Bhutan Tour With Bumdra Trek: 10 Days

TOUR OVERVIEW

Day 1: Arrival – Paro
Day 2: Trek start
Day 3: Trek end
Day 4: Paro – Thimphu
Day 5: Thimphu – Punakha
Day 6: Punakha – Bumthang
Day 7: Bumthang
Day 8: Bumthang – Phobjikha
Day 9: Phobjikha – Paro
Day 10: Depart from Paro

Bumdra Monastery Trek:
  • Trek RatingMODERATE – means hard in places and good fitness required.
  • Maximum Altitude: 3,900 – 4000 metres.

DAY 01: PARO VALLEY TOUR

After the breakfast, we will do the following sightseeing.

  • Paro Rinpun dzong
  • National Museum which was watch tower in olden days during the civil war
  • Drukgyel dzong, the fortress of victory
  • Kyichu temple

Then visit one of the farm houses in Paro for organic Bhutan Dinner and there is hot stone bath which very popular in Bhutan. If you wish to experience hot stone bath, then you have to pay USD 20 to USD 30 per person.

 

 

DAY 2: SANG CHOEKOR TO BUMDRA MONASTERY (Trek Start)

  • Trek Start: Sang Choekor in the Paro (Altitude: 2,800 m).
  • Time: 4 hours walk + 3 hours (climbing the peak and enjoy the Beautiful Himalaya)
  • Lunch: 4 hours walk (Campsite) and climb mountain after lunch.
  • Altitude: 4000 m
  • Temperature: 4°C – 7°C at Campsite (summer).
  • Difficulty: Moderate, guided with picnic.
  • Overnight: Camping

 

DAY 3: BUMDRA – ZANGDHO PELRI – TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY (Trek End)

  • Starting point: Bumdra (Altitude: 4000 m)
  • Lunch: Tiger’s nest monastery (3 – 4 hourss walk from Bumdra)
  • Altitude: 3120 m
  • Total time: 6 to 7 hours walk
  • Overnight: Paro Hotel

Return hike from Bumdra Monastery camp via Zangto Pelri Monastery & Taktsang Monastery. After a hearty breakfast, it is time to either head straight back into the valley or spend a little extra time soaking up the view. Eventually we have to drop back into the ancient pine and rhododendron
forest on the monks’ zig-zagging trail. After 2 hours walk we 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, if you are brave, peer over the edge, straight down onto the ornate rooftops of Taktsang Monastery perched against the cliff-face far below. An hour later and we are across the gorge from Taktsang Monastery. Follow a steep descent to a waterfall then up some steps and you’ll reach the Tiger’s Nest itself. Retracing our steps we begin the final descent of about 45 minutes to Paro Valley floor to reach our vehicle from where you will be transferred by road to your overnight accommodation.

Duration: 6 – 7 hours depending on time taken in monasteries
Difficulty: Moderate

 

DAY 4: PARO – THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING

  • Altitude: 2,320 meters

After breakfast, we will drive to Thimphu and visit the following:

  • Buddha point
  • The Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.
  • Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Thursday to Sunday) where farmers sell their farm produces (vegetables, fruits, cereals, spices, wild vegetable collections, livestock products, etc. and free interaction with local people who come shopping to this market, especially on weekends.
  • Takin Preserve which houses the national animal- takin which is found only in Bhutan. Takin is an extremely rare member of goat family.
  • Visit Buddha Point and offer your prayers to the largest Buddha statue in the country and walk around to enjoy the great view of Thimphu valley below.
  • The National Memorial Chorten (stupa) which was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan. The term „chorten‟ literally means ‘ seat of faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Meet the elderly generation in circumambulation, especially in the evenings, at the National Memorial Chorten.

 

 

DAY 05: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA

  • Altitude: 1,300 meters
  • Distance: 71 km
  • Estimated driving time: 2 1/2 hrs

After breakfast, travel to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft). If you have a clear sky, the view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges is spectacular and you can even see the Gasa Dzong as a white dot in the horizon. Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.

Travel onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. Visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river. 108 stupa at Dochula pass, between Punakha and Thimphu

Evening, walk through the Metshina Village and take a 20minute walk through the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing .Overnight at a hotel in Wangdue/Punakha.

 

 

DAY 06: PUNAKHA/WANGDUE – BUMTHANG

  • Altitude: 2,650 meters
  • Distance: 198 km
  • Estimated driving time: 7 hrs

After breakfast, drives to Bumthang via Pelela pass at the altitude of 3,150 meters, a wonderful opportunity for photographs. En-route stops at Chummy village to visit yathra weaving central. Which Yathra are made into colorful scarves, bags, blankets and sweater. Continue drive to Bumthang.Mingle with the locals and overnight at the Resorts/Hotels in Bumthang.

 

DAY 07: BUMTHANG VALLEY TOUR

Whole day sightseeing in Bumthang, which is the most beautiful place in Bhutan and we normally say, “Switzerland of Bhutan”. In the morning visit the Jakar Dzong. The fortress is now used as an administrative center of the valley and summer residence of monks. Chakhar Lhakhang (Iron
Castle). It is the site of the palace of the Indian King Sendha Gyab also known as Sindhu Raja. Jakar Dzong, Bumthang

Kurjey Lhakhang (Kurjey means, “Body imprint”). The temple to the right was built by Minjur Tempa in 1652. It was built around the cave in which Guru Rinpoche meditated and left his body imprint. Visit the Thangbi Temple which is located on a plateau above the Chamkhar River north
of Kurje Temple. The 4th Shamar Rinpoche, one of the two highest ranking lamas of the Karma Kagyu religious school came to Bumthang from Tibet in the 15th century in order to establish a monastery.

Jambay lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet. In his effort to propagate Buddhism he had a plan to build a total of 108 temples in Tibet and neighboring kingdoms. Finish above sightseeing before lunch and after the lunch drive to Ura Valley and return at Chamkhar for overnight.

 

 

DAY 08: BUMTHANG – PHOBJIkHA

  • Altitude: 2,900 meters
  • Distance: 188 km
  • Estimated driving time: 7 hrs

After breakfast drive to Trongsa. And then Visit Trongsa Dzong – seat of the districtadministration, built in the 1648. And visit Tower of Trongsa -converted into the museum from watchtower that once guarded Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellion, stands in Bhutan’s history. Then drive to Phobjikha after lunch. Phobjikha- is a bowl-shape valley on the western slopes of Black Mountain. Optional: After lunch or in Morning visit Gantey Goenpa – This monastery is a major attraction with an old monastery date back to the 16 century. Later walk around the valley which is also the winter home to the rare black-necked cranes, which migrate, from remote parts of Tibet, China and Siberia during winter to this valley.

 

 

 

DAY 09: PHOBJIKHA-PARO

  • Altitude: 2,280 meters
  • Distance: 190 km
  • Estimated driving time: 6 hrs

Today after well rest we will drive to Paro. We will do some sightseeing on way and also stop at Thimphu for while if there are any last minute shopping. Later stroll through the town and rest in Resort.

 

 

DAY 10: DEPARTURE

After the breakfast the guide and driver will escort you to Paro International Airport for your onward departure accordingly with the departure time.

 

End of tour

we hope to provide the ultimate best value for all our guests. We choose some of the finest hotels, offer free upgrades to make our visitors feel the most welcomed and well-taken care of while traveling in Bhutan. We take pride in providing first class accommodations for our travelers.

A wide variety of accommodations are available ranging from luxurious 5-star hotels to cozy little hotels, homestays in traditional Bhutanese homes to camping under the stars. Visitors can be assured of comfort, ambiance and hospitality.

The types of accommodations can be divided into:

  • Government Categorized 3 Star Hotels and Resorts
  • Luxurious 4 Star Hotels & 5 Star International Hotel Chains
  • Village Homestay
  • Camping
  • Government Categorized 3 Star Hotels & Resorts

Hotels in Bhutan are rated according to a National 5 Star rating System. All Tour Operators are required to provide their guests with Government Categorized Hotels and Resorts, a minimum of 3 Star accommodations so you can be assured of your comfort. Most hotels provide their guests with Basic Necessities, Room Service, Free Wi-fi, Television and some of them also have Fitness Centers and Spas

Luxurious 4 Star Hotels & 5 Star International Hotel Chains

The luxury packages are based on 4 star luxury hotels and 5 star International Hotels Chain (Aman Kora, COMO Uma, Zhiwaling, Le Meridien and Taj Tashi) with extra charges in addition to the Mandatory Daily Tariff of USD $250/person/night.

Village Homestay

Visitors also have the option of spending a night in a traditional Bhutanese Farm House with a Bhutanese family. Agriculture is still one of the major sources of livelihood among the Bhutanese people and a farm-stay will give you an excellent glimpse into the day-to-day life of a typical Bhutanese family. You’ll be able to observe age old Bhutanese farming traditions as the family goes about its daily tasks. You’ll enjoy delicious home-cooked meals and the unparalleled hospitality of a Bhutanese host.

Camping

There’s nothing like camping in some of the most breath taking landscapes of Bhutan. Visitors embarking on long treks will be provided with tents and whatever other camping equipment is deemed necessary. Regardless of where you stay, visitors can be assured of their comfort and traditional Bhutanese hospitality.

What is included in this tour?

  • Wedding ceremony in Bhutanese style
  • Tours specified in the itinerary
  • Accommodation in 4 star hotel/ Complimentary Deluxe rooms.
  • Meals (Breakfast; lunch; dinner, mineral water) as per your choice
  • Transportation within Bhutan (Toyota Hiace Bus/High roof)
  • Services of experienced and licensed culture tour guide
  • Museum fees and other special entry fees
  • US $ 10 per pax for Tourism Development Fund
  • Visa fee of US$ 40 per person
  • Tax and government royalty

 

Whats not included in this tour.

  • Air fare
  • Travel and health Insurance( All medical facilities in Bhutan is free )
  • Laundry, telephone, mobile, fax and Internet bills (Hotels in Bhutan provide free wifi facilities)
  • Tips for guide and driver
  • Alcohol, beverages in resorts.
  • Shopping and Entertainment

How can we confirm our Bhutan Visa and tour?

Your Bhutan Visa and Bhutan tour will be 100% confirmed once the company receives your full payment. You will receive you Bhutan Visa and confirmed tickets 24-48 hours after you transfer us the full tour payment.

 

When is the best time to travel to Bhutan?

You can visit western Bhutan (Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and Wangduephodrang) anytime of the year. Avoid central and eastern Bhutan during the monsoon months of July and August when the weather is sometimes a little wet for sightseeing.

 

Do we need travel insurance?

All visitors in Bhutan are advised to get their insurance coverage from their own country.

 

Is tipping a standard practice?

Yes, tipping is a standard practice in Bhutan and it is part of a Bhutanese culture. All your service staff such as guide, driver, hotels staff will expect tips from you at the end of the service.