![Driving up along the rice terraces to reach the Zangdhopelri Hotel](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120468987.46AF6Whe.Bhutan20091867.jpg) Driving up along the rice terraces to reach the Zangdhopelri Hotel |
![The Zangdhopelri Hotel is among the rice terraces high above Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120468989.4sVlrc4g.Bhutan20091869.jpg) The Zangdhopelri Hotel is among the rice terraces high above Punakha |
![One crop of rice is nearing harvest, while the other is the bright green of a fresh young plant](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120468991.bNlDWqa3.Bhutan20091871.jpg) One crop of rice is nearing harvest, while the other is the bright green of a fresh young plant |
![These rice terraces are about 5 km south of Punakha Dzong](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120468993.IwSGbxOW.Bhutan20091873.jpg) These rice terraces are about 5 km south of Punakha Dzong |
![Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469000.3VmKk4xl.Bhutan20091878.jpg) Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
![The patio bar of the Zangto Pelri Hotel, Bhutan](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120468995.v8ABSXOR.Bhutan20091874.jpg) The patio bar of the Zangto Pelri Hotel, Bhutan |
![We found the bar! Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469002.cX4GFER5.Bhutan20091879.jpg) We found the bar! Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
![At the Bar, Zangdhopelri Hotel](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469004.VgRezxWO.Bhutan20091880.jpg) At the Bar, Zangdhopelri Hotel |
![Terrace in front of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469012.japmDhBq.Bhutan20091886.jpg) Terrace in front of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
![Me at the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469014.dJ9UcBaD.Bhutan20091887.jpg) Me at the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
![Prayer flags on the bannister](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469029.83vXZsoK.Bhutan20091895.jpg) Prayer flags on the bannister |
![View from the patio bar of the Zangdhopelri Hotel](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120468997.b1Xmlkq3.Bhutan20091875.jpg) View from the patio bar of the Zangdhopelri Hotel |
![Zangto Pelri is named after the paradise of Guru Pinpoche](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469031.41XWtFVt.Bhutan20091896.jpg) Zangto Pelri is named after the paradise of Guru Pinpoche |
![Living among the rice terraces in Bhutan](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120468999.2cksQbdy.Bhutan20091877.jpg) Living among the rice terraces in Bhutan |
![Wall Mural of Takstang (Tigers Lair), the famous temple near Paro we will visit later in the trip](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469019.BG9ltAF0.Bhutan20091889.jpg) Wall Mural of Takstang (Tigers Lair), the famous temple near Paro we will visit later in the trip |
![Chalet of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469022.9iH6k2XY.Bhutan20091890.jpg) Chalet of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
![Chalet of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469025.CCflDJxv.Bhutan20091891.jpg) Chalet of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
![View from our chalet at Chalet of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469027.DajbLdHO.Bhutan20091892.jpg) View from our chalet at Chalet of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
![The Puna Tsang Chu River south of Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469036.muXKmpzY.Bhutan20091900.jpg) The Puna Tsang Chu River south of Punakha |
![Khuruthang, the modern town serving Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469038.xlhtw0nC.Bhutan20091904.jpg) Khuruthang, the modern town serving Punakha |
![Maturing rice in the terraces overlooking the Puna Tsang Chu River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469040.WTNlM0Y4.Bhutan20091908.jpg) Maturing rice in the terraces overlooking the Puna Tsang Chu River |
![Rice terraces and river south of Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469042.6YkitANq.Bhutan20091909.jpg) Rice terraces and river south of Punakha |
![Khuruthang Lhakhang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469044.NEd9uKMa.Bhutan20091920.jpg) Khuruthang Lhakhang |
![The chorten of Khuruthang Lhakhang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469048.BISMWrqJ.Bhutan20091923.jpg) The chorten of Khuruthang Lhakhang |
![Punak Tsang Chhu River, Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469046.fiZ8ziMm.Bhutan20091922.jpg) Punak Tsang Chhu River, Punakha |
![Panoramic view along the west bank of the Puna Tsang Chu River](https://a4.pbase.com/g3/93/329493/2/120490584.ctmVN4Ws.jpg) Panoramic view along the west bank of the Puna Tsang Chu River |
![Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten, 7km north of Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469051.FX2pDmO1.Bhutan20092150.jpg) Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten, 7km north of Punakha |
![Rice terraces to the north of Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469052.ZsMtXXGy.Bhutan20092155.jpg) Rice terraces to the north of Punakha |
![It's a 45 minute climb to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469055.gLg11Ayn.Bhutan20092158.jpg) It's a 45 minute climb to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten |
![Use Me! Little box of Nyezergang Choeten](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469057.g12mVHcm.Bhutan20092161.jpg) Use Me! Little box of Nyezergang Choeten |
![Wire suspension bridge across the river](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469059.5zsVCEi6.Bhutan20092162.jpg) Wire suspension bridge across the river |
![Crossing the river to reach Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469061.2TQUPVls.Bhutan20092164.jpg) Crossing the river to reach Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten |
![Hiking through the rice terraces](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469067.kvxvmtGA.Bhutan20092171.jpg) Hiking through the rice terraces |
![The first part of the hike is an easy stroll through the rice terraces](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469069.thuqRTiH.Bhutan20092172.jpg) The first part of the hike is an easy stroll through the rice terraces |
![After the rice terraces, it's a steep climb](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469070.ICD7L7RL.Bhutan20092174.jpg) After the rice terraces, it's a steep climb |
![Hiking through the rice terraces to reach the hill of the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469071.iW8gdbPt.Bhutan20092175.jpg) Hiking through the rice terraces to reach the hill of the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten |
![A lonely farm house on the edge of the rice terraces](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469147.nGnSm230.Bhutan20092176.jpg) A lonely farm house on the edge of the rice terraces |
![Rice terraces and farm house, Bhutan](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469148.LHYjtAoe.Bhutan20092177.jpg) Rice terraces and farm house, Bhutan |
![Green rice, Bhutan](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469151.ryZxFYrk.Bhutan20092179.jpg) Green rice, Bhutan |
![Looking down the valley towards Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469152.t0842k6N.Bhutan20092184.jpg) Looking down the valley towards Punakha |
![The ascent of the hill begins](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469153.ElZg3sqD.Bhutan20092189.jpg) The ascent of the hill begins |
![To Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469154.d34R4h1T.Bhutan20092197.jpg) To Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten |
![The Mo Chhu, Mother River, as it flows downstream towards Punakha Dzong where it will join the Pho Chu, Father River](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469155.72tBza3k.Bhutan20092198.jpg) The Mo Chhu, Mother River, as it flows downstream towards Punakha Dzong where it will join the Pho Chu, Father River |
![The fine blue sky we had in Thimphu has given way to cloudy skies here in Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469156.3jACox1L.Bhutan20092203.jpg) The fine blue sky we had in Thimphu has given way to cloudy skies here in Punakha |
![Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten, constructed in 1999 and dedicated to the protection of Bhutan](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469157.QK39rtko.Bhutan20092204.jpg) Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten, constructed in 1999 and dedicated to the protection of Bhutan |
![Pillar emerging from the jaws of a beast](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469158.uEu6f2WK.Bhutan20092209.jpg) Pillar emerging from the jaws of a beast |
![Tandin and Dennis resting after the climb](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469159.xauds6fU.Bhutan20092211.jpg) Tandin and Dennis resting after the climb |
![Dennis leaning against one of the small stupa shaped decorations](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469160.XBocO86L.Bhutan20092215.jpg) Dennis leaning against one of the small stupa shaped decorations |
![Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469163.aAZPDszn.Bhutan20092223.jpg) Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten |
![Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469164.gNKUMQCP.Bhutan20092224.jpg) Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten |
![The bus of a larger group at the Zangto Pelri Hotel, Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469168.cV1763jZ.Bhutan20092241.jpg) The bus of a larger group at the Zangto Pelri Hotel, Punakha |
![BTCL - Bhutan Tourism Corporation Ltd](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469167.b7ARtsqa.Bhutan20092237.jpg) BTCL - Bhutan Tourism Corporation Ltd |
![Map of Bhutan depicting the 20 regions of the country and their principle Dzongs](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469165.0CqPPiaQ.Bhutan20092233.jpg) Map of Bhutan depicting the 20 regions of the country and their principle Dzongs |
![Another view of the rice terraces from the Zangto Pelri Hotel](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469169.DrK8QGla.Bhutan20092245.jpg) Another view of the rice terraces from the Zangto Pelri Hotel |
![View from the Zangto Pelri Hotel, Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469170.XUeMytZy.Bhutan20092246.jpg) View from the Zangto Pelri Hotel, Punakha |
![Rice terraces, Zangto Pelri Hotel, Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469171.hUiXfcSO.Bhutan20092250.jpg) Rice terraces, Zangto Pelri Hotel, Punakha |
![The modern town of Khuruthang, Bhutan](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469172.U49QW6DP.Bhutan20092256.jpg) The modern town of Khuruthang, Bhutan |
![Khuruthang, Bhutan, the modern town serving Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469173.k79ZQbZY.Bhutan20092257.jpg) Khuruthang, Bhutan, the modern town serving Punakha |
![Market Day - Khuruthang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469178.6E7JvJaD.Bhutan20092267.jpg) Market Day - Khuruthang |
![Market Day - Khuruthang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469176.nUeTJSWw.Bhutan20092264.jpg) Market Day - Khuruthang |
![Bag of chili powder, Khuruthang Market](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469174.w3y0xKoo.Bhutan20092259.jpg) Bag of chili powder, Khuruthang Market |
![Garlic and green bananas, Khuruthang Market](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469175.gQSPPqSX.Bhutan20092261.jpg) Garlic and green bananas, Khuruthang Market |
![Khuruthang Market](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469179.6TWGd641.Bhutan20092268.jpg) Khuruthang Market |
![Indian man shopping for vegetables, Khuruthang Market](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469180.LEqbXWya.Bhutan20092269.jpg) Indian man shopping for vegetables, Khuruthang Market |
![Khuruthang Market](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469181.cQ56XzpC.Bhutan20092272.jpg) Khuruthang Market |
![A simple scale for weighing the chilis](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469182.DyXLZKFs.Bhutan20092275.jpg) A simple scale for weighing the chilis |
![Khuruthang Market](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469183.y8YTmT0X.Bhutan20092276.jpg) Khuruthang Market |
![A smile from a market hawker in Khuruthang](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469184.vlwvurT2.Bhutan20092281.jpg) A smile from a market hawker in Khuruthang |
![Like elsewhere in the country, the people here wear the traditional clothing of Bhutan](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469185.xM2BAJ0c.Bhutan20092283.jpg) Like elsewhere in the country, the people here wear the traditional clothing of Bhutan |
![Khuruthang Market](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469186.t3KGGplX.Bhutan20092285.jpg) Khuruthang Market |
![Khuruthang Market](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469187.JbqhBbiQ.Bhutan20092286.jpg) Khuruthang Market |
![A smile and a chuckle](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469188.OnGLT8tQ.Bhutan20092287.jpg) A smile and a chuckle |
![Red onions and potatoes, Khuruthang Market](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469190.XCsfFj8V.Bhutan20092291.jpg) Red onions and potatoes, Khuruthang Market |
![Khuruthang Market](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469191.rjORoMMb.Bhutan20092292.jpg) Khuruthang Market |
![Dennis tries his bargaining skills, Khuruthang Market](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469192.4mhioV09.Bhutan20092293.jpg) Dennis tries his bargaining skills, Khuruthang Market |
![Rice terraces and simple adobe houses near Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469193.LXrYWHHB.Bhutan20092305.jpg) Rice terraces and simple adobe houses near Punakha |
![A small heard of cows on the road near Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469194.tbDMk4jm.Bhutan20092312.jpg) A small heard of cows on the road near Punakha |
![A village temple near Punakha](https://a4.pbase.com/o2/93/329493/1/120469195.280YUAGw.Bhutan20092315.jpg) A village temple near Punakha |