You are here: Home > Bhutan > Information > Country Info > Country Information Search
Bhutan Information
Bhutan Country Information
Bhutan Information
Bumthang: Ancient Ura - Gezamchu mule track restored for tourists
Bhutan Information
Bhutan Tourist Destinations
Video Bhutan Videos
previoustop
Bumthang: Ancient Ura - Gezamchu mule track restored for tourists
A beaten trail, that passed through Ura to Gayzamchu in Bumthang, was once trodden by villagers from the east to transport goods offered as taxes to local chieftains resident in Bumthang, Trongsa, and Punakha. In the �50s, the people of Ura used the path as a mule track to barter butter, betel nuts, and clothes.

When the lateral highway emerged, about four decades ago, the path was used only by occasional mushroom collectors and cattle herders.

Today, the diverse ecosystem along the trail, including mushrooms like Matsutake growing under the pines, and different animal and bird species of the region, will change the purpose of the trail altogether.

The nine-kilometre stretch, which took approximately four and half hours on foot, will soon be serving as a trekking route for tourists.

Thrumshingla national park (TNP) in Ura will be carrying out development work along the trail before formally opening it to walkabouts.

"It will be handed over to the local committee, comprising of villagers in the Matsutake business, in the near future," a park official said.

The park's assistant forest officer, Jigme Dorji, said that they were creating camps along the trail, similar to the ones used by herders in the past.

A TNP publication stated that the walking trail was dedicated to "our visionary and compassionate monarchs and would recognise the ingenuity and sacrifice of our Bhutanese forefathers".

"The idea that our ancestors trod this path, carrying loads and singing songs, will add charm to the trek," said a source, adding that the absence of any steep ascents would make the trek pleasant for tourists.

Tshulthrim Wangmo, an Ura resident, said that she walked the trail all the way to Zhongar (Mongar), when she was in her twenties. "I used to sing traditional songs in the company of my friends and horses and it was fun," she said.

Source: Nima Wangdi, KUENSEL, Bhutan's national newspaper , September 2008

Information on Bhutan
Religion in Bhutan
Culture in Bhutan
People in Bhutan
Tshechu Festivals
Bhutan Photo Galleries
Mountain Biking
Motorbiking
Trekkings
Punakha Dzong
Dzongs in Bhutan
About
Bumthang
About
Lhuentse and Mongar
About
Trashigang
About
Laya-Gasa - Lingzhi - Lunana
About
Thimphu
About
Trongsa and Zhemgang
About
Paro and Haa
About
Wangduephodrang
About
Punakha
About
Trashiyangtse-Yangtse
About
Southern Bhutan
Photo Galleries
Dzongs and Monasteries in Bhutan East-West-Highway by motorcycle
Dochula - Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chhortens
Mongar and Lhuentse
Videos
Videos: Rafting, Tshechu, Motorbiking, Roads ...
top
previous Bhutan Home