Bhutan Trekking Adventure
Bumdra Trekking
Duration: Typically, 2 days/1 night
Highest Point: 3,800m (Monastery) to 4,000m (nearby peak)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Best Time: March–May and September–November
Trek Distance: 14Km
Starting Point: Sang Choekor Buddhist College (approx. 2,800m)
Ending Point: Base Of Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Monastery)
The Bumdra Trek is a short and scenic two-day hiking adventure in Bhutan’s Paro Valley, often called the “Trek to the Cave of a Thousand Prayers.” On the first day, you hike for 4-5 hours through peaceful pine forests up to a stunning hilltop campsite at 12,000 feet, right next to the ancient Bumdra Monastery, where you spend a comfortable night under the stars. The highlight comes at dawn with a breathtaking sunrise over the Himalayas, featuring the majestic Mount Jomolhari, before you hike back down, often visiting the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery on the return. It’s a magical and manageable journey that perfectly blends beautiful nature, sacred sites, and a memorable camping experience.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Paro and sightseeing
Landing at Paro Airport is like entering a different world. Your plane weaves through majestic green mountains to touch down on a famous runway. You step out at a beautiful traditional terminal into crisp, quiet air, with only prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. It’s your first magical welcome to Bhutan.
Accommodation: Bhutan GaMeGa (4-Star)
9 am -10 am
Arrival in Paro, your personal guide from SD Travels will welcome you with a warm smile and white ceremonial scarf (khadar) as a sign of respect and welcome.
10 am -10 : 30 am
You will then enjoy a gentle, scenic drive to hotel, your first beautiful glimpse of the valley before you settle in. Check in Hotel, where you’ll be offered a refreshing welcome drink—like butter tea (suja) or herbal tea—during a quick registration.
10: 30 am -12 Noon
A late-morning breakfast.
12 Noon – 1: 30 pm: Visit Ta Dzong (National Museum of Bhutan)
Paro Ta Dzong, Bhutan’s National Museum is located about 20-30 minutes from Paro main town, is a cultural treasure. Dzong in a unique circular conch-shell building, it offers beautiful views over Paro Valley. Inside, you’ll find ancient Thangka paintings, royal artifacts and natural history exhibits.
1:30 pm- 3: 30 pm: Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (Paro, Bhutan)
Rinpung Dzong is located about 15-20 minutes from Paro main town. Built in 1644–1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Dzong is a masterpiece of Bhutanese craftsmanship. The Dzong is used for both a fortress monastery and an administrative center.
4 pm- 5: 30 pm: Explore Paro streets to discover its local culture.
Snap some photos of the scenery and yourself.
6 pm- 7: 30 pm
Dinner and overnight in hotel (Hotel Bhutan GaMeGa)
Day 02: Trek to Bumdra Monastery “Cave of a Thousand Prayers’'
8 am – 8: 30 am
After breakfast, your day starts with an early drive to Sang Choekor Buddhist College. Here, you will meet the ponies that will carry your gear. While they are being loaded, you can visit the college if you wish.
11:30 am
After 1-2 hours of hiking, you will then reach an open spot with many prayer flags, offering amazing views of the Paro, you will come to Chhoe Tse Lhakhang, a small temple on the mountain side.
12 Noon
After a gentle 40-minute forest walk, you will reach a spacious meadow. The beautiful camping spot there is decorated with holy stone monuments and colourful prayer flags.
12 Noon- 1:30 pm
Camp will be set up near Bumdra Monastery, a place known as the “Cave of a Thousand Prayers,” with amazing views of the Himalayan peaks, and having Lunch. After lunch, explore Bumdra Monastery, soak in the peaceful atmosphere and enjoy stunning Himalayan views.
Evening
Before returning to camp for dinner, an optional additional hike to a northern peak (approximately 4,000m) offers even better views. Snap some photos of the scenery and yourself.
6 pm- 7: 30 pm
Dinner and overnight at camp.
Day 03: Walk down from Bumdra to Tiger’s Nest
8 am -8: 30 am
After breakfast with great views, you can either head down or stay and enjoy the view—maybe hang a prayer flag. Get some shots of the landscape and a self-portrait time.
8:30 am -11 am
You will walk down through an ancient pine and rhododendron forest. After about 1–2 hours, you will reach Zangtopelri (Heaven on Earth), where you can look over the edge and see the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery far below, clinging to the cliff.
12 Noon: Lunch
Afternoon
Entrance to Tiger’s Nest. The name “Tiger’s Nest” comes from the legend that Guru Rinpoche flew to this cliff in the 8th century on the back of a tigress—his consort in disguise. He meditated in a cave here, which later became the sacred heart of the monastery.
Evening
Dinner and overnight in hotel (Hotel Bhutan GaMeGa)
Day 04: Journey to Thimphu.
8 am -8: 30 am
After breakfast, your day starts with an early drive to Thimphu (1.5 hrs). There is a stop at Tamchog Lhakhang, a temple built by the 14th-century iron bridge builder, Thangtong Gyalpo.
11am
Check in the Hotel
12 Noon: Lunch
Afternoon
Thimphu sightseeing. Visit the Buddha Dordenma (the giant seated Buddha statue overlooking the valley), the Takin Preserve (see Bhutan’s national animal), and the Authentic Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar.
Evening
Free time to explore. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 05: Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass.
Morning
Drive to Punakha (approx. 3 hours). Cross the Dochula Pass (3,100m). On a clear day, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas. Visit the 108 Druk Wangyel Chortens.
The Druk Wangyel Chortens are more than just a collection of stupas. They are a powerful symbol of national gratitude, a masterpiece of modern Bhutanese sacred architecture, and a viewpoint offering one of the most majestic Himalayan panoramas in the country.
12 Noon: Lunch
Afternoon
Hike to the Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple), a 30-minute walk through rice fields.
Universally known as the Fertility Temple, Chimi Lhakhang is famed for a blessing ritual where a lama uses the Divine Madman’s wooden phallus and iron bow to tap hopeful parents and newborns on the head a practice believed to promote fertility and ward off evil spirits.
Late Afternoon
Check into your hotel in the Punakha. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 06: Punakha to Paro
Morning
Early Check Out and After Breakfast Visit Punakha Dzong.
Punakha Dzong, or Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong (Palace of Great Happiness), was built at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers from 1637–1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. At 1,200 meters, its lower altitude gives it a distinctly warmer climate than most of Bhutan.
Late Morning
Depart from Punakha Dzongkhag and Move Toward Paro District.
12 Noon: Lunch at Thimphu
Afternoon
Drive to Paro (1.5 hours). Enjoy the valley views. Snap some photos of the scenery and yourself.
Evening
Check into Hotel (Hotel Bhutan GaMeGa). Free time. Options: stroll main street, shop for crafts, visit a cafe.
7:00 pm
Farewell dinner.
Day 07: Departure from Paro
As per flight schedule:
Your guide and driver will transfer you to Paro Airport for your departure, bidding you “Tashi Delek” (goodbye and good luck).