Bumthang Cultural Trek

Package Overview

This is a short trek across several villages through the Bumthang valley. It is a pleasurable walk and a cultural exchanges with the many Bumthap villagers enroute your trek. You will meet some of the Bhutan's high altitude nomads living in the mountain villages.

Trekking Duration: 3 days
Max Elevation: 3360m
Standard: easy - medium
Season: through out year.

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrival to Paro

  Paro is a one of the most beautiful valley and rich culture of Bhutan. It is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries. There are many Buddhist masters came to this valley from 7th centuries and founded the Buddhism in this valley. The country's famous mountain can be seen from the Paro valley is called Mount Jhomolhari at (7350m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley. It's glacial to form the Pa chu (Paro river) The Paro is one of the most fertile agriculture land in the kingdom. After the lunch 1 hour and 20 minutes drive to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan.
  
  Drive from Paro to Thimphu, a distance of 65 km and journey time of approximately 1hr 20 minutes You will drive via Chhuzom joining point of Pachhu and Wangchhu (Chhu means "river" and Zom means to join") because Bhutanese tradition believed that such a joining of rivers as inauspicious. There are three chorten (stupa) here to ward away the evil spells of the area. Each stupa is in a different style: Bhutanese, Tibtan and Nepali and also these three Stupas represent the heart, soul and mind of the Lord Buddha. A check point here keeps track of vehicle movements. From the confluence after an hour you will reach to Thimphu Capital of Bhutan. Thimphu is the centre of government, religion and commerce. The town for Bhutanese standards, relatively lively and displays an interesting combination of tradition modernity .Home to civil servants, expatriates and the monk body. Thimphu maintains a national character in its architectural style. Over night hotel in Thimphu.

• Day 2 : Thimphu sightseeing

  Full day sightseeing of Thimphu including National Library: was established in 1967 to preserve many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts. Most of the collections are about Buddhism and Himalayan histories. Painting School: It operates under the National Technical Training Institute and offers a six years course that provides instruction in many of Bhutan's traditional arts to students from throughout the country whose aptitude is more artistic then academic. You are allowed to visit the classes and watch how the students are working. It will be very interesting to see institute of thirteen different arts & crafts.
  
  Folk Heritage Museum:A tour of this almost living museum will give you a glimpse into the way most Bhutanese lived then, and how many rural people still live today. You will express a real life style of the Bhutanese people in the rural areas around the country.
  
  Textile Museum is opened in June 2001, is worth a leisurely visit to get to know the living national art of weaving changing exhibitions introduce the major weaving techniques style of local dresses and textiles made by women and men.
  
  Next you will visit the Tashichhodzong. The "fortress of the glorious" The dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1962.
  
  The dzong is used as houses. The secretaries, the throne room, offices of the king and the ministries and also uses as the summer residence of the dratshang (Central Monk Body) where the winter residence is in Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. Over night hotel in Thimphu.

• Day 3 : Thimphu to Trongsa (7 to 8 hours)

  Today you will have a long dive to Trongsa via Dochula and Pelela pass.
  
  Dochula Pass at (3140m) marked by a large array of prayer flags and with a 108 Chortens ( Stupas). On a clear day the pass offers a panoramic view of the Bhutan Himalayas the vegetation changes dramatically at the pass from oak, maple and blue pine to a moist mountain forest of rhododendron, older cypress, hemlock and fir. It is going to be wonderful drive through the beautiful nature side till Wangdue phodrang at (1500m) from Wangdue again you will ascent up to the Pelepa pass at 3360m. Continue your journey through the Pelela pass at (3360) crosses the black mountains the boundary between western and central Bhutan. On a clear day there is a view of mount Jhomolhari (7350), Jichu Drakye (6989) and Kang Bum (6526m) to the west from the road and reach Trongsa. Over night hotel in Trongsa.

• Day 4 : Trongsa to Bumthang

  Morning visit Trongsa Dzong: is home to the striking, Trongsa is the ancestral abode of Bhutan's Royal family. It is the ancient seat from where Ugyen Wangchuk, the Penlop of Trongsa (Governor) and his successor King Jigme Wangchuk ruled this Himalayan Kingdom. A many leveled structure that contours the hill slope, this dzong was ordered by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to build the dzong in 1648 and was later enlarged and redecorated. Once a highly strategic position on the only connection route between the eastern and western sectors of the central region (the trail actually ran through the dzong itself), the Trongsa Penlop was able to control the whole of the east for many centuries. After that start drive to Bumthang is approximately 3 hours drive. After the Trongsa the road ascents up to the Yotong la pass at (3425m) from the pass road descent to Bumthang at (2600m). On the way visit the weaving factory in Chumay, after that continue drive to Bumthang and check in to the Hotel, followed by lunch in the hotel. After the lunch easy day.

• Day 5 : Bumthang sightseeing

  Full day excursion visiting the Jambay Lhakhang,Kurje Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Jakar dzong. Jambay Lhakhang: is the oldest monastery in the country built in the 7th Century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. It is one of 108 monasteries which he built to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region. Its present architectural appearance dates from the early 20th Century. Kurji Lhakhang: is located further along the valley and it's comprised of three temples. The one on the right was built in 1652 by Trongsa Penlop (Governor of Trongsa) against the rock face where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century, and where he left his body imprint. Therefore considered to be the most religious sites for the Buddhist people, the middle temple was built by the first king of Bhutan. The temple on the left was built in the year 1990s by Ashi Kesang, the queen mother of fourth king. These three temples are surrounded by a 108 chortens (stupas).
  
  The Tamshing Lhakhang: is located across the river from Kurjee Lhakhang and was founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, re-incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. There are very old religious paintings around the inner walls of the temple, which was restored at the 19th century. After the lunch you will visit the Jakar Dzong. Jakar Dzong: was built in the year 1549 by the great grandfather of Zhabdrung, the dzong was initially built as a monastery. It was upgraded in 1646 after the Zhabdrung had firmly established his power. Jakar Dzong is now used as the administrative centre for Bumthang district. And also houses for the regional monk body. After the lunch take walk through the village and walk back to the Chamkhar town and excursion in the town. Over night hotel in Bumthang

• Day 6 : Bumthang to Ngalakhang

  The trek begins today. Trek route follows the Chamkhar Chu River, coming across many villages and temples, meadows, forests of blue pine and scrub bamboo. Today is very relaxing and easy day. Arrive at the village camp at the altitude of 2,900m. Walking time about 5 to 6 hours.

• Day 7 : Ngalakhang to Tang Ugyencholing

  A trail ascends gradually towards the Phephe la pass, walking through the forests of junipers, until you arrive at the pass at an altitude of 3,340m. After the path descend to Tang valley, finally arrive at Ugyenchholing village. Today Camp by the side of the river at the altitude of 2,850m at Gamling willage and walking time 7 to 8 hours.

• Day 8 : Tang to Bumthang

  Morning walk up to the Ugyenchholing Dzong. Visit the museum and surrounding village and then drive to Jakar (Bumthang) following the Tang Chu River until arriving at main road. On the way visit the Membertsho (Lake) where Terton Pemalingpa, is suppose to have discovered religious treasures in the 12 century. This lake is very sacred and visited by many Bhutanese people on auspicious days to offer butter lamps. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang

• Day 9 : Bumthang to Punakha

  Drive to Punakha (7 to 8 hours) on the way visit The wangdue dzong: was built in 1638 the castle of Wangduphodrang dzong sits on a ridge overlooking the village of Wangduphodrang and is the site of the annual Tsechu ( Festival) built to resemble a sleeping bull, this large dzong is a striking sight and there are excellent views across the valley. 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 an auspicious sign representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. After that continue drive to Punakha and over night hotel in Punakha.

• Day 10 : Punakha to Thimphu (3hours drive )

  Morning visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi lhakhng,Punakha Dzong: Punakha dzong is located strategically at the junction of Phochu and Mochu River. The dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637 to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region. For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the government. Dzong is damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dong has been fully restored in recent years by the fourth king of Bhutan, Chimilakhang Is built by Lama Drukpa Kunley in 1499, he subdued the demoness of the Dochu la with his Magic Thunderbolt of the wisdom. It is a wonderful walk through the Mitsena Village and the rice fields. It takes 20 minutes walk from the road point all the way to the Monastery, after the lunch drive to Thimphu and over night hotel in Thimphu.

• Day 11 : Thimphu to Paro

  Drive early morning to Paro and hike up to Taktsang monastery (Tiger's nest) the climb up to the monastery is less than 3 hours and 2 hours for return journey, total 5 hours of walking. After 3 hours of climb, you will reach to the view point at the en route you will enjoy stunning views of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on a back of a tiger in the 8th Century, and meditated for three months. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684 by (Governor of Paro). The Taktsang monastery has been recognized as the one of the holiest place in the country. It has become important pilgrimage site for Bhutanese people and the Buddhist neighboring country. The monastery was destroyed by the fire in 19th April, 1998 and again reconstruction started on an auspicious day in April, 2000 and authentic replicas of the original structures have been built. It is worth to visit this monastery and gives you a big memory in your life time. On the way visit Bhutan's oldest Kiychu monastery.
  Over night in hotel in Paro

  • Hotspots : Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)

• Day 12 : Departure

  Departure

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Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing

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Package Start From

• Paro, Bhutan, Asia

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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