Phuentsholing (300m / 985ft) : The gateway to the south, this town is a thriving commercial center on the northern edge of the Indian plains. Situated directly at the base of the Himalayan foothills, Phuentsholing is a fascinating mixture of Indian a Bhutanese, a perfect example of the mingling of peoples and cultures. Bering a border town, Phuentsholing is a convenient entry / exit point for visiting Bhutan and also the neighboring Indian states of West Bengal, Sikkim and Assam.

Paro (2,200m / 7,218ft) : This beautiful valley encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries, the country's only airport, and the National Museum. Mt. Chomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley. Its glacial waters plunge through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro River). The valley contains a wealth of attractions and requires a few days to be properly explored. The elegant and perfectly symmetrical Rinpung Dzong looks after the religious and secular activities in the valley. Behind Rinpung Dzong, on a high hillside is the castle shaped Ta Dzong - a watch tower built in 1651 to defend Bhutan from Tibetan invasions. This Dzong houses the National Museum since 1967.

Thimphu (2,400m / 7,875ft) : The capital city of Thimpu lies in the broad fertile valley of the Wang Chu river at an altitude of 7,500 ft. Once a rustic village, Thimpu today has a population of over 34,000 people. At the entrance to the valley, seven kilometers from the capital, on a breezy hill top rises Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan's most ancient fortress. Built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1627, it was the country's first official centre of social and religious education. A striking example of the preservation of ancient skill in Bhutan is Tashichho Dzong (" Fortress of the Glorious Religion"), standing in the valley along side the river bank, surrounded by groves of fresh young willows and poplars and an ornamental garden of roses.

Another landmark that rises above the shingles and more recently constructed green-weathered roofs of Thimpu, is the gold topped Stupa built in memory of the Late King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, popularly known as the Father of modern Bhutan.

Punakha (1,300m / 4,265ft) : Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (chief Abbot). Blessed with a temperate climate and fed by the Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. There are splendid views from Dochu -la pass (3,088m/ 10,130ft) on the Thimphu - Punakha road.

Punakha Dzong is home to the Central Monk Body and the Je Khenpo (the spiritual leader) during the winter months. Punakha's climate and warm temperature makes the valley one of the most fertile in Bhutan. Chime Lhakhang located on a hillock among the rice fields is picturesque and is a pilgrimage site for childless couples. The temple is associated with the famous saint Drukpa Kuenlay who has built a Chorten on the site.

Punakha served as a capital of Bhutan till 1955. In spite of four catastrophic fires and an earthquake that destroyed many historical documents, Punakha Dzong houses sacred artifacts and the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong is one of the most spectacular dzongs in the country situated at the confluence of two rivers.

Bumthang (2,600 - 4,500m / 8530ft - 14765ft) : This lovely valley is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of its oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Tales of Guru Padmasambhava and the tertons ('religious treasure discoverers') still linger in this sacred region. Many visitors have described this valley to be the spiritual heartland of Bhutan. Bumthang encompasses four major valleys Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor (also known as Bumthang valley).

Composed of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Apart from the Dzong at Jakar smaller monasteries are situated all over the valley. Tales of Guru Padma Sambhava dominate these holy shrines. The valley is home to the sacred Jampa and Kurjey monasteries. Bumthang is also the traditional home to the great Buddhist teacher Pema Lingpa to whom, the present monarchy traces it ancestral lineage. The town of Jakar is the largest between Thimphu in the west and Trashigang in the east. Jakar is famous for its honey, cheese, apples and apricots. Bumthang is also famous for yathra which is a unique material woven from coarse sheep wool, intricately designed and colored to form breathtaking patterns. Bumthang Tsechu (festival) along with the Paro and Thimphu Tsechu are the most popular festivals in Bhutan.

Wangdue Phodrang : This is the last town on the highway before entering Central Bhutan. Sitting on the top of a hill the formidable Dzong is the town's most visible features. In the 17th century Wangdue played a critical role in unifying western, central and southern Bhutan. The town itself is little more than an enlarged village with well-provided shops and hotels.

The road from Wangdue to Trongsa is one of the prettiest in Bhutan passing streams, forests and villages before climbing the Pelela Pass on the Black Mountain ranges in to the Trongsa valley. South of the highway is the Gangtey Gompa an old monastery dating from the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa is the village of Phobjikha - one of the winter homes of the Black Necked Cranes who migrate to Bhutan from Central Asia to pass the winters in lower climes.

Samdrup Jongkhar (280m. / 920 ft) : The road from Tashingang to Samdrup Jongkhar, completed in the 1960s, enables the eastern half of the country to access and benefit from trade with the south as well as across the Indian border. Samdrup Jongkhar is a convenient exit town for tourists who have arranged to visit the neighboring Indian state of Assam.

Dechenphu Lhakhang : To reach Dechenphu Lhakhang involves a short climb up a stone staircase to an elevation of about 2660m (8725ft). The imposing tall, red goenkhang (chapel) is dedicated to the powerful deity Gyenyen and is said to be able to supply weaponry for an endless number of soldiers. Many of the paintings in the adjoining goemba (Buddhist monastery) have been restored.