Trips and Tours to PunakhaRich in history and natural beauty Punakha is the perfect stop on your Bhutan tour

Bhutan’s capital city, Thimpu, is a thriving, modern region. The perfect place for tourists to embrace Bhutanese culture. The general way of life there consists of a fascinating mix of contemporary and antique, allowing its population to modernise without forsaking its cultural heritage and identity. Some unusual features of this city are its traffic-light-free streets and its dry Tuesday, when the sale of alcohol is prohibited.

You cannot experience Bhutan without a visit to the country's most recognizable landmark. Tiger's Nest Monastery clings to the side of a cliff at 3,000 metres above sea level, and the monastery can only be reached by an arduous trek. This makes the final destination all the more magical when you eventually arrive. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, father of Bhutanese Buddhism, rode here on the back of a tigress in order to meditate back in the 8th century, hence the name.

Nestled in the picturesque Paro Valley, the city of the same name is Bhutan's adventure capital. It's a great base for activities such as hiking, mountain biking and white water rafting, and there are plenty of great places to watch a sunrise if you can raise yourself early enough for a morning trek. Paro International Airport is located in the valley, between two towering peaks - fewer than 25 pilots are certified to make the landing. Don't worry, we avoid this flight on our tours!

Picturesque Punakha is simply stunning. Packed full of history. The spectacular Himalayas in the background, it sits at the confluence of the powerful Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, and is filled with beautiful white and terracotta buildings. Every year the town transforms into a hub of activity as the Punakha festival takes place, commemorating the country’s victory against the Tibetan army through re-enactments of the battle. It is an incredibly important showcase of Bhutanese culture.