Dochula Pass Bhutan Guide: 108 Chortens, Views and Weather

Dochula Pass, roughly an hour's drive from Thimphu on the road to Punakha, is one of Bhutan's most recognisable stops — a mountain pass lined with 108 memorial chortens (stupas) and, on a clear day, sweeping views of the eastern Himalayas.

The 108 chortens Known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens, these were built in the mid-2000s to honour Bhutanese soldiers and commemorate a period of peace in the kingdom's history — their number, 108, holds significance in Buddhist tradition.

The views — and when you'll actually see them Dochula's mountain views depend heavily on weather and season; the clearest Himalayan views typically come in the cooler, drier months (roughly October to February), while cloud cover can obscure the peaks entirely at other times of year. Treat a clear view as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

Dochula Resort and the cafe stop Most itineraries build in a stop at the pass's cafe for tea and a walk among the chortens, and some travellers extend this into an overnight at the nearby Dochula Resort for sunrise views over the Himalayan range.

Best time to visit October to February offers the best combination of clear skies and comfortable temperatures at this altitude; the pass itself sits around 3,100 metres, so a jacket is worth carrying even in Bhutan's milder months.

How Dochula fits a Bhutan itinerary Dochula Pass is a natural stop between Thimphu and Punakha on almost any Bhutan circuit. Our Bhutan — Phuentsholing, Thimphu & Paro package includes Dochula Pass alongside Punakha Dzong, Thimphu's memorial chorten and Paro's Tiger's Nest viewpoint over a 7-day circuit — see the package page for the full itinerary.