subdued the local deities including powerful Shelging Karpo, who had stolen the king's life force and was the cause of King's disease. Kurjey is complex of three temples, on the right beneath a giant cypress tree, the main temple built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa, Trongsa Penlop. This temple houses the cave where Guru Rimpoche had meditated and left his body imprint. The middle temple was built by the First King of Bhutan during his tenure as Trongsa Penlop in 1900. The third temple is recently constructed under patronage of Her Majesty queen mother Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuk.
Thangbi Temple, founded by Shamar Rimpoche in 1470, is located in the midst of buckwheat field. After a dispute the temple was taken over by Pema Lingpa from Shamar Rimpoche. It is 17 Kilometers drive north of Kurjey Temple on an unpaved road to Toktu Zampa. You start your walk from here by crossing a small suspension bride and walk 20 minutes past fields of buckwheat to the Thangbi Temple. This is the venue of Thangbi Festival.
Tamshing Monastery, located opposite Kurjey Lhakhang was founded by Bhutan's religious treasure discoverer, Terton Pema Lingpa in 1501. Believed to be the reincarnation of Guru Rimpoche, he discovered many religious treasures around the country. The mural paintings inside the temple are known to be unrecorded ancient painting. The best way to enjoy the serene and the beauty of valley is to hike fro about one hour from Kurjey over Chamkhar River to arrive at Tamshing.
Konchogsum Temple, ten minutes walk south will bring you to Konchogsum temple. The temple was restored in 1995 and looks new, but it actually dates back to 2nd century.
Mebertsho (Burning Lake), it is about 20 minutes drive from the hotel where you stay and then about 10 minutes of walk. Pema Lingpa in the early 16th century discovered many religious items from a pond here.
Ura Village, it is about 50 kilometers from Choekhor valley and takes about one and half hour. Located in a broad valley, Ura village is a clustered of traditional houses fenced by cobblestone streets that give the village a mediaeval atmosphere. The women in Ura village cover their head with white cloth piece to protect from the harsh cold wind and carries sheepskin (behind their back) used as cushion and as well as to protect their cloth from the loads they carry. This is the venue for Ura Yakchoe Festival.

TRONGSA
Altitude: 2,300 m/7,600 feet
It takes about 4 hours from Phobjikha to reach Trongsa by car. Located at an altitude of 7600 feet above sea level, Trongsa forms the central hub of the nation and is historically the place from where the nation was unified. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular and for miles on end, the Dzong seems to tease you, wondering if you will ever reach there.
Trongsa Dzong, built in 1648, is the ancestral home of the Royal family. Both the first and second King ruled the country from the ancient seat. All four Kings held the post of Trongsa Penlop (Honorary Governor) prior to being crowned as the King. The Dzong is massive structure with many levels, which slope down the contours of a hill on which it perches. Because of its highly strategic position as the only connecting route between east and west, the Trongsa Penlop was able to control the whole eastern region effectively. It is in this Dzong the annual Trongsa Festival is performed during December or January.
Ta Dzong, this watchtower, which once guarded Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellion, stands impressively and provides visitors an insight into historical significance of Trongsa in Bhutan's history.
Kungarabten, about 15 miles from Trongsa was the winter palace of second King Jigme Wangchuk. It is a splendid building with superb woodwork and decorations. The 1st floor was used as storage for food, 2nd floor as the residence of royal attendance and the army, 3rd floor as the royal residence and king's chapel. Part of this floor is presently used as Library. The top floor is an alter room with statues of Sakyamuni, the Shabdrung and Guru Rimpoche. Right above the palace is the nunnery; it is about 40 minutes walk uphill.

SAMDRUP JONGKHAR
There is almost nothing of interest to the traveler in Samdrup Jongkhar except for the scenic drive and the few places while driving from Trashigang. The primary reason for driving to Samdrup Jongkhar would be to reach the nearest airport at Guwahati in Indian State of Assam, from where you can fly to Calcutta or New Delhi. En route you will stop at the Zangdo Pelri Temple, School for the Blind, Khaling Weaving Centre and finally at Dewathang. At present due to security reasons, exit to Indian State of Assam is closed and you will have to travel back retracing the lateral highway.

TASHI YANGTSE
Altitude : 1,700 m/6,000 feet
Driving from Mongar to Trashigang you take the left road to Tashiyangtse before crossing Chazam (Bailey bridge) to Trashigang. The road traverses north and takes about 2 hours to reach at Tashiyangtse. Tashiyangtse Dzong is half-hour walk from the main road. Established in 1656, the Dzong was completely renovated in 1976.Tashiyangtse is a small village with a garden aspect and a lovely place from where to launch a couple of hour's stroll into surrounding countryside. This region is known for its specialty in making of various kinds of wooden utensils.
Chorten Kora, a large stupa designed similar to Nepal's Boudhanath stupa, was constructed in 1740 by Lama Ngawang Lodey. During the second month of lunar calendar (March or April) the people in Tashiyangtse celebrate a festival known as Chorten Kora.
Bomdelling, winter home to the black-necked crane, it is about one hour scenic hike from Tashiyangtse. The broad valley of Bomdelling is another bird sanctuary preserved as habitat for migrant birds specially the endangered black-necked crane.
Gom Kora, 15 miles from Trashigang before arriving Tashiyangtse is a popular pilgrim site where Guru Rimpoche had meditated and subdued the demon that dwelt in the vicinity. This is also the venue for Gom Kora Festival held in early spring.

TRASHIGANG
Altitude: 1,100 m/ 3,775 feet
In the far east of Bhutan, on high above the bank of Gamri River, lies the second largest district in Bhutan. It has once served as the center of a busy trade with Tibet prior to Chinese occupation, now serves as the junction for east - west highway. It is also the market place for all the 6 districts of eastern Bhutan. Trashigang is also the market place for people from Merak & Sakten who stroll the town with their unique little yak hair hats and different costumes than the mass Bhutanese.
Place you can visit is Trashigang Dzong, a 17th century fortress standing at the extreme end of the spur, overhanging the Gamri River. If you are interested in rural life and textiles, there are several villages where you can make day excursions.

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