Bhutan Cultural Tour with 2-Day Bumdrak Trek

Our guide and driver will receive you on your arrival at the only International Airport located in Paro. We'll begin by first visiting the National Museum of Bhutan and then transfer to Thimphu the capital city.

The National Museum of Bhutan is housed in an ancient watchtower called Paro Ta Dzong (Ta Dzong means “watchtower fortress”) built in 1649. It displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snapshot of the rich cultural traditions of the country. Ta Dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. We then drive to the capital city Thimphu.

Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and it is 55km away from the main Paro town. The drive should not take more than 2 hours including stopovers on the way. Home to approximately 115,000 residents, this bustling little city is the main center of commerce, religion and government in the country. Arriving Thimphu, our guide will assist you to check into the hotel so that you can relax for a while and then have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine for lunch. Lunch can be arranged either at Paro or Thimphu depending on your flight arrival time.

Buddha Dordhenma Statue – Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang: The magnificent 169 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha is located on a hilltop overlooking the Thimphu valley. It was built to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth King His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck and also to usher peace in the world. The giant Buddha statue houses more than 100,000 8-inch-tall Buddha statues of the same type. The construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2015 after almost 10 years.

Weaving Center: Weaving is an integral part of the culture and tradition of Bhutan. You will see women at work weaving simple plain textiles to one of the most intricate designs and patterns of traditional Bhutanese textiles.

Pass by the Changlimithang Archery Range and witness the game of archery if the match is in progress. You will see archers dancing and singing each time they hit the target which is 145m away.

Leisure time in Thimphu town. Dinner and overnight at Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara

Today, after early breakfast, we will do a 2-3-hour roundtrip hike to Tango Monastery and then after lunch, do some sightseeing in the capital city.

Hike to Tango Monastery: Tango is located north of Thimphu on the other side of the same mountain where Cheri Monastery is also located. Hiking to Tango is much easier as most of the footpath is paved and the uphill ascent is not as steep. It is roughly 14km from the main Thimphu town. Following the trail through the forests, the walk uphill takes about 1.5 hours. Tango Monastery was founded in 1222 by the Tibetan saint Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, who first established the Drukpa Kagyu School of Buddhism in Bhutan and subsequently became the state religion. The present form of the monastery was built later in 1689 by the Tenzin Rabgye, the 4th Temporal ruler of Bhutan.

After visiting the monastery and offering prayers, we retrace our steps back to the base and drive to Thimphu town.

Lunch at Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant: This restaurant has a traditional setting and ambiance where a buffet lunch consisting of traditional dishes is served.

After lunch, visit National Institute for Zorig Chusum: The National Institute for Zorig Chusum (Zorig Chusum means 13 Traditional Arts & Crafts) is located nearby the Folk Heritage Museum. The National Institute of Zorig Chuzum was established to promote and preserve the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan and to facilitate increased access to learning Zorig skills by Bhutanese youths. Many of these traditional arts and crafts are declining with the advent of modern technologies and therefore, the government is putting in lot of effort to train youths to keep the traditions alive. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as Shing Zo (woodwork), Dho Zo (stonework), Par Zo (carving), Lha Zo (painting), Jim Zo (sculpting), Lug Zo (casting), Shag Zo (woodturning), Gar Zo (blacksmith), Troe Zo (ornament making), Tsa Zo (bamboo work), De Zo (paper making), Tsem Zo (tailoring, embroidery and applique) and Thag Zo (weaving).

These thirteen arts and crafts are an essential part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage that has been practiced from time immemorial. If the class is in session, you can witness the students sculpting, mural painting, wood carving etc.

Visit the National Library & Archives of Bhutan: Considered a national treasure of Bhutan and fundamental source of Bhutanese history, religion, medicine, arts and culture. Both the National Library and Institute for Zorig Chusum open during working weekdays & on Saturdays 10am – noon.

From there we drive to visit the Craft Bazaar (OPTIONAL) along the main Thimphu Street where you'll find all sorts of authentic Bhutanese handicrafts.

Dinner and overnight Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Punakha valley via the sacred mountain pass called Dochula at an altitude of 3150m. The total driving distance is 74km and takes about 2.5 hours.

Dochu La Pass – 3,150m/10,335ft above sea level: About 45 min drive from Thimphu towards Punakha is a mountain pass from where you can see, on a clear day, some of the highest peaks of Bhutan. Before the construction of these beautiful 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens (stupas) in 2004, this mountain pass remained only as a sacred place blessed by a famous Buddhist saint, Lam Drukpa Kunley in late 15th century.

From Dochu La Pass, we will continue driving towards Punakha, passing through some villages, the elevation drops gradually and the road winds through the pine trees. You will feel the drastic change in altitude from 3,150m just an hour and a half ago to a warmer subtropical valley at 1,200m. Just before arriving proper Punakha town, visit the famous 15th century “Temple of Fertility”.

Chimi Lhakhang – Temple of Fertility: Chimi Lhakhang is located on a gentle hilltop near the village of Sopsokha. To reach the temple, you have to walk 20 – 30 minutes through beautiful terraced paddy fields and traditional farm houses. The history of Chimi Lhakhang is associated with 16th century Lama Drukpa Kunley who was affectionately known as “Divine Madman” for his obscene behavior and outrageous ways of cleansing people from religious dogmatism and egoistic self-possession by exhibiting his strong desire for sex. He would often use phallus as a tool to subdue malevolent spirits. Using the phallus was also intended to free up the social inhibitions enforced by the socially established values. Today, one of the relics of Chime Lhakhang is a phallus. The blessing of the phallus is considered sacred particularly to couples who are unable to have children as it brings fertility giving them ability to bear offspring. Because of this belief, people like to call Chimi Lhakhang as “Temple of Fertility”.

After lunch, drive to Punakha town to visit the 17th-century Punakha Dzong. The historic Punakha Dzong was originally known as Pungthang Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang, meaning the “Palace of Great Bliss”. It was built in 1637 AD by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (Tibetan Buddhist master who came to Bhutan in 1616 and founded nation-state of Bhutan) on a small stretch of land where the rivers Phochu and Mochu converge. Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second largest Dzong in Bhutan. The sacred wall paintings and main artifacts inside the dzong, the intricate woodworks and the architectural structure of the dzong display fine examples of Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continue to influence Bhutanese architecture even today.

From there walk to Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge that runs across Phochu River (male). Punakha Dzong is flanked by two glacial-fed rivers, Phochu (male) and Mochu (female).

We then drive to Namgay Zam Homestay in the village of Yusakha for overnight. Staying at the village homestay is a perfect way to experience the life of an ordinary Bhutanese family. You can participate in preparing your dinner and learn how to cook some of the popular dishes of Bhutan. If interested, you can also soak in a traditional hot stone bath believed to have a therapeutic and revitalizing effect. If this homestay is not available, you’ll stay at Meri Puensum Resort.

Dinner and overnight at Namgay Zam Homestay or Meri Puensum Resort.

After breakfast, hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten located on the mountain ridge, visit the historic and the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong. After lunch, drive to Phobjikha valley and venture out on a very popular nature hike.

Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten: After breakfast, you will do a 2.5-hour round trip hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. Located on a ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples, monasteries and Zangdogpelri (copper-coloured mountains). It was built over a period of almost 10 years under the command of Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, one of the Queen Mothers of Bhutan and was consecrated in 1999.

It takes only about 20 minutes drive from the main town of Punakha to the nearest road head. From there you cross a suspension bridge over the Punakha Mochu River (female river) and the trail takes you through paddy fields and a short uphill climb before reaching the beautiful site. Normally it takes just an hour to reach the serene site of the marvelous chorten. The view below is stunning with the glacial-fed Mochu river snaking through the fertile Punakha valley.

After lunch, we will drive to Phobjikha Valley in Gangtey. The total distance is 80km and takes about 3 hours. Phobjikha is a vast U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 3,000m/9,835ft and it is the winter home of endangered Black-necked Crane from November to March and migrates back to Tibetan Plateau by the beginning of the spring season. Every year on the 11th of November, Black Necked Crane Festival is held in this valley to celebrate the arrival of this endangered and majestic bird which becomes an inseparable part in the lives of the local people during the winter months. As part of the conservation effort, Phobjikha valley has been declared a protected area.

Gangtey Nature Trail: On arrival at Phobjikha valley, you will be served tea and snacks before venturing out on an exhilarating nature hike. The trail is about 5km and takes approximately 3 hours through the woods surrounded by splendid nature all around, wonderful meadows, beautiful traditional village houses, farmlands and crystalline streams. This short nature trail gives you a great feeling of the valley and an understanding of the livelihood of the people living there. Lots of opportunities to take beautiful pictures!

If time does not permit, you will do the hike tomorrow morning.

Dinner and overnight at Yueloki Guest House or Dewachen Hotel & Spa

After breakfast, visit one of the largest monasteries in Bhutan – Gangtey Goenpa before driving back to Paro valley. The road journey to Paro is approximately 5.5-hours. Upon reaching Paro and if time permits, you will visit an auspicious 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang (Buddhist Temple). The total driving distance is 175km and takes about 5 hours.

Gangtey Monastery: Before we drive back to Paro, visit the famous landmark in Phobjikha valley, a 17th-century Gangtey Monastery popularly known as Gangtey Gonpa (gonpa literally means “remote place” and is usually a place of religious significance). Founded in 1613, this is one of the largest monasteries in Bhutan. The monastery also has a monastic college where hundreds of monks study Buddhist philosophy for 9 years. An annual religious festival, Gangtey Tshechu, is held at this majestic monastery during autumn when the harvest season is just over. A series of dazzling sacred mask dances interspersed by Bhutanese folk dances are performed during this festival.

Lunch will be served on the way. If we start the journey early, lunch will be arranged at Dochula Cafeteria.

Visit 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang: Located just a few minutes drive from the main town of Paro, Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan. It is believed to have been built in 659 A.D. by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in his mission to build 108 such temples across the Himalayan region to subdue the spirit of a demoness that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. Bhutan is blessed with four of these temples, two in Haa valley and the fourth one in Bumthang, central Bhutan. All of the temples are believed to have been built on the same day.

Dinner and overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort.

Following an early breakfast at the hotel, drive for about 30 minutes to the starting point of trekking, Paro Sangchoekhor Buddhist College which is located at an elevation of 2,950m/9,680ft above sea level. Trekking Time is 4-5 hours for most hikers but you can start early and hike at your own pace.

If you are interested, visit the monastery and get blessings. Start the trek and steadily climb uphill through the ridge covered by the forest of fir and pine trees. April is the perfect season for trekking with wildflowers at full bloom in its natural habitat. You will see several species of Rhododendron flowers along the route. About 2 hours 30 minutes into gradual climbing, you will come to a cleared spot on which colourful prayer flags are hoisted and you can see the beautiful Paro valley below.

Picnic lunch will be served on this spot overlooking the Paro valley with stunning views. There is also a temple called Choechongtse on this lunch spot which you can visit and pray after lunch.

After lunch, continue to trek for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the campsite, Bumdrak at 3,860m/12,665ft above sea level. Your camp will be just below the sacred Bumdrak temple, on a peaceful and heavenlike mountain meadow.

Those still energetic, can venture further up for about 45 minutes to the summit and enjoy unobstructed panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys below.

Sacred Bumdrak Temple: Bumdrak temple is perched on a cliff so close to the campsite. There is a sacred cave inside the temple which was blessed by 100,000 dakinis in the 8th century AD during the life of Guru Padmasambhava. You can visit the temple and spend some time praying and meditating.

Dinner and overnight at Bumdrak in a luxury tent.

For early risers, you may want to observe and take pictures of a beautiful sunrise on a clear day. You may also see an endangered species of birds called Himalayan Monal Pheasant wandering freely near the camping tents.

After breakfast, you can hang around for a while appreciating the pristine environment or taking pictures before we begin our return journey via Taktsang monastery. The downhill descent is steep but we will walk at our own pace and explore the flora along the ancient trails used by monks and pilgrims.

After descending for less than 2 hours, a view of Yoeselgang Monastery, one of the three monasteries situated above Taktsang monastery, opens up. We’ll walk past Yoeselgang, reach 15th-century Ugyen Tsemo monastery and hiking further down will bring us to the third temple, Zangdogpelri (zangdogpelri means “copper coloured mountain”) which is referred to as Guru Padmasambhava’s abode. From this temple, you can see a top-down view of the impressive Taktsang monastery perched precariously on a rocky cliff.

We will continue our descend and visit the sacred Taktsang monastery, the most recognized site in Bhutan and is considered the most popular tourist attraction in Bhutan. Taktsang which translates to “Tiger’s Nest” Taktsang monastery is located on the face of a sheer 800-meter rock cliff in Paro. Its history is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the mid-eighth century A.D. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew to Taktsang from Kurtoe Singye Dzong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress.

Lunch will be served at the Taktsang cafeteria and then we descend down to the base where our driver will be waiting.

Towards the late afternoon, visit one of the beautiful farmhouses for authentic home-cooked local cuisines. You may participate and learn how to prepare some of Bhutan’s popular dishes. If you are interested, you can soak and relax in a traditional hot stone bath that has a therapeutic and revitalizing effect for an additional fee of about US$15 per person.  Specially selected stones believed to contain minerals are heated in a wood-fired fireplace and dropped into a chamber of wooden tub releasing minerals. If desired, you can lighten up with a warm cup of locally brewed liquor known as “Ara”. 

Overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort.

After hearty breakfast, you will be transferred to Paro Internatioal Airport for your onward journey. Your guide will assist you to complete all exit formalities before you check-in and then bid you farewell. B