Short Treks

Length: 3 days
Altitude: 2.900m (Dur) –  3.870m (Kitiphu) – 2.818m (Gyatsa, Chumey)
Best season: March, April, May, June and September, October, November, 1st half of December

The Bumthang Owl Trek is a moderate 3-day hiking route that starts from Menchugang and ends in Jakar Dzong. The trail has an abundance of flora and fauna and offers panoramic views of the valleys beneath, the hill tops and the Himalayas.

Day 1 Manchugang – Dhur
Start at Manchugang and visit Dhur, the largest village in Bumthang, at an elevation of 2900 meters above sea level. The people in Dhur speak two different dialects, the usual Bumthang Kha and the Brokke (nomadic dialects). Climb down to the river where the traditional water-driven flour mill can be visited. It used to be a source of livelihood for the people of Dhur village. It was abandoned after the intake channel had been washed away by a flash flood. However, the watermill has been revived again as it symbolizes an authentic Bhutanese tradition. Continue the trek uphill through the blue pine forest and reach the camp at Schonath (3,450m) in hemlock and juniper forest. The hauling of owls through the night is quite common, hence the name the Owl Trek.
Camp at Schonath (3.450m), approx. 4-5 hs

Day 2 Dhur – Drangela Pass
Trekking through the virgin forest of huge temperate trees like spruce, hemlock, fir, birch and many species of rhododendron makes you breathe the real wilderness of Bhutan. Bamboos are the main undergrowth of this wild forest. During the months of April and May the rhododendrons are in full bloom. In about two hours, you will arrive at Drangela Pass (3,600m). Ascend Kitiphu ridge and reach an altitude of 3,870m for the night camp. In good weather you will have a wonderful view of the valley and the panoramic snow caped Himalayan Mountains. The highest mountain of Bhutan Gangkarpunsum (7,541m) stands right in front of you when you are on the peak of Kitiphu (4,000m).
Camp at Kitiphu (3.870masl), approx. 4-5 hs

Day 3 Drangela – Tharpaling monastery
The magnificent sun rise in the morning is a new experience in Bhutan. Climb down to the monasteries of Zambhalha, Choedrak and Tharpaling which brings you to the religious life of monkhood, the historical Buddhist learning centre. Choedrak monastery has 100 Avoloketeshvaras in the form of Chukchizhey (eleven heads) that you will see nowhere else in the country. Afternoon, walk along the ridge of Kikila and finally follow the traditional trek route between Trongsa and Bumthang (the Royal Heritage Trail). The best view of Jakar Dzong will end your three day trek with many interesting and unforgettable memories. You can also conclude this trek in Chumey!
approx. 4-5 hs

Highlights:

• Village life in Dhur and encountering Brokpa und Kehp people
• Virgin forests and stunning nature
• Rhododendron Blooming in spring along the route!
• Views of Gangkar Punsum, the hightest mountain of Bhutan
• A variety of birds, such as Monal pheasant
• Monastic life in Tharpaling and Choedak

Length: 2 days
Altitude: 2.818m (Gyatsa, Chumey) – 4.000m (Tunglela Pass) – approx. 1.828m (Trongsa)
Best Season: March, April, May, June and September, October, November

This 2-day trek requires a pioneering spirit. It follows a traditional mule track between Chumey and Trongsa. The path are might not be well maintained and sometimes overgrown with bushes. Nevertheless, this short trek is a gem and offers breathtaking views of Jomolhari, Gangkar Punsum, distant mountain passes and valleys. It leads through changing vegetation and crosses the Alpine pass Tunglela until it takes you downhill all the way to tropical Samcholing in Trongsa.

Day 1 Chumey – Pamchen Pang
The trek starts at Gyatsa village in the Chumey valley. Start early morning and walk through magnificent pine, spruce and rhododendron forests. Once you reach Pang Zhende (3,716m), you will catch wonderful views of Gangkar Punsum, Jomolhari and Tsheringmagang. After a lunch picnic and a relaxing break, hike up to Tunglela at 4.000m. The summit is decorated with chorten and prayer flags. Descend to the camp.
Camp Pamchen Pang (3.667m), approx. 4-5 hours

Day 2 Pamchen Pang – Kuenga Rabten / Drive to Trongsa
Today the path descends downhill and the vegetation changes. The footpath meanders through dwarf-bamboo, the favorite food of yaks, until it ends at the monastery Samcholing at 1.828m. On the way to Trongsa stop at the Winter Palace of Kuenga Rabten, which the 2nd King Jigme Wangchuk built around 1929. The former private rooms can be visited.
Approx. 4-5 hours, travel time approx. 1 hour

Highlights:

• Hidden 2-day trek with a crossing of Tunglela pass (4.000m) with fantastic views!
• Avoid drive from Chumey toTrongsa on often bad roads
• Visit the winter palace of Kuenga Rabten
• Diverse Flora & Fauna all along the route

Length: 3 days
Altitude: 2.670m (Haa Tal) – 4.350m (Chele La/Paro)
Best season: Mid-March to Mid-June and September to November

Sagala Trek is also called the ‘Haa Planters’ trail because in ancient times the rice planters of Haa used to travel along this path to Paro to help the people there to plant and harvest rice.

Haa valley is not much visited by tourists, and particularly Sagala trek is a beautiful 3-day hike on a mountain trail dividing  Haa and Paro valleys. Traverse through beautiful meadows and virgin forests rich in flora and fauna and enjoy the wilderness in all its various shades and at its magnificent best. Soak in the panoramic and picturesque views of the Haa Valley and the three sacred hills of Haa. Walk through peaceful and quaint villages and stop at yak herders’ camps to interact with them.

One of highlights of the trek is the absolutely gorgeous view from the pass, with the Mount Jhomolhari, Mount Drageygang, Drugyal Dzong and the Taktsang Monastery on one side and Haa valley on the other.

Day 1  Haa Talung – Sagala
Your trek starts in Haa Valley (2670m), Talung village and follows an unpaved road for less than an hour on the left side of the villages. Shifting to the right side of the village, you will climb up gradually through yak herders camps until you will be met by two different trails. (The trail towards the left leads to the summer yak herding camp and to the border of China and has to be avoided). Take the right trail to make your final climb towards your camp at Sagala (3,150m).
Camp below Sagala (3.150 m), approx. 3-4 hours

Day 2 Sagala –  Nyingungla
Start with a cimb of 30 minutes to Sagala pass (3550m) where you will have superb views of Mount Jumolhari (7,314m) and Jitchu Drake (6,989m) in clear weather. After several ascents and descents and walking through rhododendron bushes and meadows, you will finally reach the top of the ridge at 4100m. It offers fantastic views of Haa valley below. After some up and down through forests of hemlock and juniper, you will reach at your camp at 3850m.
Camp at Nyingungla (3.850m), approx. 5-6 hours

Day 3 Nyingungla – Chele La / Drive to Paro
Follow the path through pastureland to a yak herders’ camp. From here it leads up to Kung Karpo Sky Burial (sky burial place) at 4.350m. The road is rocky and exhausting, but the stunning view compensates the effort. From the burial ground the path continues overlooking the valleys of Haa and Paro as well as Kila Nunnery. Finally, it descends to Chele la (3-990m), where the car will already be waiting for you. Drive to Paro.
Approx. 6-7 hours

Highlights:

• Great views of Jomolhari (7.314m) and Jichu Drake (6.989m)
• Kung Karpo Sky Burial, traditional sky burial ground
• Trek connects Haa valley with Paro valley