 Punakha
is the least elevated of Bhutan's central valleys and famous
for its benign climate in which fruit trees flourish within
sight of the snow-crested Himalayan Mountains.
The Punakha Dzong ancient capital of Bhutan is set on a spit
of land just above the junction where the rivers Pho Chuu
and Mo Chuu meet to form the Sankosh.
The road from Simtokha winds into pine forests and through
small villages for 20 Kms and then open miraculously onto
the northern ridge of the mountains. The view over the Himalayas
at Dorchula pass, at 10500 feet (3150m), is one of the spectacular
in all Bhutan. Within sight of the alpine snows is a magnificent
canvas of colour - a profusion of red, pink, white, yellow
and purple rhododendron blossoms splashed amongst the soft
green of wild herbs, and forest trees.
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