15 Places to Visit in Bumthang, Tourist Places & Top Attractions

01

Ura Yakchoe Festival

Ura Yakchoe is referred to a famous dance performance shown in the Ura Valley of Bumthang. In this festival the sacred dance is performed along with other popular folk dances with a sacred relic on display so as to have blessings from the same. According to the historic reference, a lama visited one local woman in her house suddenly and asked for a glass of water. Including a visit to Ura Yakchoe in Bhutan trip packages offers travelers a chance to witness this unique cultural event and partake in its spiritual significance.

She went to fetch water and after coming back found the lama gone leaving the sacred relic behind. It is this relic before which the Ura Yakchoe dance is performed. This relic has been passed on for generations after generation of the woman’s family. This is one of the pious and religious festiuvals of Bhutan and many devotees visit the place to take part in worshipping the relic.

Highlights: The sacred relic

Festival time: In the month of April

02

Bumthang Valley

Bumthang Valley is considered a sacred place by the local population and ancient tales of religious treasure-discoverers still linger to this day. The valleys in the area are vast and rolling and the place is home to some of the most venerated temples of the region and country. Including a visit to Bumthang Valley in a Bhutan trip offers travelers a chance to immerse themselves in the spiritual essence of the land and explore its rich cultural tapestry firsthand.

The landscape is dominated by fields of rice, potatoes and buckwheat. You will also find quaint scenes of dairy farms and apple orchards in this quiet part of the world which make for excellent picnic spots and day trails. Thousands of visitors visit the region every year, coming here to marvel at the scenic Trongsa Dzong whose unique structure, lying on top of a steep ridge makes it a sight to behold.

Location: Bumthang Valley, Bhutan

Timing: Open all-day

Price: Free

03

Wild East Rodung La Trek

Wild East Rodung La Trek is a short trekking trail and comprises of low altitudes but quite steep climbs and descents. It is challenging trail especially for those who does not possess much experience in trekking. The beautiful trail passes through prominent Bhumthang and reaches Trashiyangtse.

From ancient times this trail bears huge importance since this was considered as the trade road but with time this has lost its usage and charm and today it is only used as a hiking trail. Mountain passes, pastures and meadows, and dense forest of bamboo and alpine trees makes the beauty of the location absolutely eye arresting.

Highlights: Ancient trade road

Duration: 10 days trek

Location: Near Jakar, Bhutan

Best Season: April to May, October to November

If you are planning a visit to Bhutan , here are the exclusive Bhutan Package for you and your family.

Recommendations for Bumthang

Bumthang Owl Trek, Bhutan @ Flat 15% off

3D/2N
Bumthang

25 Ratings

Bumthang Owl Trek, Bhutan @ Flat 15% off

₹ 55,835 ₹ 47,459

13D/12N
Bumthang

33 Ratings

13 Days Bhutan Festival Tour

₹ 306,181 ₹ 251,749

04

Bumthang Owl Trek

To enjoy unspoiled natural beauty and pictorial scenic vista in Bhutan, one of the best options is to set out for the short yet fascinating Bumthang Owl trek. The trek starts from Manchung and travels through Dhur village, Drangela Pass and reaches Tharpaling monastery. On the trekking trail one can enjoy unlimited and undisturbed scenery with dense forests on both sides with blue pine, birch, maple, spruce, juniper, bamboo and famous rhododendron trees.

One can visualize the exceptional beauty of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, which is ideally the highest unclimbed peak in the world. Avian wildlife is a key attraction of this trek. The trekking trail is filled with an array of fascinating flora and fauna and multiple ancient Buddhist temples.

Highlights: Old Buddhist temples, Himalayan black bear

Duration: 3 days trek

Location: Bumthang, Bhutan

Best Season: March to May, September to November

05

Kurje Lhakhang

One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan, Krje Lhakhang consists of three temples which are surrounded by 108 Chorten walls. The first and the oldest structure of the three, was constructed on the rock where Guru Rinpoche meditated. The second building is also called the Sampa lhundrup temple and houses a colossal statue of Guru Rinpoche.

The third building is known as Ka Gon Phur sum lhakhang dedicated to the happiness of all living beings in the kingdom.

Highlights: It is one of the most beautiful and sacred sites in Bumthang. It offers much to explore and learn about Guru Rinpoche and the culture, tradition and faith of Bhutanese people. Explore various images, statues and elaborate paintings of deities.

Location: Located 5 kms from Bumthang district on the bank of Chamkhar River. It takes 12 minutes drive from Bathpalathang Airport.

Timing: 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Price: 600 BTN.

06

Kurjey Festival

Kurjey Tshechu is a popular festival celebrated in Kurjey temple in Chokhor valley of Bumthang district. There is huge historical significance attached to this temple as well as the festival. According to the legends Guru Rimpoche meditated here for the suppression of evil spirits in this region. There are three major temples in Kurjey.

The first temple was built in 1652 on the location where Guru Rimpoche meditated, the second one on the place where Guru left his body imprint and the third built in 1990 which holds images of Guru Rimpoche. The Kurjey festival is one of the important religious occasions for the locals of the place. It is a social gathering as well as a time to seek blessing and enjoy victory of good over evil. It is a festival that displays the golden traditions of Bhutan and the rich cultural heritage.

Highlights: special mask dance

Festival time: In 10th day of 10th month of lunar calendar

07

Bumthang Cultural Trek

A trek through the “cultural heartland “of Bhutan, is always a precious one. This short and simple trek is one of the preferred trekking trails to enjoy the natural beauty of Bhutan with its trout- filled rivers and verdant valleys. Apart from this the trekking trail also provides a fascinating glimpse of some of ancient Buddhist temples and age old monasteries.

Passing through the countryside of Bumthang, one can enjoy the scenic pleasure of blue pine forest and scrub bamboo along with several small villages displaying their traditional lifestyle. For all those nature lovers this is a splendid trail to visualize the beauty of Thimphu, Paro valleys and Punakha.

Highlights: old Buddhist temples

Duration: 3 days trek

Location: Bumthang, Bhutan

Best Season: March to May, September to November

08

Nomad Festival

If you are planning to visit Bumthang, then the best time would be when the annual Nomad Festival is being held. Bumthang is the part of central Bhutan and less than 10 hr drive from Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. This is the time of the year when you get to see the real nomadic people coming together from all parts of Bhutan. However, primarily the nomads from North West and North East Himalayas dominate the festival with their presence.

During the festival you get to witness the unforgettable shows when the nomads put on the traditional performance. You get to understand their culture, traditions, and way of living. The colourful outfits, cheerful environment, and all in the backdrop of incredible landscape make the experience overwhelming.

Location: Bumthang – 10hr drive from Thimpu

Timing: From late in the morning till late in the evening.

Price: No special pricing to visit the festival

09

Matsutake Festival

Matsutake Festival is a festival of the people of Ura Valley in celebration of mushroom season. This is the time to celebrate the harvest of Matsutake mushrooms of Bhutan, enjoy mouth melting Bhutanese cuisine and get a peek inside the lifestyle of people in the Bhutanese villages. Ura valley is quite famous for its pictorial setting and the people here are extremely warm and hospitable. Visitors attending the festival can enjoy the mushroom picking excursion and the panoramic forests and hilly areas.

One can enjoy the delicious dishes out of this mushrooms picked and can dance and do absolute merry making with the locals. In the backdrop of awe striking scenic location this festival gives an excellent experience to remember forever

Highlights: Picking Matsutake mushrooms and relishing special local dishes from it.

Festival time: In the month of August

10

Jakar

Located near the foothill of the Chokhor Valley, Jakar is the principal trading centre of the region.

Highlights: Jakar is a town that lies in the heart of Bhutan. It is the district capital of the pivotal Bumthang district as well as the location of the Jakar Dzong which is the regional fortress of the dzong. Roughly, Jakar translates to ‘white bird’ which is in reference to the foundation myths. According to a prevalent myth here, a roosting white bird signalled the auspicious and proper location to locate a monastery here in 1549.

Location: Jakar is located in the Bumthang or the Choekhor Valley. It lies within the Choekhor Gewong in the central Bumthang.

Timings: Open all year round – 24/7.

Pricing: Entry to the place is absolutely free of Pricing.

the places to visit in Bhutan have a certain charm of their own wherever you go in this country.

11

Chokhor Valley

Chokhor Valley is a spiritual heart land in the Bhutan. It is brimming with several precious and ancient Buddhist sites.

Highlights: Bumthang is a religious hub of Bhutan and comprises of some of the oldest temples of Buddhists. Apart from the Jakar, the principal town in the Chokhor Valley along with its undulating terrain with its numerous temples and the apple trees is a sheer delight for the tourists. The visitors who come here can marvel at the scenic Trongsa Dzong that lies on the top of the steep ridge which drops off amidst the clouds in the southern end. This scenic town is often regarded as an overnight destination for the travellers who come here all the way to the eastern and central Bhutan.

Location: Chokhor Valley is located at an elevation of 2600 meters in Bhutan.

Timings: Open round the year.

Pricing: Entry is free.

12

Jambay Lhakhang Festival

Located on the way to Kurjie Lhakhang, in Bumthang, Jambay Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples founded in 7th century by Songtsen Gampo, a Tibetan King. As per legends, the king was destined to construct 108 temples in a single day, to suppress a demon in the Himalayan region. This temple is one of those 108 temples. Legend Guru Rimpoche is believed to visit this destination and considered it a sacred and extremely pious destination.

The temple got renovated again in 8th century AD. The temple has more than hundred statues of Gods and Goddesses but the main attraction is the relic of future Buddha. This is a spectacular festival which is celebrated for five days.

Highlights: A ritualistic naked dance on the fire that attracts huge crowd from all over the country.

Festival time: In the month of November