Bumthang Cultural Trekking

Bumthang Cultural Trekking
    Highlights
    1. Visit Tiger’s Nest Monastery
    2. Sightseeing in Thimphu & Paro
    3. Enjoy small villages
    4. See various temples around Bumthang
    5. Walk past Rhododendron forests
    6. Cross High Mountain passes

    A land, abundant in astounding natural beauty and contrasting landscapes, Bumthang is without doubt one of Bhutan’s most fascinating and compelling regions. From the rich, vast expanse of its valleys to the fertile slopes of its tiny farmlands, this is a destination with old-style adventure written all over it. Largely remote, its unique mix of natural and ethnic highlights makes for a perfect off-beat trekking destination that can truly be called a cultural trek.

    The breath-taking Bumthang valley is renowned as the spiritual heartland of the nation and has some of the most sacred temples and monasteries. Our journey is crafted to explore the inner portions of Bumthang, a great entryway to Bhutan’s cultural variety and natural splendour. Much like other tours, we will begin this trekking trip from Paro as we spend two days sightseeing and preparing for our trek. We then head to Thimphu, the capital, from where we drive to Bumthang in central Bhutan to begin this journey.

    Itinerary

    Expand AllCollapse All

    Bumthang Cultural Trek is the best spot to investigate numerous sanctuaries and religious communities. This is the social heartland of the Kingdom. Bumthang is phenomenally excellent, for outsiders as well as in any event, for Bhutanese. Its four high valleys are shrouded in backwoods. It grasps little religious communities, Chorten, conventional stone houses, and markets. 

    Upon arrival at Paro airport, you will be met by our representative from Golden Tibet Travel. Upon completion of airport and immigration formalities, drive to your hotel. At Paro, visit the Rinpung Dzong. Stay overnight at a hotel in Paro.

    Rinpung Dzong: Rinpung, which translates to 'heap of jewels, was built in 1644 on the order of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the seats of the Kagyu school of Buddhism. Rinpung Dzong has religious and administrative centres and is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture. It is a five-storied central tower with exquisite woodwork though not a single nail was used in the construction of the entire complex.

      After breakfast, hike to Taktsang ‘Tiger’s Nest’ monastery. After lunch, visit National museum at Paro. Stay overnight at a hotel in Paro.

      Tiger’s Next Monastery:  Taktsang is a beautiful monastery that is located on a cliff face 900 meters above the Paro Valley. The name Taktsang translates to ‘The Tiger’s Nest/Den. This was originally a cave, transformed into a monastery complex. It is believed that Saint Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), flew on the back of a tigress, and meditated in the cave in the eighth century. The monastery reaches an elevation of 3,120m, 900m above the Paro Valley. It is about 16km (10 miles) away from Paro. One has to make a three-hour hike to reach the monastery.

      National Museum: Located close to the Rinpung Dzong, this beautiful museum displays well-preserved artifacts of ancient Bhutan. The museum has an assortment of religious and cultural artworks, handicrafts, jewelry, paintings, and a stamp hall displaying a large collection of stamps.

       

        Drive to Thimphu along with beautiful road for 2 hours to reach the capital city of Thimphu. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, National Institute of ZorigChusum, and Tashicho Dzong.Stay overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

        National Memorial Chorten: This is a Tibetan-style Stupa built in 1974 in memory of the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Unlike other Chortens, the Memorial Stupa does not hold any human remains. It was built because it was the Late King’s wish to build a Chorten that is a symbolic manifestation of the mind of the Buddha.

        National Institute of ZorigChusum: At this institute, there is a display of Bhutan traditional arts that have been perfectly classified into 13 traditional forms. The words 'ZorigChusum' translates to classification of skills. These arts, which include calligraphy, painting, carving, sculpting, metal casting, silver and gold smithery, needlework, carpentry, textile production, paper making, bamboo craft, black smithery, and masonry, are taught in the school. These are traditional skills of Bhutan that form an integral part of Bhutan's cultural heritage.

        Tashichho Dzong: This is a fortress-turned monastery, and also the seat of the civil government since the medieval era. The Dzong houses beautiful traditional paintings, and intricate Buddhist carvings adorn its walls. This grand fort also serves as the venue for one of the country’s biggest annual religious festival called Thimphu Tshechu.

          Early morning drive to Bumthang. The drive will take us about 6 hours. We have to first cross the Dochula pass, where we will halt for some time. Stay overnight at Bumthang.

          Dochula Pass: Dochula, a mountain pass is located at 3,100 meters and is marked by the beautiful 108 Stupas/Chortens known as Druk WangyalKhang Zhang. Between Thimphu and Punakha, this magnificent mountain pass of Bhutan offers an incredible panoramic view of the Himalayas. There are three layers of Chortens. The first lowest level layer has forty-five chortens, the second has thirty-six, and the top layer has twenty-seven built around the central Chorten.

            Our trek begins on this day. We drive to Toktu ZampaBridge and then start our hike on a trail that follows the Chamkhar Chu River. After half an hour we reachThangkabi village. The village is famous for Thangkabi Lhakhang, an old monastery. After crossing the village, we make a steep climb to reach NgangYul (Land of the Swan), situated at an elevation of 2850m. This is where we will camp for the night.

              At the centre of NgangYul, there is temple called Ngang Lhakhang. We cross this temple and enter a large meadow. We then make a gradual ascent to reach a pass called PhepheLa at 3,360m. The trail takes us through a beautiful birch forest. The trail descends through the forest to take us to Tang valley. Soon we will come across the UgyenCholing Palace. We will camp here for the night.

                Today, the trail ahead follows the Tang Chu River past Tang Rimpoche’s Lhakhang. The trek will pass the MebarTsho (Flaming Lake) and lead you to Pangshing. From here you will soon reach the road head. Drive to Bumthang. Stay overnight at a hotel in Jakar.

                  Today we will drive on the East - West Highway to Trongsa. In the afternoon, you can take a leisurely stroll around Trongsa town. Overnight in Hotel.

                    Drive to Thimphu. Free time in the afternoon to relax or take a shopping tour.Overnight in hotel.

                      Morning sightseeing in Thimphu. Later drive to Paro.Overnight in hotel.

                        After breakfast, drive to airport for departure.

                          Similarpackages
                          You may also like it