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Back to Ura

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Voykit pocket guide · 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.

BajothangGeduGelephuJakarKhomaKhuruthangLhuentsePhobjikhaPunakhaSamdrup JongkharTashiyangtseTrashigangTrongsaTsimashamUra20 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Bhutan
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
Avoid
Jul–Aug (monsoon rain, leeches on trails)
Stay
1 night

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
BTN
Money
Ngultrum (BTN) is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee; rupees are widely accepted but check which notes.
Daily spend
Budget Nu 1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid Nu 2,500–4,000 excl. bed · High Nu 4,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
B-Mobile (Bhutan Telecom) and TashiCell sell tourist SIMs in Paro and Thimphu with your passport; your guide can help.
Emergency
Police 113 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 110
Plugs
Types D, F, G · 230 V · 50 Hz · Indian-style D sockets are common; a universal adapter is best.
Tipping
Guide: About US$10–20 per day per group, at the end.; Driver: About US$8–15 per day per group.; Hotel staff: Nu 100–200.; Restaurant: Not expected; round up.
Water
Not drinkable from the tap; hotels provide bottled or filtered water.
Toilets
Western toilets in certified hotels and restaurants; squat toilets at some roadside stops. Carry tissue.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Meal at a local restaurantNu 300–600
Coffee at Cafe UraNu 80–150
Buckwheat muffinNu 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)

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

PBH · Paro International Airport
About 10–11 h by road via Thimphu and Jakar; most visitors fly to Paro and travel overland.

Typical fares

Bus Jakar → Ura
about Nu 300, about 2 h (check)
Private transfer Jakar → Ura
Nu 3,000 for up to 4 people (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get 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.

See and do

Known for

  • Sumtrhang Samdrup Choedzong Monastery
  • Shinyer Lhakhang
  • Ura Yakchoe festival
  • Film location for 'The Monk and the Gun'

Day trips

WhereHowTime
JakarBus or private vehicle, about 2 h2–2.5 h
TrongsaPrivate vehicle via Jakar, about 3 h3.5–4 h

Sleep

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.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloKuzuzangpokoo-zoo-zang-poh
Thank youKadincheyka-deen-chay
How much?Gadem chi mo?ga-dem chee moh
GoodbyeLah shaylah shay

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: 'Kuzuzangpo la' with a slight bow; avoid: Loud greetings in temples
  • Dzongs and temples: Formal dress, clockwise circuits, remove hats; avoid: Pointing feet at altars; photos inside
  • Offers: Refuse politely once or twice, then accept; avoid: Grabbing the first offer
  • Religious objects: Pass chortens and mani walls on the left, keeping them on your right; avoid: Touching or climbing on them
  • The King: Speak respectfully; portraits are everywhere; avoid: Jokes about the royal family
  • Scarves: Bhutanese wear kabney (men) or rachu (women) in dzongs; visitors do not need them; avoid: Wearing one as a costume

Scams and watch-outs

  • 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.

Ura is very safe for travellers. The main risks are altitude (about 3,100 m) and leeches in the monsoon. No street lighting beyond the main road; carry a torch after dark.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Ura yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Sumtrhang Samdrup Choedzong Monastery
  • Shinyer Lhakhang
  • Ura Yakchoe festival
  • Film location for 'The Monk and the Gun'

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Ura

Lah shay, di gi lu

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

No embassy in Ura. The nearest major consulates are in Thimphu (check). Most travellers arrange everything through their licensed tour operator.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/ura). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.