7 Day Magical Bhutan with Bum-Dra Trek
Itinerary
Enjoy a cultural tour and a popular short trek that offers breathtaking views and a view of Taktsang Monastery from the top and enjoy Bhutan’s sunrise while you camp in the wilderness.
Day 1: Arrival in Paro, Bhutan
Elevation 2,280 m
Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatise to the altitude. Drive to Thimphu, check in to the hotel and lets have your first taste of Bhutanese crusine and some light sight-seeing in Thimphu if possible.
Viewpoints around Thimphu
Takin enclosure – See the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin.
National Memorial Chorten – which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk
Centenary Farmers’ Market – Every Saturday and Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. Here villagers from the valley and other nearby places come to sell their agriculture products.
Hotels:
 Jumolhari Hotel |
 Terma Linca Resort |
 Taj Tashi Thimphu |
Day 2: Thimphu
Elevation 2,280 mHeritage Museum – Dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of artefacts used in rural households.
Textile Museum – witnesses the art of traditional weaving.
Thimphu Dzong – the largest Dzong, is also the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan.
National Memorial Chorten – which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Paper making factory – witnesses the art of paper making.
Simtokha Dzong – Five miles from Thimphu, on a lofty ridge, stands Semtokha Dzong the oldest fortress in the Kingdom.
Hotels:
Jumolhari Hotel |
Terma Linca Resort |
Taj Tashi Thimphu |
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha
Elevation 1,300 mDochula Pass – the 108 chortens was built by the present Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over indian militants and to liberate the souls of the soldiers lost.
Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten – Built by the third Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon wangchuck this Chorten is a splendid example of of the Bhutanese architecture and art and is the only one of its kind in the world. It has been built over eight and a half years and its details have been drawn from religious scripture.
Hotels:
 Hotel Lobesa |
 Meri Puensum |
 Uma Punakha |
Day 4: Punakha to Paro
Elevation 2,280 mParo Valley – The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only Airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. The following are some of the prominent places to visit in Paro.
Paro Dzong – also known as Rinpung Dzong, this 15th century massive fortress/monastery, is also the administrative center of the dzonkhag.
Ta Dzong – Built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique Thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
Hotels:
 Tenzinling Resort |
 Metta Resort & Spa |
 Uma Paro |
Day 5: Bumdra Trek Day 1
Elevation 43,800 mHike from Sang Choekor Buddhist College (2,800m) to Yak Pasture below Bumdra Monastery (3,800m). The adventure begins with an early morning drive up to the Sang Choekor to meet our ponies and while they are being loaded we may pay our respects at the College. The initial 1–2 hour ascent of a ridge can be steep at times but in cool shade. We will reach a clearing with prayer flags and enjoy a spectacular view of both Paro and Do Chhu valleys.
About 1-2 hours walk away is the Chhoe Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple); which nestles at the side of the mountain. The trail continues and when we reach the last steep elevation we will see a temple overlooking the views of Paro airport and the snow-capped Himalaya. After another 20 minutes of climbing through ruins and fluttering prayer flags, we hike into the ancient forest for about 40 minutes before we reach a wide meadow with sacred chortens and prayer flags. We will spend a night at Bumdra Monastery (the cave of a thousand prayers).
It has an awesome view of the Himalayan. After lunch we can visit the monastery (if it is unoccupied) and climb towards the north of the peak (about 4000m) for a better view of the Himalayan before returning for dinner.
Duration: 3-4 hours to camp 2-3 hours optional return trek to peak
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard – Guided with mineral water
Day 6: Bumdra Trek Day 2
Elevation 2,280 mAfter a hearty breakfast in the jaw dropping landscape, it is time to either head straight back into the valley or linger awhile soaking up the view and perhaps hang some prayer flags of our own. Eventually we have to drop back into the ancient pine and rhododendron forest on the monks’ zig zagging trail. After 1-2 hours of descent we catch glimpses of the golden roofs of temples below and soon come upon the first of many on our way back from the wilds.
The path snakes across the mountainside between the monasteries and temples before reaching the gardens of Sangtopelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can bravely peer over edge and straight down onto the ornate roofs Taktsang in the cliff far below. An hour later and we are at the gates of Taktsang looking across the gorge a steep descent to a waterfall then ascent on steps and you are passing into the Tiger’s Nest itself.
Hotels:
Tenzinling Resort |
Metta Resort & Spa |
Uma Paro |
Day 7: DEPART PARO
Elevation 2,280 mToday we will bid fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country and take an early flight back to Singapore. We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments! Tashi Delek!
What’s Included
» Private guided tour
» Total Trek Day: 2 Day 1 Night
» Visas for Bhutan
» Airport transfers
» Daily 3 meals (B/L/D) at designated restaurants or hotels
» Accommodation at 3 star hotel
» A qualified & licensed English-speaking guide
» An experienced driver
» A tour vehicle
» Entry fees & road permits
» Government fee, royalty, taxes & surcharges
» Mineral bottled water
» Set of traditional costume (to be return at the end of your stay)
» Full service & assistance before, during and after your Bhutan trip
Trekking equipment provided:
» A cook
» Camp assistances
» Horses
» Sleeping bag
» Sleeping mats
» Blankets
» Tents
Suitable Months
March to June and September to October.
Prices
For Travel during the months of: Jun
USD 1,489 for 1 person traveler
USD 1,429 per person for 2 person travelers
USD 1,249 per person for group with 3 or more
For Travel during the months of: Mar-May and Sep-Oct
USD 1,789 for 1 person traveler
USD 1,729 per person for 2 person travelers
USD 1,549 per person for group of 3 and above
What’s Excluded
» Flight into Bhutan via Drukair (can be arranged with us)
» Flight on other airline to catch Drukair Flight
» Hotel stay outside of Bhutan
» Travel Insurance (can be arranged with us)
» Meals at 4-5 stars restaurants
» Tips for the guide and driver
» Alcoholic drink
» Expenditure of personal nature
Our Guarantee
Guaranteed Visa approval. We have yet to disappoint a single of our travellers in term of Visa issuance.
Your choice of hotels will be confirmed for your inspection before your arrival. We only book you on hotels which we love and would love again.
We will be happy to change your guide, driver or vehicle on the first two days of arrival in Thimphu if you are not satisfied with our selection. Drop us a note and our hospitality team be on the spot to assist you.
We’re here to help. Our world-class member services team is available by phone or email — there’s no automated system or call center; you’ll communicate with a real person.