Bhumtang Owl Trek - Bhutan

Bhumtang Owl Trek - Bhutan

The Bunthang Owl Trek lies in the broad Bumthang Valley which is considered as the area of Choekhor Valley, one of the four stunning valleys in Bhuthang District (Others are Ura Valley, Chumey Valley, and Tang Valley). Choekhor Valley was carved out by the ancient glaciers in the last ice age and now becomes one of the most popular valleys favored by travelers around the world.

This fertile valley is not only abound in buckwheat, rice, and potatoes, but also regarded as the center of numerous temples and shrines regarding to Guru Rinpoche, the “Precious Master” and the founder of Tibetan Buddhism who visited this region in the 8th century.

Fancy an intimate contact with the adorable animals along your trek? Well, you can always consider to put the Bumthang Owl Trek on your alternative travel list. The silent nights are punctuated by the frequent hooting of owls which can be heard at campsites through the night. Some of the owls are blinking eyes on the twigs while others are playing enjoyably in the woods. If the weather is fine, they may probably pay a visit on your campsite.

The Bunthang Owl Trek embarks on Menchugang village and ends at Tharpaling Geomba with the best travelling months falling from Oct. to Dec. and Mar. to May.


  • Visit major cultural landmarks sites enveloping western and central Bhutan (Bumthang).
  • Besides the trek, as many day hikes incorporated so that you can interact with locales, farm house visit -insights into daily life at walking pace.
  • Pristine environments, some wild life whilst in trek etc. Also farm house stay in Punakha (Clean and Hygienic) and deluxe camping that brims with amenities can add zing to your experience.

Day 01: Arrive in Paro and transfer to Thimphu. Sightseeing in Thimphu as per available time. Overnight in hotel.

Day 02: Drive to Punakha. Local sightseeing and walks in Punakha. Overnight hotel.

Day 03: Tour Punakha & Wangdue. Overnight in hotel

Day 04: Drive to Jakar, Bumthang (7-8hrs).Overnight hotel.

Day 05: Full day for sightseeing and walking tour in and around Bumthang. Overnight hotel.

Day 06/07: Trek and camp as per trekking details provided above.

Day 08: Trek most of the day and drive to Trongsa or stay in Chumey valley. Overnight hotel.

Day 09: Drive and visit Gangtey in Phobjikha valley. Overnight hotel.

Day 10: Drive to Thimphu (6-7hrs) and overnight in hotel.

Day 11: Thimphu tour and Paro valley tour. Overnight hotel.

Day 12: Paro. Full day for hiking excursion to Taktsang. Return to Paro. Overnight hotel.

Day 13: Departure transfer to the airport in time for your flight.

 

Alternate Itinerary using one way by flight:

Day 01: Arrive in Paro and tour. Overnight in hotel

Day 02: Fly to Jakar, Bumthang and tour (Flight operates only on certain days). Overnight in hotel

Day 03: Tour and walk around Jakar

Day 04/05: Trek as per itinerary and camp

Day 06: Trek end and drive to Trongsa. Overnight in hotel

Day 07: Drive to Punakha (Option to take a side trip to Gangtey). Overnight in Punakha

Day 08: In Punakha & Wangdue touring. Overnight in hotel.

Day 09/10: Drive to Thimphu (3-4hrs) and spend extra day in Thimphu

Day 11: Drive to Paro and hike to Taktsang monastery. Overnight hotel in Paro

Day 12: Departure.

Day 01: Arrive in Paro
Upon arrival in Paro, meet, tour/walk for the remaining day. If you wish, you can visit farm houses a typical agrarian houses forming a quaint village nearby town and your hotel. Overnight in hotel.

Day 02: Fly to Jakar, Bumthang
Flight operates only on certain days. Bumthang is considered as spiritual heartland of Bhutan, vindicating, it is dotted with many religious edifices, attractions and also some scenic short hike. Based on your inclination, tour/walk around for the remaining time in and around Jakar. Overnight in hotel
Note: Due to road extension work in progress from Punakha till Bumthang, in some sections of roads the ride may get bumpy. Considering this, it is best to make useful domestic flight from Paro Bumthang or other way round rather than travelling both way by road.

Day 03: In Jakar, Bumthang
Depending on your interest, we can incorporate visit to prominent cultural attractions and mainstay and more hikes that can set tone for your trek or combination. Overnight in hotel

Day 04: Begin Trek: Jakar- Menchugang-Dhur-Schonath (3450m/ approx. 6- 7 km/Walk &Visit 2- 3 hours, Trek – 2-3 hours)
Transfer to trail head, trek start from Menchugang. Visit Dhur (2900m) – biggest village in Bumthang. It consists of 75 households with diverse populations based on their local dialects. Above the villages offer a beautiful view overlooking village and far off mountains. Water driven flourmill is one of the highlights. Continue trek uphill through blue pine forest and reach the campsite at Schonath (3450 m) amidst hemlock and juniper forest. Howling of owl is quite common at night thus derives the name of this trek. Overnight in regular tent camp/Deluxe Camping.

Day 05: Trek to Kitiphu ((3870 m/3 hrs/ 5 -6 km)
Trek through verdant and virgin forest of spruce, hemlock, fir, birch and rhododendron species. Spring spells Technicolor bloom of rhododendron species. After 2 hours, you will reach Drangela pass (3600 m). Descent the pass and climb Kitiphu ridge campsite (3870 m). Climb further uphill for 30 -40 min at Kitiphu ridge summit for panoramic view of valley and mountain peaks – mainly Gangkar Phuensum (7541 m) – highest mountain of Bhutan. Overnight in regular tent camp/ Deluxe Camping.

Day 06: Trek end and drive to Trongsa (trek downhill – 2 hour/trek distance- 3-4 km downhill)
Climb down to the monasteries of Zambhalha, Chuedak and Tharpaling which brings you to the religious life of monk hood. After visiting the temples, monasteries, meet the vehicle and drive to Chumey valley (30 minutes downhill) and drive over the Yontongla pass to Trongsa (2hrs), where you can spend rest of the day visiting Trongsa Dzong and tower of Trongsa musuem.
From Tharpaling, there is a option to do a 3hr trek along the ridge to Kikila following the ancient trail and later drive for about 2.5hrs to Trongsa. This option is for those who want longer hiking. Overnight hotel in Trongsa.

Day 07: Drive to Punakha
The spectacular road passing many villages, with great views and ever changing vegetation as the road crosses Pelela pass and descends into subtropical Punakha-Wangdue area. Depending on the road condition, you could also take a side trip to Gangtey, Phobjikha valley, which takes additional 2hrs. Overnight hotel in Punakha/ Deluxe camping on river bank/ Typical Farm House Stay.

Day 08: In Punakha & Wangdue
Spend full day for tours, short hikes in Punakha Wangdue valley. You can also choose to stay in typical ancient farm house/deluxe camping on river Bank/ overnight in hotel.

Day 09: Punakha – Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu (3-4hrs) across spectacular Dochula pass. Option for a scenic hike from Dochula pass to Lungchuzekha and Trashigang. Overnight comfortable hotel in Thimphu

Day 10: Thimphu – Paro
Spend most part of the day for visiting sites in the capital, which has lots of monuments and other attractions that can be covered based on your interests. Then towards late afternoon, drive to Paro (1hr) and try to cover some sights missed on the first day in Bhutan. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 11: In Paro (Hike to Taktsang)
Dedicate a full day for hike to famous Tiger’s nest (Taktsang) monastery. As you have trekked, and covered much ground on foot, our guide can also bring you to sites above Takstang that are rarely visited and are as interesting. Overnight hotel in Paro

Day 12: Departure
Transfer to airport for your outbound Journey

Cost Includes

  • Airport pick up and transfer to hotel.
  • Airport drop
  • PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION around there
  • ALL NECESSARY TRAVEL PERMITS
  • ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE.
  • ACCOMMODATION ON TWIN SHARING ROOM BASIS.
  • SIGHTSEEING AND MONASTERY ENTRANCE FEES AS PER the ITINERARY
  • MEAL PLAN: FULL BOARD BASIS
  • SUPPORTING STAFF AND DONKEY WHILE TREKKING
  • BHUTAN VISA FEE
  • FLIGHT FARE : KATHMANDU TO Paro TO KATHMANDU

Cost Excludes

  • International flight ticket
  • Nepal visa fee
  • INSURANCE OF ANY KIND.
  • PERSONAL EXPENSES SUCH AS DRINK, GUIDE TIPS & ETC.
  • NATURAL AND POLITICAL DISTURBANCE AND UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCE.

Trip Facts

Trip Duration 12 Day
Destination Bhutan
Trip Grade Easy - A
Transportation Private Vehicle
Accomodation Hotel + Lodges
Starting Price US$
Trip Type Tea House Trek
Meals Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Max. Altitude 8848 Meter
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