Detail Itinerary for Bumdra Trek
Day 01. Arrive Paro (Altitude 2280 m):
Your Guide from Yak Holidays Int’l will receive you at the airport and drive you the short distance to the hotel.
After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge.
In the evening, visit to a Bhutanese farm house to see a typical Bhutanese way of life. Dinner and over night in Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort or similar.
Day 02. Trek to Bumdra Monastery:
After breakfast, drive to Sang Choekor Buddhist College in the Paro valley (2,800). We walk up hill for 2 hours. We walk past Chhoe Tse Lhakhang and we came near the Bumdra Monastery (Cave of Thousand Prayers).
After lunch, we can visit the monastery or climb a peak nearby at around 4000 meter. We return to the camp. Dinner and overnight in camp.
Duration: 3–4 hours to camp, optional 2–3 hours return trek to peak, Difficulty: Moderate.
Day 03. Return hike from Bumdra Monastery via Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) – Thimphu (2320 m) (Distance: 54 km, 1 hr drive):
After breakfast, we return from Bumdra via the gate of Taktsang Monastery.
After lunch, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong which is under construction/ renovation, up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate.
On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo.
- By far, Kichu Lhakhang is one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries built by the Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo in 659 AD. King Srongsen Gampo married a Chinese princess, Wenchen in 641. He decided to build 108 Temples in a single day to pin the Ogress to the earth forever and, at the same time, convert the Tibetan people to Buddhism. 6 of these Temples lie in Bhutan, most prominent of them are Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang and Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. Kichu Lhakhang is said to hold the left foot of the Ogress and Jambay Lhakhang pins the left knee.
On the way, visit Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15th century.
- Thang Thong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464) was a wonder working saint from Tibet who came to Bhutan in 1433 looking for Iron Ore. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum (Tashi Yangtse in Eastern Bhutan).
Dinner and overnight in Hotel Pedling or similar.
Duration: 5 – 7 hours, Difficulty: Moderate.
Day 04. Thimphu Sightseeing (Altitude 2320 m):
The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls).
After lunch, hike to Cheri Monastery. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan) and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu.
Overnight in Hotel Pedling or similar.
Day 05. Thimphu – Punakha: (Altitude 1310 m) (72 Km, 3 hours drive):
After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, visit Chime Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
- Lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529) was one of the Bhutan’s Favorite Saints who was born in Tibet, trained at Ralung Monastery and was a disciple of Pema Lingpa. He traveled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi) using songs, humor and outrageous behavior to dramatise his teachings of Salvation through sex.
After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong:
- Built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952.
In the evening, walk the Punakha Suspension Bridge:
- Perched above the rapid Pho Chhu River, the Punakha Suspension Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, spanning between 160-180meters. Draped with prayer flags, the bridge connects the town of Punakha and the spectacular Punakha Dzong. The locals mainly use it as an entry to the Dzong.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel Vara.
Day 06. Punakha – Thimphu (76 kms.):
After breakfast, hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. Drive to Yabesa village and hike to through rice fields and up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions and drive to Wangdiphodrang.
Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang includes:
- visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside) built in 1638(razed by fire in 2012). Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong; four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers.
After lunch, visit to the tallest Statue of Buddha, Sangaygang view point, Takin preserve center, Changangkha Monastery and nunnery. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Pedling or similar.
Day 07. Thimphu – Paro (Departure):
After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell.
