Ura
Glimpses of Rural Bhutan
General Information
, State: Bumthang, Bhutan
Area: 0
Languages Spoken: Bhutanese and English
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: October to May and -
International Access: -
Description
The last valley in Central Bhutan, Ura Valley, is also the highest in Bumthang. Wide open spaces characterize the valley that sits In the shadow of the Thrumsingla pass, separating the East from the West of the kingdom. Ura village and its new monastery are a charming stop before the climb to the East. Cobbled streets and a medieval feel give Ura an unusual yet very attractive atmosphere. The old women of Ura still wear sheepskin shawls on their backs which double as a blanket and cushion.Location
Ura is a town in Ura Gewog in Bumthang District in northeastern Bhutan.Located in a broad valley (3100 m), Ura is the highest of the four valleys in Bumthang district.Climate
The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general the eastern region of the country is warmer than the central valleys. However, the higher the altitude, the cooler the weather, and with a brisk wind blowing down off the mountains even low-lying valleys can become chilly. The best time to visit Bhutan is from October to May when the climate is mainly dry and sunny, while in December and January snow may block mountain passes and travel is therefore restricted to the western valleys.
It is about 1 ½ hours drive from Bumthang towards the east of Bhutan. Situated at an elevation of 10,170 feet, Ura is quite a large village with closely packed houses along the cobblestone paths that give the village a medieval atmosphere. Overlooking the village, there is a newly built temple dedicated to Guru Rinpoche which contains his gigantic statue and the remarkable paintings of his teachings. The village breeds yak and sheep, and potatoes are now an important cash crop. A visit to this village will give you close contact with people and their village life.
Bird Watching Tours in Bhutan / BUT-08 (14 Days / 13 Nights)
Paro-Thimphu-Punakha-Wangduephodrang-Trongsa-Bumthang-Ura-Limithang-Mongar-Bumthang-Thimphu-Paro
Despite its small size about 770 species of birds have been recorded in Bhutan and the kingdom is recognized as 221 global endemic birds areas. Within country's borders there are extraordinary range of habitats, from some of the Himalaya's most extensive and least disturbed tropical forests to cool broad leaved andbirds in bhutan towering evergreen forests of fir, hemlock and spruce. The entire country is bisected by well maintained paved road and birding especially in mid to late spring (late March to late May) is good virtually anywhere below 3,100 m. Unlike many part of Asia, one is not obliged to seek out a park or reserve or remnant patch of 'good looking' habitat, since at any stop even in the midst of farmland, exciting birds are visible. The mixed broadleaf forests are much richer, and therefore more exciting for birding, than the rather slow growing monotypic stands of blue pine and particularly chir pine.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Paro
Day 2 : Paro
Day 3 : Paro-Thimphu
Day 4 : Thimphu-Punakha
Day 5 : Punakha-Wangduephodrang
Day 6 : Wangduephodrang-Trongsa
Day 7 : Trongsa-Bumthang
Day 8 : Bumthang-Ura
Day 9 : Ura-Limithang
Day 10 : Limithang-Mongar
Day 11 : Mongar
Day 12 : Mongar-Bumthang
Day 13 : Bumthang-Thimphu
Day 14 : Thimphu-Paro
Paro-Thimphu-Punakha-Wangduephodrang-Trongsa-Bumthang-Ura-Limithang-Mongar-Bumthang-Thimphu-Paro
Despite its small size about 770 species of birds have been recorded in Bhutan and the kingdom is recognized as 221 global endemic birds areas. Within country's borders there are extraordinary range of habitats, from some of the Himalaya's most extensive and least disturbed tropical forests to cool broad leaved andbirds in bhutan towering evergreen forests of fir, hemlock and spruce. The entire country is bisected by well maintained paved road and birding especially in mid to late spring (late March to late May) is good virtually anywhere below 3,100 m. Unlike many part of Asia, one is not obliged to seek out a park or reserve or remnant patch of 'good looking' habitat, since at any stop even in the midst of farmland, exciting birds are visible. The mixed broadleaf forests are much richer, and therefore more exciting for birding, than the rather slow growing monotypic stands of blue pine and particularly chir pine.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Paro
Day 2 : Paro
Day 3 : Paro-Thimphu
Day 4 : Thimphu-Punakha
Day 5 : Punakha-Wangduephodrang
Day 6 : Wangduephodrang-Trongsa
Day 7 : Trongsa-Bumthang
Day 8 : Bumthang-Ura
Day 9 : Ura-Limithang
Day 10 : Limithang-Mongar
Day 11 : Mongar
Day 12 : Mongar-Bumthang
Day 13 : Bumthang-Thimphu
Day 14 : Thimphu-Paro
Ura, Bhutan Tours