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Bumdra Trek

The Bum Dra trek is one of the most beautiful short duration trek in Bhutan with only one night camping in the wild. But the scenery and landscape may well be worth compared to all of the other treks and also in terms of the adventure and the experience that goes along as you hike up. Also called the ‘The Trek of the Thousand Dakinis’ (celestial female beings) you can even explore the numerous sacred and holy caves where the angels had convened. You can also get a spectacular view of the Taktsang Monastery from the top which you will not see from the usual tourist route.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Camping in extreme weather such as cold temperatures and snowy conditions can be expected and extremely enjoyable; Camping on the snow can be peaceful, picturesque and an out door adventure.

All the accommodation while on Trek is twin sharing, double occupancy. Single occupancy in tents can be arranged on demand at an additional charge. All tents are Cold Weather Tents and designed for harsh weather and snowy conditions. Separate tents will be pitched for dinning, kitchen and rest room.

On demand, a luxury camping facilities will be provided like bed and mattresses, warm shower tents, rest room with proper toilet pots, fishing equipment etc.

Check for the following Essential Trekking Gears:

  • Trekking Boots (broken in)
  • Waterproof 3/4 season jacket and trousers
  • Camp Footwear (light shoes/sandles/trainers)
  • Several pairs of good quality socks
  • T-Shirts - Highly recommended are synthetic T shirt styles that wick away moisture
  • Thermal Underwear / layers
  • Down jackets
  • Warm mid layers (fleece/micro fibre)
  • Trousers - Lightweight, loose fitting, trekking trousers, pants with zip-off bottoms
  • Shorts
  • Gaiters
  • Tracksuit or fleece pants for evenings
  • Sleeveless fleece and extra layers for winter departures
  • Warm Hat and sun Hat
  • Scarf/neck warmer
  • Gloves and Mitts - waterproof and warm
  • Sunglasses with UV protection
  • Head Torch (spare batteries)
  • Sunscreen and Lip Balm
  • Light weight towel
  • Hand sanitizer gel
  • Trail mix / nuts/ muesli bars
  • Whistle
  • 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.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Sangchhoekor – Bum Drak

Distance: 20 minutes’ drive; 7 Kms hike, Duration: 3 – 4 hours, Camp Altitude: 3,500 meters

From your hotel, drive for about 20 minutes till you reach the road end at Sangchhoekor Buddhist College perched on a hill top at 2,800 meters. Visit the temple and and you can also interact with the monks most of who speak a little English. It is a beautiful hike with sweeping views of the Paro valley, the Himalayan ranges and meadows adorned with prayer flags till you reach the Campsite just below the Bum Drak Monastery. You can rest and relax at your campsite or hike a little uphill for sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.

Day 2: Bum Drak – Taktsang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Distance: 15 Kms, Duration: 5 – 6 hours

Enjoy the beautiful sunrise from your campsite and after a hearty breakfast start your hike towards the sacred Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The trail is through forests of rhododendron and pine trees and is a moderately leisurely hike. Most of the tourists only visit the main temples at the Tiger’s Nest, however you are a lucky few to be able to visit the temples on the top particularly the Zangdopelri temple. Zangdopelri means or is the mystical Glorious Copper Colored Mountain of Guru Rinpoche and you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the other temples far below.

After visiting the temples on the top, hike further down to visit the main temples and gradually climb down till you reach the base where your vehicle and driver waits to take you to your hotel.