Bumthang

Bumthang Luxury Travel

Bumthang unfurls like an elaborate thangka painting depicting breathtaking landscapes, ancient monasteries, profound spirituality, and rich cultural heritage. This enchanting region comprises glaciers, cloud-piercing mountains, and four distinct mountain valleys: Ura, Tang, Chumey, and Choekhor. With unique dialects and traditions, each offers a glimpse into the soul of central Bhutan—a place commonly described as the country’s “cultural heartland.”

Cinephiles will appreciate Ura Valley, cradled amidst emerald slopes of juniper, pine, spruce, bamboo, and rhododendrons, which served as the backdrop for the Oscar-shortlisted film, The Monk and the Gun, by acclaimed Bhutanese director Pawo Dorji. Ura village, Pawo’s bucolic hometown resting at 10,170 feet exudes a serene charm that lingers long after credits roll.

Chumey Valley, the widest of all four valleys, is renowned for its skilled weavers—take home a colorful yathra, a geometric-patterned textile made of yak wool, as a souvenir. (They’re more affordable than the silk and cotton textiles you’ll find elsewhere in the country.)

However, Bumthang’s true essence lies within its profound connection to Buddhism. The Tang Valley boasts the mystical Mebartsho, also known as The Burning Lake. Legend whispers of Terton Pema Lingpa, a revered treasure finder, who retrieved sacred Buddhist relics hidden underwater by Guru Rinpoche, a legendary eighth-century master who introduced Tantric Buddhism to both Tibet and Bhutan. Tamshing Goemba, a monastery in Choekhor Valley, houses another fascinating relic: Pema Lingpa’s 44-pound iron chainmail, meticulously crafted across his lifetime. According to tradition, circumambulating the temple clockwise while draped in the 600-year-old chainmail carries auspicious blessings.

Bumthang Travel Highlights

Temple visits: Kurjey Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, and/or Tamshing Lhakhang

Hike to the many sacred sites and monasteries that overlook the valley, such as Kunzangdrak Monastery

Attend the Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival

Visit the Sacred Lake (Mebar Tsho)

Snack and sip your way through the Bumthang Farmers’ Market

Scenic bike rides with incredible valley views

Related reading: The Best Things to Do in Bhutan

Things to do in Bumthang

On a luxury Bhutan itinerary, your stay in Bumthang will visit temples such as Kurjey Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, and the sacred site of Mebar Tscho (The Burning Lake). Delve into Bhutan’s living history at the privately owned Ogyen Choling Museum, a once-grand manor in Tang, and learn about the efforts required to preserve and maintain Bhutan’s aging monasteries.

Cultural interactions might include guided meditation with a spiritual Buddhist Master, a personalized astrology reading by a reincarnated monk, and a visit with local artists who will share their heritage through folkloric song and dance—after which, you can try your hand at a traditional Bhutanese game such as archery or darts.

Active travelers have plentiful options for scenic adventures in Bumthang. Hike two hours to reach Kunzangdrak Monastery; trek through any of the four valleys; or take a breathtaking bike ride along serene roads. Wildlife-lovers might opt for an after-dark wildlife tracking experience to spot the nocturnal and elusive wildlife that makes its home in the dense Himalayan forests that envelope Bumthang.

A short distance from Bumthang lies Trongsa and its commanding Trongsa Dzong, the cradle of the Wangchuck dynasty that reigns over Bhutan. Because of its temperate climate, this historic town served as a winter retreat for both monks and royalty in the past, and is home to the “Raven Crown” of the Second King, on view at the Tower of Trongsa-Royal Heritage Museum.

For your taste buds, indulge in Bumthang’s local bounty, perhaps visiting a local farmers’ market. Savor the delicate sweetness of Bumthang honey and the light floral hoppiness of Red Panda Beer, or satiate your palate with traditional buckwheat delicacies like noodles and pancakes. (Do request the buckwheat dishes far in advance, as they are cumbersome to prepare.) An evening bonfire is a memorable setting for a belly-warming Bhutanese whiskey tasting.

Where to Stay in Bumthang

Nestled in pine forests, luxurious Bhutanese accommodations such as Six Senses Bumthang and Amankora Bumthang Lodge (neighboring Wangdichholing Palace), are found in and around Jakar, Bumthang’s main town, where the domestic airport is located. Flying one-way is useful for travelers on a tight schedule.

The Best Time to Visit Bumthang

The best time of year to visit Bumthang is spring: March, April, and May. Travelers will encounter pleasant temperatures most of the year, except during the throes of winter. (We don’t recommend traveling to Bumthang during the coldest months.)

Weather aside, there are notable festivals worth planning a visit around. Summer is host to the Ura Mushroom Festival, celebrating the rare matsutake mushroom, prized for its phallic shape.

Mid-fall features the Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival, where masked dancers prance naked around a fire. This season also paints the landscape in fiery hues, with buckwheat fields transforming into a sunset-pink spectacle, ready for harvest.

Keep reading: The Best Time to Visit Bhutan: A Month-By-Month Guide