Paro: Small township of Paro with the only Bhutan's airport act for most tourists as gateway to the kingdom. Fortunately in the surroundings there are numerous and easy accessible places of interest. So even if you are coming for just one day on your route from Bangkok to Katmandu there is still enough to see. Along the main street you will find probably the best in country complex of traditional architecture: two lines of rich decorated buildings housing small shops, institutions and restaurants.

Thimphu: Thimpu perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world. Thimpu was established in 1955. On the bank of the river lies Tashi Chuu Dzong, the main secretariat building which houses the throne room of his majesty the king of Bhutan. The National Assembly Hall is located in new building on the opposite side of the river from the Dzong. During the warmer summer months, the monk body led by his holiness, the Je Khenpo, makes its home in the Dzong. Next to the Dzong is Bhutan's only golf course. A nine hole circuit, popular with Thimpu's residents, that offers a break from sight-seeing for visiting players.

Punakha: Punakha is the least elevated of Bhutan's central valleys and famous for its benign climate in which fruit trees flourish within sight of the snow-crested Himalayan Mountains. The road from Simtokha winds into pine forests and through small villages for 20 Kms and then open miraculously onto the northern ridge of the mountains. The view over the Himalayas at Dorchula pass, at 10500 feet (3150m), is one of the spectacular in all Bhutan. Within sight of the alpine snows is a magnificent canvas of colour - a profusion of red, pink, white, yellow and purple rhododendron blossoms splashed amongst the soft green of wild herbs, and forest trees.

Wangdiphodrang: Located at same elevation as Punakha, it's about 30 minutes of drive from Punakha. It is the last town of western Bhutan before you enter into the central part of Bhutan. Known for fine bamboo work and its slate carvings.
Wangdue Dzong, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638 had built this massive fortress sitting on a hilltop at the confluence of Punakha Chu and Tang Chu Rivers. Wangdue Festival is celebrated here in the fall.

Phobjika: The Phobjika valley is broad, but enclosed, and to wander into it is to head down into a forgotten place. Even by Bhutanese standards this is isolation. Deliberately so. It remained disconnected through history for reasons, presumably, of geography, and then man intervened and - for once getting it right - decided not to intervene too much. It is now a conservation area. Development is severely restricted. Whilst there is mains water, there is no electricity in the valley except what the valley-dwellers can generate for themselves. There is no intention to change this. This is actually part of what makes it special.