After breakfast, drive to Punakha Valley via Dochula Pass (3,140m). We stop for a while at Dochula Pass where 108 stupas are built together to take photographs. If the weather is clear, in the far distance you will get a chance to see the higher Himalayas from Dochula Pass.
When you reach Punakha Valley, visit Chimi Lhakhang, which is also known as the "Temple of Fertility," built by Lama Drukpa Kunley, popularly known as "The Divine Madman," in the 15th century.
After that, visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the capital of Bhutan.
The construction of the dzong was foretold by Guru Rinpoche, who visited this place in the 8th century and predicted that a person named Namgyal would arrive at a hill that looks like a sleeping elephant. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha.
It is said that when Zhabdrung visited this place, he met with a Bhutanese architect called Zowe Palep and ordered the architect to sleep in front of the statue. While Palep was sleeping, the Zhabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangto Pelri (Paradise) and showed him the palace of Guru Rinpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new dzong, which, in keeping with tradition, was never committed to paper.
The dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, which means "Palace of Great Happiness." The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of the Chief Abbot (Je Khenpo), and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the First National Assembly here in 1952.
After lunch at a nearby restaurant, drive back to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
