This trip combines the
best of what Bhutan offers with a good mix of both cultural and trekking
adventures! Begin in the capital of Thimphu before journeying into Punakha with
its stunning cultivated valley scenery. Discover the spiritual pageantry
atmosphere Paro valley with the trek
to Bumdra. Bask in the beautiful surrounding and breathe in the fresh mountain
air and camp in the beautiful meadow at 4000ms. And end your trek visiting the
most popular Taktshang monastery in Bhutan built on a sheer cliff face.
Day 1: Fly to Paro / Drive to Thimphu (altitude: 7,700 feet)
Fly
by the magnificent views of the snow-capped Himalayas on the way to Paro
valley.
Drive 1.5 hours to Thimphu
Explore the
capital’s Highlights!!!
BBS Tower viewpoint for a stunning view of the
valley before visiting the Takin
Preserve to see Bhutan’s national animal along with the view of the
majestic Tashichoe Dzong, seat
of the government. (Breakfast, lunch
& dinner included)
Day 2: Thimphu
Circumvent the Memorial Chorten before mesmerising at
the gigantic statue of Buddha
(169ft). And visit 12th century Changangkha
Lhakhang, see cultural aspect of blessing and naming newly born child from
the oldest temple of Wang valley.
Later take a walk along the streets of Thimphu and enjoy
some free shopping. (Breakfast, lunch
& dinner included)
Day 3: Thimphu / Punakha (altitude: 4,500 feet)
Drive about 3
hours to Punakha.
Climb up the mountain road to Dochu-La at
3140m. On a clear day, the pass commands a wonderful panorama of the Eastern
Himalayas. Descend through varied forest and finally emerging into the cultivated valley of
Punakha. Hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimi
Lhakhang (no dog temple).Visit Punakha Dzong located
at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu,
arguably the most impressive Dzong in the country before visiting a stunning
hill-top nunnery- Sangchen Dorji
Lhundrup Chholing dedicated
to the bodhisattva of compassion. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
Day 4: Punakha / Paro (altitude: 7,400 feet)
Drive
about 5 hours to Paro
Hike to Khamsum
Yulley Namgyel Chorten, built to prevail peace and tranquillity.
Drive back to Paro valley. (Breakfast, lunch &
dinner included)
Day 5: Sacred Bumdra Trek
This 2-day moderate to
challenging trek on widely varied trails combines a region of remote and
incomparable beauty with some of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in
the country.
After breakfast, we'll take a short drive to Sangchen Chokhor (2537m), the most
important Buddhist University in the Kingdom, where we begin our trek.
The trail climbs steadily up the mountainside through
thick forests of Himalayan blue pine, oak and rhododendron to Chochong-Tse (3588m) a small 17th
century temple and meditation cave.
From here, a short steep climb brings us to a spectacular
panoramic viewpoint. Walking along a ridge line trail, high above the valley
floors, we are awed by the solitude and awe-inspiring panoramic views of the
surrounding lush valleys and towering peaks. Winding through beautiful forests
and meadows of wildflower we approach tree-line and our campsite, Bumdra (3880m). Enjoy this idyllic
setting and marvel at the panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayas. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
Approximate distance: 7.4 kilometres
Approximate trekking hours: 5-6 hours
Day 6: Bumdra to Taktshang Gonpa
We visit Bumdra Goenba, a
small meditation monastery that clings to the side of an immense cliff face,
founded by the Tantric Buddhist Yogini
Machig Labdron.
After the visit, we begin our descent and the landscape
changes from the high country of dwarf rhododendron and beautiful vistas,
giving way to the low lands of pine and oak.
En-route, we visit the magical monastery known as Taktshang (Tigress Nest) Monastery, one
of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the entire Himalayan World. Set on a
vertical cliff face at 2950m above sea level, it defies all engineering logic.
Check into your hotel this afternoon and enjoy a relaxing
hot shower and celebrate the magnificent adventure over an exquisite meal. (Breakfast,
lunch & dinner included)
Approximate distance: 8.7 kilometres
Approximate trekking hours: 4-5 hours
Day 7: Departure
Transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. (Breakfast
included)
Tashi Delek
