Just when you thought you had seen the most amazing thing ever, Punakha Dzong. Beautifully situated at the confluence of two rivers, Pho Chu and Mo Chu, it served as the capital and administrative centre until 1955.
We left the Dzong and headed along the valley and up towards the heavens, this time to Pele La pass…
…but due to the steepness the last bit was on the bus.
After a coffee break at 3420m.
…and a short descent to Lawala La pass at 3250m, it was back on the bikes for a descent to Gangtey Valley.
We arrived at our farm home stay as the chill was settling in – tea and biscuits were waiting in a cosy living room with a wood stove roaring.
Accommodations are rustic but clean and comfortable – best meal of the trip so far hands down.
Karma tells us that the hotels use “tasting spice” to enhance flavour in all their food. After much discussion and google searches we discovered that this was MSG. I didn’t notice except maybe in the soups. Explains why tonight’s meal was so good.
Distance: 35.11
Elevation gain: 591 m
Calories: 913
Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon 
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