7 Day Bhutan Trip with Bum-Dra Trek

1 Nights 2 Days Bumdra Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Paro, Bhutan

Our Guide and driver will greet you at Airport and drive towards Thimphu. On your way visit Tamchog Lhakhang.

After arrival in Thimphu, check into hotel, refresh yourself and get ready to take a short tour of Thimphu.

After lunch:

• The National Memorial Chorten
• Thimphu Tashichho Dzong
• Centenary Farmers’ Market
• Buddha Point

Day 2: Thimphu Tour

Morning drive towards 20 km north of Thimphu for Tango Cheri Monastery hike.

After lunch:

• Bhutan Postal Museum
• Changangkha Lhakhang
• Folk heritage Museum
• School of traditional arts and crafts.

Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha

Drive over the Dochula Pass. On the arrival, visit Punakha Dzong – the “Palace of Great Happiness”.  After lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the Drukpa Kuenley , who is also known as the Divine Madman. Overnight at your hotel at Punakha or Wangduephodrang.

Day 4: Punakha – Paro

Drive to Yabesa Village and hike through rice fields and up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten. Take a picnic lunch on a picturesque riverside before exploring the WangduephodrangDzong.

Afterwards proceed to Paro visiting Semtokha Dzong en-route. On arrival at Paro check into the hotel. Overnight at your hotel at Paro

Day 5: Bumdra Trek Starts: 

Hike from Sang Choekor Buddhist College (2,800m) to Yak Pasture below Bumdra Monastery (3,800m). The adventure begins with an early morning drive up to the Sang Choekor to meet our ponies and while they are being loaded we may pay our respects at the College. The initial 1–2 hour ascent of a ridge can be steep at times but in cool shade. We will reach a clearing with prayer flags and enjoy a spectacular view of both Paro and Do Chhu valleys.

About 1-2 hours walk away is the Chhoe Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple); which nestles at the side of the mountain. The trail continues and when we reach the last steep elevation we will see a temple overlooking the views of Paro airport and the snow-capped Himalaya. After another 20 minutes of climbing through ruins and fluttering prayer flags, we hike into the ancient forest for about 40 minutes before we reach a wide meadow with sacred chortens and prayer flags. We will spend a night at Bumdra Monastery (the cave of a thousand prayers).

Duration: 3-4 hours to camp 2-3 hours optional return trek to peak
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard – Guided with mineral water

Day 6: Hike to Tiger Nest Monastery

After 1-2 hours of descent we catch glimpses of the golden roofs of temples below and soon come upon the first of many on our way back from the wilds.

The path snakes across the mountainside between the monasteries and temples before reaching the gardens of Sangtopelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can bravely peer over edge and straight down onto the ornate roofs Taktsang in the cliff far below. An hour later and we are at the gates of Taktsang looking across the gorge a steep descent to a waterfall then ascent on steps and you are passing into the Tiger’s Nest itself.

Taktsang Monastery (or Tiger’s Nest) is the most recognizable sites in Bhutan. Built precariously on a hillside cliff, it sits more than 10,000 feet above sea level. Accessible only by foot, we follow a trail decorated with colorful prayer flags along the way to protect travelers from evil spirits. Built over the caves that Guru Padmasambhava meditated in for three years, this eighth-century father of Bhutan Buddhism is said to have been brought there on the back of a tigress. One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan it offers breathtaking views to those energetic enough to make it to the top.

Day 7: Depart from Paro

After breakfast drive towards Airport for your onward journey.

2 Days Trekking Cost Includes:

• All Meals [Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner]
• Accommodation [Twin Sharing] Single Room Supplement Extra.
• All transportation within the country including airport transfers.
• Royalty fee of ($65 per person per night) & Govt. Taxes.
• Entrance fees for Museums and Monuments.
• Visa Fee of $40.
• English speaking Local guide.
• Sightseeing.
• Bottled water.
• Luxury Camp near Bumdra Monastery.

2 Days Trekking Cost Excludes:

• Drukair fares.
• Insurance Premiums
• Payments for service provided on a personal basis.
• Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”.
• Cost incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political unrest etc.
• Personal expenses such as laundry, soft drinks, Camera Charges, Incidentals, Portage, Bellboy charges tips or any other services.