Bhutan7 days
Bhutan: Bumdra Trek & Valley Monasteries — 7 Days
Two-day high-altitude trek from Paro to Bumdra Monastery at 3,800m, descending via Taktsang and the Paro Valley
This seven-day itinerary pairs valley time in Bhutan's capital and western regions with a two-day mountain trek. The centrepiece is the Bumdra trek, which climbs from Sang Choekor Buddhist College through blue pine and juniper forest to a high camp near Bumdra Monastery, then descends past Taktsang — the famous Tiger's Nest — to Paro. In between, days in Thimphu and Punakha introduce the country's political heart and its oldest dzong, separated by Dochu La Pass. The trek itself covers two days, with elevations from 2,800m to 3,800m, and suits trekkers with moderate fitness and acclimatization.
Best time to go: April – June Sept – Nov
Highlights
- Two-day trek to Bumdra Monastery at 3,800 meters, camping at altitude with Himalayan views
- Descent past Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, one of Asia's most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites
- Sightseeing in Thimphu, Bhutan's capital, including visits to monasteries and the National Memorial Chorten
- Drive across Dochu La Pass, straddling two valleys with vistas of the eastern Himalayas.
- Visits to Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's oldest fortress monastery, on the second-longest river in the country
Day by day
1Arrival in Paro and Drive to ThimphuParo International Airport · Paro to Thimphu
Arrive at Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu for overnight.
2Thimphu SightseeingThimphu
Visit Thimphu's key monasteries, temples, and monuments.
3Dochu La Pass to Punakha DzongDochu La Pass · Punakha Dzong
Cross Dochu La Pass, then descend to Punakha Dzong at the river confluence.
4Return to ParoParo
Travel back to Paro for the night.
5Bumdra Trek: Sang Choekor to High Mountain CampParo · Sang Choekor Buddhist College · Chhoe Chhoe Tse Lhakhang temple · Bumdra Monastery · 4,000-meter peak nearby · high mountain camp below Bumdra Monastery
From Paro, a one-hour drive takes you to Sang Choekor Buddhist College, where the trek begins at 2,800 meters. The path climbs gradually through blue pine and juniper forest — sections marked by a recent forest fire — toward Chhoe Chhoe Tse Lhakhang temple after roughly three hours of walking. Beyond the temple, another twenty minutes of ascent leads back into forest; forty minutes more brings you to a broad meadow dotted with chortens and prayer flags. Your camp lies just below Bumdra Monastery, at approximately 3,800 meters, with open views across the Himalayan range. From camp, you can visit the monastery or, if the altitude and conditions allow, ascend to the 4,000-meter peak nearby before returning to rest. Trek distance: 7 kilometers; approximate trekking time: 4 hours.
6Bumdra to Taktsang: Mountain Descent and Sacred Monasteryforest · gardens near Sangtopelri · Taktsang Monastery · Taktsang to Paro
The descent retraces the forest, passing numerous temples as you lose elevation. From the gardens near Sangtopelri, you gain views down the valley toward Taktsang Monastery — the Tiger's Nest — perched on a cliff above. According to Buddhist tradition, Guru Rinpoche, the eighth-century saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan, flew to this site on the back of a tigress and meditated here for three months. Taktsang remains one of Asia's holiest pilgrimage destinations, drawing devotees from Bhutan and neighbouring Buddhist countries. You visit the monastery itself before continuing the descent, a further hour on foot, to meet your vehicle in Paro. Trek distance: 7 kilometers; approximate trekking time: 4 hours.
7Departure from ParoParo International Airport
Depart Bhutan from Paro International Airport.
Where you go
- 1Paro International Airport
- 2Thimphu
- 3Dochu La Pass
- 4Punakha Dzong
- 5Paro
- 6Taktsang monastery
- 7Paro International Airport