2-Day Bumdra Trek in Paro with Tiger's Nest and Wild Camping

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore the National Museum of Bhutan and its artifacts dating back to 2000 BC
• 02 Hike the Bumdra trail with one night of camping in the wild
• 03 Visit the world-famous Taktsang Monastery, also called the Tiger's Nest
• 04 Interact with monks at Sangchhoekor Buddhist College
• 05 Take in sweeping views of Paro Valley, the Himalayan ranges, and prayer-flag meadows

Sign up for the Bumdra Trek in Bhutan, one of the most beautiful short-duration treks in the country, with just one night of camping in the wild. Visit the National Museum of Bhutan and hike to Taktsang Monastery, also called the Tiger's Nest, for spectacular views. Along the way, explore numerous sacred and holy caves where the angels are said to have convened, which is why this route is also known as "The Trek of the Thousand Dakinis" (celestial female beings).

Sign up for the Bumdra Trek in Bhutan, one of the most beautiful short-duration treks in the country, with just one night of camping in the wild.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

City Paro

Languages Cantonese, English, Italian, Mandarin

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Paro and Bumdra Campsite Hike

• Meet your tour guide and driver, who will be waiting to welcome you at Paro International Airport.
• After a briefing and introduction, check in to your hotel. Following a short rest, begin your cultural experience with a visit to the National Museum, located just above the town.
• Take your time browsing the National Museum, where an intriguing collection of artifacts offers a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. Some of these artifacts even date back to 2000 BC. The afternoon and evening also give you time to acclimatize to the rarefied air at this altitude and get to know your guide and driver, who will accompany you for sightseeing for the rest of the day, depending on your interest and energy level.
• In the evening, walk around town and notice how clusters of quaint farmhouses embellish the beauty of Paro Valley. The small handicraft and souvenir shops are filled with Bhutan's unique handicrafts.
• Drive for about 20 minutes to the road end at Sangchhoekor Buddhist College, perched on a hilltop at 2,800 meters.
• Visit the temple, where you may also interact with the monks, most of whom speak a little English. From here, enjoy a beautiful hike with sweeping views of Paro Valley, the Himalayan ranges, and meadows adorned with prayer flags until you reach the campsite just below Bum Drak Monastery.
• Rest and relax at your campsite, or hike a little farther uphill for sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.

2

Day 02

Sunrise Trek to Tiger's Nest Monastery

• Enjoy a beautiful sunrise from your campsite, and after a hearty breakfast, begin your hike towards the sacred Tiger's Nest Monastery. The trail passes through forests of rhododendrons and pine trees and is a moderately leisurely hike. Most tourists visit only the main temples at Tiger's Nest, but you are among the lucky few who can also visit the temples at the top, especially the Zangdopelri temple. Zangdopelri means the mystical Glorious Copper Colored Mountain of Guru Rinpoche, and from here you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the other temples far below.
• Hike down to visit the main temples, then continue descending gradually until you reach the base, where your vehicle and driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• All trekking meals during the trek
• One trekking expedition leader
• Horsemen, as per the group size
• Helper, as per the group size
• Group medical kit
• Good-quality accommodation throughout (including use of a World Expedition trek pack, which includes a quality sleeping bag and insulated mat)
• All park entrance fees and trekking permits
• Horses to carry personal equipment
• SUV car when you are not trekking
• Three-star hotels when you are not trekking
• Bottled water, tea, and snacks
• Museum fees
• English-speaking guide and driver
• SDF fees

What's Not Included

• International airfare
• Alcohol
• Tips/gratuities
• Costs arising from flight cancellations, road blockades, landslides, and events beyond our control
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Any other expenses not mentioned in the above inclusions

What to bring

• Trekking boots (broken in)
• Waterproof 3/4 season jacket and trousers
• Camp footwear (light shoes, sandals, or trainers)
• Pairs of good-quality socks
• Thermal underwear/layers
• Warm mid-layers (fleece/microfibre)
• Trousers - lightweight, loose-fitting trekking trousers or pants with zip-off bottoms
• Gaiters
• Warm hat and sun hat
• Gloves and mitts - waterproof and warm
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Trail mix, nuts, or muesli bars
• Daypack (The daypack you select must have the capacity for the items you may be carrying on a day's walk: rain jacket, trousers, warm clothing, water bottle, camera equipment, washing items, and other personal effects. A hip/waist strap provides additional comfort. You should consider daypacks of at least a 30 to 40-litre capacity.)

Know before you go

• Please note:
  • SDF fees and guides are mandatory for all tourists.
  • The SDF fee for Indians is 1200 INR per night.
  • The SDF fee for other countries is 200 $ per night.
• Altitude ranges from 2,300 meters to 4,000 meters above sea level.
• The best seasons for the tour are February, March, April, May, September, October, November, and December.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Paro, Bhutan

Tour start

Paro, Bhutan

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.