8:30 AM: Start from Khuruthang vegetable market and drive towards Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Stupa

8:50 AM: Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Stupa. The choeten was built with the sponsorship of her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck between 1992 and 1999. Its 2 hours roundtrip hike.

11 AM: Visit to majestic Punakha dzong. The dzong is situated on a stretch of a land where two rivers – Phochu and Mochu – meet. It was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal; the founder of Bhutan in the year 1937 and named it Pungthang Dewa Chenpai Phodrang, the palace of great bliss. Later it became the final retreat palace for him. The first monarch, King Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned there and it served as the capital of the country until 1955. Today it serves as the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body.

12 Noon: Lunch.

1 PM: Visit to Khemae Lhakhang. Located on a hillock in Lobesa, the temple was built in 1499 by Lam Ngawang Chogyal, the cousin of Lam Drukpa Kunley, on the spot where the latter subdued a demon who was running away in the form of a dog. Lam Drukpa Kunley buried the demon and said there was no dog now (khei – dog; mae – no). Hence, the temple came to be known as the “temple of no dog”. The temple contains the bow and arrows of Lam Drukpa Kunley and a phallus to bless the visitor.

3 PM: Departure from Khuruthang vegetable market.