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Sharmila Abbott
Trekking was such an amazing experience and we did camping also
Trip Location: Bumthang
About Bumthang Owl Trek:
The Bumthang Owl Trek for 2N/3D takes you through the pristine valleys and forests of Bhutan, especially Thimphu.
After an airport pick-up , you will begin your Trek to Bumthang Owl from Menchugang, moving along to the village of Dhur.
The next day you can explore the local vegetation as you walk via Dhur to Kitiphu. On the last day, you will tread a distance of 7 kms and visit monasteries on the way, as you head to Kikila and finally reach Bumthang.
You will begin camping at an altitude of 3450m and then move up to a height of 3870m at the Kitiphu Ridge.
The trek is approximately 22 kms long and is an easy one if you have an active lifestyle.
For the duration of the trip you will be accommodated in cold weather tents with sleeping bags and insulated mats, and all necessities of the trek will be taken care of.
The tour will be in English by an English-speaking experienced guide.
About the Bumthang Owl:
Bumthang Owl is an untouched, lush green district in Bhutan, nestled within nature’s bounty. The exotic fauna and flora here is what captures one’s attention while the gently flowing lakes, rivers and deep valleys will leave a tourist in awe!
On your 3-day Trek to Bumthang Owl you will enjoy fantastic views of dense forests with rare blue pine, bamboo, fir and maple trees. The visit from Dhur to Schonath leads one through the quaint villages of the Kheps and Brokpas, who are the local tribes of Thimphu.
Further down is the Drangela Pass at an altitude of 3600m and you can breathe in the beauty of Mt. Gangkar Phuensum, the world’s highest peak at 7541m, yet to be conquered. While on the last leg of your journey via the Royal Heritage Trail, take a halt at the vibrant, peaceful Zambhalha, Chuedak and Thappaling monasteries.
Between April and June the area looks splendid, covered with beautiful rhododendron flowers. Bumthang also has some interesting wildlife and plump owls hooting into the night, that lend their name to this trek. The destination is like a piece of paradise to be marvelled at, and certainly not to be missed
The tour begins with a pick-up from Paro International Airport after which you are transferred to Menchugang.
You will begin your trek from this point and walk 7kms (approx. 4-5 hours) to your destination.
On the way you shall stop by the Dhur village which is home to the wandering tribes of the Kheps and the Brokpas.
Following this, get set for an uphill climb through a forest rich in blue pines, something that you’ve probably never witnessed before!
End your day with camping in cold weather tents, at Schonath, situated at an altitude of 3450m.
On the second day, we set out on a trek 8kms long and again a 4-5 hour walk.
Walk through dense bamboo forests, admire the hemlock, spruce and fir, and if you’re lucky you’ll spot the delightful rhododendron flowers, a unique sight in Bhutan.
Tread along the path and arrive at the Drangela Pass, as you climb higher to an altitude of 3600m.
Move along further and reach the stunning Kitiphu Ridge, which shall be your stopover for the night.
Kitiphu Ridge is at a height of 3870m and it is from here that you can enjoy an undisturbed view of the magnificent Mt. Gangkar Phuensum, in all its glory!
This peak is the world’s highest unconquered one, at a height of 7541m.
After spending a night at Kitiphu, we shall head to our final destination, Bumthang.
Day 3 calls for a 7 km walk with enchanting views, which is the best way to end your trip!
On the way, you shall explore Bhutanese culture and visit the serene monasteries of Zambhalha, Chuedak and Thappaling.
Don’t forget to sip on the holy water and purify yourself here.
Head to the ridge of Kikila and follow the traditional trail route also called the Royal Heritage Trail which is one of the finest trails offering scenic views!
You shall enjoy a grand view of the Jakar Dzong, which is when you know you’ve reached your final destination, the beautiful Bumthang.
End your tour by being transferred back to Guwahati Airport, Paro International Airport, or Jaigaon if you’re travelling by road.
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Rated : 5.0
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Trekking was such an amazing experience and we did camping also
Weather at Bumthang is extremely chilly for most of the year, owing to the fact that Bhutan experiences erratic rains and snow through March, May, July and undoubtedly, winter. Although very cold, October to June is a great time to visit Bumthang.
But an ideal time for the trek is April to early June, because this is when you can admire some amazing flora and fauna, including the pretty rhododendron flowers, and the owls hooting through the night. Beware! You may also come across the Himalayan Black Bears.
Bumthang temperatures are low all year-round. Between October to May, temperatures drop as low as -16°C and between June to September, the highest temperature is 13°C. As you climb to a higher altitude, the temperature drops even further. So stay prepared with thermals, and wear lots of layers.
The Bumthang Owl Trek is a relatively easy one which you can complete even as a first timer, but please make sure that you have a good fitness level and can walk for 4-5 hours.
If you have any respiratory, heart, or circulatory ailments, we do not recommend doing the trek. The trek is also not recommended for children up to 13 years of age.
Participants are expected to have a good level of fitness to complete this trek without experiencing fatigue. You must be active and capable of walking for a duration of at least 5 hours. This trek is not meant for those experiencing heart or respiratory problems that restricts movement. It is also not recommended for children.
You are expected to carry the following on the trek:
Waterproof jackets and pants
Cap/hat
A pair of sunglasses
Winter hat and gloves
Thermal underwear
Trekking shoes that are lightweight and waterproof
Comfortable footwear for the campsite
Backpack with rain-cover
Water bottles with a capacity of at least 3 liters
Hiking poles to reduce the walking impact on your joints
Head lamp with extra batteries
Lots of layers, instead of single thick clothes, to shield you from the chilly weather.
For your Trek to Bumthang Owl we recommend carrying a pair of trekking shoes that are lightweight, waterproof and tried-and-tested before the trek. Also, bring along a pair of comfortable footwear to slip into during your stay at the campsite.
For the duration of the trip, all meals will be prepared by a certified chef who shall cook local Bhutanese cuisine with organic vegetables. Western food can also be cooked on request.
Since the package is inclusive of food, that’ll be well taken care of. Bhutan’s tap water isn’t potable, therefore you will need to purchase bottles of packaged drinking water before setting out on the trek.
Before heading for the trek, make sure to:
Book your flight tickets well in advance and get your insurance, because these aren’t included in the package
Send us a scanned copy of your passport with minimum six months validity, so we can take care of the visa procedure
Pack well, as per the list shared above
Exercise well
We shall take care of everything else!
The Bumthang Owl Trek is an easy one and extremely safe, if you have a healthy lifestyle and can walk long distances.
We travel in groups and are guided by experts who come with their helpers and horses in tow. So it is extremely safe as long as you stay with the group and don’t wander off alone.
Bumthang experiences deep snow in March, and a good amount of snow cover in May and October, too.
If you aren’t a fan of the snow and want to trek at ease, you can plan your trek prior to or after these months. If you enjoy the snow, any time of the year is great for a trek!
Although Thimphu offers good mobile connectivity, as you go to a higher altitude the connectivity reduces, especially in the valleys. Therefore, chances of network coverage, even on a local card are rare.
On an average we shall cover around 7 to 8 kms each day, with halts at monasteries and villages. The duration to cover this distance will be approximately 4 to 5 hours each day.
On your Trek to Bumthang Owl you shall see the dense blue pines, lush forests rich with fir, spruce, bamboo and hemlock, and vibrant rhododendron flowers. Delve into history as you visit local villages inhabited by the nomadic tribes.
Look forward to seeing various monasteries and walk along the lakes and rivers, admiring Bhutan’s beautiful landscape, beyond. The best bit though, is the scenic view on the Royal Heritage Trail and the majestic Mt. Gangkar Phuensum, standing tall in the distance.
While on trek, basic medical facilities and a medical kit will be available with us. For any other medication such as Diamox, specific you your condition, please consult your doctor for professional medical advice before consumption.
The journey to Bumthang Owl is an easy one, provided you aren’t suffering from any health or heart disorders and are fit enough to walk long distances.
Along with the experts who will be guiding you on the trek, there will be helpers, horses and horsemen. The horses shall carry 20kg worth of personal equipment belonging to the group. Make sure you travel light, so as to walk freely without any load.
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