Bumthang, Bhutan
Bhutan's spiritual heartland — four valleys of red rice, apples, and ancient monasteries.
2800m elevation Best in Mar, Apr, May, Sep +
About Bumthang
Bumthang is a cluster of four valleys in central Bhutan — Choekhor, Tang, Ura, Chhume — at elevations between 2,600m and 4,000m. It's widely considered Bhutan's spiritual heart, home to some of the country's oldest temples and the Burning Lake (Mebar Tsho).
The region is famous for its red rice, buckwheat pancakes, yathra wool weaving, and Red Panda beer from the Bumthang Brewery. Most travelers who go beyond Paro/Thimphu/Punakha add 2-3 nights here. Accessible by a long scenic drive from the west or a domestic flight into Bumthang (Bathpalathang) airport.
Top things to do
- Jakar Dzong
- Jambay Lhakhang (built 7th century)
- Kurjey Lhakhang
- Mebar Tsho (the Burning Lake)
- Yathra wool weaving in Chumey
- Bumthang Brewery (Red Panda beer)
Hotels & stays in Bumthang
All hotels & staysExperiences in Bumthang
All experiences🥾 AdventureExtreme
Snowman Trek — 25+ day expedition
Laya → Bumthang 25 days
One of the world's hardest treks — Laya to Bumthang across 11 high passes.
Sep, Oct≤8
from $5500
☸️ Spiritual
3-night meditation retreat at a monastery
Gangtey / Tango Monastery 3 days
Guided silent retreat at a working monastery — monastic schedule, simple meals, teachings.
Mar, Apr, May…≤12
from $280
Products from Bumthang
All products🧵 Textile
Kira — hand-woven traditional dress
Lhuentse, Bumthang, Thimphu
The national dress of Bhutanese women, hand-loomed in silk and cotton with centuries-old patterns.
3 shops
from $80–$2500
🧵 Textile
Yathra — Bumthang wool weave
Bumthang
Thick sheep-wool fabric from Bumthang — used for jackets, blankets and bags.
2 shops
from $30–$400
🍯 Food & Drink
Cliff honey — Bumthang
Bumthang, Trongsa
Wild honey harvested from Himalayan rhododendron forests at 2,500m+.
2 shops
from $18–$60
🍯 Food & Drink
Chugo — hardened yak cheese
Phobjikha, Bumthang, Laya
Rock-hard yak cheese that lasts months — chewed slowly like a Bhutanese jerky.
2 shops
from $3–$12
🍯 Food & Drink
Ara — traditional rice & maize spirit
Rural Bhutan
Home-distilled Bhutanese liquor — rice, maize, wheat or millet, often herb-infused.
2 shops
from $5–$25
Other Bhutan destinations
Thimphu
Bhutan's unhurried capital — the only one in the world without traffic lights.
Paro
Bhutan's front door — valley of Tiger's Nest and Bhutan's only international airport.
Punakha
The warm former capital, home to Bhutan's most beautiful dzong at the river confluence.
Phobjikha
Glacial valley where endangered black-necked cranes winter from November to March.
Haa
Bhutan's quiet west — alpine meadows, rare-yak pastures, off-the-beaten-path.
Trongsa
Central Bhutan crossroads with the country's longest dzong, birthplace of the monarchy.