Maximum Altitude
3,800m/12,467.19 ft
Best season
March to May and September to November
Meals
Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accomodation
Government approved 3 stars and Above
Transportation
Private car, van or bus (Depends on group size)
Tour type
Private Tour and trek
Activities
Trekking in Bhutan

Overview

The Bumdra Trek is a combination of an enjoyable trek around Paro and a guided tour of the cities of Paro and Thimphu. This is the shortest available trek in Bhutan, starting and ending in Paro, which begins in the north of the valley and ends in the northwest of the valley, finishing at the Taktsang Monastery, often popularly known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest,’ one of the holiest places in Bhutan.

Although the first day of the trek requires a great deal of climbing, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the valley and the snow-capped mountains. The second day is much easier, as it mostly involves descending. Initially, the tour starts with a bird’s-eye view of the world’s tallest mountain series on a flight to the lush green valley of Paro.

The day includes a colorful Paro city tour with visits to Ta Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong, followed by a drive to Thimphu. Allow one day for sightseeing in Thimphu, then drive back to Paro. The trek begins the third day with an excursion ridge hiking around Bumdra, then ultimately ends at the Taktsang Monastery, ‘Tiger’s Nest,’ and drives back to Paro.

The Bumdra Trekking is a quick journey into the Dragon Kingdom,, visiting the popular landmarks of Bhutan and witnessing some great panoramic views of the Bhutanese landscape and the snow-capped mountains.

Highlights

Witness the world’s highest mountains during the flight to the lush green Paro Valley.
Explore Paro town with guided city tour.
The tiny capital of Thimphu.
Easy hike into the Bumdra region.
Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ perched in a vertical cliff.
Discover age-old Bhutanese culture and traditions.
Spectacular panoramic views of the Bhutanese landscape and snow-capped mountains.

Day 01 :

Arrive Paro (2,250m) – Sightseeing & drive to Thimphu (2,350m)

Fly into Paro witnessing the world’s highest mountain series. Upon arrival at the airport, met by our representatives and transfer to Paro town for lunch. After lunch, begins the guided Paro city tour with visits to Ta Dzong which once was a watchtower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during the inter-valleys wars of the 17th century.

Later on during 1968 it was turned into a Bhutan’s National Museum. Then visit Paro Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. The Dzong is the seat of district administration, district court and the monastic body. A traditional roofed cantilever bridge known as ‘Nemi Zam’ is located at it’s southern section.

PM: Drive to Thimphu, the tiny and modern capital of Bhutan which takes about 1 & half hour drive. Thimphu is the only capital in the world with no traffic lights and about three lines of shops makes up Thimphu town. Check-in hotel upon arrival at Thimphu. In the evening, stroll round town and visit handicraft emporium etc. Overnight at Hotel.(Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 02 :

Thimphu sightseeing & drive to Paro (2,250m)

After breakfast proceed with the sightseeing and visit National Memorial Chorten built in honor of the third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Then to the Institute of Traditional Medicine where old healing arts of acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practiced.

Folk Heritage Museum to see Bhutanese rural past in it’s exhibits of artifacts used in rural households, the Textile Museum to observe the art of traditional weaving which also has good collection of old textiles rich in color and designs. The Buddha’s Point where the biggest statue of Buddha is located and commanding the great view of the Thimphu valley.

Motitang Zoo to see ‘Takin’ Bhutan’s national animal. As well as Weekly Outdoor Market. Afterwards, drive back to Paro. Overnight at Hotel.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 03 :

Drive to Sangchen Chokhor & trek to Bumdra (3,800m)

After breakfast, a short drive will take you to Sangchen Chokhor which is the most important college in Bhutan and the trek-start-point. You will then climb steadily up the mountainside through thick forests of Himalayan blue pine, oak, rhododendron until reaching ‘Chochong-Tse’, a small 17th century temple and meditation cave.

The trail then proceeds with short steep climb to a panoramic viewpoint; walk along the ridgeline trail above the valley floors witnessing great views of surrounding lush valleys and snow-capped peaks. You will then pass through beautiful forests and meadows of wildflowers approaching the tree line and to our campsite which provides panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayas.

Overnight Camp. (Walking Duration: 4-6 hours)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 04 :

Day excursion (Ridge Hike) in Bumdra (3,800m)

After breakfast, proceed with ridge hike at Bumdra where there are two options. One is easy hike to conquer a small summit at 4,200 meters from 3,800 meters base camp. This takes about 3-4 hours for an average walker to attend the summit.

The other is a bit difficult since the summit to achieve will have longer distance in walking with higher elevation at 4,600 meters. This takes about 5-6 hours for an average walker.

Whatsoever option you choose ultimately it’s the view you witness and in a clear day, the views will really be spectacular. Also make sure you put on some warm clothes for this hike as it’ll be very cold and windy. Overnight Camp.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 05 :

Trek back to Paro via Taktsang Monastery (3,120m)

In the morning, visit the Bumdra Gompa, a small meditation monastery tucked on the side of an immense cliff face which was founded by the Tantric Buddhist Yogini Machig Labdron. Afterwads, begin the hike descending where the landscape transforms from the high country to dwarf rhododendron and beautiful vistas, giving way to the low lands of pine and oak.

The hike then approaches the most popular Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Bhutan which is perched in a vertical cliff defying all engineering logics. It’s believed that Guru Rinpoche arrive here on a back of a tigress in 8th century and meditated for 3 months.

Overnight at Hotel.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 06 :

Paro – Depart

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the onward flight. Bid farewell to the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again behind its guardian mountains.(Breakfast only included)