Highlights - Essential Info - Itineraries
Bumthang
The Bumthang region actually encompasses four major valleys, Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume. The largest one and the one with the most important dzongs and monasteries is Chokhor Valley and it is this valley that is generally referred to as Bumthang Valley. It was here that the legendary saint Pema Lingpa (one of the five great tertons = treasure finders) was born, to whom the Bhutanese Royalties trace their lineage. Bumthang is also the first place in Bhutan where Guru Rimpoche brought Buddhism.
Membartsho, the 'Burning Lake' is where Pema Lingpa is said to have entered a pool carrying a burning butter lamp and on re-surfacing he returned with not only the lamp still alight, but also with more treasures hidden by Guru Rinpoche.
Further east is the Ura Valley, the highest of the valleys and believed to have been home to the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan. The road to Ura, one of the most interesting villages in Bhutan, climbs through conifers and beautiful landscape.
Farms and sheep pastures line the road and from the Shelthang La pass one gets a magnificent view of Mount Gangkhar Puensum, the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
