Ura Valley, Bumthang

A 48 kilometer drive takes one and a half hours to reach Ura Valley from Jakar town. One can see Mt. Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan’s tallest mountain peak, on the approach to the drive. A beautiful view of the valley, sheep pastures, and sporadic trees mark the trip. The valley itself differs from other areas in that it is home to Ura village, a collection of houses divided by narrow cobblestone lanes that is unusual to see in the nation. Ura Valley offers the 9 km-long Geyzamchu Walking Path, a 5-hour hike that allows hikers to cross both Geyzam Chu and the Wangthang La Pass.The Ura Lhakhang is a popular spot in the area which plays host to the festival of Ura Tsechu in May. Ura Yakchoe is a popular dance in the country for its attractive movements. A special relic is put on display at this time so that people can receive blessings from it. Ache Lhamo dances are exclusive only to Ura in Bhutan. One could also try visiting the community library and read about local histories.