Rainbow Photo Tours of

Trongsa to Chumey Valley, Bhumtang District: At 8 A.M. we leave for a three-hour drive to a two-night stay in Domkhar Cluster Village. The route crosses YotongLa pass (10,800 ft.) which is marked by a chorten and an array of prayer flags—it marks the boundary between western and central Bhutan as well as the western border of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Beyond Pele La is Longte Valley where people raise sheep and yaks. We will pass through the village of Rukubji Valley with its big secondary school and Gompa. The houses here are clustered amid extensive fields of mustard, potatoes, barley, and wheat.

As we descend the pass we drive down through rhododendrons and ferns and reach Chendebji village. This was a night halt for mule caravans traveling from Trongsa during the reign of the 2nd King of Bhutan. Just below Chendebji village is the Chendebji chorten, a large white structure beside a stream. This chorten is modeled after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu and was built in the 19th century.

We arrive at Domkhar just in time for lunch at our hotel, then afternoon archery competition between our guides, drivers and farmers followed by a Kuru (lawn darts) competition. Evening bonfire for awards ceremony, folk dancing and singing in a circle around the fire. Meanwhile down at the temple they will be setting up for the annual Domkhar Drup (festival) and you can wander there to see what's going on, mingle with the locals setting up a blue-tarp flea market, etc. Overnight 2 nights, all meals provided by Chumey Nature Resort.