JakarJakar at a Glance
Costs: Moderate local costs, high for foreigners - bumthang travel follows the national tariff; local costs in Jakar are moderate for food and lodging.
Safety: Very safe and tranquil - extremely safe and peaceful; Bumthang is Bhutan’s spiritual heartland.
Best Time: March-May, September-November - spring and autumn offer the clearest skies and best festival experiences.
Why Visit Jakar?
At the heart of Bumthang, Jakar is a cultural hub for Bhutanese religion, crafts and alpine valleys. Jakar Dzong anchors the town, surrounded by age-old lhakhangs, cheese-makers and butter-tea stalls that underline local daily life. Pilgrims and culture-minded visitors converge during regional tshechus, while the wider Bumthang valley’s monasteries and clear mountain air appeal to those seeking quiet, spiritual landscapes.
Best Things to Do in Jakar
Jakar Bucket List
Don't Miss
Jakar Dzong (Kheng Jambay) - Large fortress overlooking Bumthang valley with historic chapels and administrative rooms.
Kurjey Lhakhang - Sacred temple complex housing revered relics and important pilgrimage sites in Bumthang.
Jambay Lhakhang - One of Bhutan’s oldest temples, known for its annual festival and ancient murals.
Hidden Gems
Mebartsho (Burning Lake) - Sacred riverside site associated with meditation legends and quiet forested walks nearby.
Swiss Farm and local cheese producers - Small alpine farm offering local dairy products and a relaxed mountain atmosphere.
Handicraft shops in Jakar bazaar - Stalls selling locally woven textiles, buddhist items, and artisan souvenirs from Bumthang.
Day Trips
Trongsa and central highlands - Short drive to Trongsa for historical sites, mountainous scenery, and museum visits.
Ura Valley day trip - Highland valley east of Jakar with alpine landscapes and traditional villages to explore.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Jakar
Jakar (Bumthang) is best in spring for flowers, festivals, and trekking; winters are cold and quiet, good for solitude and stargazing. The monsoon turns the valleys green but makes hiking muddy.
Winter
Biting nights and frosty mornings; days can be sunny but cold-ideal for solitude and clear stargazing, with minimal crowds indeed.
Spring
Blooming rhododendrons, mild days and the best trekking conditions-popular with Bhutanese pilgrims, so expect lively festivals and book ahead for homestays.
Monsoon
Heavy rains make trails boggy and some passes impassable; the valley grows lush and quiet, rewarding patient travelers who don’t mind wet conditions.
Jakar's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (956 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | -1° - 10° | 4° | 7 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 1.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.5h |
| February | Good | 1° - 12° | 5° | 14 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 2.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.1h |
| March | Acceptable | 5° - 15° | 9° | 34 mm | overcast | 75% | 1.6 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.9h |
| April | Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 74 mm | overcast | 77% | 1.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.7h |
| May | Acceptable | 10° - 19° | 15° | 108 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.4h |
| June | Acceptable | 13° - 21° | 17° | 150 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.7h |
| July | Good | 14° - 22° | 18° | 199 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.6h |
| August | Acceptable | 14° - 21° | 18° | 182 mm | overcast | 86% | 1.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.0h |
| September | Acceptable | 12° - 20° | 16° | 110 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 1.2 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.4h |
| November | Very Good | 4° - 15° | 9° | 10 mm | some cloud | 78% | 1.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.7h |
| December | Very Good | 0° - 12° | 6° | 5 mm | some cloud | 74% | 1.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.3h |
How to Get to Jakar
Jakar (Bumthang) is served by Bathpalathang/Bumthang Airport for domestic flights; otherwise it is reached by long road trips from Paro or border crossings. There is no rail service inside Bhutan; onward travel is by bus, shared taxi or private car.
Bathpalathang Airport (Bumthang) (BUT): Jakar (Bumthang) is served by Bathpalathang/Bumthang Airport with limited domestic flights; the airport sits a short drive from town and hotel transfers or taxis are available.
Paro Airport (PBH): International visitors often arrive at Paro and then travel overland or via domestic flight to Bumthang. Overland travel can take many hours across mountain roads, so consider domestic flights when available.
Train: There is no passenger rail in Bhutan. Visitors arriving overland from India use nearby Indian railheads such as New Jalpaiguri and then travel by road.
Bus: Scheduled buses and shared taxis operate between Bumthang (Jakar) and other central towns like Trongsa; travel times vary by route and road conditions but are commonly used for regional travel.
How to Get Around Jakar
Travel to Jakar is easiest by domestic flight when available; otherwise rely on shared taxis or private hires for long but scenic road journeys. In town, walking and short taxis are the most practical options.
- Domestic flights - Flights to Bathpalathang/Bumthang are the quickest way to reach Jakar from Paro or elsewhere, but are limited and weather-dependent. Book in advance and leave time for possible delays.
- Shared taxis / inter-district buses (Low BTN amounts) - Shared taxis and buses connect Jakar with Trongsa and other central towns. They are inexpensive and commonly used by locals; journeys can be slow and subject to road conditions.
- Private car with driver (Charged per day) - Hiring a private car is the practical choice for flexible sightseeing and multi-stop itineraries. Drivers know the mountain passes and permissive stopping points for photography and short walks.
- Local taxis (Low BTN amounts) - Local taxis cover airport transfers and short trips around town; hotels can usually arrange these. For early-morning or late-night travel, pre-book a vehicle.
- Walking - Jakar is compact and perfect for walking between guesthouses, restaurants and nearby monasteries; trails in the valley are accessible for short hikes.
Where to Stay in Jakar
Budget
Town center - $15-35/night
Jakar (Bumthang) has several simple guesthouses and budget hotels aimed at pilgrims and trekkers; expect simple comforts.
Mid-Range
Near Jakar Dzong - $50-120/night
Good mid-range lodges in Bumthang provide comfortable rooms, hearty meals and easy access to local temples.
Luxury
Valley outskirts - $150+ /night
A few upscale lodges and heritage properties offer refined stays; availability varies seasonally.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Jakar’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Jakar
Nightlife in Jakar is very low-key - most evenings are spent at guesthouses or in small restaurants. Cultural evenings or informal music may happen at lodges, but there is no formal bar or club scene.
Shopping in Jakar
Jakar’s market and nearby shops sell regional specialties such as woven textiles, yak products and local dairy items like cheese and butter. Small craft stalls and cooperatives offer handwoven goods and religious items tied to the Bumthang region.
If you’re after traditional weaving or local foodstuffs, ask vendors or your lodge to point you to trusted sellers.