Paro: Paro, the entry point for all visitors travelling by air. The Rinpung Dzong is the main landmark on a ridge about 3Km. from the Paro International Airport (see Travel/Visas page for a picture of this Dzong). 

Taktsang monastery, the tiger's nest is a spectacular pilgrim center built on a gravity defying cliff where Guru Padmasambava meditated during 6th century. 

Ruins of Drugyel Dzong and Kichu monastery built in 6th century as well is a trans- Himalayan monastery and the National Museum housed inside the Ta Dzong Tower Fort are wonderful cultural and historical monuments in Paro. 

Visitors often visit Paro to watch the Paro Tsechu: a religious dance festival which normally falls in March. (see Festivals page for a picture of this dance festival)

Thimphu: 54 Km. from Paro is the capitol of Butan, Thimphu. One enters Thimpu by passing Semtokha Dzong built in 1627. 

Tashichho Dzong, built in 1641, was expanded and rebuilt in 1962 to serve as the seat of the Royal Government of Bhutan.  Today, the throne of the king and His Majesty's Secretariat, the Central Secretariat of the monastic body and the residence of His Holiness, the Je Khenpo are located inside the Dzong.

The Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, Emporium, and School of Arts and Crafts are worth seeing to really experience the rich Bhutanese culture, traditions and way of life. A visit to local markets will allow you to shop for many hours and bring home stuffed suitcases.

Punakha: Punakha is 77 Km from Thimpu and takes about 2 1/2 hours.  On the way you will pass through Dochula which is 23 Km. from Thimphu.  At Dochula, there is an old monastery, the recently built Druk Wangyel Chorten with 108 monasteries in a cluster and the Cafetaria. The Cafetaria has powerful binocular telescopes to give you a spectacular view of the snow capped mountain ranges. 

Arriving in Punakha, visit the Punakha Dzong built in 1637 is a master piece of Bhutanese architectural grandeur.  This is the winter residence of the Je Khenpo as the climate here is sub-tropical.  Chhimi Lhakhang is another spiritual place in Punakha worth visiting along with othe places of interest.

Wangdue Phodrang:  Punakha to Wagdue is just 21 Km.  Legend says that Shabdrung Nagawang Namgyel who built this Dzong saw a young monk in Puna Changchu playing in the sands and when he asked what was his name he said Wandue and disappeared.  So, Shabdrung named as Wangdue Phodrang (Wangdue's palace). The Dzong almost stands as a gate to this district after crossing a long Punachanchu river with Rinchengang village on its opposite side of the river. 

Phobjikha Valley is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the black mountains.  The valley is designated as eco-tourism conservation area and as the home of the black-necked cranes that flock this valley in winter.  Besides the cranes, there are barking deer, wild boars, sambar, himalayan black bear, leopard and red fox surrounding this valley.

Gangte Gonpa stands on a ridge overlooking the vast expanse of the entire valley.  It was founded in 1613 by Gyalse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa who prophesised the founding of this temple. 

Trongsa:  The journey from Wangdue to Trongsa takes almost four hours covering 129 Km.  As you drive along you will see very sparse vegetation on the hilltops.  Nobding is the first station and is known for the Tashi Delek Hotel. 

From Pelela to Chendebji is a 27 Km. drive with lush green fields, and settlements in Longte and Rukubji villages. Just 2 Km. from Chendebji is the Chendebji Chorten, a large white structure built in the style of Swambunath in Kathmandu to subdue an evil spirit killed at this place.

Chendebji to Trongsa is 41 Km. and takes one and quarter hour to drive.  Here the dzong with its distinctive yellow roofs is perched at the end of a ridge and seems to hang in the space at the head of the valley.

Bumthang:  Bumthang is made up of four major valleys: Chhokor, Tang, Ura and Chhumey.  The Dzong and important temples are in Chhokor valley. The region is called Bumthang because it resembles bumpa; a religious vase used in Buddhist rituals.

From Trongsa to Jakar is a 2 hour journey cruising through several villages and monasteries.  Tharpaling Goenpa is visible on the cliff to the north east above the town. The Buddhist saint Lonchen Rabjampa (1308-1364) founded this monastery. 

 Above Tarpaling Goenpa stands the Chhodrak Goemba where Pema Lingpa discovered several hidden treasures near it. The other two most important places are Domkhar Tashi Chhoeling, the summer palace of King Jigme Wangchuck and Kurje Lhakhang. 

Kurje was visited by Guru Padmasambava in the 8th Century at the request of a local ruler Sidhu Raja.  Guru Rinpoche meditated here and subdued the evil spirit and the king was restored to normal health.

Drametse:  Drametse is located in Monger district 30 Km from Monger and 30 Km from Trashigang district headquarters. This is the seat of Terton Pema Lingpa, a great saint and a prophesised treasure revealer who lived from 1450-1521. 

Drametse is the religious and cultural centre in eastern Bhutan. As evident from the title "Terton" which means treasure discoverer, Terton Pema Lingpa discoverered several sacred religious objects which are preserved in Drametse Monastary. Drametse Monastary is located in a remote, mountainuous, and stunningly beautiful hilltop in eastern Bhutan overlooking the Sherubtse College in Kanglung. 

Pema Lingpa's grand daughter, Ani Choeten Zangmo who fled from Bumthang to avert a proposal of marriage by the local king, founded the monastery 400 years ago. Ani Choeten Zangmo's Kudung( her body) is still preserved here to this day as a very important relic.

Important festivals in Drametse are Kangsol Chenmo which falls in the last week of November. Special features of the festival are large fire offering ceremonies at midnight accompanied by sacred Terchhams shown only in Drametse. The Trel Da Tsechu which commemorates the birth of Guru Rinpochhe is on the 10th day of the 5th Bhutanese month.  A tourist resort is under construction for the comfort of visitors coming to stay in this hill station.