Bumthang Owl Trek
Three days walking in Bumthang, inside a twelve-day cultural trip
A short, high walk through blue pine and rhododendron above the Bumthang valleys, named for the owls you hear at night, set inside a full cultural tour.
The Owl Trek is the gentlest way to get a night under canvas in Bhutan. Three days of walking above the Bumthang valleys, through blue pine and dwarf rhododendron, with the option of climbing Kitiphu ridge at about 3,870 m for a view of the Himalayan peaks on a clear morning.
It gets its name from the owls you hear from the camps at night.
The walking sits inside a nine-day cultural trip that covers Thimphu, Punakha, Bumthang and Paro, so you see the country as well as the trail. It is a good first trek, and a good one for anyone unsure about a longer route.
What stands out
- Three nights camping without committing to a long trek
- Kitiphu ridge at first light, when the peaks are out
- Tharpaling and Chhoedrak monasteries, reached on foot rather than by road
- Bumthang's old temples on the cultural days either side
The itinerary
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Day 1 7,610 ft
Arrive Paro, drive to Thimphu
Met at the airport and driven to the capital.
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Day 2 7,610 ft
Thimphu
Sightseeing around the capital.
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Day 3 4,100 ft
Thimphu to Punakha
Over Dochula into the warm valley.
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Day 4 8,530 ft
Punakha to Bumthang
A long drive east over Pele La and Yotong La.
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Day 5 8,530 ft
Bumthang
The old temples along the valley, and time to sort kit before the walk.
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Day 6 9,500 ft
Bumthang to Schonath: the trek begins
A short drive to the trailhead, then up through blue pine forest to the first camp. Around four hours walking.
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Day 7 12,000 ft
Schonath to Kitiphu and Tharpaling
The high day. Up onto Kitiphu ridge at about 3,870 m, where on a clear morning the peaks are laid out to the north, then down past Chhoedrak to camp near Tharpaling. Around five hours.
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Day 8 7,220 ft
Tharpaling to Trongsa: the trek ends
Down through the forest to meet the vehicle, then on to Trongsa. Around three hours walking.
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Day 9 4,100 ft
Trongsa to Punakha
The Ta Dzong museum, then west over Pele La.
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Day 10 7,480 ft
Punakha to Paro
Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang, then over Dochula to Paro.
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Day 11 10,150 ft
Paro: the walk up to Taktsang
The climb to the Tiger's Nest.
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Day 12 7,480 ft
Departure
Morning transfer to the airport.
What is covered
- All internal transport with a private vehicle and driver
- A licensed English-speaking Bhutanese guide throughout
- Accommodation in government-approved three-star hotels, or better on request
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- All entry fees to monuments, dzongs and museums
- Bhutan visa processing and the visa fee
- The Sustainable Development Fee
- All internal taxes and the government royalty
- Full camping equipment: tents, mattresses, dining and toilet tents
- A trekking cook and camp crew
- Pack horses or yaks for all group equipment and your main bag
- International flights to and from Bhutan
- Travel insurance, which we ask every guest to arrange
- Drinks, laundry, telephone and other personal expenses
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Anything not listed as included
Camps are around 3,000-3,500 m. It is cold at night from October onwards. We provide the tents and mattresses, but bring a warm sleeping bag or ask us to hire one.
The walking is three to five hours a day. If you can manage a full day on hills at home, you will manage this.
On this trip
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