Posted on 23/10/25
Day 6: Punakha to Bumthang – Through the High Passes
The day began in the pre-dawn darkness, returning to Punakha Dzong to capture something we'd only glimpsed the day before—the ethereal mists rising from the confluence of the Pho and Mo Chhu rivers. In the soft morning light, the fortress seemed to float between earth and sky, wrapped in layers of shifting vapor that transformed the valley into something ancient and dreamlike.
As the morning unfolded, we witnessed the dzong come to life. A steady stream of people made their way across the traditional wooden cantilever bridge spanning the Mo Chhu, their silhouettes framed against the mist-shrouded river below.
Monks in crimson robes, administrative staff in gho and kira, and maintenance workers all converged on the fortress for the day's duties.
The rhythmic creak of the suspension bridge, the murmur of morning greetings, and the soft padding of feet created a centuries-old ritual—the daily pilgrimage to work in one of Bhutan's most sacred and important buildings.
Watching them cross, some pausing to look at the river below, others hurrying with purposeful strides, added a vital human dimension to the monumental architecture.
From Punakha, we embarked on one of Bhutan's most dramatic journeys: the long mountain road to Bumthang. This wasn't merely a drive but an expedition through Bhutan's vertical geography, climbing to over 3,400 meters—twice. The road twisted endlessly upward through changing landscapes, each switchback revealing new vistas, until we crossed the first high pass, then descended only to climb again. The air grew thin, the vegetation sparse, and the world felt impossibly vast.
The descent through dense temperate forests was an experience unto itself—towering rhododendrons and ancient trees pressing close to the narrow road, the forest floor carpeted in ferns and moss. It was beautiful, exhausting, and just a touch nerve-wracking as our vehicle navigated the serpentine route.
Midway through this marathon journey, we stopped at Chendebji Chorten, a striking white stupa built in the 18th century in the Nepalese style. Commissioned by Lama Shida to subdue evil spirits at this location, the chorten features distinctive painted eyes on all four sides—a style more commonly seen in Nepal than Bhutan. The structure rises in graceful tiers, its whitewashed walls brilliant against the mountain backdrop.
But it was the young monks who truly captured our attention and our cameras. Boys between five and twelve years old, their maroon robes bright splashes of color, were engaged in the timeless ritual of childhood: play. They chased each other around the chorten, their laughter echoing off the ancient walls, momentarily freed from their studies. Their faces—some serious and contemplative, others lit with mischievous grins—offered a glimpse into the human side of monastic life, where children are still children, even as they walk a spiritual path. These portraits became some of the day's most memorable captures.
Posted on 22/10/25
Day 5 - Dochula Pass and the Majestic Punakha Dzong
Day 5 of our Nepal and Bhutan adventure demanded an early wake-up call in Thimphu, as we set out well before sunrise to reach one of Bhutan’s most photogenic and spiritually significant mountain passes.
Posted on 22/10/25
Day 4 - Journey to Bhutan - Thimphu and the Great Buddha Dordenma
Day 4 of our Nepal and Bhutan adventure began before dawn in Kathmandu as we prepared to catch the 9 AM flight to Paro, Bhutan. The flight itself proved to be an unforgettable experience, offering breathtaking aerial views of Mount Everest—the world’s highest peak at 8,849 meters—before our descent into Paro’s remarkable valley airport, considered one of the most challenging yet scenic approaches in the world.
Posted on 21/10/25
Day 3 - Swayambhunath: The Monkey Temple
After the profound spiritual experience at Pashupatinath, I made my way to one of Kathmandu's most iconic sites – Swayambhunath Stupa, affectionately known as the Monkey Temple. Perched atop a hill on the western edge of the Kathmandu Valley, this ancient religious complex is said to be over 2,000 years old, making it one of the oldest Buddhist sites in Nepal.
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