Bumthang Cultural Trek

15 days | 14 nights

Treks

Practically this trip is more of a cultural tour even though a short trek is involved. This trip is ideal for those who would want to have a taste of both cultural as well as to experience a short trek in Bhutan. In this tour we have also kept two extra days for witnessing an Ura Festival.

Initial part of this trip will concentrate in the western part of Bhutan – hike to famous Taktsang Monastery, explore some of the interesting Dzongs in and around Paro Valley. We then travel to the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu and pay a visit to Memorial Chorten, National Museums and Dzongs.
Our tour will then travel towards Central Bhutan, Bumthang for a three days trek. Bumthang is one of the most interesting region to visit in Bhutan. On the way to Bumthang, we will also visit some of the interesting site in and around Punakha.

Bumthang Cultural Trek is one of the most popular short trek in the Kingdom of Bhutan though it involves bit of climb to Phephe La (3,360m). This trek gives an opportunity to explore some of the most interesting villages in Bhutan and visit Lhakhangs which are greater than in most of the other treks in Bhutan.
We will also take a hike to Ura village which is at an altitude of around 3,100 m, this is quiet an interesting village and is believed by some to have been the home of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan.

On the way back to Paro we will also visit Gangtey known for its Black Necked Crane.

Access :Since Bhutan don’t have any airport or helicopter – the only way of reaching the trek starting point is by land. It is around 3 km drive up the unpaved road from Kurjey Lhakhang to Toktu Zampa at 2,540 m
Season : This trek can be done either from March to May or from September to November. But October should be an ideal time as the weather can be very pleasant for traveling also during this time you can catch up with colorful festival.

Day 01. Arrive at Paro

The flight into Bhutan offers you a spectacular view of the Himalayas (weather permitting). While boarding the aircraft from Kathmandu try to get a seat on the left if you can. As the aircraft gets nearer to Paro you will be able to see the beautiful snow peak of Jhomolhari (7,314 m) and the grey ridge shaped peak of Jichu Drakye (6,989 m) – depending on the approach. The plane then drops into the Paro Valley and weaves through the hills, with goembas and prayer flags on the hillsides above. Upon arrival at Paro Airport our Rep. will receive you after completion of official formalities. You will then drive to your hotel and check in.

After tea, you will visit Ta Dzong (built in 1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rinpung Dzong (literally meaning ‘Heap of Jewels’, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). If we are lucky, we may catch a match in action. Overnight in the hotel

Day 02. Paro Sightseeing: Hike to Taktsang Monastery

After early breakfast, Hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684 by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger – Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort. Lunch will be provided in Paro Market.

The evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district and then you will drive to Thimphu for dinner and over night in Hotel.

Day 03. Thimphu Sightseeing

The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974), built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. You will then visit the National Library, which is stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After lunch we drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper factory at work. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). You will also visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong of Bhutan built by Shandrung in 1627.

Day 04. Thimphu – Punakha: (72 Kms, 3 hours drive).

After breakfast, Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. Lunch at Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, ‘…person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant’. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je – Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952.Overnight in Hotel.

DAY 05. Punakha – Trongsa – Bumthang

We start early today. After breakfast drive to Bumthang. On the way, stop a while to view Chime Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. He subdued the demons with his ‘ Magical Thunder bolt’. The Temple is also known as ‘the Temple of Fertility’. Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang, it includes: visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside) built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Lunch at Trongsa. After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Then Visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal and drive to Bumthang. Over night in Hotel.

DAY 06. Bumthang Sightseeing

After breakfast, visit Jakar Dzong, which literally means ‘The Castle of White Bird’. The current structure was built in 1667 and is said to be the largest Dzong in Bhutan and then visit Lamey Goemba, a large palace and monastery built in 18th century by Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi. Visit Jambay Lhakhang said to have been built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang and was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rimpoche restored his life force. Under the temple is said to be a lake in which Guru Rimpoche hid several Terma. In October one of the most spectacular festival, ‘Jambay Lhakhang Drup’ is staged here. After lunch, Visit Chakhar (Iron Castle) Lhakhang, it is the site of the palace of the Indian King, the Sindhu Raja who invited Guru Rimpoche to Bumthang. The Original palace was made of Iron and hence the name Chakhar. The saint Dorji Lingpa built the Current building in 14th century. Its correct name is Dechen Phodrang. We then visit Kurjey Lhakhang that is named after body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and is the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom.

Day 07/08: Bumthang

We will spend two days witnessing the Ura Festival
Start of Bumthang Cultural Trek.

Day 09. Toktu Zampa – Ngang Lhakhang: 2,900 m : approx. 6 hrs walk

The trek starts with a descent to a suspension bridge over a clear stream, Duer Chhu. Then the trail passes through buckwheat fields – on the way you can see Thankabi Goemba with its distinctive Yellow roof then trail goes through pleasant meadows and forests of blue pine and scrub bamboo to Ngang Lhakhang.

Day 10: Ngang Lhakang – Ugyenchholing: 2,760 m – approx. 8 hrs.walk

The trail ascends gradually towards the Phephe la pass (3,360 m), going through the forest of junipers, until you arrive at the pass at an altitude 3340 meters. After the pass descend to Tang Valley, finally arriving at Ugyenchholing village. Camp by the side of the river at the altitude of 2850 meters.

Day 11. Ugenchholing – Jakar

Morning walk up to the Ugyenchholing dzong and the surrounding village, then drive to Jakar following the Tang chu river until you arrive at the main road junction. On the way visit the Membertsho Lake, where Terton Pemalingpa, the reincarnation of guru Padmasambava is supposed to have discovered religious treasure in the 12th century. This lake is very sacred and is visited by many Bhutanese during auspicious days to offer butter lamps. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 12. Bumthang (Excursion to Ura valley)

After breakfast, drive to Ura valley. Packed Lunch will be served. In the evening, drive back to Bumthang. Over night in Bumthang.

Day 13. Bumthang – Phobjikha valley

After breakfast, drive to the beautiful valley of Phobjikha/Gangtey. Visit Gangtey Gompa Monastery from outside. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re – incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re – incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. Dinner and overnight at the Guest House.

Day 14. Gangtey – Thimphu

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Lunch at Thimphu. In the evening, visit Cheri Monastery and Mini Zoo. Over night in Thimphu.

15 days | 14 nights

Treks