Enclosed by pristine and mighty mountains, the Soe villages are situated northwest of Thimphu. This is a linear settlement with houses built along the banks of the Pachu River. Yak rearing is the main occupation of the local people who are experts in the making of different products from yak milk and meat. The processes employed by those highlanders are very distinct from the ones employed in the low altitudes. Among the local products are dried cheese (chugor), butter, whey (the liquid by-product after the cheese making), chim (the curd), oes (a by-product in liquid form that remains after the butter has been extracted) and so forth. A few of these products are slowly disappearing from the local cultural repertoire. Such is the case with zote, which is a matured cheese making, and gew, a leather bag.