BUMTHANG CULTURAL TREK
Bumthang cultural trek is a three-day trek. The trek trail takes you through beautiful valleys and along clear, trout-filled rivers. Bumthang is often known as the ‘cultural heartland’ of Bhutan because there are plenty of ancient temples to visit during the hike where no other treks in Bhutan offer you this opportunity. This trek also lets you explore the Bhutanese culture carefully guarded and well-preserved cultures in Bhutan. Though this trek is known to be a relatively short and easy trek there is one day of a long climb and descend (about 500m) to Phephe La (3360m). The best time to go on this trek is in spring or autumn.
Day 1- Toktu Zampa to Nga Lhakhang
Day 2- Nga Lhakhang to Gamling Camp
Day 3- Thang valley to Ugyenchhoeling, Bumthang
Day 1- Toktu Zampa to Nga Lhakhang
Trek Rating: Easy
Maximum Altitude: 2900m
Duration: 4-5 hours
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Camping
This trek begins near Kurje Lhakhang where the past kings of Bhutan have been cremated. The old temple has a golden statue of the Guru 30 feet high accompanied by Mandarava and Yeshey Tshogyel (they are his consorts) about 15 feet high. We have to drive past the temple for a short distance until the trek trail.
After a gentle climb up you will see the farmers plowing their fields and a beautiful view of small villages. After trekking for four hours you will reach a village of Ngang Yul (Ngang means swan and Yul means land) with its center swan Lhakhang (temple)
Overnight at the camp.
Day 2- Nga Lhakhang to Gamling Camp
Trek Rating: Moderate
Maximum Altitude: 3120m
Duration: 6 hours
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Camping
The second day of the camp takes you quite long compared to the first day. The trek starts with the gradual climb through the valley and into a mixed thick forest of maple, pine and rhododendron. As you reach near Phephe the trek trail becomes steeper. From this pass, we head downhill to our camp in Thang valley
Day 3- Thang valley to Ugyenchhoeling, Bumthang
Trek Rating: Moderate
Maximum Altitude: 3000m
Duration: 4-5 hours
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Hotel
The last day of the trek takes you through the village of Ugyenchhoeling, which is a repository for artifacts of ancient nobility. From there we will take a short downhill walk to kizam where your vehicle will be waiting for you to take you to the hotel in Bumthang.
On the way back to the hotel you will see small villages, farmhouses and farmers working in their field. We cross the Tang chhu over the bridge, where we find rivers filled with trouts. Your guide will also take you to visit the Mebertsho Lake (burning lake) where Terton Pemalingpa, is said to have discovered religious treasures in the 15th century. This lake is very sacred and visited by many Bhutanese on auspicious days.