Bumthang Cultural Trekking Bhutan

A short cultural trek through the villages and heritage sites of the Bumthang valley in Bhutan.

Duration
14 days
Group size
8 people
Country
Bhutan

Bumthang Cultural Trekking Bhutan Overview

A short cultural trek through the villages and heritage sites of the Bumthang valley in Bhutan.

Bumthang Cultural Trekking Bhutan

Learn about the culture of Bhutan on a combined trek and tour.
The Bumthang trek is a cultural trek through the villages and heritage sites of the Bumthang area. The Bumthang valley is the religious heartland of Bhutan and home to some of its oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. The trek passes through the Chokhor and Tang valleys, visiting remote villages, ancient temples and the manor of Ugyen Choling.

The Bumthang trek is relatively easy and short. One day involves a long climb and descent (about 500 metres) over Phephe La (3,360 metres). However, there is no significant altitude gain, and all overnight stops are below 3,100 metres (10,100 feet).


The three-day trek passes through several villages on its winding route through the Bumthang countryside and gives a good opportunity to meet people and see rural life in Bhutan.

Travel through Nepal and Bhutan with us.

Key highlights of the Bumthang Cultural Trekking Bhutan

Itinerary

  1. Our Earthbound Expeditions representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport, holding an Earthbound Expeditions sign, and transfers you to your hotel.

    Altitude
    1,400 m (4,590 ft)
    On foot
    None, arrival day
    Night in
    Hotel, Kathmandu
    Meals
    None

  2. After breakfast, the tour begins with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley. Travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned bus, we visit Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and Patan Durbar Square.

    Altitude
    1,400 m (4,590 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Kathmandu
    Meals
    Breakfast

  3. There are flights to Paro from Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka and Kathmandu. The flight into Paro is scenic, and the heavily forested country has fresh air and panoramic views. In clear weather you can see the Paro valley under a clear sky. Overnight in Paro.

    Altitude
    2,200 m (7,220 ft)+800 m
    On foot
    None, flight day
    Night in
    Hotel, Paro
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Today you explore Paro. The quiet town lies to the north-west of Paro Dzong, which we visit. The dzong once hosted meetings of the National Assembly, and in earlier times it was used to defend against invasions from Tibet. From there, we continue to the National Museum, a former watchtower, known for its collection of thangkas and festival masks. We then hike to Taktsang Monastery, which sits on a cliff with wide views. The quiet surroundings are well suited to meditation.

    Altitude
    2,200 m (7,220 ft)
    On foot
    4–5 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Paro
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Today you travel to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The drive takes about an hour. Thimphu is the only capital in the world without traffic lights, and it combines traditional culture with modern city life. We visit Tashichho Dzong, the city's main landmark, and the Buddhist temple of Changangkha Lhakhang, built in the 12th century, where many parents come to have their children named. If your visit falls on a weekend, you can also see Thimphu's weekend market, which sells many local goods. Afterwards, return to your hotel.

    Altitude
    2,320 m (7,610 ft)+120 m
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Thimphu
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. After breakfast, we leave for Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. The road passes through pine forest hung with lichen up to the Dochula Pass, which has clear views of the Himalayas, then descends a series of hairpin bends to the fertile Punakha Valley. We visit Punakha Dzong and the Buddhist monastery of Chimi Lhakhang. From Punakha, a half-hour drive takes us to Wangdue Phodrang, a small town of closely packed shops beside a river.

    Altitude
    1,300 m (4,270 ft)−1,020 m
    On foot
    None, 3–4 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Wangdue Phodrang
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Today we travel to central Bhutan through tropical vegetation, with panoramic views of the Bhutanese countryside and small settlements along the way. It takes about an hour to reach the Pele La pass, where we take the road towards Gangtey Gompa. After descending for an hour towards the Phobjikha valley, we enter an open valley where you can see the gompa on top of a hill. The valley is an important habitat for the black-necked crane.

    Altitude
    2,900 m (9,510 ft)+1,600 m
    On foot
    None, 3 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Phobjikha
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. The drive from Trongsa to Bumthang takes about 3 hours. In Bumthang, check in to your lodge.

    Altitude
    2,600 m (8,530 ft)−300 m
    On foot
    None, 5–6 hr drive
    Night in
    Lodge, Bumthang
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Mebar Tsho is known as the Burning Lake. It lies on the route to Tang village, on the feeder road below the Bumthang valley. The lake is a sacred site in the region and is associated with the religious treasure revealer (terton) Pema Lingpa. It is a pilgrimage site, surrounded by multi-coloured prayer flags, and you can see small butter lamps there.

    Altitude
    2,600 m (8,530 ft)
    On foot
    3–4 hrs
    Night in
    Lodge, Bumthang
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. After breakfast, we hike up to Tamshing Monastery and to Kurjey Lhakhang, where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have subdued a demon. We also visit Jambay Lhakhang, considered by many to be one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. If your dates coincide, you may see the Tangbi Mani festival, with masked dances accompanied by drums, horns and the chants of Buddhist monks.

    Altitude
    2,600 m (8,530 ft)
    On foot
    4–5 hrs
    Night in
    Lodge, Bumthang
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Drive back to Paro, with views of the Bhutanese countryside along the way.

    Altitude
    2,200 m (7,220 ft)−400 m
    On foot
    None, 9–10 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Paro
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  12. Today your journey ends. Our representative takes you to the international airport in Bhutan for your departure.

    Altitude
    2,200 m (7,220 ft)
    On foot
    None, departure day
    Night in
    No overnight
    Meals
    Breakfast

What's included

  • Accommodation in 3-star hotels in the cities. During the trek, only simple lodges or tented camps are available.
  • Ground transport.
  • Sightseeing in Kathmandu with an Earthbound Expeditions city tour guide.
  • Full-board meals throughout the trek, with camping equipment.
  • Government-trained guides and the necessary number of porters, including their insurance, salary and meals.
  • Farewell dinner with a cultural show.
  • Entry fees and trekking permits.
  • Domestic flights, booked according to the itinerary.
  • Sleeping bags and down jackets for the trek.
  • Car, bus and domestic flights as per the itinerary.

Not included

  • International flights.
  • Museum entrance fees.
  • All personal expenses such as bar bills, drinks and snacks.
  • Airport taxes.
  • Extra charges for hot showers, battery charging, laundry and similar.
  • Personal clothing and equipment.
  • Tips for guides and porters.
  • Costs arising from cancellations, landslides, weather, political unrest or illness, as these are outside our control.

Reviews

Exceptional5.0 out of 5Reviews from Tripadvisor
  • 5836
  • 426
  • 32
  • 23
  • 11
Showing 10 reviews from 901 on Tripadvisor

Mt Kailash Yatra experience with Earthbound Expeditions Rajan Team

July 2024, Tripadvisor

Rajan ji and his team is the best in every aspect of this trip and his team was totally dedicated to give Yatris best experience of Kailash and Manasasarover Yatra. They took care of us more than a family by checking health condition of everyone every day and making very yummay and healthy food in our Trip. Rajan ji is a great leader, singer, comedian and a spiritual guru himself. Myself along with my wife, cousin and friends were blessed to have his team in our spiritual journey of Mt Kailash

AravindbpRead on Tripadvisor

Jaya Chikka: Very compassionate and integrated team

July 2024, Tripadvisor

Jaya Chikka: very compassionate and integrated team with ver good english speaking skills. I have been to Manassarover and Kailash yatra with Earthbound team. Hotels provided are top hotels and the guest houses provided at the remote locations are comfortable. The tent arrangements at manasasarover to take quick hot bath with lake water and hommam are phenomenal. We got hot towels and hot water bags at manasarover and Kailash northface with bed coffee / tea. Served fresh breakfast / lunch and dinners all through the yatra. Supplied bottled water during the entire yatra. Rajan ji accommodated our request to arrange vehicles to go back to the hotel from nothface guest house instead of going on horse.. This saved our energy and time of about four to five hrs. We never missed anything in the trip. Team never lost their temper despite of all our requests on room services and last minute changes . They made sure everyone had food and required medicines everyday. They never rushed anyone during parikrama and allowed everyone to go on their own pace. Kudos to the team for their integrity. I wish the entire team to have many more successful yatras. I also congratulate the team for their charity work that is making an impactful and meaning to the needy people. Their efforts of giving back to the society is much appreciated !! Om namhasivaya !!!

Jaya CRead on Tripadvisor

Best agency in Nepal

May 2024, Tripadvisor

I was lucky to choose this agency of the list of agencies in the Lonely Planet guide. I did the EBC hike, a tour to Pokhara and Chitwan, and a Tibet roadtrip through Earthbound Expeditions and everything was AMAZING. They are very professional, they have the best staff and Mr. Rajan is always caring and pendant on any needs. I highly recommend this agency for any tour in Nepal. You will have an amazing time!

Ely ReyesRead on Tripadvisor

Stop researching and just Hire Earthbound Expeditions!

April 2024, Tripadvisor

We were connected to Arjun by a friend that had used his guide services for a few yoga retreats. Though we were just a small family, she said he would be very helpful. SHE WAS SO RIGHT!! My husband and I traveled with our 4 year old and it was incredible to have a person at the airport to whisk us away to our pre-arranged hotel (which was wonderful!!) Rajan was our guide for the day in Kathmandu and he was great. He really listened to what we thought our 4 year old could handle with sight seeing and gave such great history and background. He was quick to pivot and let us take the longer walk back to the hotel in the afternoon and found a lovely lunch spot for us on the way. It was a perfect city day. Arjun tapped back in for our flight to Pokhara and our hike portion of the trip. He arranged another amazing hotel for our night there and then we did our two day trek to Ghorepani. I can't say enough nice things about how easy going he was with us and all our snack breaks, he even carried our son for a while! We had one porter as well and our son hiked hand in hand with him for a long while as well. (he only had a normal sized backpack so it wasn't a giant load). All the food, lodging, and knowledge that was shared with us the entirety of our trip was beyond what we could have hoped for. The biggest take away was how incredibly stress free it was! For a international, hiking trip with a 4 year old-it was smooth sailing. We would hire them again and again in any country they operated in! 10/10 Don't think, just hire them and show up for an unforgettable time!

Heather FRead on Tripadvisor

You may also like

Chain footbridge with white gatehouses over a rocky river in a wooded Bhutanese valleyfrom $4,167

Bhutan Druk Path Trek

12 days

5.0(1 reviews)Snow peak of Jhomolhari beside Paro Taktsang monastery clinging to a cliff in Bhutanfrom $4,867

Jhomolhari and Lingshi trek in Bhutan with Nepal

16 days

Golden roofs of a whitewashed Bhutanese dzong lit by low sun against a dark hillsidefrom $3,387

All Inclusive Nepal And Bhutan Tour

10 days

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Search every word on this page, or ask somebody who has walked the route.

Talk to an expert

14 days

$4,697 per person

Enquire

As featured on

  • The New York Times
  • The Guardian
  • Sydney Morning Herald
  • Lonely Planet
  • TripAdvisor
  • Mercury News
  • 13 News Israel
  • Action Asia Magazine
  • Apple Daily
  • Trails Worth Hiking

Our Partners

  • Kathmandu Day Trips
  • Thru Hikes Nepal
  • River Fun Beach Resort
  • Thamel Eco Resort
  • Nepal Yoga Retreat

Book Bumthang Cultural Trekking Bhutan