Jambay Lhakhang
One of the country's oldest temples, traditionally said to date to the seventh century. It hosts a lively annual festival and holds sacred images in a small, atmospheric shrine.
Bumthang
Religious festivals full of colour, old temples, apple orchards and Jakar Dzong mark this spiritual heartland.
Attractive locations
Kurjey Lhakhang
A group of three temples around a courtyard, linked to Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have left his body imprint in a cave here. Cypress trees and a long line of prayer wheels frame it.
Tamshing Lhakhang
A temple founded by the treasure-revealer Pema Lingpa in the early 16th century, with old wall paintings. Pilgrims come to carry a heavy chain-mail coat around the temple as a blessing.
Membartsho (Burning Lake)
A sacred pool in the river where Pema Lingpa is said to have retrieved hidden treasures, carrying a lit lamp underwater. Pilgrims leave butter lamps and prayer flags by the bank.
Trongsa Dzong
The largest dzong in Bhutan, spread down a ridge above a deep gorge, and the ancestral home of the royal family. It can be seen from far down the valley.
Jakar Dzong
The fortress of the Bumthang valley, standing on a ridge above Jakar town with views over the valley. It houses monks and local administration offices, so only some areas are open to visitors.
Airports
Bathpalathang Airport BUT
It is about 1 km in a straight line from Bumthang.
Yongphulla Airport YON
It is about 84 km in a straight line from Bumthang.
Paro International Airport PBH
It is about 130 km in a straight line from Bumthang.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan0.1 °C4 mm
- Feb1.4 °C12 mm
- Mar3.7 °C32 mm
- Apr7.0 °C102 mm
- May10.4 °C145 mm
- Jun13.4 °C194 mm
- Jul14.0 °C257 mm
- Aug13.9 °C196 mm
- Sep12.4 °C137 mm
- Oct8.6 °C64 mm
- Nov4.7 °C5 mm
- Dec1.8 °C3 mm
Driest months: Jan, Nov, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Costs
Prices here are about 23% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Your tour operator and guide are your first contact. Reported numbers: police 113, ambulance 112, fire 110 - confirm on arrival.
local government
Royal Bhutan Police emergency hotline 113
Helps with: Bhutan's police emergency hotline, for crimes such as theft or assault. The police site also lists 110 for fire, 111 for traffic and 112 for an ambulance. No tourist police unit is shown.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Bhutan who needs the police urgently, including visitors.
Phone: 113
local government
Department of Tourism, Bhutan
Helps with: Bhutan's tourism department. Its visitor FAQ tells travellers to phone it about tourism enquiries or problems with their tourism experience. The FAQ gives 2300 for calls made within Bhutan.
Who qualifies: Visitors to Bhutan with a tourism enquiry or a problem with their trip.
Phone: +975 17661974
ngo
Bhutan Red Cross Society
Helps with: Bhutan's national Red Cross society. It describes services in social work, health and disaster risk management, delivered through a volunteer network across the country.
Who qualifies: People in Bhutan who need its social, health or disaster response services.
Phone: +975-2-339999
Email: [email protected]
Address: Kuenzangkhar Zur Lam 5 S W, Lower Motithang, Thimphu (PO Box 1976)
local government
Disaster Communication Helpline (999)
Helps with: The Royal Bhutan Police emergency page lists 999 as the Disaster Communication Helpline Unit, alongside 113 for police, 110 for fire and 112 for an ambulance.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Bhutan affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 999