Bhutan Tour with Bumdra High Camp Trek - 6 days

On this day, you will arrive at the Paro International Airport in Paro, Bhutan. The flight towards the airport is very exciting and one of the most thrilling as you head close to the hills. You can spot the mountains on the far end while the hills are surrounding the airport. Upon your landing, you will be greeted by our Bhutanese guide from Third Rock Adventures and drive you to your hotel. 

At your hotel, you will get refreshed and then briefed about the next day’s tour. However, the sightseeing tour will begin now itself. You will visit the Rinpung Dzong, which is very close to your hotel. After crossing a wooden bridge, you will get to Rinpung, which translates to ‘Fortress of the Heaps of Jewels.’ The exterior of the monastery is colored red and has beautiful wood carvings. Rinpung was built by the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu sect in the 15th century. At present, it serves as the administrative body for the government of Bhutan. 

After your visit to Rinpung, you will also go on to visit Kichu Lhakhang. It is situated in Lango Gewong, with one of the oldest temples, Jowo Temple, constructed in the vicinity. It was built by the Tibetan Emperor, Songtsen, sometime in the 7th century. As per the Bhutanese myth, spiritual leader Guru Rimpoche came down here and concealed some spiritual treasures. You will head back to your hotel after enjoying the views. 

Overnight at a hotel in Paro. 

The second day takes you on a drive from Paro to Haa Valley. The long drive is very exciting as you get to drive through long pine forests stretching to a distance. In about an hour from Paro, you will reach the Chele La Pass at an elevation of 3,988m/13,083ft. The views from Chele La are the fascinating thing about today's hike. You will be bestowed with the views of Mt. Jumolhari, and the pass is adorned with Buddhist prayer flags fluttering with the wind. Chele La is the highest motorable pass. In the winter season, it is covered by heaps of snow. But the diver is well trained to drive to the toughest road conditions. 

The second half of the drive continues towards Haa Valley. With views of the incredible mountains and valley, you will head on through a forest of fir, oak, and blue pine to reach Haa. Haa Valley is a tourist attraction since it connects to Hiking and Camping tours in Bhutan. The valley sits nestled between mountains. Haa valley is also dubbed as the hidden land Rice Valley due to the high rice production. The weather is chilly most of the seasons. You can visit the Haa Dzong and explore the nearby local village, where you can interact with the locals with assistance from your guide. 

Overnight stay at your hotel in Haa Valley.

The third day begins with a lovely morning drive towards Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive takes anywhere from three to four hours. The road takes you through the beautiful pine forest along the way. You can make a stop at the Dobji Dzong on the way if you like. Dobji is known to be the first model monastery built in Bhutan. Dobji, also known as the Dokar fortress, was built in the 15th century by Ngawang Chogyal. Inside the dzong vicinity, you can observe the statues of Jetsun Milarepa, Dungsy Dewa Zangpo, Guru Langdarchen, and Ngawang Chogyal. 

After enjoying the visit, you can head back on the road and join the main road at Chhuzom. The Chhuzom is a major road junction that connects the river in Paro, Pa Chhu, and the river in Thimphu, Thimp Chhu. The word Chhuzom is translated to ’where the rivers meet.’ Along with the confluence point, you can spot the locals selling the local produce like cheese, apples, vegetables, and more. You will head on towards Thimphu. 

Upon reaching your hotel in Thimphu, you can head out to the streets and go for a sightseeing tour, although a short one. You can opt to visit the Tashichho Dzong, which is a fortified monastery known best to be the seat of the Druk Desi/ King of Bhutan. The structure is large and architecturally beautiful. From there on, you can head on to the Buddha Dordenma, which is only half an hour's walk from Tashiccho. The Dordenma has a huge statue of Shakyamuni Buddha with a height of 54m/177ft. After the visit, you can head back to your hotel for the night. 

Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu. 

Early in the morning, after having breakfast, you will take a drive to Paro from Thimphu. Upon reaching Paro, the drive will take you to Sang Choekor Monastery. You will stop there and visit the monastery, which houses about 150 monks studying here. The monastery was built in the 17th century by Trulku Choglay Shacha Tenzin. Sangchen Choekor translates to’ the relics to three realms,’ the realms being China, Tibet, and Hor (Mongolia), where acts of Boddhichita were performed. 

You begin your trek from the monastery and take the ascending road through forests for two hours. Then, you will reach a ridge that offers mesmeric views of Paro valley. The Chhoe Tse Lakhang above sits between the mountainsides. The trail from thereon ripples before you reach a temple that offers impressive views of Paro in the south and the snowcapped mountains in the north. You will take a short climb and reach the fluttering Buddhist prayer flags and back again to the forest.

After about an hour, the forest will open up to a wide meadow with many chortens and prayer flags adorned above. A few minutes away, you will spot your camp, where you will observe the views of hills and the valley below. As you reach the Bumbra High campsite, you can instantly spot many tents and horses at the elevation of 3,800m/12,467ft. It is a raw experience of getting one with nature. 

You can visit the Bumdra Monastery just minutes away from your campsite. According to popular belief, when Guru Rimpoche visited the monastery for meditation, he was served with food by 100 Dakinis/ sky dwellers who descended from the sky. Bumbdra refers to the cave with the imprints of the Dakinis. After enjoying nature and the monastery, you can head back to your camp for the night. 

Overnight stay at camp in Bumdra High Camp. 

On this day, you will begin your trek from Bumdra camp after breakfast. The trail will take you through the pine and rhododendron forest. For about an hour, you will take a descend and watch the golden roofs of the temple situated below. You will eventually reach Zangto Pelri, which is a small temple. Zangto Pelri is translated to ‘Heaven on Earth.’ From there, you will head straight down to the Taktsang Monastery, known famously as Tiger’s Nest Monastery (3,120m/10,236ft). 

Tiger’s Nest Monastery sits at the cliff, 900m/2,952ft above the valley of Paro. Tiger’s Nest monastery gets its name from an ancient myth that Guru Rimpoche descended on these caves to meditate for three months. Guru Rimpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, was a spiritual leader of Bhutan credited for bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. You can visit the four major temples located in the area. Also, the main highlight of the monastery is the two caves, Thulo Phuk and Pel Phuk, where Guru Rimpoche is said to have descended on his tiger’s back and meditated, respectively. You can spot ancient paintings depicting Buddhism. The buildings are connected through a rock stairway.

After viewing the wonderful landmarks, you will make a final descend towards the Paro valley floor. You will head towards your hotel for the stay. You can head out to the streets in the evening to buy some souvenirs being sold by locals. 

Overnight stay at a hotel in Paro. 

On this day, you will bid farewell to the majestic Land of Thunder Dragon. Our Bhutanese guide from Third Rock Adventures will drive you to the Paro International airport for the final departure. On the way back home, you will reminisce the memories of your visit to Rinpung Dzong, Haa Valley, Chele La pass, Bumdra Monastery, and Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

After having the adventure of your life here in the valleys of Bhutan, you can contact us again for similar adventures in the nearby Asian countries of India and Nepal bestowed with culture and nature.