Punakha
Punakha suits travelers who want a lower, warmer valley, a riverside dzong, rice fields and a slower pace than Thimphu.
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Punakha is a district in western Bhutan, in the valley where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers meet. It was the country's capital until 1955, when the seat of government moved to Thimphu. The valley lies at a much lower altitude than Thimphu, so it is warmer and greener, with rice terraces and jacaranda trees that bloom in spring.
The main sight is Punakha Dzong, a fortress-monastery built in 1637 where the two rivers meet. It still houses monks and the district administration. Chimi Lhakhang, a temple linked to Drukpa Kunley, is reached by a walk through rice fields. A stay of one to three nights suits Punakha, often paired with Thimphu and the Dochula Pass. The best months for walking are March and April, and October and November.
Punakha in five
- Book a licensed tour to get your visaMost visitors need a Tourist Visa Clearance arranged through a licensed Bhutan tour operator, and independent travel is not allowed. Book the visa with your tour before you buy flights.Visas and entry
- Carry rupees and ngultrum for PunakhaIndian rupees are accepted, but Punakha's small shops and guesthouses should not be relied on for card payments. Change or withdraw enough cash in Thimphu or Paro before the drive.Money and costs
- Set up a Bhutan SIM before you leave the capitalPhone signal drops on the mountain roads between the valleys, so get a local SIM or eSIM working in Thimphu or Paro. Keep offline maps saved for the drive.Phones and eSIM
- Leave early for the Dochula Pass roadThe road from Thimphu climbs to Dochula Pass at about 3,100 m before dropping into the Punakha valley. Early departures give the clearest views of the Himalayan peaks.Getting around
- Dress modestly for the dzongCover your shoulders and knees, and take off hats inside Punakha Dzong. Remove shoes where your guide asks, since the courtyards and temples are working religious sites.
Need to know
- Currency
- Ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupees accepted
- Entry
- Visa clearance via a licensed tour operator for most; Indian nationals enter on ID
- Emergency
- 113 police, 112 ambulance, 110 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected; guides and drivers may be tipped
- Time
- UTC+6, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold nights, clear
- FebruaryClear, mild
- MarchSpring, mild
- AprilWarm, clear
- MayWarm, pre-monsoon
- JuneMonsoon rain
- JulyMonsoon, landslides
- AugustMonsoon rain
- SeptemberRain eases
- OctoberClear, autumn
- NovemberClear, cool
- DecemberCold, clear
Right now in Punakha
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 94%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 4%
Punakha
02:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today23°7°4%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 23°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed22°8°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 22°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu23°8°0%Thursday: Clear. High 23°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri23°8°2%Friday: Clear. High 23°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat22°8°2%Saturday: Clear. High 22°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun23°5°0%Sunday: Fog. High 23°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 11:53 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.02 BTN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Thimphuabout 2 hours by roadThe capital, with the weekend market and the Buddha Dordenma statue.
- Dochula Passabout 1 hour by roadThe 108 chortens and views of the Himalayan peaks on clear mornings.
- Wangdue Phodrangabout 30 minutes by roadA dzong on a ridge above the town, a short drive south of Punakha.
Before you go to Punakha
Rules for Punakha, checked
- Most visitors need a visa clearance and a licensed tour to enter Bhutan. Confirm current rules with the Tourism Council of Bhutan before you book.
- Bhutan restricts plastic bags and tobacco at the border, so check the customs rules before you pack snacks or cigarettes.
- Cover your shoulders and knees, and remove hats at the dzong. Shoes come off at temples and in some rooms.
- Photography inside dzong and temple rooms can be restricted. Follow your guide and any posted signs.
Plan around Punakha
Valleys, entry rules and where Punakha fits
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa clearance and tour requirements
Read the guideGetting aroundThimphu to Punakha by road, over Dochula
Read the guideMoney and costsNgultrum, rupees and where cards work
Read the guideWhere to stayRiverside guesthouses and village stays
Read the guideFestivalsDzong festivals and how to check dates
Read the guidePunakha FAQ
Is Punakha worth visiting?
Yes, for one or two nights. Punakha Dzong at the river meeting point, the Chimi Lhakhang temple and the drive over Dochula Pass show the valleys and Buddhist life in western Bhutan.
How many days do you need in Punakha?
Two nights cover the dzong, a walk to Chimi Lhakhang and a day trip to Dochula. Add a third night if you want to see a dzong festival or to slow the pace.
How do you get from Thimphu to Punakha?
By car or tour vehicle on a winding road over Dochula Pass, about 2 hours in total. Tour operators usually arrange the vehicle and driver.
Can you visit Punakha as a day trip from Thimphu?
It is possible by road, but a day leaves little time for the dzong and the walk to Chimi Lhakhang. Stay at least one night.
Is it easy to get around Punakha without a car?
Not really. The dzong and the bridge are walkable from the riverside guesthouses, but Chimi Lhakhang and the valley villages need a car or a long walk.