Wonderers of Bhutan with Bumdra Camp

Our representative will welcome you at Paro airport. You will visit Rinpung Dzong, the 15th century massive fortress which now serves as administrative center of the valley. From the Dzong, you can walk down to the road head crossing a traditional wooden bridge. From here, you will be taken to Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most sacred shrine in the country. In the evening, you can stroll in Paro town.

Today, drive to Haa Valley across Chelela Pass (3810m) dotted with colorful Buddhist prayer flags and offering stunning views of Mount Jumolhari and other mountains, plus incredible vistas into the valleys below the pass. Drive downhill from pass is through the forests of blue pine, fir and oak. In the afternoon, explore local villages, visit their homes and meet the families.

Drive to Thimphu, capital city of Bhutan through beautiful villages and pine forests. It is a pleasurable ride, with many optional stops along the road. After passing Dobji Dzong, road descends and joins the main road at Chhuzom. You will stop here and see local farmers sit by the side of the road selling vegetables, apples and dried cheese. Check into hotel on arrival. Afternoon, you can take walk in Thimphu city.

Early morning drive up to the Sang Choekor Monastery in Paro from where you will start the trek. The initial one to two-hour ascent through shady forest will bring you to a ridge from where you can get nice view of Paro Valley. Above and ahead the Chhoe Tse Lhakhang 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, you plunge back into ancient forest, and, after traversing for about 40 minutes, you come out onto a high wide meadow dotted with sacred chortens and prayer flags. Your home for the night is in the tent tucked away just under Bumdra Monastery offering unimpeded views of the Himalayan range.

After breakfast, you will drop back into the ancient pine and rhododendron forest on the monks’ zig-zagging trail. After one to two hours of descent, you will catch glimpses of the golden roofs of temples below. The path snakes across the mountainside between these monasteries before reaching the gardens of Zangto Pelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can peer over the edge, straight down onto the ornate rooftops of Taktsang Monastery perched against the cliff-face far below. Follow a steep descent to a waterfall then up some steps and you’ll reach the Tiger’s Nest itself. Visit the monastery and make final descent of about 45 minutes to Paro Valley floor to reach your vehicle from where you will be transferred by road to hotel.

You will drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.