Trekking tour · 7 days, 6 nights

7 Day Bumthang Owl Trek: Forests, Villages and Monasteries Above the Bumthang Valley

A short, beautiful trek in central Bhutan: three days through old forests where owls call at night, past Dhur village and up to the Kitiphu ridge for views of the high Himalaya, ending at Jakar Dzong.

Days on the trail

3,870 m

Kitiphu ridge camp, about

4 to 6 h

Walking each day

Easy to moderate

Grade

Trip overview

A short trek with a lot to give

Most of Bhutan’s famous treks are long and high. The Bumthang Owl Trek is neither. It takes three days, stays below about 4,000 metres and follows trails through some of the finest old forest in central Bhutan: blue pine, hemlock, juniper, rhododendron and fir. It gets its name from the owls that call around the camps at night.

The trek starts at Menchugang near the village of Dhur, where people speak their own dialect and keep yaks in the hills above. It climbs through forest to a first camp at Schemata, crosses Drangela pass to the Kitiphu ridge, where the view stretches to Gangkar Puensum and the high peaks on the Tibetan border, then descends past the monasteries of Zambhalha, Chuedak and Tharpaling to Jakar Dzong.

Around the trek you have time for Bumthang’s sacred temples, and you fly to and from Bumthang to save the long drive. It is a perfect choice if you want a real camping trek without big altitude or long days, and it fits into a week.

Highlights

Highlights on the trail

Owls at night

The forest calls that give the trek its name.

Dhur village

A village with its own dialect and an old water mill.

Old forests

Blue pine, hemlock, juniper and rhododendron.

Kitiphu ridge

Views of Gangkar Puensum and the high Himalaya.

Tharpaling

A monastery high above the Chhume valley.

Jakar Dzong

The trek ends at the dzong above Bumthang.

Itinerary at a glance

Seven days, three on trek

Flight days decide the order. We adjust around them.

Day 1: Arrive in Paro

Land in Paro, Kyichu Lhakhang, Rinpung Dzong.

Day 2: Fly to Bumthang

Domestic flight, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey, Tamshing.

Day 3: Menchugang to Schemata

Dhur village, the water mill, climb through blue pine forest.

Day 4: To the Kitiphu ridge

Over Drangela pass to Kitiphu.

Day 5: Down to Jakar

Zambhalha, Chuedak and Tharpaling monasteries, to Jakar Dzong.

Day 6: Fly to Paro

Return flight, Paro town, hot stone bath.

Day 7: Depart

Transfer to Paro airport.

Day 1

Arrive in Paro

Your guide meets you at Paro airport. In the afternoon you visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, and Rinpung Dzong across the covered bridge.

Day 2

Fly to Bumthang

You fly from Paro to Bumthang, about 30 minutes. In the afternoon you visit Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing, three of the most sacred temples in Bhutan.

Day 3

Trek day 1: to Schemata

A short drive brings you to Menchugang, where the crew meets you. You walk to Dhur village, at about 2,900 metres, and see its water mill by the river, then climb through blue pine forest to camp at Schemata, at about 3,450 metres, in hemlock and juniper forest. Listen for owls after dark.

Day 4

Trek day 2: Kitiphu ridge

You walk through temperate forest to Drangela pass, at about 3,600 metres, about two hours from camp, then climb to the Kitiphu ridge, at about 3,870 metres. On a clear evening the view stretches to Gangkar Puensum and the high peaks to the north.

Day 5

Trek day 3: to Jakar

The last day is mostly downhill. You pass Zambhalha, Chuedak and Tharpaling monasteries, where monks may be in retreat, walk along the Kikila ridge and follow part of the old royal road down to Jakar Dzong. The car takes you to your hotel and a hot shower.

Day 6

Back to Paro

You fly back to Paro. In the afternoon you visit the National Museum and walk through Paro town. In the evening, a hot stone bath in a farmhouse is the perfect end to a trek.

Day 7

Fly home

After breakfast your guide drives you to Paro airport. If your flight is late in the day, you can add the Tiger’s Nest hike with an extra night.

Where you stay

Hotels before and after; two nights camping.

Nights	Place	Where you stay	Why we chose it
1 and 6	Paro	3-star or 4-star hotel	Near town
2 and 5	Bumthang	3-star or 4-star hotel	Chamkhar valley
3 and 4	On trek	Tents, with dining and toilet tents	Crew, cook and pack animals

Our crew sets up camp, cooks and carries everything. You carry only a day pack.

What the price covers

Included and not included

Included

Bhutan visa (USD 40) and the Sustainable Development Fee for every night
Hotels as listed, 3-star as standard, with 4-star and luxury upgrades on request
All meals in hotels and on the trek, cooked by our trek cook
A licensed trekking guide, plus a cook and camp crew
Pack animals for the luggage, tents, mattresses, dining and toilet tents
Trekking and park permits
Private car with driver for the road sections
Domestic flights Paro to Bumthang and back
Hotels before and after the trek

Not included

International flights into and out of Paro (we can book them for you)
Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend
Sleeping bag and personal trekking gear (we can rent a sleeping bag)
Emergency evacuation costs, which your insurance should cover
Tips for the trek crew, guide and driver

Price on request

Tell us your budget and we will send our best price

We don’t publish one fixed price, because hotels, season and group size change the total a lot. Tell us your dates, who is travelling and the budget you have in mind. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this Bumthang Owl Trek.

How we price

What decides the cost of this trip

Government fees

The SDF is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, plus a USD 40 visa. These are fixed by the Government of Bhutan and paid through us.

Hotels you choose

Domestic flights and group size change the total most.

Season and dates

Spring and autumn are peak season. Winter and summer dates are often easier to price well.

Group size

Guide and car costs are shared, so the price per person drops for two, three or four travellers.

We send a written, itemised quote before you pay anything. No booking fees.

Good to know

Planning the Bumthang Owl Trek

How hard is it?

The Owl Trek is easy to moderate. You walk four to six hours a day on good trails, with one long climb on the first day and a long descent on the last. The highest camp is at about 3,870 metres. You don’t need trekking experience, but you should be reasonably fit and comfortable on hills. It is a good first trek in Bhutan.

Owls and other wildlife

Several owl species live in these forests, and their calls are often heard around the camps after dark; seeing one is less common. In the forest you may also see Himalayan monal, blood pheasant, and many smaller birds. In spring, the rhododendrons flower along the trail.

Best seasons

March to May brings rhododendrons and mild weather. September to November has clear skies and the best mountain views from the Kitiphu ridge. Winter is cold and can bring snow to the higher camps. The monsoon months are wet and leech-prone.

Bumthang's festivals

Bumthang has several festivals in spring and autumn, including Ura Yakchoe in April and Jambay Lhakhang Drup in November. With a few extra days, you can combine the trek with one of them. See our Jambay Lhakhang Drup tour.

Domestic flights

Drukair flies between Paro and Bumthang on set days of the week, and weather can cancel flights. If that happens, we drive instead through Trongsa and Punakha, which adds time but is a beautiful journey.

What to bring on trek

Broken-in waterproof boots, a down jacket, thermal layers, a waterproof shell, a warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, trekking poles and a four-season sleeping bag (we can rent one). Our crew carries tents, mattresses, the kitchen and all food. See our packing list for the basics.

Altitude

Paro sits at about 2,200 metres and Thimphu at about 2,300. Most people feel fine after a slow first day. Drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol at first, and tell your guide about headaches or poor sleep. The Tiger’s Nest, at about 3,120 metres, comes later in the trip for this reason.

Visa, SDF and guide rules

Every visitor except Indian nationals needs a visa, which costs USD 40 and is issued online before you fly. The Sustainable Development Fee is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, with half rates for children aged 6 to 11. A Department of Tourism notice from April 2026 confirms that visitors travel with a licensed guide. We file the visa and pay the SDF for you. Read more in our Bhutan visa guide and SDF guide.

Bumthang Owl Trek: questions

How much does the Bumthang Owl Trek cost?

It depends on your hotels, group size and dates. Tell us your budget and we will reply within 24 hours with our best price, including the SDF, visa, hotels, meals, guide and car.

How hard is the Bumthang Owl Trek?

Easy to moderate. Four to six hours a day, with a highest camp of about 3,870 metres.

Why is it called the Owl Trek?

Owls are often heard calling around the camps at night.

Is it good for beginners?

Yes. It is one of the best first treks in Bhutan.

Can families do it?

Yes, with fit children used to walking.

What will I see from the Kitiphu ridge?

On clear days, Gangkar Puensum and the high Himalaya to the north.

Can I add the Tiger's Nest?

Yes, with one extra night in Paro.