Bumdrak Trek

The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. If you arrive via Kathmandu, which offers the most breathtaking view of the range, it's possible to see Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga as well. Upon arrival in Paro, you will be greeted by our representative. In the afternoon, visit Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), built in 1646, which now houses government offices and religious institutions. Tour the National Museum, formerly the watchtower for the Dzong, which houses a collection of fine arts, paintings, thangkas, statues, and antiques. Afterward, visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. Later in the evening, drive to Thimphu.

After breakfast, visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built-in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Buddha Point, Changangkha Monastery, the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), and the zoo, which contains the national animal of Bhutan, the takin. From there, visit the nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school). After a relaxing lunch, visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional paper factory, and the majestic Tashichhoe Dzong.

Drive over the Dochula Pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 2 hrs total driving time). Take a short hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who is known affectionately as "the Divine Madman". The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Then drive to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, the "Palace of Great Happiness" built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the 'Unifier of Bhutan'.

After breakfast, hike up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Chorten, erected by the Royal queen mother for the purpose of the present king in 2002. It offers a great view of the lower valley. Later drive to Paro, visiting Semtokha Dzong en route. The Dzong, built-in 1627, is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture studies. On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel and prepare for the trek ahead.

After an early breakfast, drive to Paro, Sang Choekor, where our trekking crew will be waiting. Our trek will start from here to Bumdra, which is blessed by 100,000 dakinis. Little above the place, we can also see a rock which is supposed to be Guru Rinpoche's Hat, and underneath the Hat, there is the room where we can meditate and get the blessings from Guru Rinpoche. The first 3-4 hours are spent on a steep climb in the forest. Lunch will be served at the small temple of Chechemhen (3,640m) with nice views of Paro valley. After a short final climb, the trail will get gentle, ascending slowly up. At Sang Chhoekhor, we can also visit Sang Chhoekhor Lhakhang, which is a Buddhist College. The trek to Bumdra for about the first 1-2 hours walk will be the ascent of a shady, forested ridge, bringing us to a clearing with prayer flags and views down into both the Paro and Do Chhu Valleys. Above and ahead, Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple) nestles on the mountainside a further one to two hour's walk away. The trail undulates before the last steep section up to the pretty temple, which offers commanding views south over Paro and northwards to the snowcapped Himalayas. After a final 20-minute climb through ruins and fluttering prayer flags, we plunge back into an ancient forest, and, after traversing for about 40 minutes, we come out onto a high wide meadow dotted with sacred chortens and prayer flags. Our home for the night is tucked away just under Bumdra Monastery (Cave of a Hundred Thousand Prayers) and offers unimpeded views of the Himalayan range. After lunch, we can visit the monastery and meditate there for the whole afternoon.

After our breakfast, we will start our trek to Paro via Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). After one to two hours of descent, we catch glimpses of the golden roofs of temples below. The path snakes across the mountainside between these monasteries before reaching the gardens of Sangtopelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can bravely peer over the edge and straight down onto the ornate rooftops of Taktsang Monastery perched against the cliff-face far below. An hour later and we are at the gates of Taktsang looking across the gorge; a steep descent to a waterfall then up some steps and we are passing into Tiger's Nest itself. Lunch will be served as a picnic hot lunch. Retracing our steps we begin the final descent of about 1hr to reach our vehicle and drive back to Paro.

Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for a flight to your onward destination. Your guide will present you with traditional white scarves (kata) as symbols of good luck and spiritual blessings. Depart with the blessings of the Bumdrak Trek and lasting memories of your Himalayan adventure. Tashi Delek!