Trekking
Gangtey Trek
Three days of village-to-village walking from the crane valley of Phobjikha, over forested passes that stay below about 3,500 m.
Price on request
Trekking
Bumdra Trek
Two days and one night in camp on the ridge above the Tiger's Nest, walking down to the monastery from above.
- Length
- 7 days / 6 nights
- On the trail
- 2 days
- Highest point
- 3,800 m, the camp at Bumdra
- Grade
- Moderate
- Best months
- February to May and October to December
- Price
- Price on request
Overview
Bumdra is the shortest camping trek in Bhutan, and a good answer for anyone who wants a night in the mountains without giving a week to it. You climb from a hillside college above Paro to a camp beneath a cliff temple, with the valley far below and, in clear weather, snow peaks to the north.
The second day is the one people remember. Instead of climbing to the Tiger's Nest with everyone else, you come down on it from above, past a temple that most visitors never reach.
We set the trek inside a week that also takes in Thimphu and Punakha. The usual seasons are October to December and mid-February to May. Summer is wet, and in January there can be snow at the camp.
Highlights
- A night in camp at about 3,800 m, high above the Paro valley
- Arriving at the Tiger's Nest from above
- The cliff temple of Bumdra, above the camp
- Thimphu and Punakha in the same week
Route
- Paro
- Camp at Bumdra
- Thimphu
- Punakha
- Paro
Day by day
Day 1 Arrive in Paro
Your guide meets you at the airport. The rest of the day is for settling in at 2,250 m: a visit to Rinpung Dzong and a walk through the town are enough.
- Night altitude
- 2,250 m
- Night in
- Paro
- Meals
- L, D
Day 2 Paro
A second day low down, which makes tomorrow's climb more comfortable. The National Museum, Kyichu Lhakhang, and the drive up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong. Your trek bag is packed in the evening.
- Night altitude
- 2,250 m
- Night in
- Paro
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 3 Sangchen Choekhor to Bumdra
A short drive brings you to the Buddhist college of Sangchen Choekhor, at 2,800 m, where the ponies are loaded. The path climbs steadily through forest to the small temple of Chhoe Tse, a natural place to stop for lunch, and on to the camp in a meadow below the cliff.
There is time before dark to visit the temple above the camp, or to carry on up the ridge for a wider view.
- Walk or drive
- 7 km, 3 to 4 hours, about 1,000 m of climbing
- Night altitude
- 3,800 m
- Night in
- Camp at Bumdra
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 4 Bumdra to the Tiger's Nest and Paro, on to Thimphu
Downhill all day. The trail drops through forest to the temple of Zangtopelri, and from there the roofs of Taktsang appear below you. You visit the monastery, then join the main path down to the valley.
The vehicle is waiting at the bottom for the hour's drive to Thimphu and a hot shower.
- Walk or drive
- 7 km, 5 to 7 hours with the visit; then 54 km by road
- Night altitude
- 2,334 m
- Night in
- Thimphu
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 5 Thimphu to Punakha
A morning in the capital for the Memorial Chorten and the Buddha Dordenma, then over Dochu La to Punakha and its dzong.
- Walk or drive
- 76 km, 2 to 3 hours
- Night altitude
- 1,242 m
- Night in
- Punakha
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 6 Punakha to Paro
The walk up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten in the cool of the morning, then the drive back to Paro, with a stop at Dochu La.
- Walk or drive
- 128 km, 3 to 3.5 hours
- Night altitude
- 2,250 m
- Night in
- Paro
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 7 Depart from Paro
Transfer to the airport for your flight.
- Meals
- B
What is included
Included
- The Sustainable Development Fee, US$100 a night for each adult at the current rate
- Visa fee of US$40 and the visa application made for you
- 5 nights in hotels and 1 night in camp
- All meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 7
- A licensed trekking guide, a cook and camp crew, and pack animals for the baggage
- Sleeping tents, mats, a dining tent, a kitchen tent and a toilet tent
- A private vehicle and driver for all road travel
Not included
- Flights to and from Paro
- Travel insurance. Cover for emergency evacuation is strongly advised on any trek
- A sleeping bag
- Entry fees at monuments
- Drinks, tips and personal spending
Practical details
- Accommodation
Hotels in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, and one night in a two-person tent at Bumdra.
- Meals
Cooked meals on the trek, prepared by the camp cook, with tea brought to your tent in the morning. Boiled water is provided for your bottles.
- Transport
A private vehicle with a driver between the airport, the hotels and the two ends of the trail.
- Guide and trek crew
A licensed trekking guide walks with you. The cook, helpers and horsemen go ahead to set up camp. Treks in Bhutan may only be undertaken with an accredited guide or operator.
- Equipment we supply
Tents, sleeping mats, dining, kitchen and toilet tents, and all cooking gear. Your main bag is carried by the pack animals; you carry a day pack.
- Visa and permits
No army or national-park permit is needed for this route. We arrange your visa and the trek's paperwork.
- Fitness and preparation
The first day is a steady climb of about 1,000 m and the second a long descent, which is harder on the knees than it sounds. Anyone who walks regularly will manage it. Two nights in Paro beforehand keep the altitude gain gentle; even so, tell your guide if you feel unwell at the camp.
What to bring
- Walking boots that are already broken in
- A sleeping bag rated to about minus 5°C
- Warm layers, a down or synthetic jacket, hat and gloves
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- A head torch and spare batteries
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Two water bottles of one litre each
- Walking poles, if you use them
- A day pack of 25 to 30 litres
- Any medicines you take, and a small first-aid kit
Questions about this trip
Is altitude a problem in Bhutan?
On a cultural tour, rarely. Paro and Thimphu are at 2,200 to 2,350 m, where most visitors notice only shortness of breath on stairs for a day or two. The road passes are higher, at 3,100 to almost 4,000 m, but you cross them by vehicle and do not stay.
Treks are different. Camps on the Druk Path are above 3,500 m and the northern treks cross passes near 5,000 m. Our trek itineraries build in days to adjust, and your guide will take you down if you show signs of altitude sickness. If you have a heart or lung condition, speak to your doctor before booking any trip to Bhutan.
What is provided on a trek, and what do I bring?
We provide the tents, sleeping mats, a dining tent, a kitchen tent and a toilet tent, and all the cooking gear, with a guide, a cook and helpers. Pack animals carry the baggage, so you walk with a day pack.
You bring your own boots, clothing and sleeping bag. Each trek page has a packing list.
Do I need a visa for Bhutan?
Yes, unless you are an Indian national, in which case you need an entry permit instead. The visa costs US$40, is applied for online, and is normally decided within five working days.
When you book with us we make the application for you. You send a scan of your passport, which must be valid for at least six months, and a recent passport photo. See Bhutan visa and entry permits.
What is the Sustainable Development Fee?
A fee every visitor pays to the government of Bhutan for each night in the country. It is US$100 a night for adults and US$50 for children aged 6 to 11; children under 6 pay nothing. Indian nationals pay Nu. 1,200 a night.
It is paid with your visa application. When you travel with us we collect it with the tour payment and pass it on. See the Sustainable Development Fee.
Places on this trip
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