Khotokha - A Perfect Travel Destinations in India

Khotokha is a small yet beautiful valley in Wangduephodrang. The plains are too breathtaking to miss and the sacred sites of Khotokha drives people from all over Bhutan to visit this magical valley.

Must visit sights include Rinchenling is one of the 8 “lings ” of Kuenkhen Longchen and it is a full fledged Buddhist college with 300 plus monks. Dolung Goenzin Dratshang, associated with the famous Dolung Raksha (A mask dance) and founded by Khenchen Soena Yoezer. The name comes from a handled kettlelike stone artifact (*Do=Stone and Lung=handle). This beautifully sacred site is a spectacular place to be-You never get enough of it! Balue Goemba is yet another holy site in the midst of sacred Khotokha. It is the seat of Sey Gartoen, son of Phajo Drugom, and a key figure in spreading Drukpa Kajued in Wangdiphodrang.

The Lhakhang is associated with the “Statues from Tibet”. Legend has it that long time before, in the 1200s or so, the *ruebs of **Wachey Zhelngo were sent to Tibet. Upon receiving the ruebs, they’ve send down a golden statue in return. The end of receiving the golden statues came to an end when an unholy rueb was sent on one occasion. The certain Tibetans believed that the Wachey Zhelgno has become extinct then.

Dechen Draphu is one of the most sacred sites of Khotokha but rarely visited too, owing to the distance and difficult road. It’s Guru Rimpochhe’s Nye (sacred site) that has many miraculous stories associated with it. History narrates of Guru having meditated in the miraculously formed cave.

Apart from the numerous religious sites, Khotokha is known for the vast kateythang plains. The plain is grazing ground for the cattle of Bjena and Ruebi gewog. It was once proposed for an international airport but the project was shelved. A walk down the plain offers vast opportunities to connect with the green and all things beautiful.

How To Get There

By Air

The nearest international gateway to Khotokha is Paro International Airport, located approximately 170 km away. Paro receives regular international flights from selected cities across South Asia and Southeast Asia. From the airport, visitors travel by private vehicle through Thimphu and Wangdue Phodrang before continuing to Khotokha. The scenic drive takes around 6 to 7 hours, passing mountain passes, traditional villages, and beautiful Himalayan landscapes.

By Rail

Bhutan does not have a railway network, so travelers arriving by train can use nearby rail stations in India before continuing by road. Hasimara Railway Station, approximately 150 km from Khotokha, is the nearest convenient railhead, while New Jalpaiguri (NJP), around 240 km away, offers excellent connections with major Indian cities, including Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Mumbai. From either station, the journey continues by road via Phuentsholing, followed by a picturesque drive through Thimphu and Wangdue Phodrang to reach Khotokha.

By Road

Khotokha is well connected by Bhutan's well-maintained mountain roads and can be reached by private vehicle from Wangdue Phodrang, approximately 25 km away. The valley is also easily accessible from Punakha, Thimphu, Gangtey (Phobjikha Valley), and Paro, making it an excellent addition to a western Bhutan itinerary. The journey offers stunning views of forests, rivers, traditional villages, and the wide-open Khotokha Valley, making the drive as rewarding as the destination itself.