WESTERN

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( p145 ). Dochu La Valley Chimi Lhakang © Lonely Planet Publications Planet Lonely © Phobjikha La Punakha Dochu ( p149 ) and Paro Haa Valley Tiger's Nest Wangdue Phodrang ( p122 ), ( p124 ) Paro ( p145 ), the ( p133 ) Phobjikha Phobjikha Kyichu Kyichu Haa valley National Museum ( p128 ), Bhutan’s most famous p128 ( ( p127 ), one of Bhutan’s oldest ), one of Bhutan’s oldest p127 ( ( p152 ) for a day, at of the Divine Madman! monastery hermitages in the ( p134 ) great hiking in the remote hikinggreat in the remote history at Paro’s history at Paro’s valley Lhakhang and most beautiful temples and most beautiful temples Tiger’s Nest Tiger’s sight

Be blessed with a 10-inch penis, if only and monasteries little-visited Explore Make a pilgrimage to the cranes or just do some Spot black-necked the spectacular dzongs of Visit to the the rhododendrons and mountain views on an early-morning drive Admire and Immerse yourself in Bhutanese culture Hike uphill to the dramatic cliff-hanging

„ „ „ „ „ „ „ „ HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS

This is the region of Bhutan that most tourists see and for good reason. It’s the heartland of Bhutan that most tourists see and for good reason. region is the This As with the rest of country, western Bhutan is a collection of valleys. The remote Haa valley remote The Bhutan is a collection of valleys. western of country, with the rest As imagination. Vertical prayer flags flutter in the breeze and men dressed in a traditional in a traditional and men dressed in the breeze flags flutter prayer Vertical imagination. Bhutan is one of stepping into a world that you thought existed only in storybooks or your only in storybooks or existed into a world that you thought Bhutan is one of stepping Whether you arrive by air at Paro or by road at Phuentsholing, your first impression of of your first impression at Phuentsholing, or by road air at Paro by Whether you arrive W e s t e r n B h u t a n trip, it’s a spectacular introduction to a magical land. trip, it’s a spectacular introduction to a magical spectacular dzongs in the kingdom. of your trip or the all of your the beginning Whether it’s of the Drukpa people, home to the only airport, oldest and most the capital and the largest, the lush foothills and the all-important road to the Indian border at Phuentsholing. Tibetan border and the fascinating and remote regions of Laya and Gasa. To the south are To the south are of Laya and Gasa. regions border and the fascinating and remote Tibetan here, the upper valleys are trekking territory, leading to the sacred peak of Jhomolhari, the peak of leading to the sacred trekking territory, the upper valleys are here, even greater barrier that separates western Bhutan from the rest of the country. North Bhutan from the rest of western barrier that separates greater even Phodrang by the 3140m Dochu La. East of here the rugged Black Mountain range forms an Black Mountain range forms the rugged East of here by the 3140m Dochu La. Phodrang Thimphu valley to the east is divided from the historical centres of Punakha and Wangdue of Punakha is divided from the historical centres valley to the east Thimphu in the far west is separated from the Paro valley by the 3810m Cheli La. The relatively built-up built-up relatively The Cheli La. valley by the 3810m from the Paro in the far west is separated It soon becomes clear that you are well off the beaten path of mass tourism. off the beaten well that you are It soon becomes clear (tunic) and Argyle socks stroll past yellow-roofed shrines and wooden slate-roofed houses. houses. and wooden slate-roofed shrines socks stroll past yellow-roofed (tunic) and Argyle WESTERN BHUTAN 120 ( SIKM) WESTERN BHUTAN Nathu-La ( WESTBNGAL ) I NDA WESTERN BHUTAN

Doka La I NDA Jaldakha Chhu Jaldakha

Sinche La Chumbi Valley Yatung Gom La

Sibsu

S AMTE Amo Chhu Amo Langm

arpo

Chhu Zele La Chengmari Jhomolhari (7314m) Jhomolhari 2(6942m) Tremo La

Damthang Samtse Torsa Chhu Torsa Jichu Drakye(6989m) H A (5661m) Thangthangka Tserim Kang(6789m) Karap Shing Drukgyel Dzong Juneydrak Lhakhang Chhundu Jangothang Dorokha Jyenkhana Darjeeling To Siliguri; P ARO

Phuentsholing

Taktshang

Haa Chhu Paro Torsa Chhu Torsa Nyile La Kyichu Gunitsawa Cheli La (3810m) Thombu La Jaigon Bietakha Gieu Gang Bondey C HUKA (7200m) Bhonte Goyul (5672m) La Gayshina

Goemba Kharbandi Tseja Gang

Nago Dungna Dzong Isuna Chhu Do (6833m) Paro Jili Gangchhenta Lingzhi

Yeli La Rinchending Chhu Haa (6840m) Shaba Chhuzom Phajoding C HINA Chapcha Cheri Goemba T HIMPU T IBE

Kharibje Sinche Dechenchoeling

Wang Chhu Wang (6090m) Wang Chhu Wang Jhari La La Pangri Zampa Tshongkha Tamchhog Lhakhang Gida THIMPHU Dobji Dzong (6526m) Gedu Jumja Dodina Kang Namseling Bum Bunakha

Tsimasham Thadra NeyLhakhang Tanalung (5475m) Mo Khasadrapchhu Tala

Chhukha

Sinchula Koina Raigye Chhu Raigye Laya

Genekha

Masang Gang Hongtsho Chhu Gasa Panyalabtsa Tango Goemba Dochu La (7165m) (3140m) Rimchhu Thinleygang Yambesa Dalay Goemba Togtsherkhagi Chhu Army Post Trashigang Talakha Goemba Ya La Goemba Damji

Tashithang Bahitung Chhu Talo Goemba Gasa Tsachhu Bari La D AGN Khamsum Yuelley Talakha (4280m) Wagye La

Peak

Lana Chhu Lana Rinchengang

Lungchuzekha Tsomo La

Mo Chhu Mo Namgyal

Chorten Hitsho Metshina Goemba lonelyplanet.com (7100m) Tsenda Pho Chhu Karchung La Chhu Gang Gangla Punakha P UNAKH Khuruthang Dagapela

G AS Teri Gang Phodrang Wangdue Chhu Si Lhakhang Chimi Lobesa Kalikhola

(7300m) Chhuzomsa

Dagana Punak

Tashila Dawakha Tang Chhu Tang Tsang

(6965m) Puna Tsang Chhu Daga Keche

Chhu Chhu La