Introduction
Travel Duration: 7 days
Price: Please contact us
Trip Grade: Easy
Combine a hike and camp at Ugyen Tshemo, and Bumdra village via Taktsang, and hiking along a level ridge/ spur towards Paro valley in the south. This could be a two night camp in the mystic and least visited areas above Taktsang, numerous old monasteries, hermit sites, and great views of mountain ranges in the North and the Paro valley below. The last time we were there- it was a great feeling to be off the normal tourist route, with nature, serenity, and the few monks doing their 3 year retreats, which we do not get to meet. Some of the temples were timeless, without the hassles of caretakers getting worried for entrance permits; we could visit at leisure these places that seem to have been forgotten by the mainstream valley visitors. You might have heard of sacred Bumdra (Bum meaning one hundred thousand, dra could have meant tra or hair); people here say that the monasteries- that are no almost in ruins due to little care from the state, and less visitors and subsequent contributions for maintenance- were initially built using hair from one hundred thousand Khandros/Dhakinis.
Tour Cost
SERVICE INCLUDED:
- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) and beverages
- Accommodation in “A” category hotels (equivalent to 3 or 4 Star) approved by Tourism Council of Bhutan and Hotel Association of Bhutan
- Experienced tour guides in all languages licensed by Tourism Council of Bhutan
- Transport within Bhutan (Toyota coach / Tucson / Santafe / Land cruiser / Prado) as per itinerary
- Museum entrance fee
- Mineral water
- Airport assistance(Pick/Drop)
- Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
- Cooks (professional) and staff (experienced) on treks
- Tents (high quality from Nepal) and other equipments on treks.
- Cooks (professional) and staff (experienced) on treks
SERVICE NOT INCLUDED:
- Single individual $ 50 per person per night
- Group of two $ 40 per person per night
- Single Supplement US $ 35 for season and US $ 25 for off season
- Visa fee
- Tourism Dev Fee $ 10
- Air ticket
- Tips/Bar bills/Telephone bills/Laundry/
Contact us for updated cost.
Detail Itinerary
| Day 01: | FLY TO PARO/THIMPHU. Fly onboard Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan. On a clear day the panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational, including Everest, but particularly exciting is the approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep turns to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro. In Paro you will be received by your Bhutanese guide and transferred to the least visited of all the Himalayan capitals, Thimphu (1 hr). Overnight hotel. |
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| Day 02: | THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING. There are many places of interest to visit in Thimphu and your Bhutanese guide will take you to those places which are of interest to the group. In the morning you will visit the Late King’s Memorial Chorten, the National Library, folk heritage museum, the indigenous hospital specializing in herbal medicine, the handmade paper factory. In the afternoon, tour of the school of fine arts where young students learn the traditional arts and crafts (Zo Rig Chusum – the thirteen crafts), Drubthob nunnery at Zilukha, Changlimithang Lhakhang, mini zoo to see the Golden Takins (national animal of Bhutan), the Handicraft Emporium and the local handicraft centers to see the weavers at work and experience the varieties of textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, jewellery etc. on display. Overnight Hotel. |
| Day 03: | DRIVE TO PARO, SIGHTSEEING. Today we drive along the winding mountain road to Paro (2 hours). In the afternoon we have time to visit the national museum housed in an old watch tower above the huge Paro Dzong (monastery/fortress). The museum is a fascinating place with a fantastic collection of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armour to textiles and thangkha paintings. You may also have time to visit Drugyal Dzong ruins situated at the end of Paro valley and the Rinpung Dzong. Overnight Hotel. |
| Day 04: | PARO – TAKTSANG/UGYEN TSEMO. Morning hike up to the Taktsang retreat (Tiger’s Lair). Lunch en route. Continue above Taktsang to the Ugyen Tsemo Monastery. On way to the camp visit an ancient Zangtopelri temple set in serene rocky surroundings overlooking the Taktsang below. Camp at Ugyen Tsemo is a unique experience- you are at the crown/head of Taktsang- the latter being the body of Guru Rinpoche. Overnight camp. |
| Day 05: | UGYEN TSEMO – BUMDRA. Continue uphill along the gorge- 4 hrs to Bumdra Monastery via Yuser Gang lhakhang. Set in an open plateau at alt. 3500 m with marvellous views of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, and the Paro valley below, Bumdra is locally known for several sacred sky burial (rocky spot, an hour walk above the monastery) sometimes even practiced today for deceased infants. The main temple and several smaller lodgings used for meditation are also familiar grounds to the numerous wild pheasants that are used to humans. Camp overnight by the monastery. |
| Day 06: | BUMDRA – PARO. Hike south along the ridge towards the main Paro valley, 4-5 hours with a pack lunch stop at one of several Lhakhangs dotting the route. A pick-up transport awaits and transfers to your hotel in Paro. |
| Day 07: | DEPART PARO. Transfer to the airport in Paro for departure flight to onward destination. |
