Shortest trek in Paro taking to pristine Bhutan.
Bumdra Trek Bhutan is the shortest and most moderate trek in Paro Bhutan. ” Bumdra” literally means Rock of One Hundred Thousand Foot Prints of Dakinies or Angels. It is believed that 800 years ago hundred thousand Dakinis were here and left their footprints on the rock.
Bumdra trek takes you till 3895 m above sea level and the Taksang Monastery is above 3100m above sea level.’The total days taken for trekking is 2 Days for the trek. While on trekking you will be provided with a twin-sharing tent, all meals, and Guide. The minimum size required is two people in a group. A single person will be charged extra. The best season for Bumdra Trek Bhutan is during March-May and September-November.
The trek start from Sang Choekor Budhhist College & Lhakang. You got a total of three routes i.e. Shari, Taksang Monastery, and the best route through Sang Choekor Buddhist College route. You will be dropped off by car. There you can visit and check out the Buddhist college and Lhakhang. where you can visit briefly. You can good blessings from Monks or high lamas for a fruitful trip.
The trek starts with the first visit to Chhoe Tse Lhakang temple about 2 hours away. The trail will lead to forestry ridges of mountains with pristine forests. This continues on till a clearing is reached with prayer flags serving as landmarks and a breathtaking view of Paro and Do Chhu Valley.
The Bumdra Trek usually takes about 2 to 3 days to complete the trek. It depends on your itinerary and your hiking experience.
The trek often begins from the beautiful Paro Valley en route to Sang Choekor Buddhist College & Lhakang. You will visit the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktsang) before or after the trek or hike.
The trek takes you through lush rhododendron and pine forests which will provide you with stunning views of Paro Valley. The location of the campsite provides you with Bumdra Monastery on the rock cliff. The monastery is at an altitude of 3,800 meters (12,470 feet). The other beauty is to find hospitality and spend the night at the campsite. You find a peaceful site to enjoy the awesome pristine environment.
The Bumdra Monastery is the main sightseeing place to visit. It holds a significant spiritual place for the Bhutanese people. The monastery is perched on a rock cliff and provides a picturesque view of the Paro Valley.
Spending a night in a tent near the Bumdra Monastery is a memorable experience. The peaceful surroundings and clear night sky make it a tranquil and magical setting.
Like many treks in Bhutan, the Bumdra Trek also provides an opportunity to explore Bhutanese culture and visit monasteries along the way. You might encounter Buddhist monks, prayer flags, and other religious symbols during the trek.
The Bumdra Trek is considered a moderate trek with some steep ascents and descents. The highest point is at the Bumdra Monastery, but the overall altitude gain is not as significant as some other treks in Bhutan, making it suitable for a wide range of trekkers, including those with limited trekking experience.
The best time to embark on the Bumdra Trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These months offer pleasant weather and clear skies, making the trek more enjoyable.
As with any trek in Bhutan, you’ll need to obtain a trekking permit and be accompanied by a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or guide. They will assist with the necessary arrangements and ensure a safe and memorable trekking experience.
Before you trek you need to check your items before your trek starts.
Our representatives from Bhutan Himalayan Holidays will receive you at the Paro international airport and drive you to a hotel or resort for check-in. You will be guided and provide a talk for the tour in Bhutan.
After lunch, visit Ta Dzong the ancient watchtower built in the year 1656. Now it is converted into the National Museum of Bhutan. From Museum you can drive below the Paro Rinpung Dzong which means “Heap of Jewels”.
The Dzong was built in 1646 by the founder of Bhutan Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Visit The Dzong. The guide will guide you inside the Fortress. From the Dzong, you take a short downhill walk and can see a traditional cantilever wooden bridge across the Paro River. The driver and vehicle will be there to receive you.
In the evening time, you are taken to a Bhutanese farmhouse to have dinner(Typical Bhutanese cuisine). Overnight stay in Paro 3-star category hotel Gangtey Palace or similar.
Time is taken for trek for 1st Days : 3–4 hours to the campsite.2-3 hours to climb the peak of around 3800m.
After breakfast in the hotel, the team of Bhutan Himalayan Holidays will take you to Sang Choekor Buddhist College in the Paro Valley with an elevation of 2,800. From Buddhist college, you have to walk uphill for 2 hours. You will be served a hot lunch pack before reaching the campsite. The main difficulty of the trek is from college to Chhoetse Monastery(60 % of the trek).
We walk past Chhoetse Monastery and we came near the Bumdra Monastery. The initial 1–2 hour ascent of a ridge can be steep but most part of it will be under cool places. We will reach a clearing with prayer flags and enjoy a spectacular view of both the Paro and Do Chhu valleys. After lunch, we can visit the monastery and perform prayers and hang prayer flags. You can climb the nearby peak at around 4000 meters.
After hours of the climbing peak, we return back to the campsite. Dinner and overnight in camp.
After breakfast trail towards Taktsang Monastery and it is the last day of the Bumdra trek. The trail takes you to Taksang Monastery.
After breakfast, it is time to head straight back into the Paro Valley or catch the view. Beauty is to hang some prayer flags of our own for the well-being of Earth and living beings. We have to take the route back into the ancient pine and rhododendron forest. After 1-2 hours of descent, we can see the golden roofs of temples below the trail.
The trail takes you to the mountainside between the monasteries and temples before reaching the gardens of Sangtopelri (Heaven on Earth). Finally, you can see the roofs of Paro Taktsang on the rock cliff. An hour later you will reach Taktsang with the waterfall then climb up the steps.
After visiting Tigers Nest you can have lunch. After lunch, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal fortress. It was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1647. Drive towards Paro Town and on the way visit Kyichu Lhakhang built by Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo in 659 A.D.
He decided to build 108 Temples in a single day to suppress the demon. On the way to Thimphu, you have time to visit Tachog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo(Iron Bridge builder) in the 15th century. You can see also three Chortens on the confluence of Thimphu and the Paro River.
After breakfast, the day begins with the first visit to the National Memorial Chorten built in 1974 by the Grand Queen Mother of Bhutan in memory of her husband late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. From the memorial Chorten drive to Buddha Point to see 169 feet tall Buddha facing Thimphu Valley.
High lights of Thimphu sightseeing will be the National Library, Painting School, Simply Bhutan, Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, Indigenous Hospital, Zilukha Nunnery, Dechen Phodrang, Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the national government, and the Central Monastic Body.
Evening time you get time to stroll in Thimphu city to visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu.
Overnight in Hotel Ghalingkha or similar. Dinner outside in a good authentic Bhutanese restaurant.
After breakfast, drive to Punakha which takes nearly 3 hours car drive. You will pass through Dochula Pass with an elevation of 3100m. If the weather is clear, you can see awesome snow-capped Higher Himalayas. On the way to Punakha visit the fertility temple(Chime Lhakhang). The temple was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley.
After lunch in Punakha Town or Chimi Lhakhang cafe. The temple was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is built 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. Drive towards Punakha Suspension Bridge(the longest in Bhutan). The bridge is connecting another side of the village. It is between 160-180 meters. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Zhingkham resort or similar.
After breakfast drive to a point (Yabesa village)and hike to Khamsung Yulley Monastery. You will love to see rice fields and farmers working on fields. The hike will take 40 minutes to reach Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The monastery was built by Her Majesty Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. It is located on the hill. It got the brilliant paintings 0f Nyingmapa Traditions. Drive to Thimphu which will take 3 hours. Check-in Thimphu hotel in Thimphu (3-4 star category).Ghalingkha or similar.Dinner in the hotel.
After breakfast drive to Paro international airport with our representative from Bhutan Himalayan Holidays for the outbound journey.
Note: Above price is for 6 Nights and 7 Days – exclusive of Entrance fees and other charges
For Economy Class, it cost US$ 1013.00
For Business Class, it cost US$ 1658.00
Economy Class: US$ 974.00
Business Class: US$ 1091.00
Economy Class: US$ 412.00
Business Class: US$ 476.00
Economy Class: US$ 625.00
Business Class: US$ 770.00
Economy Class: US$ 432.00
Business Class: US$ 503.00
It takes a 3-4 hour hike from Shangchoekor Buddhist College. It depends upon your hiking skills. Total time taken including camping is one night 2 days. After Camping in Bumdra you have to trek towards Taksang Monastery. The visit to Taksang Monastery is iconic for Buddhists.
Planning the trek to the Bumdra need to be done in advance for tourist, locals, and regional tourist. For international tourists and regional tourists is mandatory to contact a tour agency from Bhutan. You can hike and trek in Bhutan without getting a permit. Tour agents in Bhutan will handle all logistics including your permit and provide you with 5-star rated service.
You have three routes to reach the campsite and the Bumdra Monastery. The first and best route is from Shang Choekor Buddhist College, 2nd route is from Paro Taksang Monastery, 3rd route is from Shari. Most of the visitors prefer the college. It is nearly 3-4 hours from the best route to Shang Choekhor College. Now Royal Bhutan Helicopter Service Pvt. Ltd provides the service if you can’t visit by trekking. It takes 15 Minutes helicopter ride to the campsite.
You can visit the Choetshe Monastery on the way. Bumdra Monastery on the rock cliff above the campsite, the blue clear sky during the fall season, Photography enthusiasts can spend time with shots,
Taksang Monastery while you are returning back from the campsite -2nd day of the trek. You can see also holy streams. You can see Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave, where a lot of angels came to feed him with food, clothes and sang beautiful songs. Angles were allowed by Guru Rimpoche to leave footprints on the rocks.
People of Paro used to keep corpses of dead bodies on the three mountain tops to be fed by vultures. Now people don’t take the bodies there because due to crematoriums in Paro Valley. Now the spots are good enough spots for tourists to take pictures and hoist prayer flags. You can still see the hat of Guru Rimpoche on the spot. You can have a horse ride if you get permission from horses who are kept for carrying your food items and tents.
After one night at the campsite, you can take the route to Tigers Nest Monastery from the base camp towards Paro Valley. You can also visit Ugyentse Lhakhang while trailing down to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Yes, you can !! but you need to undergo Covid protocols, which is difficult for travelers for traveling into Bhutan. Due to Covid -19 Pandemic it is difficult to align with all Bhutan Visa formalities. It is better if Covid-19 protocols get easy.