13 days 12 nights Wonderful Bumthang Trek

The mesmerizing Bumthang valley is composed of four mountain valleys namely, Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor. It is one of the most tourists visited place and a spectacular valley in Bhutan. It is popularly known as Switzerland of Bhutan- the heartland of Buddhism. The three days trek will lead you through beautiful places of Bumthang valley with the best opportunity to explore Bhutanese remote lifestyle.

It’s an easy trek and doesn’t demand so much of training and fitness. It’s height is usually below 3000 meters above the sea level. These kind of treks usually fall under cultural trekking.

Seasons: March to May & September to November.

Day 01 Arrive, Paro. While you fly into Paro by Druk Air or Tashi Airlines, you may enjoy the beautiful views of the great Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchanjunga, Mt. Makalu and other pinnacles in Bhutan such as Mt. Chomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drakay, and Mt. Tsherimgang. After your placid flight touch down at Paro Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by the representative of Advent Bhutan Tours who will be your Bhutan tour guide throughout your entire travel in Bhutan.

Check into the hotel. After a brief rest, start your mesmeric experience of Bhutan by first visiting the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Ta Dzong- National Museum of Bhutan is a cultural museum in the town of Paro established in 1968. Built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong, it was originally used to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war.

Here, an intriguing collection of finest samples of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues, paintings, suitable galleries are elegantly displayed on scientific lines, which collectively will lead to the wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.Overnight at Paro.

Day 02: Paro – Sightseeing

After the breakfast, Visit the Paro Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress which houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture.  It was built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. From the Dzong, march further down to Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge which lies below the sheer walls of  Rinpung Dzong. Stroll through Rimpung Bridge ( The oldest bridge in Bhutan). Then drive 18km up to the Drukgyel Dzong.The Dzong was built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649 at the directive of  Zhabdrung Rinpoche, to honour victory over an invasion from Tibet. On the way back visit a farmhouse which gives good insight into the authentic lifestyle of a Bhutanese. Soak in a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath at a farmhouse.

Dinner at Farmhouse.

Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 03: Paro – Thimphu(2Hours-55Km)

Voyage to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, is an hourly drive journey.  The road runs down through the Paro valley, characterised by the narrow-gauged with high, rocky cliffs on the left. You can stop on the way to visit the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Then passage through  Chuzom, is the entrance to the Thimphu valley,  the Confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers. The road passes along  the Simtokha Dzong, (Dzong means ‘castle-monastery’) – It is the oldest Dzong built in 1629 by Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyal (who unified Bhutan). The Dzong functions as a monastic and as well as administrative centre. Today, it is one of the pre-eminent Dzongkha language (National Language) learning institutes.

Afternoon lunch at Hotel. After lunch visit The Memorial Chorten– Also known as the Thimphu Chorten, was built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), who is regarded as “The Father of Modern Bhutan”.   Buddhist call the monument “The mind of the Buddha”. It is an honored landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells, widely known as “the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan”.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 04: Thimphu Sightseeing

Day-long Thimphu sightseeing includes the following places:

The National Library– The National Library of Bhutan (NLB), which houses an enormous collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, was established in 1967 under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Phuntso Choden for the purpose of “preservation and promotion of the rich cultural and religious heritage” of Bhutan.

The Folk Heritage Museum– The museum was launched on 28 July 2001 under the initiative of founder Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo. The outdoor museum give an insight into rural life.The museum exhibit diverse materials associated with the Bhutanese culture and way of life.The exhibition comprises of rural households’ artifacts, equipment, objects and tools.

The School of Thangka Painting-The traditional arts is known as zorigchusum (zo = the ability to make; rig = science or craft; chusum = thirteen). These traditional crafts depict hundreds of years of knowledge and ability that has been passed down through generations.The students undergo a six-year course to consummate learning the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.

The Institute of Traditional Medicine– The Institute of traditional medicine sprawled on a hilltop with the Traditional Arts Center and National Library just below, was established in 1978. This institute collects medicinal plants from far-flung areas of the Bhutanese Himalaya, such as Lingzhi, Laya and Lunana, conducts research on Bhutan’s medicinal plants to identify the ingredients to help develop new health product and then dispense pills, tablets, ointments and medicinal teas to regional health-care units around the country.

The Tashichho Dzong – It is a Buddhist monastery and fortress of the glorious religion on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu, built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It was rebuilt into the present structure by the late King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

Then, stroll down the Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, aligned neatly below Norzin Lam, opposite to Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre, to witness Bhutanese fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, and other eye-catching items made from local materials.

Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 05: Thimphu-Tongsa(205Km-8Hours)

In the morning, travel to Trongsa via the Dochula pass. The Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft) is a mountain pass, with the breathtaking view of 108 memorial stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens”  built under the initiative of Royal Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk( the eldest Queen Mother), built in honour of the fourth Druk Gyalpo (head of the state of Bhutan), Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Afte two hours the road passes through Wangdue Phodrang.Wangdue Phodrang Dzong -It was founded by the Zhabdrung in 1638. In the 17th century, Wangdue played a critical role in unifying Shar Chog Khorlo Tsebgay (the western, central and southern regions of the country). It is one of the largest dzongkhags (districts) in the country covering 4,308 sq km and ranges from 800-5800 m in altitude. On 24 June 2012, the dzong caught fire and was burnt down.The renovation is still ongoing and is expected to continue until 2021.

Drive to Trongsa, the most spectacularly sited dzong in Bhutan, with a sheer drop to the south that often just disappear into cloud and mist. It was built by the Zhabdrung in 1644. The dzong is an architectural masterpiece.

The exotic journey will take you through freshly dense green forests of oak trees and rhododendrons, passing through the village of Nobding and Pele la pass (11,000ft). During the course of your journey, you will be accompanied by the beautiful sceneries of rural Bhutan, giving you a wonderful opportunity for photographing.

Overnight at Trongsa Tourist Lodge.

Day 06: Tongsa-Jakar(Bumthang)(3Hours-68km)

Drive to Bumthang(Jakar). Bumthang valley is composed of four mountain valleys namely, Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor. It is one of the most tourists visited place and a spectacular valley in Bhutan. It is popularly known as Switzerland of Bhutan- the heartland of Bhutan.

Bumthang, which means  “beautiful field” – thang means meadow or levelled place, and bum is an acronym of either bumpa (a vessel for holy water, characterised by its shape and nature of the valley), or purely bum (“girl,” indicating the valley of beautiful girls)

It is the most historic dzongkhag where this holy place is encompassed with several numbers of ancient temples and sacred sites.

Lunch at Tourist Lodge. In the afternoon,  visit the Lame Gompa, built by the first Drukgyalpo(King) for his two nun sisters. And traditional paper making factory, near Lame Gompa (Temple).

Overnight in Bumthang Tourist Lodge

Day 07: Bumthang(Halt)

Trek around Bumthang valley or visit the Dairy farm, Swiss cheese factory and apple juice factory. As part of a trekking, visit the holy places:

The Jambay Lhakhang, is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo in the 7th century, in his effort to propagate Buddhism. It is told that 180 temples were built in a single day, to pin down evil spirits to earth forever.

The Kujey Lhakhang (Kujey means, “Body imprint”), the sacred place is the final resting place of the cadaver of the first three kings of Bhutan. The temple to the right is the oldest and was built by Minjur Tempa in 1652. It was built in the vicinity of the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated and left his body imprint. A large tree behind one of the temple buildings is believed to be a terma (hidden treasure) that was left there by Guru Rinpochoe.

The Tamshing Lhakhang, a blessed land circled with numerous temples and monasteries. Tamshing Monastery in Bumthang is well known for its splendid and majestic beauty.It is one of the most historically, spiritually and culturally significant monasteries in Bhutan founded by Pema Lingpa (1450 – 1521), a great saint and spiritual master in both the Bhutanese and Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist traditions.

The wall painting of the temple is viewed as one of the oldest in Bhutan. The temple houses the iron net made by Pema Lingpa when he was 8 years old, and also a great centre of Bhutanese sacred masked dance introduced by Pema Lingpa himself which has remained as a Vital part of the monastic dance. The fortress is now used as an administrative centre of the valley and summer residence of Trongsa monks.

Today is the blessing trek onto holy temples before your real trek which would start from tomorrow.

Overnight at hotel in Bumthang

Day 08: Bumthang-Nganglhakhang (5/6 hours-20 Km-9500 ft)

Drive through a bumpy road of about 10Km up to the chokhor valley. Then trek through the Chamkhar Chu (river known for its richness in trout). Stop for lunch at Tangbi geomba- the small region known as Ngang-yul (Swan Land), with its centre a swan temple- Nganglhakhang. This area was visited by Guru Rinpoche, but the current Ngang Lhakhang (Swan Temple) was built in the 15th century by Lama Namkha Samdrup, a contemporary of Pema Lingpa, who also built Namkhoe Lhakhang in the Tang Valley.  The renovated swan temple contains some wonderful painting of the Zhabdrung on the side wall opposite the altar and an image of Guru Rinpoche on a lotus surrounded by two ducklike swans.

Cultural programme can be arranged in the evening.

Day 09: Nganglhakhang – Ugyenchholing(5-6Hours-20Km-9500ft)

The trek starts with a gradual climb to the Phephela pass (3353m), the highest point on the trek route. On a clear day, you can see the view of Jhomolhari, jichu Drakye and kang Bum, to the west from the road.Pele La marks the western border of black Mountain National Park and the gateway to central Bhutan. The trail will lead you through animated frosted areas of this region. On the way, you can stop by and enjoy the mesmerizing natural beauty of the ambience.

Overnight in camp. Alt. 9500 ft. If you wish to visit the beautiful village Ugyencholing village-this place with its special physical features and blessed by the presence of Longchen Rabjam(the great Tibetan master of Buddhism), later became a centre of the Tibetan saint Dorji Lingpa (1346-1405). Dorji Lingpa is one of the great tertons (Religious treasure discoverer) of the Nyingmapa school. you may have to cross the river from your campsite.

Day 10: Ugyenchholing – Jakar (2-3 hours-10 Km-9000ft)

The trail will lead you along the Tang Chu(river richness in trout). Along this west bank of the tang chu (river) lies the Tag Rimochen Lhakhang(Temple on the cliff of Tiger Stripes). The rock wall at the rear of this temple rises vertically and it is well renowned due to the historical link with the Guru Rimpoche and Pema Lingpa (known as the Terton or the treasure finder).

On the way to Jakar, visit Mebar Tso “Burning Lake”. The story goes like Terton Pema Lingpa jumped into the lake with a burning lamp, in the hope of finding some sacred treasures hidden by Guru Rinpoche.  when he came out from the lake, the lamp was still aflame. Terton Pema Lingpa came out from this lake with a sacred scripture, a statue and a ritual skull.

This Lake is dark and no one really knows the depth of this lake.

At Pangshing your transport awaits you for your onward journey.

Day 11: Jakar-Tongsa(3Hours-68Km)

Drive to Tongsa. After lunch, relax or stroll around Trongsa town.

Overnight in Tongsa.

Day 12 Tongsa-Thimphu(205Km-8Hours)

Drive to Thimphu.On the way, you can take a break to take photographs. Stop for lunch in Wangdue.

Overnight at a hotel in Wangdue

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Day 13 Thimphu – Paro Airport (2Hours-55Km)

Your tour guide from Advent Bhutan Tours & Travels (your local Bhutan travel agent) will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your onward destinations.

End of the Tour