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Duration: Three days
Highest Camp: 4000m
Standard: Easy to medium
Best Seasons: November, December, March, April, May & June
Start: Menchugang (Bumthang)
Finish: Tharpaling monastry (Bumthang)
Summary:
This three-day trek offers a mix of culture and stunning mountain scenery. Beginning in Menchugang and ending at Tharpaling Monastery, it passes through Dhur village and showcases magnificent natural landscapes. You may even catch sight of Gangkar Puensum, the world’s highest unclimbed peak. In autumn, be cautious of Himalayan Black bears, while April to May offers sightings of beautiful pheasants like the Himalayan Tragopan. The trek concludes with a visit to Tharpaling Monastery, providing insight into monastic life. Along the way, you’ll traverse through forests filled with blue pine, hemlock, fir, spruce, juniper, bamboo, rhododendrons, birch, maple, and chestnut trees. From April to early June, rhododendron flowers adorn the route. The trail also offers panoramic mountain views and abundant bird and wildlife sightings. Cultural highlights include visits to Tharpaling and Zhambala monasteries, and you can time your trek to coincide with one of Bumthang’s many festivals. The recommended trekking seasons are from March to May and from September to November.
Paro International Airport (Google Map)
The trek commences from Manchugang and proceeds towards Dhur village, nestled at an altitude of 2900 meters. Inhabited by the Kheps and Brokpas (nomads), this village boasts a distinctive linguistic blend of the usual Bumthang Kha and the Brokke nomadic dialects. Along the way, a traditional water-driven flour mill, once a vital source of livelihood for Dhur villagers, graces the landscape near the river. As the trek advances, an ascent through the enchanting blue pine forest awaits, leading to the campsite at Schonath (3450m), surrounded by hemlock and juniper forest. The night ambiance often resonates with the hooting of owls, giving rise to the trek’s moniker, “The Owl Trek.”
On the second day, the trek leads through pristine forests adorned with hemlock, fir, spruce, and a variety of rhododendron species that bloom in abundance during April and May. The trail winds through bamboo-covered terrain, a dominant feature of this lush forest.
After several hours of trekking, the journey reaches the Drangela Pass (3600m). Ascending the Kitiphu ridge elevates you to approximately 3870m, marking the night campsite. This vantage point offers a panoramic perspective of snow-capped mountains and valleys below. It’s a prime opportunity to gaze upon Mount Gangkarpunsum (7541m), the world’s highest unclimbed peak.
On the third day, the descent leads you towards the monasteries of Zambhalha, Chuedak, and Tharpaling. At Chuedak monastery, you’ll find 100 Avoloketeshvaras in the form of Chukchizhey (eleven heads), providing an opportunity for prayers for oneself and all living beings. You may also encounter numerous holy water sources in this area, offering a chance to quench your thirst, cleanse your sins, and purify your body and soul.
In the afternoon, the trek continues along the ridge of Kikila, following the traditional trek route between Trongsa and Bumthang, known as the Royal Heritage Trail. This scenic trail winds through hills and forests, providing the best view of Jakar Dzong, ultimately concluding the trek in Bumthang.
