Day 8-11` Bumthang -Ura areas

Day 8 - October 3

Bumthang to Ura (2 hours ride)

One book said that Ura is the most interesting village in Bhutan.  There are about 40 houses (buildings?) in this village and the main attraction is the main Lhakhang.  It seems we will be doing some window or real shopping here.Ura Village has a medieval look to it because of the cobblestone streets, and the typical clothing of the women includes a sheepskin shawl. In the evening you can visit local shops  We will be back to Bumthang for the third night to catch up on anything that we might have missed in the previous two nights, HHHMMM.

There are other small villages around Ura.  May be we can spend time visiting other villages and eat dinner in one of those villages.  We can come back to Bumthang late just for sleeping.  We probably do not want to stay in another town because we will attend the festival the next day.

Day 9 - October 4 This is the day we have been waiting for

Thangbi Mani Festival

Thangbi Mani is a rural festival which is held in the courtyard of small Thangbi monastery built in 1470 by Shamar Rinpoche but was taken over by Pema Lingpa.  This monastery has a yellow roof.  Thangbi village is reached by 20 minutes easy walk from the road-head near Jakar.  It will be a very interesting day - a lot of pictures and videos will be taken.  Make sure we have all the batteries charges up and enough tapes and SD cards.

We will spend the fourth night at Bumthang in the same hotel.(Will anybody complain?)

Day 10 -October 5

Petsheling Monastery Hike

We will hike to Petsheling Monastery, It is located about three hours' hiking distance above the Swiss Guesthouse on a steep incline. It offers fine panoramic views of the central Bumthang valley. We can also hike beyond the monastery across the ridge and feel the spirit of the mountains and monastery.  It seems anybody who comes to Bumthang will hike to Petsheling Monastery but I could not find any picture of this monastery or writing about the hike.  May be we will provide the pictures and some information on the hike after our trip.

In the evening you can relax in the town. Overnight in Bumthang. Hotel Wangdicholing

Day 11 - Tuesday Oct. 6

Bumthang to Wangdue (7-hour drive)

We will be driven to Wangduephodrang, where we can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work.

There are three paved roads in Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhag.

. The Lateral Road enters from the west at Dochu La Pass, crosses the Pana Tsang Chhu at Wangdue Phodrang dzong, and continues east to Tongsa. One spur road heads north from Wangdue Phodrang to the dzong at Punakha and slightly beyond. This becomes the footpath to Gasa. A second spur departs the Lateral Road near the Pele La pass halfway between Wangdue and Tongsa, traveling south a short distance to Gangteng Gonpa and the Phobjika valley where the rare Black-necked Cranes (grus nigricollis) may be found.

Overnight in Wangduephodrang. Hotel Dragon's Nest

Will we be going to Wangduephodrang and or Gangteng Gonpa to see the black neck crane?