Bumdra trek Bhutan (2 days trek)

Meet and greet at the Paro airport and drive to the hotel.

In the afternoon, visit to:

• Ta dzong an ancient watchtower built in 1659 which now houses the national museum of Bhutan.
• Rinpung dzong built in 1644 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It houses the administrative offices of Paro valley.

In the evening, visit to:

• Bhutanese farm house to see a typical Bhutanese way of life.

Dinner and over night in Hotel.

Today is the start of 2 days short trek in Bhutan, Bumdra trek Bhutan. In the morning, drive to Sangchekhor Buddhist college in the Paro valley and start the trek.  The Bumdra trek altitude starts at 2,800 m and difficulty level is moderate. Walk up hill for 2 hours and past Chhoe Tse lhakhang and approach the Bumdra monastery.

In the afternoon, visit the monastery or climb a peak nearby at around 4000 m (Bhutan Bumdra trek altitude). We return to the camp.

Dinner and overnight in camp.

Duration: 3–4 hours, optional 2–3 hours return trek to peak, Bhutan Bumdra trek difficulty: moderate, Bumdra trek Bhutan altitude: 4000 m.

In the morning, we continue the trek via the Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang).

Visit the monastery. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche flew to this cave on the back of a tigress, Dorji Drolo.

Walk down to the base of the hill where our vehicles will pick us (End of 2 days short trek in Bhutan, Bumdra trek Bhutan)

Duration: 5 – 7 hours, difficulty: moderate.

In the afternoon, visit to:

• Drugyel dzong built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
• Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo.

Drive to Thimphu. On the way, visit Tamchog lhakhang built in the 15^th century by Thang Tong Gyalpo (Also called Iron bridge builder). His surviving bridge can be still seen at Dungsam in eastern Bhutan.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, visit to:

• National memorial chorten built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
• Dupthop lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
• National library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts.
• School of arts and crafts (Painting school).

In the afternoon, hike to Cheri monastery in upper Dodena valley.

Then visit Tashichho dzong, the Royal secretariat where the famous annual Thimphu festival is held in the month of September.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Punakha valley via Dochu La pass at 3100 m. On the way, visit to:

• Dochu La pass (3140 m) with 108 stupas and enjoy the view of higher Himalayas. If the weather is clear, you can enjoy the beautiful view of Gasa dzong.
• Chimi lhakhang built in 1499 by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as “The devine madman”. This temple is also known as “the temple of fertility”.

In the afternoon, visit Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

In the evening, walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan spanning 160 m.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, hike to Khamsum Yulley monastery built by Her Majesty the Queen Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck.

Then drive to Wangdue Phodrang. On the way, visit Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

In the afternoon, visit to:

• Tallest statue of Buddha in the world (51.5 m).
• BBS tower view point.
• Takin preserve center.
• Changangkha monastery, the oldest temple of Thimphu.
• Dupthop nunnery.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell (End of Bumdra trek itinerary).