Bumthang Cultural Trek

Total Duration: 10 Days – 9 Nights | Trek Days : 3 Days – 2 Nights

Difficulty: Moderate

Highest Altitude: 2900 Meters

Best Seasons: Spring or Autumn

Bumthang is often known as the ‘Land of Gods’ in Bhutan. There are plenty of ancient temples and holy places to visit in Bumthang. Bumthang is also popular among the Bhutanese for being ‘little Switzerland’ due to its topography and also due to the fact that a factory is set up in the valley for the production of Swiss cheese . The factory was set up by a Swiss who got married to a Bhutanese woman and settled down in Bumthang.

Bumthang has plenty of ancient Buddhist temples such as jambay lhakhang , kurje lhakhang. Bumthang also has a lot of sacred and holy places such as the mebartsho (the burning lake). Legend has it that teerton pema lingpa(the famous treasure discoverer) had discovered centuries old treasure from this lake. This trek around the valley is a fairly easy three-day trek that takes you through beautiful valleys and along clear, trout-filled rivers.

In addition to the numerous lhakhangs(lhakhang(Tibetan) is a God-house, a temple or image hall, a crypt, especially a subterranean temple) there are also a number of small villages where you can stop and rest. The only segment of the trek that may prove challenging is a 500m ascent to Pephe La(pass) . The best time to embark on this trek is in spring or autumn. In the spring season Bumthang valley lights up with bright sunshine after many months of long hibernation in the winter. The valley lights up with fresh blooming flowers everywhere, clear blue sky and warm sun rising from the melting glaciers. Spring is still very chilling in Bumthang, travellers are advised to carry enough warm cloths along in the trek.

Autumn is the season where the maximum festivals are held in Bumthang . it draws people from every walk of life to have a religious gat away. Festival such as kerje lhakang tshechu , jambay lhakhang tshehus are very famous in Bumthang.

Day 1:  Arrival in Paro.

Our representative will be there at the airport to receive you and transfer you to the hotel.

• Visit the nearby Ta Dzong (the national museum), and Rinpung Dzong.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Paro.  Food and accommodation will be arranged as per your reservations.

Day 2:  Paro (sightseeing) To Thimphu.

After breakfast:

• Take a hike to the Paro Taktshang (tiger’s nest), the most visited tourist destination in Bhutan.

After lunch,

• Drive towards Thimphu.

Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3:  Thimphu sightseeing.

After breakfast, visit

• KuenselPhodrang, where the largest statue of sitting Buddha is located overlooking the capital city of Thimphu. It will give you a panoramic view of the entire stretch of the city.
• Visit the Takin preservation center in Motithang, on the way to Motithang visit Changgangkha Lhakhang.

After lunch, visit

• Thimphu Memorial Chorten and Centenary Park.
• Before dinner you are also welcome to explore some of the most famous tourist cafes around Thimphu.

Check into the hotel and rest for the day.

Day 4: Thimphu to Bumthang.

After breakfast, drive towards Bumthang, on the way to Bumthang visit:

• Chendebji Chorten in Trongsa.
• Halt in Pelela Pass for Photography.

Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Bumthang.

Day 5: Toktu Zampa to Ngang Lhakhang – Trek Day 1 .

After breakfast, drive to Toktu Zampa, the starting point of your trek. From here we begin out trekking journey.

• .The route follows the Chamkhar Chu, a river alongside the town of Chamkhar, known for trout and stops for lunch at Thangbi Lhakhang.
• From here the trek enters the “Ngang –Yul” (Land of the Swan) at the centre of which lies the Ngang Lhakhang (Swan Temple). The valley was once populated by swans, and hence the name Ngang -Yul.

Lunch will be served along the way. Dinner and overnight stay in Camp.

Day 6: Ngang Lhakhang to Tahung – Trek Day 2 .

After breakfast, you will begin the day by crossing verdant meadows and with a beautiful view of the valley below.

• Then you climb gradually to Phephe-La (3,360 meters), the highest point of the trek route. The trail passes through beautiful forested areas where many stops can be made to enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings. The path leads you downhill into a broad valley. Amongst several possible camping sites the most likely one is uphill behind the village of Tahung.

Lunch will be served along the way. Dinner and overnight stay in Camp.

Day 7:  Tahung to Mesithang – Trek Day 3.

After breakfast:

• Follow the trails of Tang Chu, situated along the Tang valley. On the bank of the river is the Tang Rinpoche’s Lhakhang. The trek will pass the Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake) and lead you to Tang Ugyencholing.
• Ugyencholing Palace houses the only privately owned museum in Bhutan and has all manner of traditional artefacts on display.
• From here you will soon reach the road head. At this spot your trek will come to an end and your transportation will be awaiting you to drop you off till the hotel.

Dinner and overnight halt in hotel in Bumthang.

Day 8: Bumthang to Phobjikha.

After breakfast , begin your journey towards Phobjikha. After the day long journey, arrive in Phobjikha and check into a hotel and retreat for the day.

Day 9: Phobjikha to Paro.

• After an early breakfast, explore the valley of the black necked cranes. Get ready to capture the most scenic photographs of this journey.
• Visit Gangtey – another place guaranteed to amaze your mind, and the black necked crane information center.
• After lunch, drive towards Paro.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel in Paro.

Day 10: Departures from Paro.

After breakfast, drive to Airport for Departure.