10 Days Bumthang Owl Trek

Highlights: Arrive in Paro and Transfer to Thimphu with trip to the Buddha Dordenma and Tashichho Dzong.

Welcome to Bhutan, the land of the “Thunder Dragon”.

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, your local guide and driver will meet you at the airport arrival hall. They will introduce themselves and greet you warmly. Your local guide and driver will then drive you to Thimphu (2320 m), the current capital city of Bhutan. Estimated driving time is around 1.5 hours.

You will first visit the Buddha Dordenma statue when arrive at the entrance of Thimphu. This gigantic bronze statue gilded in gold has 125,000 smaller Buddhas hidden inside it. You will then hike from Kuensel Phodrang to Depsi, enjoying the peaceful view around the town.

In the evening, the local guide and driver will lead you to Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the head of Bhutan's civil government. You can enjoy paintings decorated in the Bhutanese style from Buddha's life, philosophy and teachings.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Buddha Dordenma statue

Highlights: Visit Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan, and Chhimi Lhakhang.

You will head to Punakha/Wangdi in the morning after breakfast in Thimphu. During the trip you will pass through Dochula Pass (3150m), where you can see astonishing view of the Himalayan Mountains.

You can hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility, on the way to Lobesa. This temple is built on a round hillock with a golden spire.

In Punakha, you will visit the most majestic dzongs in Bhutan – the Punakha Dzong. The construction has 6 stories with a tower at the center and is well maintained after all these years. You can enjoy interesting architecture, beautiful paintings during the tour. The Dzong is located on the confluence of two rivers, the Pho Chhu (Male) and Mo Chhu (Female), which converge in the valley.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Visit Chendebji Chhorten, Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa Museum and Arrive in Bumthang.

You will head to Bumthang in the morning after breakfast in your hotel. During the drive you will pass through Pelela pass (3400m) and visit Chendebji Chhorten, which is built to subdue demons.

You will then visit Trongsa Dzong on the way to Trongsa. As the largest Dzong in the country, the temple was constructed in the 16th Century. Located in the central area of Bhutan, Trongsa Dzong has an extensive and complex structure as it should have as a strong and powerful fortress.

After, the tower of Trongsa Museum. The tower is strategically located on the hill with a fantastic panoramic view of the environment around. You can watch a well-organized video on local culture and religious heritage in the museum.

Then, across the Yotong La (3425m), you will arrive at the Chumey Valley. There are in total four valleys in Bumthang. Yathra Weaving Center is our next stop. You can see how local Woolen Textile is weaved.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Chendebji Chorten

(Trek Distance: 17km; Time: 4-5 hours; Camp Altitude: 3450m)

Today you will start your trek tour in Bunthang region from Manchugang to Dhur Village (2900m). In Dhur village, you will see a flour mill that is powered by the water from the river. In the old days, this mill was the source of livelihood for the villagers. Our trek continues uphill to the campsite at Schonath (3450m). At night, you can hear the hooting from the owls, surrounded by blue pine forests and juniper trees.

Camping at Dhur Village.

Bumthang Owl Trek

(Trek Distance: 19km; Time: 3-4 hours; Camp Altitude: 3870m)

In the morning, after breakfast, you will continue the trek. You will mainly pass by the forests of spruce. In spring time, especially in April and May, you will see full mountains of rhododendrons blossom. There is also a forest of bamboo along the trek that gives you a very special view of the forest.

You will pass by Drangela Pass (3600m) during the trek. After a few hours of walking we finally climb to the campsite at an altitude of around 3870m up in the Kitiphu ridge. You can have a marvellous paratonic view of the mountains covered by snow. Gangkhar Puensum (7570m), the highest mountain in Bhutan is also visible from the campsite. The name Gangkhar Puensum means "White Peak of the Three Spiritual Brothers".

Camping at Drangela Pass.

Drangela Pass

(Trek Distance: 19km; Time: 4-5 hours)

Today is the last day of the three-day Owl Trek in Bumthang. In the morning, you will climb down through Zambhalha monastery, Chuedak monastery, and Tharpaling monastery. There are 100 Avoloketeshvaras in the form of Chukchizhey (eleven heads) in Chuedak monastery.

After lunch, you will pass Kikila ridge and continue the trek through blue pine forests. The route is called the Royal Heritage Trail, which a traditional trek with nice views of the wilds. Your trek will end at Jakar Dzong, a calm and serene Dzong at the hilltop above the town.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Highlights: Enjoy the beautiful landscape of Probjikha Valley and visit the ancient Gangtey Goenpa Lhakhang.

Your local guide and driver will drive you to Gangtey (3100m) after breakfast.

You will arrive at Gangtey after lunch, then visit the Gangtey Goenpa Lhakhang sitting on the hilltop overlooking the Phobjikha Valley. This is also home to the endangered Black neck Crane.

Next, go hike through Gangtey Natural Trail, enjoy the beautiful view in the valley.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Gangtey Monastery

Highlight: Visit the ancient Simtokha Dzong and magnificent Paro Rinpung Dzong.

Today, you will get up early and say farewell to the charming Gangtey valley. About a 5-hour drive will bring you back to Paro. You will encounter the Simtokha Dzong en route. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha Dzong is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.

In the afternoon, your guide will bring you to visit the imposing Paro Rinpung Dzong (also named as Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. However, it now serves as an administration center and school for monks.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlight: Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest.

Today, you will enjoy a hike to Taktshang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), which stands at the cliffside of the upper Paro valley. During March and April, Tsechu will be held in the valley sometimes, you can enjoy the dance of the Black Hat monks if lucky. On your way down the hill, you can take a tour at the Jowo Temple of Kyichu built by the Tibetan Emperor in the 7th century, which is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Your tour guide will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination. Tour service end.