Bhutan Photo Tour: Punakha to Trongsa

After breakfast, we left for the long, yet stunning, drive to Trongsa, making numerous stops to photograph farmers working the rice fields and panoramic scenes of the rice terraces. From the Pele La Pass (10,825 ft.) we get our first glimpse of the Black Mountains. As we descended the pass we drove down through rhododendrons and ferns to reach Chendebji village. This was a night halt for mule caravans traveling from Trongsa during the reign of the 2nd King of Bhutan. Just below Chendebji village is the Chendebji chorten, a large white structure beside a stream. This chorten is modeled after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu and was built in the 19th century. An hour away from Trongsa we made our first sighting of the crimson-roofed Trongsa Dzong, with the Mangdechu river cascading in one continuous waterfall down through the valley beneath. Trongsa Dzong represents Bhutan’s link with its historical monarchy since it is the ancestral home of the first king of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuk. Trongsa Dzong represents the very best opportunity to capture the true essence of Bhutanese monastic and parliamentary architecture.

Dean works a shot of prayer flags at Pele La Pass (10,825 ft.)

Andrew composes a shot of a roadside waterfall in the black mountains area

Donkey dzong