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Bumthang

Central Bhutan

2,600 m8,530 ft above sea level

Bumthang is both a district in central Bhutan and the name commonly used for the area around Jakar Dzong. Often called Bhutan’s spiritual heartland, it is known for its ancient temples, important pilgrimage sites and peaceful mountain scenery. The district’s four main valleys—Choekhor, Tang, Chumey and Ura—each have their own landscapes and local character. Jakar, the main town and administrative centre, sits in Choekhor Valley.
The name Bumthang is commonly translated as “beautiful field.” One traditional explanation connects thang with a flat field or plain, and bum with a bumpa, a ritual vessel for holy water. The name is also associated with the shape of the valley.

Valleys, villages and scenery
Bumthang’s broad valleys open onto fields, orchards and grazing land, framed by forested hills and high mountain peaks. Streams run through the countryside, linking villages and farmland. Visitors can explore the valleys at a gentle pace, stopping at villages, temples and viewpoints along the way.
Each valley offers a different experience. Choekhor, where Jakar is located, is a convenient base for visiting many of the district’s best-known temples. Tang is associated with the Buddhist master Pema Lingpa and the sacred Mebar Tsho, often called the Burning Lake and where one of Windhorse Tours’s Horse Ranch is located. Chumey is known for its weaving tradition, while Ura is celebrated for its highland scenery and traditional village life.

Bumthang
Best time to visit
March to May, September to November
Getting there
2-3 hrs drive from Trongsa, or by domestic flight to Bathpalathang airport
Suggested stay
3 to 4 nights

Places in and around Bumthang

51 places

Groups always run in this order. Inside each group, the must-see picks come first; hikes and places to stay follow the order Windhorse recommends.

Sights and attractions in Bumthang

26
  1. Sight

    Drive from Bumthang to Punakha

    Retrace the drive from Jakar to Punakha, passing through Yotongla Pass (3,420 meters above sea level), then continue to Trongsa Valley.

  2. Sight

    Dur Tshachu – Tshochenchen

    Approx 18km, 6hr.

  3. Sight

    Gangkar Phunsum – Geshe Woma

    It's time now to leave beautiful mountains. But the trek is not yet over.

  4. Sight

    Geshe Woma – Warathang

    The path continues following Sha Chu for two and half-hours until the stiff climb to Sakala begins.

  5. Sight

    Road from Jakar to Wangdue & Punakha

    The road journey from Jakar (Bumthang) to Punakha in Bhutan is a captivating experience that takes you through diverse landscapes, historical sites, and charming towns.

  6. Sight

    Tshochenchen – Dur / Bumthang

    This is our last day and we will probably switch from Yaks to mules.

  7. Sight

    Warathang – Dur Tshachu

    A short half-hour climb leads to Juelela pass (4,400m). After the pass, descend to the riverside through dense rhododendron, juniper and conifer forests.

  8. Nature & Viewpoints

    Gangkar Punsum Base Camp

    Gangkhar Puensuum at 7541 meters (24,741 feet) is Bhutan's highest peak and one of highest unclimbed peak in the world.

  9. Temples & Monasteries

    Kharchu Dratsang

    Kharchu Monastery is a Nyingmapa Buddhist Monastery following the Jangter Tradition, led by the Seventh Namhai Nyingpo.

  10. Temples & Monasteries

    Tharpaling

    Tharpaling Monastery, nestled in Bhutan's Chume Valley at an elevation of 3,600 meters, is a sacred site with a multifaceted history.

    3,600 m / 11,811 ft
  11. Dzongs & Fortresses

    Domkhar Tashicholing

    Domkhar Dzong, also known as Domlhar Tashicholing Palace, is situated just above Domkhar village in the Chumey valley of Bumthang.

  12. Temples & Monasteries

    Prakar Lhakhang

    Prakar Lhakhang is located in Chumi valley of Bumthang which was built in 17th century.Visible on the promontory on the opposite side of the river from Zugney village…

  13. Towns & Valleys

    Chumey Valley

    Chumey Valley is one of the four valleys in the Bumthang district, situated at an elevation of approximately 2,800 meters.

    2,800 m / 9,186 ft
  14. Museums & Institutions

    Ogyencholing Manor

    Ogyencholing or Ugyencholing was the center of Dorje Lingpa (1346-1405), a Buddhist Dzogchen master who established his center here.

  15. Temples & Monasteries

    Pema Thekchok Choling Nunnery

    Located on a plateau at the entrance of Tang Valley, there is a nunnery known as Pema Thekchok Choling. This monastic school for nuns was established by Gangtey Tulku in 2001.

  16. Temples & Monasteries

    Ta Rimochen

    Ta Rimochen, also called Tang Rimochen, is a temple located near the village of Misethang, close to the Tangchu River.

  17. Towns & Valleys

    Tang Valley

    Tang is one of the four valleys in Bumthang district, and it is situated at a higher elevation compared to Choekhor and Chumey.

  18. Nature & Viewpoints

    Membartsho

    Membartsho, or the "Burning Lake," is a hallowed pool formed by natural rock formations and fed by the Tang chu river.

  19. Towns & Valleys

    Ura Valley

    Ura Valley is the easternmost and highest among the four Bumthang valleys, with an altitude of approximately 3,100 meters, imparting a profound sense of remoteness.

    3,100 m / 10,171 ft
  20. Dzongs & Fortresses

    Wangdichholing Palace

    Wangdichholing Palace was built on the site of the battle camp by the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel, the father of the first King of Bhutan.

  21. Dzongs & Fortresses

    Jakar Dzong

    Jakar Dzong, meaning the "Castle of the White Bird," is perched atop a picturesque ridge overlooking Chokhor valley and the town of Chamkhar in Bumthang, Bhutan.

  22. Temples & Monasteries

    Kenchoksum Temple

    Kenchoksum Temple, located a short walk from Tamshing Monastery, was rebuilt after being damaged by a fire in 2010.

  23. Temples & Monasteries

    Tamzhing Monastery

    Tamshing Monastery is said to have been built by Pema Lingpa himself in 1501.

  24. Temples & Monasteries

    Kurjey Lhakhang Complex

    The Kurjey Lhakhang Complex is a significant spiritual site where Guru Rinpoche meditated on solid rock, leaving the imprint of his body, hence known as "kurjey," meaning body imprint.

  25. Temples & Monasteries

    Chakhar Lhakhang

    A very important temple for Buddhism as it was a nine-storey 'iron castle' palace built by the 8th century King Sindhu Raja.

  26. Temples & Monasteries

    Jambay Lhakhang

    Jambay Lhakhang, the Temple of Maitreya, is one of the legendary 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 CE, according to legend.

Restaurants in Bumthang

3
  1. Restaurants

    Café Perk

    A popular main-street café for good coffee, milkshakes, smoothies and sundaes, with plenty of vegetarian options. A good break from local food.

  2. Restaurants

    Himalayan Pizza

    Cheap and cheerful square pizza slices topped with local cheese, plus pasta, beef and cheese momos and chugo. Service can be slow.

  3. Restaurants

    Swiss Guest House Restaurant

    A long-running guesthouse restaurant with Bhutanese dishes, buckwheat pancakes and Swiss favourites like fondue and rösti, made with Bumthang cheese, plus local Red Panda beer.

Shops in Bumthang

2
  1. Markets & Crafts

    Yathra Weaving at Zungney

    Yathra is colourful wool weaving with intricate patterns on colored wool native to Chumey valley in central Bhutan.

  2. Markets & Crafts

    Bumthang Brewery

    This state-of-the-art microbrewery offers tours that include a bottle of Red Panda beer.

Where to stay in Bumthang

20In the order Windhorse recommends
  1. Farmstay

    Alpine Organic Farm House

    Alpine organic farm stay is one of the best destinations to enjoy with the family and get in touch with the serene environment.

  2. Hotel

    Araya Zamlha Hotel

    Beside the main road above Ura, this hotel has six basic pine-panelled rooms with bukhari and private bathrooms. Two rooms have valley views.

  3. Farmstay

    Buli Farm House

    Buli farmstay is nestled on a hill overlooking the beautiful Chumey valley in Bumthang near Buli lhakhang and from here you can also hike to Tharpaling monastery, visiting…

  4. Guest house

    Bumthang guest house

  5. Resort

    Chumey Nature Resort

    Chumey Nature Resort hotel in Bumthang is located in Geytsa village of Chumey Valley, near Zungey Weaving, Prakar Monastery and very close to Domkar Tashicholing Palace.

    3-star resort
  6. Guest house

    Dekyil Guest House

    Dekyil guest house is one of the prominent properties ideally located in Bumthang with walkable distance from Chamkar. A quaint place surrounded by apple orchard and green meadow.

    3-star guest house
  7. Farmstay

    Dorjibi Farm House

    Dorjibi Farm House is popular for its hospitality where visitors can share with the local an authentic Bhutanese culture.

    2-star farmstay
  8. Guest house

    Jakar View Guest House

    An embodiment of the captivating Bhutanese architecture and enveloped by lush green pine on all sides, Hotel Jakar View stands majestically, beckoning visitors of mythical Bumthang.

  9. Resort

    Lhendup Choling Resort

    Lhendupcholing Resort is located in the Tamzhing, Bumthang Bhutan. It is a good standard hotel for the visitors with total of 17 standard double rooms with good facilities.

  11. Guest house

    Ngang Lhakhang Guest House

    Ngalhakhang Gust House is a heritage farm stay in Choker valley previously owned by noble families in Bumthang.

  12. Farmstay

    Phola Farm House

    Phola farm House is located in Tang valley in Bumthang district. Traditional Bhutanese farm house now converted into a guest house run by a family.

    3-star farmstay
  13. Resort

    Shingkhar Retreat

    Shingkhar Retreat is in Ura Valley.

    1-star resort
  14. Hotel

    Six Sense Bumthang

    Six Senses Bumthang remote location within an evergreen pine grove has won it nickname Forest within a Forest, and effort has been made to ensure that the natural…

    5-star hotel
  16. Resort

    Valley Resort

    Valley Resort is located in the peaceful, picturesque countryside of the Bumthang valley.

    3-star resort
  17. Resort

    Wangchuck resort

    Wangchuk Hotels & Resort is a family run business that opened their first hotel in 1996.

    3-star resort
  18. Eco lodge

    Wangdicholing Lodge

    Wangdicholing Hotel is located above the Jakar village. The hotel is a modern typical Bhutanese building. Our room was spacious and very clean.

    3-star eco lodge
  19. Eco lodge

    Yozerling Lodge

    Welcome to Yoezerling Lodge, a nice option for travellers. For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Bumthang valley.

    3-star eco lodge
  20. Resort

    Yugharling Resort

    The Resort is located at a good location from where one can enjoy the breathtaking views of Chamkhar River, temples, paddy fields, villages, cattle grazing, mountains, and the surrounding wilderness.

Where to stay in Bumthang, with levels, guest reviews and a map

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Trips that visit Bumthang

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