Day 3
Thimphu to Punakha
Himalayan Vistas and Valley Kitchens
Drive from Thimphu to Punakha via Dochu La Pass, stopping to admire its 108 memorial stupas and, on clear days, sweeping Himalayan views. Hike to Lungchutse Monastery before continuing to Royal Botanical Park. End the day in the fertile Punakha Valley with a hands-on culinary experience
We will make our way to the outer rim of the Thimphu region from where we will begin our hike. The hike will take the left fork from Trashigang goempa, after passing the goempa there are a series of small huts, these are meditation huts for 3-year retreatants, so silence needs to be observed.
which slowly ascents through spruce, rhododendron, hemlock, and juniper interspersed with blue pine and oak trees all the way till Lungchutse temple, on a clear day the view across the Himalayan ranges is spectacular – one of the best views in Thimphu – if not the whole of Bhutan!
After this it will be all about descending. The prayer flag lined path descents gradually through old growth rhododendron forests which boasts spectacular blooms in the months of April to May. After a 1.5 hour walk, we will reach where we will end our hike at Dochu La Pass, where you’ll stop to take in the view of the 108 stupas commissioned as a memorial to those who lost their lives in a conflict in 2003. On clear days, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the breathtaking vista of the eastern Himalayas.
Next, after picturesque break at Dochula pass, visit Lamperi. The Royal Botanical Park in Lamperi, Bhutan, holds the distinction as the nation’s inaugural botanical park and serves as the picturesque backdrop for the Dochula Pass. Perched at 3,000 meters above sea level, the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi is Bhutan’s first botanical garden and a showcase of the country’s extraordinary biodiversity. Spread across more than 1,000 acres of protected forest, the park shelters oak, rhododendron, magnolia, and rare medicinal plants beneath a canopy of towering Himalayan trees. Walking trails wind past prayer flag-draped ridges, alpine meadows, and serene lakes where birdlife thrives, offering moments of both beauty and reflection. For visitors, Lamperi is more than a garden—it is a living classroom of Bhutan’s conservation ethos, where nature and spirituality intertwine in the heart of the Himalayas.
Descending from the pass, you’ll reach the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi. In rhodndendrom season you may see more than 29 species burst into bloom, carpeting the forests in pink, crimson, and ivory.
After soaking in the Bota, continue into the lush Punakha Valley, once the winter capital of Bhutan. Rice terraces, riverbanks, and villages unfold as you descend, offering glimpses of a landscape long considered the kingdom’s spiritual and political heart.
Food Experience:
This evening, gather in the kitchen of your lodge for an interactive Bhutanese cooking workshop. Guided by the hotel’s chef, begin by selecting fresh ingredients sourced from Punakha’s fertile valley — chilies, mountain herbs, seasonal greens, and the region’s famed red rice. Learn how to prepare beloved dishes such as ema datshi (chilies with cheese), hearty kewa datshi (potato with cheese), and flavorful vegetable curries. As you cook, hear the stories behind each recipe and how Bhutanese cuisine reflects the rhythm of the land. The experience culminates in a shared dinner, where every bite connects you more deeply to Bhutan’s culinary heritage
Visitors can enjoy cultural performances, traditional music and dance, local food, and handicraft stalls. Guided nature walks and exhibitions highlight the park’s 40+ rhododendron species and conservation efforts, making it a colorful blend of nature and culture.
Overnight in Namsay Phodrang – Nestled in the heart of Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan, the hotel provides a peaceful retreat. Enjoy breathtaking views of the historic Wangdue Dzong, Bajo town, Chimi Lhakhang, and Nyenzer Lakhang from the hotel.
Hotel:
Namsay Phodrang
