Jakar Dzong
Central Bhutan

Bumthang

Four sacred valleys of buckwheat, apples and the oldest temples in the kingdom.

Altitude 2,580 m at Jakar Best season April to June, September to November Worth 3 nights Getting there Two hours beyond Trongsa; small airport at Bathpalathang

If western Bhutan is the kingdom’s front room, Bumthang is its chapel — four valleys where Guru Rinpoche himself left his body’s imprint in rock.

Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume hold the densest concentration of sacred sites in the country: Jambay Lhakhang, built in a single day in the seventh century; Kurjey, where the Guru meditated; Tamshing, with its unrestored fifteenth century murals. Between the temples: buckwheat fields, apple orchards, a Swiss founded cheese and beer operation, and some of the kingdom’s finest weaving in wool.

The east begins here, in pace as much as geography. Three nights is the minimum the valleys deserve.

While You Are Here

Things worth your time

  1. 01 The Chokhor valley temple circuit Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey and Tamshing in one unhurried day, on foot and by farm road, with the river for company.
  2. 02 Tang valley and the Burning Lake Mebar Tsho, where the treasure revealer Pema Lingpa dove holding a butter lamp and surfaced with it still alight.
  3. 03 Ura village The highest of the four valleys — cobbled lanes, shingled roofs and a village that still moves entirely at its own pace.
  4. 04 Red Panda and farmhouse cheese The Swiss legacy in Jakar: unfiltered weiss beer and emmental beside the buckwheat pancakes.
  5. 05 Walk the Bumthang Cultural Trek Two to three gentle days ridge to ridge between the valleys — the softest multi day walk in Bhutan.

Jambay Lhakhang Drup each autumn includes the mewang fire blessing — a gate of burning grass under the night sky. Read about Jambay Lhakhang Drup

Where You Stay

Rooms we trust here

Six Senses Bumthang Amankora Bumthang

All stays

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