Discover Bhutan with Uma Paro Resort
6D Himalayan Discovery & Bumdrak Monastery Camp
Please note that this overnight camping trek is only available from March to May and from September to October and requires a minimum of two people.
In this 6-day, 5-night package, experience complete immersion in Bhutan’s extraordinary landscape and cultural heritage.
Using Uma Paro as your comfortable base - accommodation is included on a full-board basis, excluding beverages - our experienced guides lead guests through the Paro valley on two separate day walks, to encompass the National Museum, Drukyel Dzong and a visit to the ancient temple of Kyichu Lhakhang. Guests may enjoy morning puja, or worship, in a local monastery and also spend a day exploring the remote Haa valley, carpeted in flowers and pine, where the Bhutanese continue their age-old rural existences beneath dramatic, changing skies.
Our local guides at Uma Paro have researched a fabulous two day overnight camping trek which encompasses a night in a magnificently located wilderness campsite high the Himalaya and whole new way of visiting the inimitable Taktsang Goemba - the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Our pilgrimage describes a circuit using remote mountain paths, where very few foreigners have ever set foot, to eventually approach the Tiger’s Nest from our campsite above the clouds near Bumdrak Monastery via several other remote and spectacularly perched monasteries and temples. The two day adventure includes two picnic lunches, a camp dinner and breakfast, mineral water, ponies, the services of two experienced local Uma guides and cooks, all tentage, kitbag for packing all personal kit on the ponies, first-aid kit and air mattresses for sleeping.
To get the most from this experience you should be active and reasonably fit and enjoy the great outdoors.
Day 01 / Arrive Paro - transfer to Uma Paro
Arrival, check-in, show round & easy walk Uma Paro staff will welcome you at the airport for the 10 minute transfer to the property. We invite you for a short guided walk in the afternoon in and around Uma Paro for orientation and acclimatisation purposes.
Day 02 / Uma Paro - sightseeing
Daywalk Zurig Dzong, Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong & Paro Wind through pine forests high above Uma Paro to the pretty grounds of the fortress-like monastery of Zuri Dzong. Traverse across to Ta Dzong, housing Bhutan’s National Museum (open Tuesday-Saturday) with magnificent views over Paro, and on down to visit Rinpung Dzong - “Fortress on a Heap of Jewels”. The trail then leads across Paro Chhu (river) via a traditional covered bridge (Nyamai Zam) and then past the main archery ground, Ugyen Pelri Palace and into Paro town.
Duration: 5 - 7 hours (depending on time spent in National Museum and Paro)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Guided with picnic
Day 03 / Uma Paro - Haa Valley excursion
A Day Out in the Haa Valley Day (optional bike descents) Start early for the drive to Haa via Chele La (pass) which at
3810m is the highest road pass in Bhutan, snaking upwards through blue pine and rhododendron (Etho Metho) forests for 35km. On a clear day the view sweeps away to snow-dome of Bhutan’s highest peak Mt Jhomolhari (7314m). After a bracing walk along the prayer flag bedecked ridge it is down into Haa (by bike if you prefer) - the whole drive should take no more than 2.5 hours. Wangchulo Dzong is presently occupied by the Indian Army, however this makes for a quirky experience. Having visited the bazaar it is a short walk (or bike ride) along the Haa Chhu (river) to a picnic spot.
At Lhakhang Karpo (the White Temple), many young monks await to offer a warm, noisy welcome and may accompany us to the nearby Lhakhang Nagpo (the Black Temple). The Haa valley only opened to foreigners in 2002 due to its proximity to the border with Sikkim and Tibet. This unspoilt valley harks back to a simpler more traditional time. Once back (by vehicle or bike) in the Paro Valley, time permitting, a 20 minute walk out to the dramatically positioned Dzongdrakha Goemba complex is recommended.
Duration: 7 – 9 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Guided with picnic, Trek 4500 mountain bike, helmet, gloves
Day 04 / Uma Paro - Bumdrak Monastery
Hike from Sang Choekor Buddhist College (2,800m) to Yak Pasture below Bumdrak Monastery (3,500m)
The adventure begins with an early morning drive up to the Sang Choekor to meet our ponies and while they are being loaded we may pay our respects at the College. The initial 1–2 hour ascent of a ridge, which is steep at times though also in cool shade, brings us to a clearing with prayer flags and view down into both the Paro and Do Chhu valleys. Above and ahead the Chhoe Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple) nestles in the mountainside 1-2 hours walk away. The trail undulates for a while before the last steep pull up to the pretty temple which boasts commanding views south over Paro
airport and from its own hot stone bath northwards to the snow capped Himalaya. After a final 20 minutes climb through ruins and fluttering prayer flags, with a last glance southwards we plunge back into ancient forest traversing for about 40 minutes then come out onto a high wide meadow dotted with sacred chortens and prayer flags. Our home for the night is tucked in under Bumdra Monastery (cave of a thousand prayers) making the most of the awesome views of the Himalayan range. After lunch we can visit the monastery (if it is occupied) and also climb the peak to the north (about 4000m) for even better views, returning in time for a slap up dinner.
Duration: 3 - 4 hours to camp 2-3 hours return trek to peak
Difficulty: Moderate - Guided with mineral water
Overnight: Bumdra Wilderness Camp
Day 05 / Bumdrak Monastery - Uma Paro
Hike from Yak Pasture below Bumdrak Monastery (3,500m) via Sangtopelri Monasteries to Taktsang Monastery
(2,900m).
After a hearty breakfast in the jaw dropping landscape, it is time to either head straight back into the valley or linger awhile soaking up the view and perhaps hang some prayer flags of our own. Eventually we have to drop back into the ancient pine and rhododendron forest on the monks’ zig zagging trail. After 1-2 hours of descent we catch glimpses of the golden roofs of temples below and soon come upon the first of many on our way back from the wilds. The path snakes across the mountainside between the monasteries and temples before reaching the gardens of Sangtopelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can bravely peer over edge and straight down onto the ornate roofs Taktsang in the cliff far below. An hour later and we are at the gates of Taktsang looking across the gorge a steep descent to a waterfall then ascent on steps and you are passing into the Tiger’s Nest itself. Retracing our steps we begin the final descent of about 45 minutes to reach our vehicle and drive back to Uma Paro … not forgetting to stop on the other side of the valley and look back at what you have achieved.
Duration: 5 - 7 hours depending on time taken in monasteries
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate - Guided with mineral water
Day 06 / Depart Paro
Druk Air departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions so after breakfast, your transfer to the airport will be arranged for between 5am and 9am depending on the flight schedule and your destination.
Tour Cost Per 2 Persons
Room Type Autumn/Spring*
- Superior Room $5,258
- Deluxe Room $6,074
- 1 bedroom Suite $6,674
- 1 bedroom Villa $8,234
- 2 bedroom Villa $11,188
2007 Spring/Autumn*
- Mar 01 - May 31
- Sep 01 - Nov 30
Inclusions
- 05 nights accommodation on a full-board basis (04 nights at Uma Paro) and a 2-day, 1-night privately guided full service camping trek (excluding beverages) to the Bumdra Monastery Camp above Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery.
- The 2-day adventure includes picnic lunches, a camp dinner and breakfast, mineral water, ponies, the services of two local Uma guides and cooks, all tentage, kitbag for packing all personal kit on the ponies, first-aid kit and air-mattresses for sleeping.
- Guided exploration of the Paro Valley on 2 separate day walks, to encompass the National Museum, Drukyel Dzong and a visit to the ancient temple of Kyichu Lhakhang.
- 01 COMO Shambhala massage per person
- Airport transfers in Bhutan
- 10% service charge and 10% sales tax, Government royalty, FIT surcharge, TDF tax and visa fees.
Please note that this overnight camping trek is only available from March to May and from September to October and requires a minimum of two people.
Packing Essentials: warm jacket; good leather or waterproof fabric boots or shoes with good soles; waterproof jacket; sunglasses; warm hat; sunhat; sunscreen; 4 season sleeping bag; torch; backpack; towel; thermal underwear.
Packing Recommended: trekking pole; gloves; tracksuit or thermal underwear; small backpack; torch; lip balm; a sufficient supply of any medication you are taking.
NB. Camera film is a rarity in Bhutan so bring your own supply which should be in your carry-on luggage.
Please Note
This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Local conditions and weather may necessitate variations to the program and can affect the availability of views and panoramas described. Be aware that all times stated are approximate, and may vary with individual and group fitness.
Uma Paro provides complimentary drinking water for all guided itineraries. If you have any special dietary requests, please let us know in advance. Where stated, trips include lunchtime picnics prepared by Uma Paro’s chefs. Please place your picnic order the day before departure via your Guide or the Activity Desk on extension 3308.
Throughout your stay you have the option to participate in a range of extra Outdoor Activities at an additional charge.
Private airport transfer is available at an additional charge.
Please read this document in conjunction with your confirmation letter and pre-departure information.
For more information on Uma Paro, including the full range of itineraries and services (including tailor-made itineraries, groups and the hosting special events) we offer, please email tim@eaw.com.sg
