BUMTHANG CULTURAL TREK
The Bumthang Tang Valley Trek, an excellent three-day introductory trek in Bumthang, offers trekkers a journey through stunning scenery and an impressive landscape characterized by scattered rural villages, remote and isolated monasteries, and mountain passes adorned with beautiful prayer flags. The wide and scenic valley of Bumthang, located in the central heart of Bhutan, is home to some of the Kingdom’s most ancient and precious Buddhist sites, making it one of the most visited and attractive destinations for travelers. The trek not only provides breathtaking natural beauty but also a deep immersion into Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage, with the highest concentration of ancient historical temples and monasteries. As trekkers navigate through this enchanting region, they will encounter the local people, renowned across the kingdom for their exceptional weaving skills, particularly for creating Yathra. These traditional textiles, hand spun from yak hair and sheep wool, are woven on trestle looms into vibrant palettes of colors and patterns, reflecting the region’s artistic heritage. The Bumthang Tang Valley Trek thus offers a holistic experience, blending natural splendor with cultural richness, allowing trekkers to explore remote spiritual sites, witness the craftsmanship of local artisans, and immerse themselves in the serene beauty of one of Bhutan’s most cherished regions.
Trip Details
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through northern Bhutan’s mountainous wonders, where lush forests, majestic glaciers, and pristine lakes await. Trek the renowned Bumthang Cultural Trek route, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and immerse yourself in Bhutan’s rich biodiversity and vibrant culture, making memories to last a lifetime.
Duration
12 Days 11 Nights
Group Size
Minimum 03 Members
Trip Type
Adventure, Nature, Landscaping, Trekking and Culture Trip
Include
The tour prices cover a multitude of benefits, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. Included are accommodations in premium hotels, ensuring comfort and luxury throughout your stay. Transportation is provided for the entire itinerary, allowing you to travel with ease and convenience. Meals featuring authentic local cuisine are included, giving you a taste of the region’s culinary delights. Additionally, entrance fees to select sites are covered, eliminating the hassle of purchasing tickets. The expertise of knowledgeable guides is also provided, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of each location you visit. This comprehensive package ensures a worry-free and memorable journey.
- Rate inclusive of all three meals both local and continental healthy cuisine.
- Rate inclusive of all accommodation [three-star hotels with double/twin sharing basis]
- Rate inclusive of air-conditioned tourist standard transportation.
- Rate inclusive of local tour English-speaking licensed guide on all your sightseeing tours.
- Rate inclusive of extensive choices of flexible comprehensive tour itineraries.
- Rate inclusive of Bhutan Government Royalty fees of $ 100 per person per nights.
- Rate inclusive of all entry fees, museum fees and historical attraction fees.
- Rate inclusive of all applicable taxes – BST 10%, Service Charge 10%
- Rate inclusive of one-time visa fee of USD 40.
- Rate inclusive of airport arrival and departure transfer in Bhutan.
- Rate inclusive of arrival refreshments.
- Rate inclusive of one bottle mineral water each a day.
- Rate inclusive of a small farewell gift on the day of departure.
- Rate inclusive of one-time cultural program for group exceedingly above 7 members.
- Rate inclusive of support team consists of qualified guide, cook, and several assistants.
- Rate inclusive of ponies and yaks used on trek are accompanied by their owners.
- Rate inclusive of dinning tent, toilet tent, dome or A-frame sleeping tent (twin-sharing), mattress, foldable tables & chairs, plates & washing bowl.
- Rate inclusive of basic First Aid kit box.
Exclude
Regrettably, certain elements are not encompassed in our Bhutan packages, necessitating clients to cover additional expenses independently. These include international airfare, which clients need to arrange on their own, and travel insurance, which is essential for covering any unforeseen incidents. Personal expenditures such as souvenirs, extra meals, and other incidental costs are also not included. Additionally, entrance fees to specific attractions are not covered, requiring clients to pay these separately. Clients must ensure they are prepared to bear these costs beyond the package provisions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
- Rate does not include incoming & outgoing Bhutan airfares and airport taxes.
- Rate does not include drinks and alcohols and non- alcoholic beverage.
- Rate does not include guides speaking language other than English.
- Rate does not include expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, potter, telephone/fax calls, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, any insurance etc
- Rate does not include extra expenses or loss due to nature and un-foreseen events beyond the control of our management.
- Rate does not include any service outside Bhutan.
- Rate does not include onetime bank transfer charge of USD 45.
- Rate does not include tipping to guide, driver etc.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Journey where sacred and sublime seamlessly intertwine, immersing you in its rich cultural tapestry and breathtaking natural landscapes.
Distance: 65Kms
Time: 01Hrs
Elevation: 2250m
Today at your arrival, you will be welcomed by our local tour
representative at the Paro International Airport and transfer you to Thimphu
the capital city. In Thimphu visit the impressive Memorial Chorten (stupa)
built in memory of the third king of Bhutan in 1974. This stupa is visited by
people from all walks of lives and is one of the most public religious places
in the country. From here take the road to Changangkha Lhakhang which is
considered to be one of the oldest temples in Thimphu and was built in twelve centuries.
From the temple drive to visit the Trashichhoe Dzong, which is your last stop
of the day. It usually opens to the visitors after five pm in the evening. This
giant impressive fortress is locally known as the “fortress of the glorious
religion”.
Distance: 77Kms
Time: 02Hrs
Elevation: 1350m
Punakha lies at an altitude of 1,300m and served as the old capital of
Bhutan until 1955. Today it serves as the winter capital of the monastic body
and has a temperate climate with rich fertile valley fed by Pho Chhu (Male
River) and Mo Chhu (Female River). The drive takes you via Dochu La Pass
(10150ft/3100m). The top of the pass is one of the finest and most beautiful passes
surrounded by one hundred and eight stupas built by the elder Queen Mother in
2004. If the weather is clear the pass offers you with a beautiful panoramic
view of the great Himalayan Mountains. From the pass your drive to Punakha is
all downhill through twist and turns passing various settlements on different
landscape and finally drops down to Punakha at an altitude of 4430ft/1351m.
Distance: 194Kms
Time: 06Hrs
Elevation: 2600m
The fascinating drive to Bumthang takes you through interlocking
valleys and mountain passes which is the all-time beauty. The drive takes you
through mixed forest, changing altitude, serpentine roads with diverse sight
and sound. You will pass through traditional agrarian village and people
leaving between Trongsa and Wangdue that still practice seasonal migration.
Since from the inception of monarchy until present, Trongsa is a place where
the attempt of unifying the country were launched and has been a significant
seat of successive monarchs of Bhutan till today. Having taken in the sights of
Trongsa the road leads you to Bumthang crossing Yotong La Pass at an altitude
of 8850ft/3354m. Your destination Jakar lies at an altitude of a cool
8450ft/2576m, which is only 9 km from Keki La.
Elevation: 2600m
This beautiful countryside of Bumthang the spiritual heartland of
Bhutan offers an endless opportunity to experience and explore the cultural and
religious diversity of Bhutan. Visit Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang and
Tamshing Lhakhang which takes only half an hour through crossing the suspension
bridge over Chamkhar Chhu (river). The local people believe that while he was
building the temple he was assisted by the Khandrum(who are female celestial
being). Beside the myriads of other Buddhist temples and monasteries, the
legendary valley of Bumthang with its wide-open landscape offers a unique
insight to the travelers. Your other optional sight to see in Bumthang includes
– Jakar Dzong overlooking the valley, Mebar Tsho (the mythical burning lake)
and later stroll around the town of Jakar.
Distance: 12Kms
Time: 04Hrs
Campsite Elevation: 2800m
Your cultural Tang Valley Trek begins with following the route of
Chamkhar Chhu, the main river that flows through the middle of the valley and
is known for the trout. The trail takes you through the scenic wooden forest of
pines and beautiful valleys surrounded by golden roofed temples. As you
continue through the valley, you will reach Thangbi Lhakhang that offers a good
spot for lunch. From here your trek enters the Ngang Yul (the land of the swan)
and at the centre lies the temple of Ngang Lhakhang. This valley was once
popular for the swans. Your campsite is located at an altitude of 2800.
Distance: 16Kms
Time: 06Hrs
Campsite Elevation: 2720m
Hiking through scenic wooden forested trails, passing traditional
farmhouse and hamlets your day takes you through crossing the beautiful verdant
meadows and surpassing valley view below. Your trail takes you through a bit
ascent climbing up gradually to Phephe La Pass, which lies at an altitude of
3360m, and is the only highest pass on this trek route. Reaching the top enjoy
the scenic landscape and from there the trail finally descent downhill passing
through wooden froest trail where you will enjoy making numerous stops enjoying
the natural beauty of the surrounding. The trail takes you through a broad
valley you will finally land up to Tahung where you will have your camp set up,
there are several possible campsites but the best we recommend with short
uphill behind the village of Tahung.
Distance: 16Kms
Time: 05Hrs
Elevation: 2100m
Today following the Tang Chhu (river) which is also known for trout
filled river your trails take you through the Tang Rinpoche’s Monastery and
pass the Member Tsho (the mythical burning lake) and finally lead you to the
sixteen century Ugyen Choeling Palace which was restored in nineteenth century.
Today this privately owned house has been turned into a museum depicting the
life of Bhutanese nobility and serve as a retreat for those engaged in
religious studies. The museum also offers all kind of traditional artifacts.
After you visit to the museum, walk downhill and soon you will reach the main road
where your car and driver will collect you and drive to Jakar for your night
halt accommodation in the hotel.
Distance: 129Kms
Time: 04Hrs
Elevation: 2800m
Your journey turns back the same routes via Trongsa, just after
reaching the Lawala Pass at 10800ft/3293m you will gradually descent into the
glacier valley of Phobjikha Valley, which is known for the migratory
Black-Necked Crane that makes the valley a winter home for the migratory bird.
Rest day at leisure.
Elevation: 2800m
Today you will have an optional hiking program in Phobjikha. Choose any of the following hiking trails that fit your fancy.
Longtey Trail: This is one of the picturesque hikes in Phobjikha. The trail takes you through small village of Longtey and yak herder’s camps and finally reached the ridge with beautiful valley view of Phobjikha valley and the Gangtay Gompa Monastery which is a small promontory Gompa overlooking the lush green valley that lies at an altitude of 2800m.
Gangtay Trail: This is one of the beautiful leisurely hikes that take hikers up from the Gangtay Gompa at an altitude of 2800m down through the pine trees, farmlands and beautiful settlement. The trail provides an insight in the village life and offers a great view of the valley. If you are here in the month of October until mid-March, the migrant Black-Necked Crane will be spotted.
Distance: 207Kms
Time: 05Hrs
Elevation: 2250m
Today your drive takes you via Wangdue and Thimphu to Paro with the glimpses of the daily life in Bhutan and finally lands in the enchanting Paro valley. Rest day at your leisure.
Distance: 3Kms
Time: 04Hrs
Elevation: 3140m
Your day highlight of Paro takes you to Taktshang Gompa – We recommend making an early start. This famous Tiger’s Nest lies at an altitude of 3140m, perched cliff side. It is the meditation site of Guru Rinpoche who came to Bhutan in the eight centuries. Today it is considered the most sacred and important Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Himalayas with its stunning vistas and spectacular architecture against a backdrop of sheer granite cliff faces. This gentle hike for about three hours for an average walker gives you a panoramic view of the valley below. Following the trail back visit the historical Kyichu Lhakhang dated back to seventh century and is one of the oldest temples. Visit Paro Rinlung Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646 and now house both for the administration centre of the Paro district and central monastic body of Paro.
After your morning breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred to Paro airport for your onward journey.
BOOK THIS TRIP NOW
If you’re pleased with the itinerary, seize the opportunity and book now to revel in the divine beauty of Bhutan.