Bumthang cultural Trek

Trip Facts

Trip Highlights: Trekking/cultural tours
Trip duration: 13 Days/12 Nights
On trek duration: 3 nights
Highest Camp: 2,800m
Standard: Easy to medium
Best Seasons: March to May & September to November
Start: Toktu Zampa, Bumthang
Finish: Mesithang, Bumthang

Summary

The Bumthang Cultural Trek is one of the easy treks in the country. Bumthang is well known as one of the main cultural centres of Bhutan and there are many opportunities to visit temples and small Bhutanese villages along the trek route. Although the trek is on the easy side, it involves a few major climbs like the one up to Pephe La with an ascent of about 500 m.

What’s Included

Sightseeing seeing as per the itinerary
All meals during the Treks
Accommodation in standard tourist class hotels
Potter and pony on trek
Tents
Experience tour executive
Entrance fees to various museums and parks

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 Arrival Paro
Day 2 Tiger Nest Hike
Day 3 Paro/Thimphu
Day 4 Thimphu sightseeing
Day 5 Thimphu/ Bumthang
Day 6 Bumthang sightseeing
Day 7 Bumthang-Ngang lhakhang (trek commences)
Day 8 Nganglhakhang/Ugyenchholing
Day 9: Ugyenchholing/ Bumthang (trek ends)
Day 10 Bumthang /Wangdue
Day 11 Wangdue/Thimphu
Day 12 Thimphu Paro
Day 13 Exit

Detail Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival at Paro: Your guide in Bhutan will receive you as you arrive in paro air port and take you to the hotel for the arrival refreshment followed by sight seeing in paro Dzong and National museum. After the lunch visit to Kichu Monastery and Drugyal Dzong.

Day 2 Tiger Nest Hike: For the acclimatization today you will be hiking to the famous Tiger’s nest. It is three hour hike and the fascinating location of the temple has remained as a luring factor for most of the tourists.
Evening, hang around in the main town of Paro and night halt at hotel.

Day 3 Paro /Thimphu: Drive to Pelela pass to see the morning rising sun as well as hike to Kela nunnery centre. Later break fast in the hotel and drive to Thimphu. Spend sometimes visiting the local shops in the main town and night halt at hotel.

Day 4 Thimphu Sightseeing: Break fast in the hotel followed by cultural sight seeing to folk heritage museum, painting school, national library and National memorial chhorten. After the lunch visit to Changangkha Lhakhang, Motithang mini zoo and Sangaygang view point. After the office hour visit to the main shrine of the Thimphu Tashichhoe Dzong. Night halt at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5 Thimphu/Bumthang: Drive along the mountain pass of Dochula, Pelela and Yotongla pass offers you the best chance to see the Himalayan Mountains Ranges. Mostly the mountain pass will be clothed with flying prayer flags and stupas.
So is the journey from the capital city to the Bumthang, the historical heart land of Bhutan. It is eight hours drive with lunch break at Chendibji cafeteria. On the way visit Trongsa Dzong and Chummey Yathra centre. Night halt at hotel in Bumthang.

Day 6 Bumthang sightseeing: Sight seeing in Bumthang will include your visit to Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjay Temple, Koenchogsum Monastery and Tamshing Lhankhang.
Evening leisure time in the main town of Chamkhar.

Day 7 Trek Commences
Direction: Bumthang-Nganglhakhang
Distance: 20 km
Duration: 6 hours

The trek starts form the stop point near by Kurjay Temple and the trail is plain and straight. Lunch will be served near Thangbi valley. Night halt at camp.

Day 8 Nganglhakhang /Ugyenchholing: Today you have to do a gradual climd towards Phephela standing at 3353m above the sea level. The pass is through the alpine forest and at your nearing point to the second day camp you will see the Ugyenchhoeling palace. Night halt at camp.

Day 9 Ugyenchhlong/Bumthang

Your trek will follow Tang River which is rich in trout. On the bank of the river is the Tang Rimpoche Lhakhang. The trek route will pass the Membar Tsho (Flaming Lake). At Pangshing, your transport will be waiting to pick up and drop you to the hotel.

Day 10 Bumthang /Wangdue: Early break fast in the hotel and drive back to Wangdue en route Pelala pass which show cases the high altitude animals, The Yak. Also the alpine floral aspects will add up the charm of the journey. Picnic lunch at Phobjikha and visit to Gangtay monastery there after. Night halt at hotel in Wangdue.

Day 11 Wangdue/Thimphu: At nine in the morning visit Wangdue Dzong and then hike to the Matalungchu Village where you will see the typical Bhutanese farm houses. The trail passes though the terraced paddy field crossing a temple on the way.
After the lunch drive to Thimphu for night halt.

Day 12 Thimphu/Paro: Morning hour shopping in the town and then proceed to Paro after the lunch. Night halt at hotel in paro.

Day 13 Exit: See off by your local guide at exit terminal to board the flight to your onward destination