The vast majority of Bumthang is a protected area, falling within the Wangchuck Centennial Park and the biological corridors that frame both sides. Amongst the 23 species of large mammals which live here are snow leopard, Bengal tiger, wolf, and Himalayan black bear, though they tend to reside in the higher reaches of the valley and are quite shy, so you’ll have to be patient to spot them.
Along the valley floor you’ll find flower filled meadows and fragrant blue pine forests. It’s an idyllic area for trekking, especially if you stop to picnic on the bank of one of the rivers. As you wistfully hike through this unspoiled landscape, you will notice that all of the people you meet will welcome you like a long lost friend.
Bumthang’s district town is also called Bumthang and it is centered on the 16th century Jakar Dzong. It is said that a white bird roosted here, and that was the sign to the monks that it was an auspicious place to build their monastery.
