Ura Valley is a secluded Himalayan haven tucked away in Bumthang District, Bhutan. With its storybook setting, rich folklore, and authentic highland charm, Ura Valley is arguably one of Bhutan’s most scenic destinations, Ura is a destination for those who want to delve deeper into the spiritual and cultural heart of Bhutan.
1. Location and Geography
Ura Valley is perched at an elevation of about 3,100 metres in eastern Bumthang, roughly 48 km from Jakar town. It’s one of the highest valleys in the country that can be accessed by vehicle, lying just before the iconic Thrumshing La Pass. Surrounded by spruce, fir, pine and rhododendron forests, it offers rolling fields of cereals that earned it the poetic moniker “Ura Serzhong” or “Golden Bowl Valley.”
2. The Village and Its Way of Life
With 60–70 households and around 400 residents, Ura is one of the largest clustered villages in central Bhutan. Villagers once lived in scattered hamlets, but over time they merged around the local dzong (castle/ruler’s residence), forming four historic divisions: Todpa (upper), Tarshong (stable-side), Charzhung (wall-side) and Krispa (earliest settlement).
3. Name and Spiritual Significance
The valley’s name traces back to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who is said to have visited in the 8th century and blessed it as “Ugyen Bayul” or “hidden valley of Ugyen Rinpoche”. Over time the name was shortened to “Urbay” then “Ura.” Tibetan masters long revered the valley—such as Longchen Rabjampa in the 14th century—and the valley’s sacred status is reflected in multiple myths linking it to deities and hidden lands.
4. Spiritual Sites and Rituals
At the heart of the village stands Ura Lhakhang, the two-storey temple rebuilt in 1986 on the site of an older structure, housing a large bronze statue of Guru Rinpoche and religious texts gifted by local patrons.
Beyond that, several other sacred places dot the upper reaches:
Sumthrang Chodzong, founded early in the 13th century for Dorji Phurba rituals.
Shingkhar Dechenling by Longchen Rabjampa.
Gaden Lhakhang, a 14th-century temple tied to Phajo Drugom Zhigpo’s lineage located just above the village. Bhuddhist practice deepened from the 13th century onward.
5. Folklore, Leadership and Royal Lineage
Local legends speak of the valley being ruled by “Dung” leaders descended miraculously from divine beings. The original lineage ended with no heirs, leading villagers to find an incarnation in Tibet via the “pear-fruit test”—the child who caught the fruit was brought back and installed as ruler. Alternative myths speak of a celestial being reincarnated through a fish. One lineage is traced back to King Langdarma of Tibet.
6. Festivals, Rituals and Community Life
Ura’s vibrant cultural calendar includes:
Ura Yakchoe: A five-day festival held in the third lunar month, commemorating Guru Rinpoche’s arrival and warding off epidemics. It features masked dances (e.g., Throchu, Mangchen, Tenkor), folk songs by clown figures, and communal breakfasts at every home.
Sang ceremony: Carried out by women, this pre-Buddhist ritual seeks to appease the mountain deity Azhé Lhamo through song, dance, and offerings made at high-altitude shrines.
Pholha ritual (10th lunar month): A winter rite involving juniper flags and household offerings to the guardian deity of Tshampa, tied to traditional pilgrimage and trade routes.
These events, along with numerous smaller religious practices, play a key role in preserving Ura’s strong sense of community—even as urban jobs and migration challenge its traditions.
7. Hiking and Outdoor Activities
Ura Valley is ideal for light trekking and village exploration. You can spend a full day hiking the surrounding ridges, visiting neighbouring hamlets like Shingkhar, or simply wandering through the fields and lanes of Ura itself. The scenery is ever-changing—golden buckwheat fields in autumn, wildflowers in spring, misty forests in summer. For more adventurous travellers, there are day hikes leading to old temples and secluded meditation spots.
8. Best Time to Visit Ura Valley in Bhutan
Spring (March to May): Mild temperatures, blooming rhododendrons, and the Ura Yakchoe make this the peak travel period.
Summer (June to August): Ideal for mushroom hunting and enjoying the greenery, though occasional rain showers are expected.
Autumn (September to November): Clear skies and stunning fall colours. A great season for trekking and photography.
Winter (December to February): Cold and crisp. While not ideal for all, this is a peaceful time with few tourists—perfect if you’re after solitude.
Travel Tip
Many travellers pair a stay in Ura (1–2 nights) with gentle hikes—visiting Gaden and Shingkhar temples, walking among cereal fields and engaging with local farmers.
Check out the Ura Yakchoe Festival Tour Package.
9. How to Get There
From Jakar, the drive to Ura takes around one and a half hours along Bhutan’s east-west highway. The road winds through scenic hillsides, passing scattered farms and grazing sheep. For those journeying farther east towards Mongar or Lhuentse, Ura makes an excellent overnight stop or detour.
Why You Should Visit Ura Valley
Unlike more touristy areas, Ura has preserved its rustic charm and deep-rooted traditions. Whether you’re soaking in the landscape, attending a sacred festival, or simply sitting by a hearth listening to local tales, Ura gives you a raw, authentic taste of Bhutanese highland life. It’s one of those places where time slows down—and you’ll be glad it does.