Luxury Travel to Bumthang

Buthan's historic hinterland

Bumthang, “beautiful field”, is a modern-day Shangri-La in eastern Bhutan. Rich in pleasant farming lands, it’s also one of Bhutan’s most historic regions and a stay here will bring you close to a vast number of ancient temples and sacred sites. There’s no shortage of natural treasures either, with two national parks, the Wangchuck Centennial Park in the north, and the Thrumshingla National Park in the south.

Bumthang is composed of the four mountain valleys of Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor. Ura features quaint farming villages with closely clustered houses while Choekhor hosts Bumthang’s main town, Jakar, which has an intricate and imposing dzong – traditional administrative building, and notably ancient and important temples and monasteries. Tang village is worth a visit to see the “Burning Lake” alone, which is where sacred scriptures were thought to have been discovered.

Wangchuck Centennial Park is Bhutan‘s largest national park and features headwaters of four major river systems, blue pine forests and alpine meadows. It’s home to the Bengal tiger, snow leopard, wolf, takin and Himalayan black bear.

Itineraries including Bumthang

Accommodation in Bumthang

Here are some of our travel designers' favourite options

Six Senses Bumthang

The Six Senses Bumthang is reached on a drive through dramatic landscapes of terraced farmland, deep river valleys and precariously perched farmhouses. Set in a pine forest on a hillside above a rushing stream, Six Senses Bumthang was built to immerse guests in the natural beauty of its surroundings, history and traditions, honouring the natural environment rather than impacting it. The lodge takes its name “The Forest in a Forest” from its setting. In total there are eight suites and one large villa featuring spacious balconies and calming forest views across the valley. The communal areas consist of a cosy living room and lounge, designed almost completely in wood and glass, except for splashes of deep green in the plush sofas. The hotel has its dining area, the beautiful Tongtshang Restaurant where guests can dine inside or outside on the terrace. The Six Senses Spa features two treatment rooms and a hot stone bath facility. The area around the hotel gives guests the chance to learn more about Bhutanese culture and visits to the nearby Wangdicholing Palace, a wonderful example of traditional Bhutanese architecture, are recommended. There’s lots of activities at the hotel too including full day treks to the valley’s most important sites as well as opportunities to bike and horseback ride. Other activities include visits to local villages, archery lessons and mushroom foraging. Bumthang is home to some of the Kingdom’s most revered pilgrimage sites and Kurjey Llakhang is believed to have been the resting place of Guru Rinpoche.

See more details