Bumthang Cultural Trek
13 days
12 nights
GRADE Easy
Bumthang
Bumthang Cultural Trek
Bumthang Cultural Trek (12 NIGHTS/13 DAYS)
The beautiful Bumthang valley has often been praised for having similar landscape to that of Switzerland. But apart from its spectacular landscape, it is significant as the religious heartland of the nation and houses the oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. The three days trek will take you through several villages as the route meanders through Bumthang countryside. This trek will bring you in direct contact with Bhutanese rural life.
Seasons: This trek is recommended from March to May and then again from September to November.
Day 1: Paro. 2250M.
The flight to Paro will offer a life time experience trip-you can see a spectacular sight of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan such as the Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsrim Gang. As plane enters the breathtaking scene of Paro Valley the first sight to greet you is the tiny Paro Airport. Our guide will meet you outside the exit gate and escort you to the hotel for check – in & Lunch.
After lunch, visit National Museum of Bhutan built in 1651 as watchtower for Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) but in 1968 it was converted to National Museum. The museum boasts of quite a collection of ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons, coins, stamps and a small natural history collection. Visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 1646 to defend Paro Valley from the Tibetan invaders. It now is the head quarters of Paro District and Paro’s monastic community. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 2: Paro sightseeing.
Full day of sight seeing in Paro. Hike or take a horse ride to the Taktsang Monastery viewpoint. Taktsang meaning “Tiger’s Nest” is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated and clings to a cliff at 3000 feet above the valley floor.
After lunch, visit the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders. It caught fire in 1951 and now preserved as historical site being renovated currently. If time permits, visit one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, Kyichu Lhakhang, built by first Kind of Tibet Songsten Gembo in the 7th century to spread Buddhism in Bhutan. Night halt in Paro.
Day 3: Paro - Thimphu. 65 KM. 2 Hours. Altitude: 2350 M.
Head to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take around less than 2 hours. On the way back, pause briefly to admire the oldest fortress in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong (built in 1627). Check in at the hotel. After lunch, visit the National Memorial stupa of the Third King, built in 1974, visit the Indigenous Hospital, where traditional medicine (outside only) is still practiced, and finally visit the Institute of Zorig Chusum (the Painting School), where students learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan, visit National Library which preserves ancient Buddhist literature and many ancient Buddhist texts in block-printed format. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 4: Thimphu Sightseeing.
After breakfast, visit to a viewpoint overlooking Thimphu, National animal of Bhutan (Takin), Dupthop Nunnery, Traditional Paper factory, Changangkha monastery, Folk heritage museum and Textile museum, visit Tashichhodzong, (“the fortress of the glorious religion”), houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 5: Thimphu – Trongsa. 205KM. 8 Hours. Altitude: 220 M.
Have an early breakfast drive to Trongsa via Dochu-la pass (3,088m). one can witness on a clear day the Bhutan’s highest peaks from (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) and Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Continue onwards to Wangduephodrang town, have a brief stop for lunch. On the way before reaching the town, one can see the towering fortress of Wandgdue Dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Then continue towards Tongsa via Pele-la pass (3,300m), the landmark between east and west. One will pass through the villages like Rukubji and Chendebji. Overnight at Tongsa.
Day 6: Trongsa - Bumthang. 68 KM. 3 Hours. Altitude: 2600M.
After breakfast, visit Tongsa Dzong overlooking the Mangdu-Chu river and is considered the most massive fortress in Bhutan, visit the ancestral abode of Bhutan’s royal family, and visit the Ta Dzong, which used to function as watchtower to guard Tongsa Dzong. Continue to Bumthang where one will pass Yotong la pass 3400m and is also the highest pass on your trip to Bhutan. After crossing the pass, one will descend to Chhumey valley and reach Jakar. The women in this valley are specialized in yathra weaving. Afternoon, visit the 17th century Jakar Dzong and then Kurje monastery, built in the 17th century to mark the place where Guru Padmasambhava had meditated in the 8th century, left his body imprint on the rock. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 7: Bumthang
Full day of sightseeing in Bumthang. Bumthang is spaciously located at altitude ranging from 2600m to 4000m. Bumthang dominates with the legendary folklore and air of mystical surround this place, about kings, ghosts, angels, Buddhist masters, serpents, etc Bumthang is considered as one of the hidden beyul (heavenly abode) blessed by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) –one can sense his presence in every nook and corner of this place. The Buddhist saint, the famous Terton Pema Lingpa (1450-1521) the treasure discoverer is believed to be Guru’s reincarnation-discovered many treasures and many sacred Buddhist texts & treasures hidden by Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche)-most famously recovered treasure from Membartsho (means the burning lake) in Bumthang.
Take a walk up to Tamshing monastery, built by the Terton Pema Lingpa, about 200 monks reside here. Visits to Wangdi Chholing Palace, Jambay Lhakhang (built in 7th Century) and Kurjey Lhakhang one of the oldest monastery in the Kingdom. All the Kings of Bhutan are taken for their cremation rites to Kurjee Monastery. Visit some more temples.
Day 8: Bumthang – Ngang Lhakhang 14km, 6 hours
The trek starts from today. The trek route follows the Chamkhar Chu (river), takes you through meadows, forests of blue pine, scrub bamboo, across many villages and temples. It is extremely very relaxing and easy day. Arrive at Ngang Lhakhang meaning ‘Land of Swans’. Overnight Camp at village (2,900m).
Day 9: Ngang Lhakhang – Ugyenchholing 19km, 7-8 hours
The trail ascends gradually leading you to a juniper forest then you reach Phephe-la pass (3,340m). The path descends onwards to Tang Valley finally you can view Ugyenchholing Palace (2,850m). Camp overnight at Ugyenchholing (9000m, distance 12 km, 3-4 hours).
Day 10: Ugyenchholing – Jakar (Bumthang) 11km, 4 hours
Brisk walk to Ugyenchholing Palace including visit to the surrounding village then drive to Jakar following the Tang Chu river till you reach the main road junction and on the way visit the MebarTsho meaning ‘Burning lake’ where the reincarnation of Guru Rinpoche, Terton Pema Lingpa is supposed to have retrieved religious treasures in the 12th century hidden by Guru Rinpoche. The lake is considered very sacred, and on auspicious days many Bhutanese people flock there to offer butter lamps. The site is famous Bhutanese pilgrimage. Overnight halt in Bumthang.
Day 11: Bumthang – Gangtey – Wangdue. 8Hours.
Drive to Gangtey Goemba located in small hillock in the midst of blue pine trees founded by the descendant of Pema Lingpa-the great Bhutanese saint from Bumthang in 16th century.
Towards the end of 17th century it was enlarged to its present state. The Monastery is headed by the 9th reincarnation called Gantey Trulku.
Further down, reach to Phobjikha valley which became a sanctuary park for the migratory bird the Black Necked Crane is the endangered species and every consecutive year from second week November to 1st week of April, the area will be filled with these birds. Picnic lunch followed by drive to Wangdue. Overnight at Wangdue.
Day 12: Wangdue – Paro. 5Hours.
After breakfast, visit Wangdue Dzong (1638)-believed to be constructed on the back of the giant Elephants back and is considered one of the most important Dzongs of the 17th century as it strategically located to controls the west - East and to the South.
After leaving Wangdue, make a hike to the Chimi Lhakhang built by Lam Drukpa Kuenley famously known as Divine Mad Man-known to have taught the teachings of Buddhism in outrageous and comical manner so as to capture people attention and simplified manner for layperson to remember. The Bhutanese considers it the land of fertility. If a couple has failed to conceive a child, they could come here to pray and be blessed by a child depending upon ones faith and belief- whether by coincidence or not, it is said that many couple prayers have been answered. People also visit the place to get name for their child. Drive to Paro. Overnight Paro.
Day 13: Departure.
Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to Paro Airport for flight to onward destination. Where our guide will bid you a farewell.
