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Bumthang

Home to the lion's share of Bhutan's sacred sites and ancient temples, Bumthang is arguably the most historic area in all of Bhutan. Bumthang is known for its apples, wheat, and honey production, as well as its unique dialect, influenced by the Tibetan language. Due to its numerous landmarks and exquisite natural beauty, much of Bumthang is protected as a natural preserve. Enter a landscape of forested valleys, gentle hills capped with whitewashed monasteries, and azure skies.

Highlights of Bumthang include Jakar Dzong, a mighty fortress that is the largest one in the country; the tasty Red Panda Brewery, a microbrewery operation that is the first of its kind in Bhutan, and was founded by a Swiss citizen; and Wangdicholing Palace, once home to the royal family of Bhutan. 

Experiences

A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.

Chipdrel Ceremony

Visit a local village and receive a "chipdrel" ceremony in your honor. An age-old Bhutanese custom, the chipdrel is a lively and colorful procession in which residents carry Bhutan's distinctive prayer flags and chant prayers for your well-being.

Jakar Dzong

Visit Jakar Dzong, said to be the largest dzong, or fortress, in Bhutan.The current structure was built in 1667 but was damaged once by fire and again by a major earthquake in 1897. Hike to the dzong via a stone-paved path, which will offer you stunning views of Choskhor valley.

Membartsho (Burning Lake)

Visit Membartsho, or Burning Lake, a famous site in eastern Bhutan. Physically, this beautiful lake is actually just a widening of the Tang Chhu River. There are prayer flags strewn across it, as this is a Buddhist holy site where Pema Lingpa, one of the most illustrious tertons, or “treasure finders,” of Vajrayana Buddhism, performed the second of his two miraculous acts. (The first act occurred at a smaller lake fed by water from the Tang Chhu River.)

Ngalakhang

Spend the afternoon with the villagers as they go about their various daily activities, including pounding rice, threshing wheat, and spinning and weaving.

Red Panda Brewery

Visit the Red Panda Brewery and enjoy a tour and tasting at this unique beer factory founded in 2006 by Fritz Maurer, a Swiss man who became a Bhutanese citizen in 1976. The brewery was the first of its kind in Bhutan, producing both a local beer called Weissbier and apple juice, for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages.

Swiss Farm

Also visit Mr. Maurer’s Swiss Farm, home to Bhutan’s only commercial cheese factory. Maurer introduced modern farm equipment to the area, as well as green technology such as fuel efficient, smokeless wood stoves. If he is available, meet him and chat about his current projects and his relationship with the fairytale kingdom he now calls home.

Teach English

Visit a local school and trade tidbits of your life and culture with the eager pupils. If you wish, teach an informal English or geography lesson – in Bhutan, English is a standard part of the curriculum.

Wangdicholing Palace

Attend an evening prayer session at Wangdicholing Palace, the former residence of the Bhutanese royal family. Today, approximately 26 young monks reside and study in the palace, and every night they gather to perform prayers and chants in the altar room. The monks will also utilize drums and horns in their ceremony, and each session lasts approximately one hour.

Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony

Renew your vows with a traditional Bhutanese ceremony, a lively, spiritual event where red-robed monks chant, ring bells, and play six-foot long trumpets. Afterwards, sample exotic foods, from fried momos, or dumplings, to casseroles of meat, potatoes, and cheese cooked with chilies, as well as beverages distilled from a wide range of ingredients, including barley, wheat, millet, and rice.

Bhutan Regions

Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below.

Bumthang Itineraries

All Itineraries
Multi Country
Intrepid
Classic Bhutan

Classic Bhutan

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
From $16,800
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Ancient & Modern: Bangkok and Bhutan

Ancient & Modern: Bangkok and Bhutan

Duration
16 days / 15 nights
Price Per Person
From $19,500
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Bhutan Luxury Road Trip

Bhutan Luxury Road Trip

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
From $24,700
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Intimate India and Beautiful Bhutan: Overland from New Delhi to Bumthang

Intimate India and Beautiful Bhutan: Overland from New Delhi to Bumthang

Duration
22 days / 21 nights
Price Per Person
From $20,600
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Beautiful Bhutan by Bike

Beautiful Bhutan by Bike

Duration
16 days / 15 nights
Price Per Person
From $27,900
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Lhuntsi Trek

Lhuntsi Trek

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
From $17,400
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Pilgrim's Valley Trek

Pilgrim's Valley Trek

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
From $22,000
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Amankora Bumthang
Preferred Hotel

Amankora Bumthang

Bumthang, Bhutan

Amankora Bumthang is a recently opened Amankora in Bhutan, with views of buckwheat, millet and potato fields, an apple orchard, and Wangdicholing Palace, the Kingdom’s oldest palace, which is now a monastery. There are 16 suites complete with a bukhari and views of the courtyard and palace. Amankora Bumthang has a spa with three treatment rooms and a steam room. There is no business center, but the Library has an Internet station and WiFi access. The property is approximately a 15-minute drive from the new airport in Bumthang.

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Six Senses Bumthang
Preferred Hotel

Six Senses Bumthang

Bumthang, Bhutan

Conceived as a forest within a forest, this stunning Six Senses property is located amidst dense blue pine trees, right by the river. If peace and exclusivity are what you seek, look no further: the resort’s setting is a visual and auditory delight close to hallowed temples and monasteries and imbues visitors with an uncommon sense of serenity. Six Senses staff are passionate about their eco credentials. Sustainability is paramount here, from eco-friendly water and waste management to a focus on green energy, thus preserving the ethos of the world’s only carbon-negative country. The lodge has eight beautifully appointed suites and one two-bedroom villa comprising the property. Traditional Bhutanese fare is offered for diners to partake in authentic local cuisine, while at the wellness spa, stress melts away following a Bhutanese hot stone bath. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide exceptional views, interiors are clean and contemporary, while recycled wood furnishings and timber walls deliver a sense of warmth. As one of the branches of the Six Senses Bhutan umbrella, it is directly connected to the four other Six Senses hotels in Bhutan’s west.

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