Indian Subcontinent Guide
History, culture & scenery to make you weak at the knees.
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4.9/5 (992 reviews)

Home to some of the most sacred and religious sites in the country, Bumthang is often referred to as the cultural heartland of Bhutan. It was here that Buddhism was first introduced (quite a claim!) and the area is steeped in folklore, monasteries clinging to forested hillsides and grand palaces residing in splendour. The area is divided into four sweeping valleys – Chokhor, Tang, Chumey and Ura – dotted with red rice paddies, apple fields and golden wheat and offering up all manner of gasp-worthy landscapes. In the Chokhor Valley, hike to the elegant hilltop monastery, Jakar Dzong, to see the valleys in all their glory, and listen to the fascinating stories of the Kurjet Lhakhang complex. In next door Ura Valley, it’s all about the trekking. Head through pretty villages with their cobbled streets and traditional houses, and then down to the hallowed Burning Lake, hidden at the bottom of a deep gorge and beguiling in its beauty.
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This is probably one of the quietest corners of Asia, so far away from the 24/7 digital age, it’s almost as if you’ve teleported yourself back 100 years. Relax, breathe, and soak it all in.
It’s not uncommon to see mentions of Swiss cheese on a menu. It’s actually produced in Jakar, by an authentic Swiss man, and handily, it’s next to the Red Panda beer factory should you fancy an evening of decadent delights.
Bumthang now has an airport, albeit a small one, and a large highway connecting it with the rest of the country so times are a-changing. All the more reason to visit now.
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Dry Season — a quieter time to visit
Dry Season — a quieter time to visit
Dry Season — a good time to visit
Dry Season — one of the best times to visit
Dry Season — a good time to visit
Wet Season — a quieter time to visit
Wet Season — a quieter time to visit
Wet Season — a quieter time to visit
Wet Season — a good time to visit
Dry Season — one of the best times to visit
Dry Season — one of the best times to visit
Dry Season — a good time to visit
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