3 Days Bumthang Owl Trek

Time: 5-6 hours
Camp Altitude: 2,900 m

The trek starts from Manchugang village and takes you one and a half hours to reach Dhur village (2900 m). Nomadic Kheps and Brokpas, the two ancient nomads, with their own distinct languages have been residing here for a long period of time. Near the river at Chutigang, there appears an old water-driven flour mill used for the livelihood of people in Dhur village.

Insider tips:
A number of itineraries visit Dhur village, and currently, here appears another farm road now stretches to Karo, from where it only takes three hours to reach Shona.

Camping at Dhur Village

Time: 3-4 hours
Camp Altitude: 3,800 m

The second day of this trek is mainly on an uphill trail through lush ancient forests of hemlock, fir, spruce and various species of rhododendrons which are in full bloom during the months of April and May.

The trail also guides you to the bamboo forests, for bamboo grows lushly in this region and spreads to large areas, which is stunning.

After few hours of walking, you will eventually arrive at the Drangela (Rang La) Pass (3,600 m) and then further ascend to Kitephu ridge (3,870 m) for a breathtaking distant views of the highest unclimbed peak in the world, the Mount Gangkhar Phuensum (7,541 m), the main Himalaya Range, and the gorgeous valleys underneath.

Camping at the camp site near Kitephu ridge

Time: 4-5 hours

The third day’s trek are mainly the decent trails to the impressive monasteries of Zambhalha, Choedrak and Tharpaling. The choedrak monastery, also known as Choedrak hermitage, has 100 Avoloketeshvaras (Avalokiteshvara) in the form of Chukchizhey (eleven heads), and this monastery is widely accepted as one of the most efficacious praying places in Bhutan, for it was said Guru Rinpoche had once meditated here for a long time.

The trail continues to guide you trekking along the Kikila Ridge and follow the Royal Heritage Trail through splendid scenic hills and forests, from where you can get a surprisingly fantastic view of Jakar Dzong.

You can choose to end your trek here or descend via Samtenling Lhakhang to Domkhar in the Chhume valley by trek. Or you can also make a northeast swerve and climb back over the ridge behind the Tharpaling Goemba to head for Jakar after a descent through the dense forests.