Bumdra Overnight Trekking - 7 Days

Fly on the wings of Dragon to the international airport in Paro, Bhutan. On a clear day, the panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational, including Mt. Everest (if you are flying from Delhi and Kathmandu), but particularly exciting is the approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep, turn to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro. On arrival in Paro, you will be received by the Heavenly Bhutan team by offering welcome scarfs and transferred to Thimphu by private vehicle. Depending on your arrival time, we can proceed for the city sightseeing or relax in the hotel. If time permits, visit the weekend market (Thu-Sun). Vegetable vendors from different pockets of the country come to sell their products. In the evening we will explore the city by walk or visit Tashichho Dzong, which houses the throne room of His Majesty the King. Overnight in Thimphu, altitude 2400m.

After breakfast, visit folk heritage houses to understand the lifestyle of Bhutanese at the rural community, visit the School of Arts and crafts (closed on Sundays, government holidays) students are taught 13 different arts that take over 4 years to graduate from the training school. Drive pass by Memorial Chorten built-in memory of late 3rd King. Visit Buddha viewpoint, world largest sitting Buddha. Visit Takin reserve national animal which has unique creation history behind, visit textile museum collection house of the expensive textile of Bhutan. Overnight in Thimphu.

After our breakfast, drive to Dochula pass and drive back to Paro. In Paro, visit 17th century Paro Dzong and Ta Dzong unique national museum having a masterpiece of various collections. Visit 8th-century Kyichu Lhakhang and enjoy outdoor activities wearing Gho/Kira, play archery at HBT outdoor center. Overnight in Paro, altitude 2200m.

Early morning after breakfast, drive to Sang Choekor from where we will start the trek. While we prepare to trek with the backpack, pay the 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 minutes climb through ruins and fluttering prayer flags, with a last glance southwards we plunge back into 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, 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 awhile 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.

Visit the temples of Dzongdrakha on foot which studs the rock cliff. Continue driving to Chelela Pass, one of the highest road pass at 3988m. During a clear day, you can enjoy views of the most sacred mountain Mt. Jomolhari 7314m. Picnic lunch at the pass, prayer flag hoisting, and mountain biking are some of the interesting activities available on extra cost, check with HBT. If you wish we can further drive down to Haa valley to pick up a few things depending on interest and time. The drive is most scenic. Overnight in Paro.