BUMTHANG OWL TREK
Bumthang Valley being rich in culture has many great things to offer in terms of religious sites, sacred caves, breathtaking landscape and cool pristine environment. The Bumthang Owl Trek is one of the popular trek offering the refreshing experience of the culture and environment of the country.
It is an easy to moderate 3-day hiking starting from Menchugang and ends at Tharpaling Monastery above Chumey valley in Bumthang. The trail has an abundance of flora and fauna, and the panoramic views of the valleys beneath the hilltops and the Himalayas spread over a broad horizon will be an experience that one shall cherish for a lifetime. (Subject to weather permitting)
You will have the opportunity to see the village life in Dhur on this trek. One of the highlights of this trek is Mount Gangkar Phuensum. In spring the rhododendrons flowers are in bloom that multiplies the beauty of the whole trek route. The valley views and the Himalayan snowcapped mountains are quite beautiful on a clear day. Birds of different spices, among them the big monal pheasants can be sighted around the second camp and Tharpaling area during mornings and evenings.
However, you should watch out and beware of the Himalayan Black bears. The hauling of owls throughout on the first night is quite common, hence the name Owl Trek. You will also be able to see relatively remote and large Monasteries and their life in Tharpaling, Choedak and Zhambala.
The trek can be done through-out the year with exception of winter months (Dec, Jan & Feb). However, the best time for it is in the spring (March till May) and autumn (Late Sept till mid-November).
Day 1- Jakar- Menchugang- Dhur-Schonath Trek
Day 2- Schonath – Kitiphu Trek
Day 3- Kitiphu-Kikila-Jakar Trek
Day 1- Jakar- Menchugang- Dhur-Schonath Trek
Trek Rating: Moderate
Maximum Altitude: 3450 m
Duration: 4-5 hours
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Camping
We drive to our start point at Menchugang and then hike to the biggest village in Bumthang called Dhur at an elevation of 2900m. There is 75 households with 800 people in this village. The inhabitant of the village is called the Kheps (taxpayers, with cattle and farmland) and the Brokpas (nomadic yak herders). The villagers speak two different dialects; the usual Bumthang Kha and the Brokke (nomadic dialects).
You can visit the traditional water-driven flour mill which used to be a source of livelihood for the people of Dhur village near the river. You can spend some time here and enjoy the beauty of the remote Dhur village. Resuming the trek is the uphill climb through the blue pine forest towards the campsite at Schonath (3450m) in hemlock and juniper forest. The overall hiking trail is a mixture of several uphill and downhill trekking.
Day 2- Schonath – Kitiphu Trek
Trek Rating: Moderate
Maximum Altitude: 3870m
Duration: 4-5 hours
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Camping
After breakfast, we start our trek through the fresh forest of hemlock, spruce, bamboo and many beautiful species of rhododendron in full bloom during months of April-May. Bamboos are the main undergrowth of this wild forest. After two hours of hiking you will arrive at the Drangela Pass (3600m) and from the top of the pass we will climb down for a while before climbing again to reach our campsite near Kitiphu (3870m). If the weather favors you, you can have a fresh view of snowcapped mountains and valley underneath. The highest unclimbed mountain of Bhutan Gangkar Phuensum (7541m) stands right in front of you when you are at the peak of Kitiphu.
Day 3- Kitiphu-Kikila-Jakar Trek
Trek Rating: Moderate
Maximum Altitude: 3800m
Duration: 4 hours
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Hotel
We start our day with the magnificent sunrise and breakfast. Then gradually climbing down to the monasteries of Zhambhalha, Chuedrak and Tharpaling which brings you to the religious life of monkhood, the historical Buddhist learning center. Chuedrak monastery has 100 Avoloketeshvaras in the form of Chukchizhey (eleven heads) where you may offer your prayers for yourself and all living beings. You may as well stop for holy water in around this place to quench your thirst, wash your sins and purify your body and soul.
We can either have a reception car by the monastery to take you to your hotel or you can continue hiking all the way to Lamai Goenpa.
In the afternoon, the trek takes you along the ridge of Kikila and finally following the traditional trek route between Trongsa and Bumthang (the Royal Heritage Trail) through the charming hills and forest. The finest view of Jakar Dzong will close your three days trek with many wonderful and cherished memories.
- This trek can also be done in 2 days.
- All the snowcapped mountain views are subject to weather permitting.