Dochula Pass, 108 chortens in the clouds
Dochula Pass is a 3,100 m mountain pass on the road between Thimphu and Punakha, about 45 minutes from the capital. It is crowned by the 108 Druk Wangyal chortens and, on clear days from October to February, offers a panorama of the eastern Himalayas, including Gangkhar Puensum, the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
- Altitude
- About 3,100 m
- From Thimphu
- About 45 minutes
- Best views
- Oct–Feb, early morning
- Time needed
- 30 min to 2 hours
About Dochula Pass
The 108 chortens were built by the Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, to honour Bhutanese soldiers who died in 2003 driving militants out of the south of the country. They stand in three tiers on a grassy knoll, hung with prayer flags.
Next to them is the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, a temple consecrated in 2008 whose murals mix Buddhist themes with scenes of modern Bhutan. Across the road, a small café looks out towards the mountains.
Visiting Dochula Pass
- 1
The 108 Druk Wangyal chortens
Walk among the chortens (always clockwise) for photographs framed by prayer flags and, if the cloud lifts, snow peaks.
- 2
The Himalayan panorama
On a clear day you can see a long line of peaks to the north, including Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m), Bhutan's highest mountain and the highest unclimbed peak on earth.
- 3
Druk Wangyal Lhakhang
A modern temple with unusual murals depicting the Fourth King and scenes from recent Bhutanese history alongside traditional deities.
- 4
Lungchutse hike
A two-to-three-hour hike from the pass through rhododendron forest to Lungchutse temple, with even wider mountain views. It's best in spring, when the rhododendrons bloom.
- 5
The Dochula festival
The Druk Wangyel Tshechu is held at the pass every 13 December, performed by the Royal Bhutan Army rather than monks.
Best time to visit Dochula Pass
For the mountain views, come between October and February, as early in the morning as you can. Clouds often build by late morning. Spring brings flowering rhododendrons and magnolias to the forest around the pass.
In the monsoon (June to August) the pass is usually wrapped in mist, which has its own atmosphere but rarely shows the peaks.
Month by month across the country: the best time to visit Bhutan.
Getting there and what to bring
Dochula is on the main road from Thimphu to Punakha, about 45 minutes from Thimphu. Nearly every trip heading east stops here. Plan at least half an hour, or longer if you want to hike.
It is cold and windy at 3,100 m even when the valleys are warm, so keep a jacket in the car.
Dochula Pass on the map
Tours that visit Dochula Pass
CulturalAuthentic Bhutan
Paro · Thimphu · Punakha · Phobjikha
$2,400pp
AdventureThe Bhutan Motorcycle Adventure
Paro · Chele La · Haa · Thimphu · Dochula · Punakha · Phobjikha · Paro
$2,760pp
WellnessCulture & Wellness
Paro · Punakha · Phobjikha
$2,880pp
CulturalWild Wild East
Paro · Bumthang · Trashigang · Sakteng
$5,200pp
Dochula Pass FAQs
Your questions, answered
Still wondering about something? Ask our Thimphu team directly. We're happy to help.
Ask us on WhatsAppAbout 3,100 m (roughly 10,200 ft) above sea level, on the road between Thimphu and Punakha.
They were built by Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in memory of the Bhutanese soldiers who died in the 2003 military operation against militants in southern Bhutan. 108 is a sacred number in Buddhism.
Yes, on clear days, most often from October to February, early in the morning. The view takes in a long chain of peaks including Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan's highest mountain.
About 25 km, or around 45 minutes by road. Punakha is a further two hours or so down the other side.
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