10-Day Central Bhutan Tour: Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang
Beyond the western valleys to Phobjikha's glacial valley and the temples of Bumthang, Bhutan's spiritual heartland, with Tiger's Nest to finish.
USD 2,700
Bumthang
Four high valleys in central Bhutan, home to some of the kingdom's oldest temples and to sites linked with Guru Rinpoche and Pema Lingpa.
Overview
Bumthang is often called Bhutan’s spiritual heartland. Its four valleys, Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume, hold temples founded in the earliest days of Buddhism in the country, and many of the places connected with Guru Rinpoche and the treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa.
The valleys are wide and high, with buckwheat fields, apple orchards and villages of large wooden houses. It is a place to slow down, walk between temples and stay a few days.
Places to visit in Bumthang
- Jambay Lhakhang
- One of the oldest temples in Bhutan, traditionally linked to the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, and the setting for the Jambay Lhakhang Drup.
- Kurjey Lhakhang
- A temple complex built around a rock where Guru Rinpoche is said to have left the imprint of his body.
- Tamshing Lhakhang
- A temple founded by Pema Lingpa, known for its old wall paintings.
- Jakar Dzong
- A fortress on the ridge above Jakar town.
- Mebar Tsho
- The Burning Lake: a deep pool in the Tang river where Pema Lingpa is said to have found sacred treasures.
Things to do in Bumthang
- Visit Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang
- See Jakar Dzong above the town
- Walk to Mebar Tsho, the Burning Lake, in the Tang valley
- Visit a village in the Ura valley
- Taste local buckwheat dishes, cheese and honey
Journeys that visit Bumthang
13-Day Bhutan West to East Tour: Paro to Samdrup Jongkhar
The whole country in one journey: from Paro and Tiger's Nest through Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang to the dzongs, temples and weaving villages of eastern Bhutan, leaving by road into India.
USD 3,600
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. Well-known festivals include the Jambay Lhakhang Drup in autumn and the Kurjey Tshechu in summer. Winters are very cold.
How to get there
Bumthang is reached by road from Trongsa over the Yotong La. From western Bhutan it is usually a two-day drive, with a night in Phobjikha or Trongsa.
Food in Bumthang
Bumthang is known for dishes made from buckwheat, such as puta noodles and khuli pancakes, and for local cheese, honey and apples.
Travel tips
- Pack warm clothes: nights are cold for much of the year
- Allow at least two full days to see the main valleys without rushing
Festivals in Bumthang
- Tharpaling Thongdrol
- Tangsibi Mani
- Domkhar Tshechu
- Ura Yakchoe
- Nimalung Tshechu
- Kurjey Tshechu
- Tour of the Dragon
- Tamshing Phala Chhoepa
- Thangbi Mewang
- Jakar Tshechu
- Jambay Lhakhang Drup
- Prakhar Duchhoed
Experiences
Hot Stone Bath
Bhutan's traditional farmhouse bath: river stones heated in a fire and lowered into a wooden tub of water and wild herbs.
Homestays
A night with a Bhutanese family in a village farmhouse, sharing their meals, their fire and their daily routine.
Bhutanese Food
Chillies as a vegetable, cheese in almost everything, red rice and butter tea: a guide to what you will eat in Bhutan and what to try.
Buddhist Heritage
Monasteries, temples and fortress-monasteries shaped by more than twelve centuries of Buddhism, and still at the heart of daily life.
More in Central Bhutan
Plan a journey that includes Bumthang
Tell us your dates and interests. We will suggest a route and how many days to spend in each valley.