Introduction Our stay in Punakha was definitely the highlight of our trip, for the simple reason we visited the festival there.
Accommodation - The Meri Puensem is a nice place with pretty large rooms. The food is OK, and they have a lobby upstairs with TV and internet facilities.
- 50 meters above is the Zangto. This is a bit bigger, with also a large lobby with seats, ideal to meet other people. The food is also good. Rooms have a bathtub, not a shower.
What to do? - The festival was absolutely great, but it is crucial to pick certain days. On day 1 and 3, the festival is mainly inside which makes it difficult to see as everyone tries to get a glimpse. Day 2 is on the courtyard, and day 4 is (I think) the most interesting with dances in the courtyard, and then later a procession of people coming down the stairs towards the river. Stay till the very end, because the highlight is around 1 pm with a procession including people with flags, trumpets, horns and also the head monk.
- The dzong has a spectacular setting near the river with a suspension bridge in front of it.
- The Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten was finished in 1999 and is apparently now a popular place for guides bringing tourists, but I wasn't very impressed. The hike is very steep, some people with a bad physical condition will not make it. The views are pretty good though. The whole trip takes 2,5 hours.
- Much better was the trip to Chimi Lakhang. This is a nice monastery amidst fields. The trip to get there takes 20 minutes by foot. It is popular among people with fertility problems.
Getting out The trip by car till the Phobjika turn off takes 1h45 minutes. |
