Bumdra Trek

Drive to Thimphu. Explore the rich Culture of the city. It is the seat of the Royal Family of Bhutan, the royal Government, and several foreign missions and development projects. Thimphu is not just the average capital city that you expect to find in this part of the world. Besides the unique combination of ancient and modern, Thimphu also has palatial architecture and hospitable Bhutanese people who are always ready to please you and make your stay in the land of wealth even happier.

Today you will be moving to Punakha. Stop by Dochu La (3,100m); which on a radiant morning offers brilliant views of the higher Himalayan ranges. 

Additionally, the place is tranquil and is widely known for its 108 Stupas known as “Druk Wangyal stupas.” Continue with your trip to Punakha through Wangdue. At Wangdue visit Chime Lhakhang which was built during the fifteenth century.

Right when you’re done exploring take a break for lunch. After lunch drive to Punakha to visit Punakha Dzong. The fortification is situated at the confluence of two rivers which makes it delightful and appealing. Sightseeing for the day comes to an end for the day. Drive to Hotel, transient stay at Punakha.

Punakha to Paro takes about 4 hours. Today we shall have a relaxing time at Paro and prepare ourselves for the trek the next day. Our guide will brief you about the trekking difficulty, altitude, campsite, and other important information.

Stroll the Paro town and relax and get yourself mentally prepared.

While we prepare to trek with the backpack, pay our respects at the Sangchoekor Sedra Buddhist College. The initial climb up from the temple through the thick alpine forest takes about 3 hours to reach the base of the old temple. The trail undulates for a while before the last steep pull-up to the pretty temple which boasts commanding views of southern Paro valley including the airport. After a final 20-minute climb through ruins and fluttering prayer flags, with a last glance southwards we plunge back into the ancient forest traversing for about 40 minutes then come out onto a high wide meadow dotted with sacred Chortens and prayer flags. Our home for the night is tucked in under Bumdra Monastery (cave of a thousand prayers) making the most of the awesome views of the Himalayan range. If time permits we can visit the monastery and also climb the peak to the north (about 4000m) for even better views, a night halt at camp.

After a hearty breakfast in the jaw-dropping landscape, it is time to either head straight back into the valley or linger while soaking up the view and perhaps hang some prayer flags of our own. Eventually, we have to drop back into the ancient pine and rhododendron forest on the monks’ zig-zagging trail. 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 Zhangtopelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can bravely peer over the edge and straight down onto the ornate roofs of 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. Retracing our steps we begin the final descent of about 45 minutes to reach our vehicle and drive back to the hotel not forgetting to stop on the other side of the valley and look back at what we have achieved. Overnight in Paro, altitude 2200m.

End of your Bumdra Trek.

On the last day, after breakfast, you will check out from the hotel. Your guide and driver will drive you to the Airport. With this, your tour in Bhutan will come to an end. Hope you enjoyed your stay Best Wishes!