How to Get from Paro to Punakha
26 September 2022 Last updated at 10:33
Travelers taking flights to Bhutan always start Bhutan trip in Paro, because Paro has the sole international airport of Bhutan. Only a few hours’ ride, you can get from Paro to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan with Bhutan’s most beautiful Dzong - Punakha Dzong after your impression tour in Paro. And make a classic tour covering Paro, Punakha and capital Thimphu in western area brings you know better about the religion, history and current situation of Bhutan. Find detailed Paro to Punakha traffic information of distance, ride time and scenery highlights below to better prepare your Bhutan happiness journey.
How Far is Punakha from Paro?
Where is Punakha Located in Bhutan?
Bhutan has 20 Dzongkhag (administrative districts) and Punakha Dzongkhag is one of them. Punakha (officially Punakha Town) is the government center of Punakha Dzongkhag, the old capital of Bhutan during 1637 to 1955 and now is still the Winter Palace of Bhutan.
Built in 1577, Punakha is located in Punakha Valley, north central Bhutan with an elevation of about 1,300 m and two Bhutan’s important rivers (Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu) flowing through. Driving from present capital Thimphu to Punakha just takes about 2.5 hour (distance: around 85 km).
Where is Paro Located in Bhutan?
Paro is a little town of Paro Dzongkhag and one of the most important cities and tourist destinations of Bhutan. It sits in Paro Valley at nearly 2,250 m above sea level, western Bhutan. More importantly, it’s the seat of the world famous Taktsang – Tiger’s Nest. As the first stop for air travelers, Paro is in southwest of present capital Thimphu and old capital Punakha. It only takes about 1.5 hours’ ride from Paro to Thimphu.
Paro to Punakha Driving Route Map (click to enlarge)
Bhutan have no flights or railways available between Paro and Thimphu. The direct road driving from Paro to Punakha is about 125 km, almost 3.5 hours.
Some Paro to Punakha drive details for your reference:
● Paro International Airport to Punakha Downtown: about 125 km, 3 h 15 min by car
● Paro Internatioanl Airport to Punakha Dzong: about 115 km, 3 hours by car
● Paro Downtown to Punakha Downtown: about 125 km, 3 h 30 min by car
● Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) to Punakha Downtown: about 140 km, 3 h 45 min by car
● Taktsang to Punakha Dzong: about 125 km, 3 h 30 min by car
How Can I Reach Punakha from Paro?
In Bhutan, the main transportation among all major cities or towns (including Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, etc.) is road driving on well-paved national highway. After booking a Bhutan tour package with us, you don’t need to worry about all transportation in Bhutan. Your Bhutanese tour guide and drive will take you tour Bhutan in a safe and licensed local car in good road condition every day. The whole 3.5 hours’ ride journey mainly consists of two segments: Paro to Thimphu and Thimphu to Punakha.
Based on your schedule, you can either drive straightway to Punakha or have a short layover tour in Thimphu in the middle. You won’t see any traffic light during the entire ride, but pristine and peaceful scenery, some stupas and nice attractions along the way.
Section 1: Drive from Paro to (Simtokha Dzong) Thimphu
Distance: about 45 km
Duration: about 1 h 10 min
Leave Paro Downtown, you will first drive southward on Paro-Thimphu Highway along Paro Chu River. Turn left and pass Chhuzom Bridge, and then change to Bumthang-Ura Highway. Keep driving northeast, soon get into Thimphu District. Follow Paro-Thimphu Highway and connected Phuntsholing-Thimphu Highway to south suburb of Thimphu. The giant golden Buddha Dordenma statue seated on Thimphu Valley may be viewed in left side during clear day and Simtokha Dzong on the right, the oldest Dzong of Bhutan is another highlight very close to the highway.
★ Useful Link: How to Travel from Paro to Thimphu
Well-paved Paro to Thimphu Highway
Section 2: Drive from Thimphu to Punakha
Distance: about 80 km
Duration: about 2 h 20 min
You will pass more twisting mountain road than the former section. Continue on to Phuntsholing-Thimphu Highway and head to Thimphu-Punakha Highway via Dochula Pass (elevation: 3,150 m), a famous mountain pass Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo built 108 cortens to memorize sacrificied soldiers and pray world’s peace. Also, amazing snow-capped Himalayan Mountains can be seen in nice weather from the pass. You will take a short break at Dochula Pass, walk around and enjoy surrounding sights. Climb the pass, and then finish the last 60-km journey to Punakha along the Puna Tsang Chu River. Before you get to Punakha Dzong, you will pass by himi LhakhangC, a Buddhist monastery in honor of the “Divine Madman” and treated as an efficacious “Fertility Temple” among local women.
★ Useful Link: How to Travel from Thimphu to Punakha
Dochula Pass on Thimphu to Punakha Highway
How to Plan Your Paro Punakha Tour in Bhutan
Paro and Punakha are two of the top destinations in Bhutan and visiting them together with capital Thimphu in 4 to 5 days is one of the best Bhutan tour itineraries. Your travel time, order of tourist destinations and places to visit and theme can be flexibly adjusted according to your requirements.
Two days are most suitable for a Paro tour, one day for leisure acclimation and first contact of Bhutan to Rinpung Dzong, Bhutan National Museum, and a full day to hike the Taktsang and experience horse riding upward the mountain. Most attractions in Thimphut are located quite near each other, so you can spend 1 day or 2 days discover modern features in the capital and local customs in several sites. National Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma, National Institute for Zorig Chusum and General Post Office are recommended spots to visit. Weekend Market is a nice place to see local life if you happen to visit Thimphu in weekend. It’s advised to use one day tour Punakha, go to Punakha Dzong to observe the fantastic architectures, delicate carvings and ingenious designs in this Bhutan’s second largest and oldest Dzong, and visit Chimi Lhakhang through a serene agricultural field.
Most Popular Paro Thimphu Punakha Tours:
☞ 5 Days Bhutan Classic Tour (Paro/Thimphu/Punakha)
☞ 6 Days Last Shangri-La Bhutan Highlights Tour
After your Punakha tour, you may travel further to central and eastern Bhutan to seek more mysterious beauty and happiness, if time and budget allow. Only 3 hours’ driving, you can get to Phobjikha to visit Gangtey Goempa, precious and elegant wild back-neck crane and dense primeval forest around the valley. Later, you can visit Trongsa, Bumthang and other destinations in central Bhutan which present isolated peace and charming nature. Or, you can visit Haa Valley and places nearby Thimphu. Once finishing your sightseeing trip, you can drive back to Paro to take flight out of Bhutan or drive to Bhutan-India border port to travel to India.
Most Popular Paro Thimphu Punakha Tours:
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Following are 3 most recommended Bhutan tour packages that you may be interested in. All tour packages are customizable to meet your personal requirements. You can also contact us to customize a trip if you want.
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9 Days Bhutan In-depth Natural and Cultural Tour
Paro / Thimphu / Punakha / Phobjikha / Trongsa / Bumthang / Wangue Phodrang / Paro
