Overview
Dochula Pass, at about 3,100 m on the road between Thimphu and Punakha, is the best-known viewpoint on Bhutan's main east–west road. The 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens, built at the order of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to honour Bhutanese soldiers who died in the conflict of December 2003, were completed in 2004 and frame views across the eastern Himalaya on clear days.
Peaks including Masang Kang (7,194 m) and Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m), Bhutan's highest mountain, can be seen from the pass on the clearest days, mostly in the cooler months. Below the pass, the road descends to the warm Punakha valley, where Punakha Dzong stands at the meeting of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.
Highlights
- The 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens, with prayer flags and mountain views
- Clear-day views of the eastern Himalaya, including Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m)
- Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 where two rivers meet
- Chimi Lhakhang, a temple reached by a short walk through rice fields, and the Punakha suspension bridge
Best time to visit
October to March are the best months for views from the pass, with the clearest skies after the monsoon, though mornings are very cold. March and April bring rhododendron blossom on the upper slopes, and the Punakha valley is warm in winter. Summer monsoon cloud often hides the peaks. The Druk Wangyal Festival takes place at the pass on 13 December each year.
- JanJanuary: Not ideal
- FebFebruary: Good
- MarMarch: Best
- AprApril: Best
- MayMay: Good
- JunJune: Not ideal
- JulJuly: Not ideal
- AugAugust: Not ideal
- SepSeptember: Good
- OctOctober: Best
- NovNovember: Best
- DecDecember: Good
● Best · ○ Good · blank: not ideal. Conditions vary by year, so check local forecasts and access before you go.
Getting there
Fly to Paro (PBH). Thimphu, the capital, is roughly an hour from the airport by road, and Dochula Pass lies about 30 km beyond Thimphu on the road to Punakha. Punakha is another one to two hours further, down into a warmer valley. Most visitors travel with a driver and guide arranged through a tour operator; check bhutan.travel for current visa, fee and guide requirements.
What to expect
Easy: a roadside stop with a short walk among the chortens, and a café and temple at the pass. The road is winding and can be foggy. Allow a morning at the pass and a half day in Punakha. The pass is cool even in summer, and the valley below is warm.
Practical tips
- Stop on the way up from Thimphu, ideally in the morning, for the clearest views.
- Bring a warm jacket: the pass is windy and cold, even when the valley is mild.
- Walk clockwise around chortens and prayer wheels, as Bhutanese Buddhists do.
- Check road conditions in winter and during the monsoon; fog, landslides and snow can delay journeys.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see Mount Everest from Dochula Pass?
No. The peaks visible from Dochula are in Bhutan's eastern Himalaya, including Gangkhar Puensum. Everest is much farther away.
Who built the 108 chortens at Dochula?
They were commissioned by Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to honour soldiers who died in the conflict of December 2003, and were finished in 2004.
When is the best time to visit Punakha?
Spring and autumn are the most popular seasons, and winter is mild in the valley. Check festival dates, which can bring crowds.
Official sources
Rules, fees, permits and conditions change. Check the official pages below before you travel.
- Bhutan Travel, the official tourism website
- Bhutan visa information
- UK government travel advice: Bhutan
Last reviewed October 2026. Details are for planning only and can change; confirm access, permits and conditions with official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us. Photography: Rama Krushna Behera on Unsplash.
