The best way to immerse yourself into serene environment of Bhutan is to getting yourself into mountains overlooking the valley below the clouds and sun rise over the horizon of snowcapped peaks. The one night two days Bumdark trek gives exactly same experience that you are looking for your trip to Bhutan. Bumdark means ‘Rock of One Hundred Thousand Foot Prints’. The legends say one hundred thousand goddesses have descended from the heaven and left their footprints on the rock 800 years ago. Bumdark is the highest point during your trek at 3800m above sea level.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Day 1: Arrival/Paro/Thimphu (1hr 45 minutes’ drive)
Day 2 : Thimphu
Day 3: Thimphu/Punakha (2hr 30 minutes’ drive)
Day 4: Punakha/Paro (3hour 30 minutes’ drive)
Day 5: Paro Sang Choekor/Bumdark (2 to 3hours walk)
Day 6: Bumdark/Taktshang Paro (3 to 4hours walk)
Day 7: Paro/Exit
WHAT WE INCLUDE
- Bhutan Tourist Tariff Royalty & Visa fees.
- All private excursions and transfers in superior air-conditioned vehicle.
- Local English speaking trekking guide/tour leader.
- Cook and camp hand who will take care of camp chores and provide wholesome meals.
- Services of horsemen who will look after the yaks & ponies that transport luggage and camp gear.
- Experienced driver.
- Accommodation in carefully selected, highest standard goverment approved hotels & guesthouses.
- All meals in Bhutan.
- All entrance fees and permits.
NOT INCLUDED
- All personal expenses such as bars, beverages, laundry, telephone and tips.
- Medical / Travel Insurance.
Bhutan Cultural Tour with Bumdark Trek DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival/Paro/Thimphu (1hr 45 minutes’ drive)
Accommodation: 3 star hotel, standard room
Meals: Set menu lunch, Set menu dinner
Upon arrival, transfer to Thimphu for overnight. First gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of plane. After your visa formalities you will be greeted by our representative and drive to Thimphu, capital city of Bhutan (Elevation 2,300m). One of the unique and charming things you will see in all over Bhutan is our architecture.
Iron Chin Bridge: On the way to Thimphu visit iron chain bridge, it’s just five minutes’ walk from the high way, built over the Pa chu (Paro river). The bridge was built in 15th century by Tibetan master known as Thangtong Gyalpo, was great Buddhist, a yogi, physician, blacksmith, architect, and a pioneering engineer. He is said to have built many iron chain suspension bridges around Tibet and Bhutan, several of which are still in use.
Memorial Chorten: Built in 1974 to honor the memory of late 3rd king of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, popularly known as the father of modern Bhutan. A multi- storied stupa will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism.
Takin Zoo: Takin is the national animal of Bhutan believed to be created by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century. This animal is chosen as the National animal of Bhutan for its uniqueness and its association with the country’s religious history and mythology. It is found in Nepal, china Burma and Bhutan.
Tashichho Dzong: The “fortress of glorious religion” was initially built in 1641 and rebuilt by 3rd King of Bhutan in 1962. Tashichho Dzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat and central monastic body.
Leisure Walk: It is worthwhile to have some walk in the main street of Thimphu Town, the only city without traffic light in the world.
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 2 : Thimphu
Accommodation: 3 star hotel, standard room
Meals: Breakfast, Set menu lunch, Set menu dinner
After breakfast ride towards the north of Thimphu around 45 minutes till the base of Cheri Monastery. After crossing the cantilever bridge over the Wang Chu River it takes around 45 minutes to an hour depending on the person to hike till the monastery.
Cheri Monastery: It was the first monastery built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1620 after his three years of retreat at age 27 with 30 monks and still runs as the main center for mediation for the monks after their university. On the way back from Cheri hike have a picnic lunch at Wang Chu river side and continue your hiking towards Tango monastery. Hike to Tango is approximately one hour walk. The trail is Shaded with pink, white, and mostly white rhododendron flowers in late spring.
Tango Monastery: The monastery was built in 1688 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the 4th temporal ruler, in the early 18th century. Later on, The Central Monastic Body of Bhutan has converted the monastery into one of the biggest Buddhist University.
Day 3: Thimphu/Punakha (2hr 30 minutes’ drive)
Accommodation: 3 star hotel, standard room
Meals: Breakfast, Set menu lunch, Set menu dinner
Buddha Point: Today after hotel check-out, before heading to Punakha have warm run till Buddha point. One of the largest sitting posture statue of present Buddha in the world, 169ft tall. Inside the statue there is a big shrine which has hundred and twenty five thousand statue of Buddha donated by devotes around the world. One can do offerings, meditation and prayers inside the shrine.
Dochula Pass: Dochula is 45 minutes derive from the capital city at the elevation of 3100m. The pass a popular among tourist as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of the eastern Himalayas.
Chemi Lhakhang: Upon arrival in Punakha hike through (30 minutes’ walk from the high way) the paddy fields. The temple was built in founded 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kuneley famously known as Divine Mad Man. The temple is popular among childless Bhutanese couples as a temple seeks blessings for fertility.
Suspension Bridge: One of the longest suspension bridges (160m) in Bhutan. The bridge provides the good view of the river and the valley, and one can take a beautiful picture with background of mountain and picturesque valley.
Punakha Dzong: One of the most beautiful fortresses in Bhutan built in 1639 by the master who unified Bhutan in 16th century known as Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The fortress plays a vital role in the history of Bhutan since, 1st King of bhutan was crowned in this fortress in 1907 and mark the monarchy of Bhutan. It was the first capital of Bhutan till 1955.
Overnight: Punakha
Day 4: Punakha/Paro (3hour 30 minutes’ drive)
Accommodation: Le Meridian Paro (5 Star)
Meals: Breakfast, Set menu lunch, Set menu dinner
Today we will head back to Paro via Dochula Pass. The Paro valley (2200m) is more than beautiful; it is visually stunning and historically fascinating. This beautiful terraced valley is home to many Bhutan’s oldest temples and home to our International Airport. The valley is known for growing red rice in Bhutan which is main staple diet for the people.
National Museum: Upon arrival in Paro visit Ta Dzong built in 1649 as a watch tower to defense the valley from Tibetan invaders. In 1968 His Majesty the 3rd King of Bhutan converted into a National Museum to exhibit the cultural and artistic artifacts of Bhutanese civilization, heritage and tradition.
Paro Rinpung Dzong: It is also known as “fortress of the heap of jewels”. It was built during time of Zhabdurng Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional cantilever bridge. A walk through the bridge to the Dzong offers a good view of the architecture wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it.
Kychu Temple: One of the oldest temples in Paro valley dates back to 7th century by first Tibetan Buddhist King. It is believed to build over the left foot of ogress who was stopping the king from spreading the Buddhism over Himalayan region.
Paro Town: And before leaving to hotel stroll around Paro town, where you can find plenty of handicraft shops and some good coffee shops.
Overnight: Paro
Day 5: Paro Sang Choekor/Bumdark (2 to 3hours walk)
Accommodation: Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Set menu lunch, Set menu dinner
| Distance | Time | Ascent | Descent | Camp Altitude |
| 5km | 3-4 hours | 1,000m | 0.00m | 3,800m |
After breakfast, we will drive to Paro, Sang Choekor. On arrival at Sang Choekor we will be meeting with our trekking crewmembers. The trek to Bumdra for one to two-hour walk will be ascent of a shady, forested ridge brings us to a clearing with prayers flags and views down into both the Paro and Dho Chu Valleys. On the way you will came across Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple) nestles on the mountains offering commanding views south over Paro and northwards to the snowcapped Himalayas.
After a final 20 minutes climb through ruins and fluttering prayer flags, we plunge back into ancient forest, and after traversing for about 40 minutes, we come out onto a high wide meadow dotted with sacred chortens and prayers flags.
Our campsite for the night is tucked just under Bumdra Monastery (Cave of a Thousand Goddesses) with the stunning views of the Himalayan range. After a good rest at campsite visit Bumdark Monastery and also climb to the north (4000m) for even better views.
Overnight: Bumdark
Day 6: Bumdark/Taktshang Paro (3 to 4hours walk)
Accommodation: 3 star hotel, standard room
Meals: Breakfast, Set menu lunch, Set menu dinner
| Distance | Time | Ascent | Descent | Camp Altitude |
| 8km | 4-5 hours | 200m | 1,250 | 2,200m |
After breakfast, we will start our trek to Paro via Taktshang Monastery. Gradually as we descent for more than one hour we will catch glimpses of golden roofs of temple below. The path across the mountainside forest between the monasteries before reaching the gardens of Zangtog Pelri (Heavens on Earth) you can see the rooftop of Tiger Nest Monastery perched against the cliff-face far below.
An hour later you reach Taktshang Monastery. You can have your picnic lunch at the view point and further descent of about 45 minutes to Paro valley floor to reach our vehicle from where you will be transferred by road to your hotel.
Overnight: Paro
Day 7: Paro/Exit
Meals: Breakfast
Say good bye to Bhutan. After breakfast we will escort you to airport for flight to Singapore.