Bhutan Tour with Day Hikes and Bumdra Camp - 7 days

Flying into Paro is a thrilling experience. The airport lies nestled in a valley surrounded by hills. During the flight, you will be able to enjoy stunning views of the Himalayan range, including views of some of the highest mountains in the world—Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, etc. 

After landing at the airport, our representative will greet you at the airport and take you on a sightseeing tour. You will be driven to the outskirts of the city to visit the impressive Paro Dzong. Also known as Rimpung Dzong (Fortress on the Heap of Jewels), it dates back to the seventeenth century. The fortress served as a vital source of defense when Tibetan forces attacked the kingdom from the north. The Paro Dzong is one of the finest examples of 'dzong' architecture in Bhutan. The interior of the dzong is home to Buddhist shrines, government offices, a monastery, and vast courtyards. The wooden pillars and windows are beautifully carved and decorated with Buddhist motifs. Paro Tshechhu, a week-long monastic festival held in the second lunar month, is celebrated at this fortress.

After exploring Paro Dzong, you will hike up a couple of minutes and reach Ta Dzong. A circular building built in the shape of a conch, the Ta Dzong is a massive watch tower now converted into a museum. The first National Museum of Bhutan, Ta Dzong, showcases ancient Buddhist paintings, relics, and military weaponry used by the Bhutanese army in bygone days. The museum has eleven galleries where more than three thousand exhibits are showcased.

Following the sightseeing tour, you will be transferred to Thimphu by road. Enjoy the scenic drive while heading to the capital. Once you reach Thimphu, you will check into your hotel and enjoy a restful evening.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Today you have a busy day ahead of you, so you will start your sightseeing tour right after breakfast. You will start your day with a brisk hike to Dodeydra Monastery, which lies towards the northwest end of the city. The hike lasts for 2 to 3 hours and takes you past a peaceful trail filled with natural views. Enjoy your walk in nature, surrounded by lush greenery.

The monastery lies on a steep cliff. Home to about two hundred novice monks who receive education from learned lamas, the main attraction of the monastery is the three temples that are built on the face of the rocky cliff. The Pem Zam Lakhang, or Health Temple, is dedicated to Palden Lhamo, one of the three protectors of Bhutan. The Wealth Temple, or Tsug Lakhang, is dedicated to Dorje Yodronma and has a museum inside it. There are also murals depicting the origin of the temple. The Wellbeing Temple is the third temple and the main prayer hall where monks assemble to pray.

Later, you will walk down to the road, board the vehicle, and return to the city. As you reach the city, you will be taken to visit the National Memorial Chorten, a magnificent white stupa with a large garden area. This is the best place in Thimphu to observe the locals, as most of the locals come out here to chill and pray. You can observe the locals circumambulating around the stupa, carrying the prayer beads in their hands. This stupa, which looks like a large vase, was built in memory of the third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. He was responsible for bringing in many modern reforms in the country and improving the lives of the Bhutanese people. The supa is divided into three storeys. Each storey has four shrines. Photographs and paintings of the late king decorate the ground floor, while statues and paintings of protective Buddhist deities decorate the other shrines. 

Later, you will be driven to a hill overlooking Paro, where in stands the great statue of Buddha Dordenma. The 167-foot-tall statue of Lord Buddha is one of the most visited tourist sites in Thimphu. Made of copper and gilded gold, this impressive statue holds 125,000 smaller statues of Lord Buddha inside its colossal frame. Also known as Buddha Point, one can enjoy grandiose views of the city from here.

You will also visit the Motithang Takin Preserve, which is situated nearby. The preserve was built to protect the Takins, the national animal of Bhutan. Found only in some parts of Asia, the takins are mammals that look like a cross between a mountain goat and a moose.

On the way back to the city, you will visit the Tashichho Dzong, a magnificent castle fortress that houses religious shrines and government offices. The throne room of the king is also located inside the dzong.

Later, you will take a short hike and visit the ancient Dechen Phodrang Monastery, where about five hundred monks receive education. You can meet and interact with the young monks and learn more about their lives at the monastery. Also known as the Palace of Great Bliss, the monastery was established in the twelfth century. It holds many ancient relics, paintings, and the statue of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan.

Before returning to your hotel, you will pay a visit to the traditional handmade paper-making factory, where you can observe the ancient process of papermaking. 'Dehso' or Bhutanese traditional paper is made from the bark of Daphne trees, which are found in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Later, return to your hotel, have dinner, and take a well-deserved rest.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Leaving Thimphu, you will now head towards Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. On the way, you will stop at Dochula Pass to take in the views of the mountains. The pass is decorated with 108 memorial chortens built in honor of soldiers who gave up their lives in the service of the nation. You will also hike to Lungchutse Gompa, which lies close to the pass. It takes around two hours to walk to the monastery from the trailhead. The trail goes gently upwards and is filled with rhododendron, juniper, and hemlock trees and wildflowers. You can enjoy your hike surrounded by the cheerful chirping of birds and butterflies fluttering around.

The Lungchutse Gompa lies on top of a hill offering grandiose views of Bhutan's highest mountains: Jomolhari, Gangkhar Puensum, Gangchenta, Zongphu Gang, etc. After savoring the views and taking pictures, return via the same route.

On reaching the highway, you will board the vehicle again and continue your journey to Punakha.

On the way, you will visit the Chimi Lhakhang or Fertility Temple. To reach the temple, you have to walk past rice fields. Dedicated to the Divine Madman, or Drukpa Kuenley, the temple is a sacred pilgrimage site for childless couples wishing for a child. Couples visiting the temple are blessed with a sacred wooden phallus with a silver handle.

The Fertility Temple lies close to the village of Sopsokha, dotted with traditional houses with walls adorned in murals of giant phalluses.

Once you reach Punakha, your guide will take you to visit the famous Punakha Dzong. Sitting right at the confluence of the Mother (Mo Chhu) and Father (Pho Chhu) Rivers, the stunning Punakha Dzong is an important fortress that houses the embalmed remains of the founder of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. This fortress can be accessed by crossing a wooden cantilever bridge. Inside the dzong are shrines, chapels, government offices, and beautiful courtyards. The marriage ceremony of the present king of Bhutan was held in this dzong.

Overnight in Punakha.

Wake up, and after breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit Bhutan's longest suspension bridge. The one-hundred-and-eighty-meter-long bridge is built over the Pho Chhu River. After walking over the bridge and taking pictures, your guide will take you to another famous attraction in Punakha, the Khamsum Yulley Chorten.

As the chorten lies on a secluded hillock surrounded by paddy fields and forests, you will have to hike for about an hour to reach the chorten. Built-in 2004 by the Queen Mother of Bhutan, Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, the chorten was built to protect Bhutan from negative energies. It is a beautiful building decorated with traditional Buddhist motifs and statues of protective deities. A manicured garden and lawn, prayer wheels, and Buddhist shrines surround the chorten. The Punakha Valley looks amazing from the terrace of the chorten.

Afterward, you will leave Punakha and head towards Paro. There are numerous curves on the road, but the views are breathtaking. On reaching Paro, you will visit the ancient Drukguel Dzong. The Dzong, built in the seventeenth century, was used as an important base for defense against the Tibetan forces. This is one of the few standalone forts in Bhutan that were only used for military purposes. Unlike other dzongs, the Drukguel Dzong had no religious or administrative purpose. This ancient dzong is listed as a tentative site for the UNESCO World Heritage Site's inclusion.

Later, you will be driven to your hotel in the city. Have an early dinner and take a rest.

Overnight in Paro.

Today you will hike to one of the most popular camping spots in the country, Bumdra Monastery. After breakfast, you will pack the stuff that you will need for your overnight camping trip in Bumdra and board the vehicle. After a short drive away from the city, the driver will drop you and your guide at the Sang Choekar Monastery, the trailhead of your hike.

The Bumdra Hike, which is also referred to as the 'Walk of the Thousand Dakinis', passes over a spotless trail that is thick with greenery. Bumdra Monastery is a sacred pilgrimage site where it is said that Guru Rimpoche meditated and that angelic creatures, or dakinis, appeared to assist him.

Except for a few mildly level stretches, the course is primarily uphill. A portion of the path goes through a forest that was severely damaged by a wildfire a few years ago. The charred and blackened remnants of the standing trees serve as a somber reminder of the devastation that wildfires may cause. Following a strenuous three-hour ascent uphill, you will reach Choesung Tsi Gompa, a tiny monastery featuring a lovely vantage point overlooking the Paro Valley and surrounding mountains.

You may stop here for lunch. The camping staff of the Bumdra Camp will serve you a nice, packed lunch at the lookout point.

As you enjoy your lunch, take in the breathtaking vistas. Following lunch, you can explore the Choesung Tsi Gompa and talk to the monk who looks after it. He lives there alone with his dogs and cats. Proceed to the Bumdra campground after taking a short break.

You will eventually arrive at Bumdra Campsite after a strenuous climb past a grassy track. The campground at Bumdra is situated in a verdant meadow with expansive views of the valleys and mountains. The campground is located beneath the Bumdra Monastery, a hallowed Buddhist pilgrimage site.

The campground has large sleeping tents (that can withstand both rain and snow), a kitchen and dining tent, and Western-style restrooms. You can spend the entire night feeling warm and comfortable on the comfy beds in the sleeping tents, complete with pillows and blankets.

You may enjoy views of mountains and undulating, green hills from the campsite, which has an amazing view. You truly feel at one with nature here, lying in the middle of a secluded spot. It's also a spiritually potent place to meditate. Directly over the campground is the Bumdra Monastery. Located inside the monastery is the meditation chamber of Padmasambhava, popularly referred to as the second Buddha. A hundred thousand dakinis, or feminine angels or celestial beings, are claimed to have fallen from the sky, fed him, and sang to him while he was meditating. The Dakinis' imprints on the rocks can be seen not far from the cave where he practiced meditation. Locals can be seen hiking this trail, as it is a sacred pilgrimage spot for Buddhists.

Once you get to the campsite, you can explore it further the following day, or if you have the stamina, you can visit the monastery and the viewpoint at the top today itself. The hike takes roughly two hours to complete.

You can enjoy the captivating sunset views while sitting outside your tent on the cozy chairs. Late dinner in the dining tent. Because the campsite lacks an electrical outlet, make sure you bring a power bank and enough batteries to charge your phone and camera.

Overnight at Bumdra Campsite.

If you were too tired to hike to Bumdra Monastery yesterday, then you can visit the monastery today. Pilgrims visit Bumdra because Guru Rimpoche, or the Second Buddha, is said to have meditated here. The monastery lies on a sharp rise right above the campsite. It stands perched on a precipitous cliff and is thought to possess a strong spiritual energy. Near the cave, on the rocks, are the Dakinis' footprints. If there's a caretaker monk around, you can go inside the monastery. You can light a butter lamp and spend some time in meditation.

Later, climb up further and ascend the top of the hill (4130 m/13,549 ft), where there's a sky burial site. The summit provides grand views of the Himalayan mountains. Afterward, return to the campsite and get ready for your return hike. After a hearty breakfast, you will start your hike to another amazing destination, Tiger's Nest.

The Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest, is another well-known pilgrimage and day-hiking destination in Paro. Today you will follow a completely downhill trail to Tiger's Nest. The trail traverses an uninhabited stretch of forest land. Birds chirp and fly around as you hike down the path.

You can visit a little monastery located at the halfway point. Once you exit the monastery, you'll follow the road that descends once again and cross a treacherous trail that is constructed on the edge of a steep cliff. There is a sharp drop-off, and you need to be careful while crossing this section. On the exposed side, a metal fence has been erected for the trekkers' safety. The vistas are amazing. You can see the Taktsng Monastery jutting out from the stony ledge. The top view of the Tiger's Nest can only be enjoyed from this point, and you can savor the view.

The path narrows and winds down to meet the monastery pathway. To get to the gompa, follow the route, descend, and then ascend the concrete stairs. You will need to keep your belongings, including your phone and camera, inside a locker, as taking pictures inside the monastery is prohibited.

The Taktsang Monastery is a holy site, as Padmasambhava first meditated at this site when he arrived in Bhutan, on the back of a flying tigress. He meditated in the cave that now houses the Taktsang monastery. In Bhutan, this is among the holiest places. A Buddhist pilgrim should visit this place at least once in his or her lifetime.

Apart from the cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated, chapels and the dwelling quarters of the resident monks are also housed within the monastery.

After your visit, leave the monastery and descend to the base of the hill. You can halt at the Taktsang Caféteria on the way and enjoy some refreshments.

After a brisk hike, head to the parking lot and board the vehicle. Take a well-earned rest after returning to your hotel.

Overnight in Paro.

After spending an awesome week in Bhutan, it's finally time to say goodbye to the country. Our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the international airport to catch your flight. Please do let us know if you wish to extend your vacation and explore Nepal, Tibet, or India.