Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary is located in north-western part of Bhutan covering an area of 1,545 sq. km with 420 sq. km of buffer zone encompassing parts of Trashi Yangtse, Lhuentshe, and Mongar district. It shares international borders with the Tibetan region of China in the north and India in the north east. The sanctuary is home to around 100 species of mammals, including globally endangered species such as snow leopard, Royal Bengal tiger and red panda. About 150 black necked cranes spend their winter in Bumdeling every year from mid November to early March. Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary is also a paradise for butterflies: as of now 130 species are recorded and another 120 are expected to be found there. Besides natural beauty and diversity many significant religious and cultural places can be found inside the sanctuary, such as Rigsum Gompa, the mystic Singye Dzong and Dechenphodrang Lhaghang– maybe most scenic monastery in the whole country.

Located in the easternmost part of the Kingdom, Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary spans an area of 650 sq. km and is Bhutan’s newest protected area (launched in 2003). The sanctuary is a lost world of biodiversity waiting to be discovered. It presents a wide diversity of Himalayan terrestrial ecosystems, namely alpine meadow, temperate forest, and warm broadleaf forest. The Sanctuary is home to people of isolated nomadic tribes. It is characterized by thick carpets of rhododendrons, and in its habitat roam snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan black bear, barking deer, Himalayan red fox, the hoary-bellied Himalayan squirrel and even the mythical Yeti (or the “Abominable Snowman”). Sakteng is virtually untouched by development. Bird species include the Assamese macaw, blood pheasant, grey backed shrike, grey headed woodpecker, common hoopoe, rufous vented tit and dark breasted rosefinch. Plant life includes Bhutan’s national flower, the blue poppy, rhododendrons, primulas and gentiana, all of which transform the park into a garden of colours during spring time. There are also many plants with medicinal values- such as cordyceps.

Memorial Chorten was built in the year 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.It is located in the heart of the city, and is visible from most of the places in the city.

The first stop on the way to Punakha and Wangdi is at Dochula pass at 3,140 meters. Dochula is about 23 kilometres from Thimphu and during a clear day it offers a clear view of the Himalayas. The eastern highway passes through here. Apart from 108 stupas, Dochula also has a newly built temple on the top.

This is Paro town, and sometimes it is not unsual to find only few people and cars around, especially during the weekdays, when the offices and schools are opened.

This is vegetable market in Thimphu and it remains empty during weekdays, as it is opened only during weekends.

Situated at the very heart of the nation and covering 768 sq. km, ThrumshingLa National Park is Bhutan’s newest National Park, officially gazetted in July 1998. Pristine forests ranging from alpine to subtropical broadleaf combine with dramatic mountains, snow leopards, tigers, red pandas and rare plants to create a globally important and unique habitat. With its elevation ranging from less than 1,000 m to more than 4,000 m, and temperatures between – 21ْ C and 28ْ C, the park has some of the most diverse climatic variations and habitats in the world. The park made news in the year 2000 when a WWF-supported survey team captured a camera-trap image of a tiger at 3,000 meters – the first photographic evidence that the magnificent creatures exist at such high altitudes. Besides that, the park has 341 species of birds making it truly a birdwatcher’s paradise. ThrumshingLa National Park has some of the most breathtaking scenery and natural habitats in the world. It is a source of awe and inspiration for numerous tourists and trekkers and tourism helps to sustain the lives of the communities within the park. With an effective management plan, dedicated park staff and WWF support, it should stay that way for generations to come.

Located in the central part of the country, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park covers 1,300 sq.km and is the second largest protected area of Bhutan. The natural habitats in the park range from high permanent ice peaks to low conifer and broadleaf forests. The park was formally known as the Black Mountain National Park. The varying altitude and rainfall in the areas have created a wide diversity of climatic conditions, making it a suitable home for many species of plants, animals and birds. The park has one of the highest coverage of mature fir, pine and other types of broadleaf forests making it one of the last largest undisturbed tracks of forest in the Eastern Himalayan region. Both musk deer and Himalayan black bear can be found here. The golden langur that is endemic to Bhutan, the rare clouded leopard, the red panda and the Royal Bengal tiger are also found in the park. This National Park is an important link between the northern and southern tiger population in Bhutan. The eastern side of the park supports about 20% of Bhutan’s tiger population. The national park is also home to 391 bird species of which seven species are among the globally threatened species. Phobjikha valley, in the buffer zone of the park, is the winter habitat of the black necked cranes. More than 260 cranes winter in Phobjikha every year.

With an area of 4,349 sq. km, the Jigme Dorji National Park is the largest protected area in Bhutan. It is one of the most biologically rich areas in the Eastern Himalayan region, and stretches from warm broad-leaved forests to permanent ice fields and glaciers on Bhutan’s north-western border. The monsoon rains and a varied topographical gradient, from just over 1,000 meters to more than 7,000 meters above sea level, account for this rich plant and animal diversity. Sacred peaks such as Jomolhari, Tsherimgang and Jichu Drakey are prominent landmarks in the park. Glaciers and glacial lakes are interspersed in the mountains forming important head waters for some of Bhutan’s main rivers. The alpine region houses numerous flowers such as the national flower blue poppy, edelweiss, orchids, rhododendrons etc. Charismatic animal species like the snow leopard, takin, tiger, black bears and red panda inhabit the forests and mountains of the park. This may be the only place in the world where the Royal Bengal tiger and snow leopard habitats overlap. Most of Bhutan’s most popular trekking routes can be found inside the Jigme Dorji National Park.

PARO

Drukgyel Dzong is 14 kilometres from the Paro town. Also known as the fortress of victory, Drukgyel Dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1649 to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644.

PARO

Paro Dzong is also called the Rinchen Phug Dzong, which means fortress on a heap of Jewels. It is one of the most notable and celebrated dzongs of Bhutan and was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on the old foundation, which was built by Guru Rimpoche.

PARO

Taktshang or Tiger's nest is the most well-known monastery in Bhutan floating on a high cliff. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the eighth century flew to a cave in Taktshang spot on a tigress and mediated for three months. The trek to the monastery and back takes about four hours.

PARO

The National Museum is housed in the Ta-Dzong which was built in 1656 and served as the watch tower of Paro Dzong in the past. The museum displays the ancient Bhutanese arts, crafts and weapons.

THIMPHU

It was in the year 1216 that the original dzong was built by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa. It went through several fires and was rebuilt. It was, however, expanded later to house the government offices for the new capital after Punakha. Tashichho Dzong houses the Throne Room, His Majesty's secretariat, the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Finance now.

THIMPHU

Memorial Chorten was built in the year 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. It is located in the heart of the city and is visible from most of the places in the city.

THIMPHU

The statue of Buddha is located on the hilltop. It will be one of the tallest sitting buddhas in the world. The spectecular view of the Thimphu valley can be seen from here.

THIMPHU

Thimphu's largest vegetable market is opened during the weekends. The above picture shows that the vegetables are displayed for sales.

GANGTEY

Phobjikha valley is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the black mountain range. The valley is an important wildlife centre in Bhutan and is the roosting ground of the endangered blacked-necked cranes that fly there from the Tibetan plateau during the winter.

GANGTEY

Gangtey Goempa, located at 2900m, overlooks the large green area of Phobjikha valley. This Temple was established in 1613 and now it has several other buildings for meditation, schools and hostels for monks.

GANGTEY

Phobjikha, the home of black necked crane during the winter, is a beautiful valley.

BUMTHANG

Bumthang is very popular for its land scape and beauty. It is rich in culture and nature

BUMTHANG

Jakar Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan, which is built in 1667, is located in Bumthang. It has a circumference of 1500 metres. The Dzong was damaged by fire and earthquakes in the past.

PUNAKHA

Wangdi dzong sits on the top of the high ridge. It was built in 1638 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal. The ridge provides a panoramic view of the valley. On 24th June 2012, the dzong was gutted by fire destroying all the structure of the dzong. The important relics were saved.

PUNAKHA

It is also called Wangdi Phodrang but for daily use, Wangdi is used. It lies at an altitude of 1210 m and it is just about 21 Km from Punakha. It is windy and dusty, especially in the afternoon. Punajanchu River flows across the valley.

PUNAKHA

One of the most visited dzongs in Bhutan due to its beauty.

Bumthang, the spiritual heart of Bhutan, is about 68 Km from Trongsa and at an altitude of 2800 m. It is one of the easier and more scenic drives as it passes through many villages and monasteries as the highway enters the Bumthang valley. There are several monasteries, temples and traditional houses, apart from the fields of buckwheat, apples and barley. Bumthang is popular for weaving especially woollen clothes. Other places of attraction are Kurje Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, Tamshing Monastry and the Swiss Farm.