Bumthang Cultural Trek is a fairly 3 days comfortable trek that takes you to the picturesque Bumthang Valley ‘cultural heartland’, clear and clean trout-filled river, and ancient temples. The total 12-day journey in Bhutan is a combination of hiking and cultural drive to the most significant monuments of Bhutan from Thimphu to western Bhutan, Bumthang.
Arrival in Paro, transfer to the hotel
You will be picked up by our representative at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Paro.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotels
Meals: Provided
Day Hike to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s nest (2-3 hours hiking). Early in the morning, our guide comes to your hotel to pick you up for the day hike to Tiger’s Nest Temple. Our guide will brief you about the timing of your wake-up one day earlier so that you can be prepared in time.
Half an hour’s drive from your hotel takes you to the start point of the Paro Taktsang hike. A short glimpse of the Tiger’s nest from distance will excite you to hike this beautiful monastery clinging on the cliff. It takes about three hours to reach the monastery where you will have a short break at the cafeteria en-route. The total time for this beautiful hiking takes about five hours.
After completion of this beautiful hiking, you will drive back to the hotel.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotels
Meals: Dinner
After a good breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Thimpu from Paro which takes about an hour. This day, you will visit some of the important sights in Thimphu including Buddha Dordenma, Thimphu Dzong, Memorial Chorten, etc.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotels
Meals: Provided
Drive to Wangduephodrang; En-route enjoy the view from Dochu-La Pass (4-5 hours)
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotels
Meals: Provided
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Bumthang via Trongsa (6-7 hours) through the hilly mountainous road and Pele La Pass (3300m)
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotels
Meals: Provided
Highlights of the drive to Bumthang from Trongsa:
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotels
Meals: Provided
You will start your trek today with a walk that covers about 12 miles in five to six hours. Your route following the Chamkhar Chu, a river well-known for trout-fish. You will stop for lunch at Thangbi Lhakhang from here the trek enters the Ngang Yul (Land of Swan), at the center of which lies the Ngang Lhakhang ‘swan Temple’. In the past days, the valley was populated by swans, and hence the name Ngang Yul. Overnight at the basic guest house or tented camp.
Accommodation: Basic guest house/tented camp
Meals: Provided
Your trek today covers about 22 Kilometers in seven to eight hours. You will begin with a gradual climb to Phephe La Pass (3350m), the highest point of the Bumthang Cultural Trek. The route passes through beautiful forested areas where many stops can be made to enjoy the natural beauty of the place. You will visit Ugyen Choling Palace, which is a repository of artifacts of ancient nobility. Overnight at the guest house/tented camp.
Accommodation: Basic guest house/tented camp
Meals: Provided
Your trek today covers about ten kilometers in three to four hours. The trail follows Tang Chu, another trout-filled river. On the bank of the river is Tang Rimochen Lhakhang, marking a sacred place where Guru Rimpoche mediated. The trek continues passing the Mebar Tsho (flaming lake) to Pangshing, where you are picked up and transferred the rest of the way to Jakar.
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals: Provided
Begin your day with Bumthang Market, and then drive to Wanguephodrang/Punakha. Along the way, visit the typical Bhutanese town of Wangdue. Overnight at hotel
Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
Meals: Provided
If you miss to visit early, visit Punakha Dzong and drive back to Paro. Overnight at Paro.
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel
Meals: Provided
Transfer to the Paro International airport – Departure
Accommodation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast