Major city · Bhutan
Ura
Half a day is enough to walk Ura's monastery loop and see the village; stay one night if you want to hike the valley or attend the Yakchoe festival.
Ura is a quiet Bumthang village with a cluster of old monasteries, a yak-herding culture and the film sites of 'The Monk and the Gun'. Most travellers pass through on the way between Jakar and eastern Bhutan. The main draw is the Ura Yakchoe festival in May; outside that, two hours on foot covers the sights.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BTN
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon rain, leeches on trails)
- Airport
- PBH
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Bhutan ↗Sustainable Development Fee: USD 100 per adult per night for international visitors until 31 Aug 2027 (children 6–11 half rate, under 6 free); Indian nationals pay in rupees at a lower rate. Confirm the current rate on the official tourism site before booking.
- Bhutan ↗Visa: apply through the official Bhutan tourism visa system, cleared before you board; plan the trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator.
- Bhutan ↗Paro is Bhutan's only international airport: approaches are visual, flights run in daylight only, and cloud or wind cancels them; keep a spare day at both ends.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Ura113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ura, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkNgultrum (BTN) is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee; rupees are widely accepted but check which notes.Bhutan-wide
- SIM or eSIMB-Mobile (Bhutan Telecom) and TashiCell sell tourist SIMs in Paro and Thimphu with your passport; your guide can help.Bhutan-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; hotels provide bottled or filtered water.Bhutan-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Not expected; round up.Bhutan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/F/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bhutan-wide
- SafetyUra is very safe for travellers.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in certified hotels and restaurants; squat toilets at some roadside stops.Bhutan-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 112 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany dzongs close their shrine rooms during festivals and some ceremonies; government offices close on Saturday afternoons and Sunday…Bhutan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPBH Paro International Airport (About 10–11 h by road via Thimphu and Jakar; most visitors fly to Paro and travel overland.).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Cafe UraNu 80–150
- Metro or bus rideBus Jakar–Ura (one way)Nu 300 (check)
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomBTN 1,500
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomBTN 2,500
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomBTN 4,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BTN 2,000 · Mid BTN 3,500 · High BTN 6,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PBH Paro International Airport (About 10–11 h by road via Thimphu and Jakar; most visitors fly to Paro and travel overland.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Dec (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ura: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
2 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
3 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
14 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
18 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
16 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable on foot. To reach Ura from Jakar you need a private vehicle or the bus; there is no local taxi stand.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus or private vehicle, about 2 h
Jakar has the main market, dzong and more accommodation options.
Trongsa
cautionDoor to door: 3.5–4 h
Private vehicle via Jakar, about 3 h
A long day trip; better to overnight in Trongsa or combine with a stop in Jakar.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Tashicholing
Quiet area near the main road; Araya Zamlha Guesthouse and a few family-run lodgings.
Sombrang Village
At the base of Sumtrhang Cliff; basic guesthouse inside the monastery compound.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Nu 1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- Nu 2,500–4,000 excl. bed
- High
- Nu 4,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × BTN 2,500 | BTN 2,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BTN 3,500 | BTN 7,000 |
| Private transfer Jakar–Ura (one way, up to 4 people)1 × BTN 3,000 · check | BTN 3,000 |
| Bus Jakar–Ura (one way, per person)2 × BTN 300 · check | BTN 600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BTN 1,310 |
| Trip total≈ BTN 7,210 per person per day, bed included | BTN 14,410 |
2026 estimate in ngultrum (Nu); flights, SDF and guide fees excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a local restaurant | Nu 300–600 |
| Coffee at Cafe Ura | Nu 80–150 |
| Buckwheat muffin | Nu 50–80 |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | Nu 30–50 |
| Bus Jakar–Ura (one way) | Nu 300 (check) |
| Private transfer Jakar–Ura (up to 4) | Nu 3,000 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM in Ura; bring enough ngultrum or Indian rupees for meals and lodging.
- The bus from Jakar runs once a day (check the schedule locally); a private transfer is more reliable.
- Monsoon months (Jul–Aug) bring leeches on trails; wear long trousers and carry salt or a leech repellent.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Ambulance
- 112
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
UraUra
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Lah shay, di gi luTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Ambulance112
- Fire110
Embassy
No embassy in Ura. The nearest major consulates are in Thimphu (check). Most travellers arrange everything through their licensed tour operator.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Jakar → Ura: about Nu 300, about 2 h (check)
- Private transfer Jakar → Ura: Nu 3,000 for up to 4 people (check)
Say or show
- Kuzuzangpo — Hello (koo-zoo-zang-poh)
- Kadinchey — Thank you (ka-deen-chay)
- Gadem chi mo? — How much? (ga-dem chee moh)
- Lah shay — Goodbye (lah shay)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ura. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon rain, leeches on trails) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Sumtrhang Samdrup Choedzong Monastery and Shinyer Lhakhang with verified opening hours and entry rules.
- Eat pages for Kharamphay Restaurant and Cafe Ura with last-order times.
- Festival fixture for Ura Yakchoe: dates, ticket process, crowd level.
- Transport fixture for the Jakar–Ura bus: departure time, fare, stops.
Sources
Ask about Ura
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