Tuesday, June 25, 2024

INCREDIBLE BHUTAN JOURNEY WITH BUMDRA TREK



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, stunning valley scenery in Punakha and 
with quality time in the stunning Phobjikha valley before journeying into central valley of Trongsa. 

 

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 4000m. And end your trek visiting the most popular Taktshang monastery in Bhutan built on a sheer cliff face.

 

Tentative Itinerary

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

Day 4: Punakha / Trongsa (altitude: 7,200 feet)

 

Drive about 5 hours to Trongsa

 

Morning hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, built to prevail peace and tranquility before a stunning scenic drive to Trongsa. This is the road where the Bhutanese box office movie “Travelers and Magicians” was filmed. The road winds its way up and across high Pele-La pass (3390m). Visit Trongsa Dzong – the ancestral home of the royal family.

 

 

Day 5: Trongsa / Phobjikha valley (altitude: 9,800 feet)

 

Drive about 3 hours to Phobjikha valley

 

Visit Gangtey Gonpa hidden in the beautiful Phobjikha valley. Take an hour nature trail hike from the monastery through the conifers before emerging on the valley floor. Phobjikha valley is also the last winter grounds of the black necked cranes that migrate from the Tibetan plateau mid-October to March.

 

 

Day 6: Phobjikha to Paro (altitude: 7,400 feet)

 

Drive about 8 hours to Paro

 

Take an hour Nature Trail hike from the valley floor through the conifers up to the monastery. Drive back to Paro valley.

 

 

Day 7: 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.

 

Approximate distance: 7.4 kilometres

Approximate trekking hours: 5-6 hours

 

 

Day 8: 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.

 

Approximate distance: 8.7 kilometres

Approximate trekking hours: 4-5 hours

 

 

Day 9: Departure

Transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward flight.

 

Tashi Delek

www.sorwabhutan.com

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