Bhutan Owl Trek With Nature & Cultural Tour

Today,  before we drive to Phobjikha valley, you will hike to the picturesque Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten and visit the historic Punakha Dzong.

Hike to Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Choeten

Drive about 20 minutes from the main town of Punakha to the road head from where you cross a suspension bridge over the Punakha Mochu River (female river) and the trail takes you through paddy fields. The round-trip hike takes less than 3 hours. The view below is stunning with the glacial-fed Mochu river snaking through the fertile valley of Punakha. Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten is located on a ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley. This wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples, monasteries, and temples. We retrace our steps back to the road head and drive back to Punakha town to visit the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan.

Punakha Dzong – The Fortress of Great Bliss

Originally known as Pungthang Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang Dzong which means ‘Fortress of Great Bliss’, was built in 1637 AD by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to guard the region against Tibetan forces. It is the second oldest, second largest, and certainly the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan. The sacred wall paintings and main artifacts inside the dzong, the intricate woodwork, and the architectural structure of the dzong display fine examples of Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continues to influence Bhutanese architecture even today. If interested, walk to Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge that runs over Phochu (male) river. After lunch transfer to Phobjikha valley.
Distance 80 km | Time 3 hours | Phobjikha Altitude 3,000m/9,842ft
The drive to Phobjikha will be about 3 hours under normal road conditions and takes you through the lateral national highway connecting the western, central, and eastern region gradually ascending up the pristine mountains of Bhutan and eventually enter the most beautiful valley in Bhutan.
Phobjikha is a vast U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 3,000 meters (9,840 ft) and it is a winter home for endangered Black Necked Crane from November to March and migrates back to Tibet by the beginning of the spring season. Every year on the 11th of November, Black Necked Crane Festival is held to celebrate the arrival of this endangered and majestic bird which becomes an inseparable part in the lives of the local people during the winter months.
On arrival at Phobjikha valley, check into the hotel. You can take a leisure walk visiting Black Necked Crane Information Center, which has a lot of information on the migratory bird and about the valley and its role in the conservation of Black Necked Crane.
For nature enthusiasts and those who enjoy a long walk through the woods surrounded by splendid nature all around, taking up Gangtey Nature Trail is highly recommended. The trail is about 5km and takes approximately 2.5 hours. The nature trail begins from the Gangtey monastery and takes you through wonderful meadows, forests, beautiful traditional village houses, farmlands, and crystalline streams. This short nature trail gives you a great feeling of the valley and an understanding of the community living there. If you arrive at Phobjikha a little late, you can do the hike tomorrow morning.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Overnight at Yueloki Guest House or Dewachen Hotel & Spa.

Day 4: Phobjikha / Trongsa / Bumthang Valley (2700m)

After breakfast, visit Gangtey Monastery which is one of the largest monasteries in Bhutan, and then transfer to Bumthang valley in central Bhutan via Trongsa where you will stop for lunch.

Gangtey Monastery

One very famous landmark in Phobjikha valley is the 17th-century Gangtey Monastery popularly know as Gangtey Goenpa (goenpa literally means “remote place” and is usually a place of religious significance). The monastery was founded in 1613 by Pema Thinley, the grandson of Pema Lingpa, the great treasure discoverer from the valley of Bumthang in central Bhutan. The name Gangtey is derived from the fact that the goenpa is built on a peak (Tey) of a hillock (Gang). The monastery has a monastic college where hundreds of monks study Buddhist philosophy for 9 years.
Distance 150 km | Time 4.5 hours | Bumthang Altitude 2,800m/9,185ft.
After visiting the Gangtey Monastery, drive to Bumthang. En route, stop at Pele La Pass (3,390m/11,120ft) to enjoy the views of stunning snow-clad Himalayan peaks (weather permitting) and take some moment appreciating the pristine environment. You will pass through Chendebji Chorten, an 18th-century stupa built following the same structural pattern as Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa to subdue the malevolent spirit that was said to inhabit the area in the form of a giant snake. From there continue driving for about 2 hours and stop at Trongsa for lunch.
After lunch, visit the largest fortress in Bhutan, 17th-century Trongsa Dzong (Optional as it will be the same as any other fortress). From there walk up to the promontory on which the Royal Heritage Museum housed in the 17th-century watchtower is located. The Royal Heritage Museum provides an insight into the significance of Trongsa in Bhutan’s history and showcases the religious and artistic traditions of Bhutan.
Continue driving to Bumthang. En route, stop briefly at the highest motorable pass between Trongsa and Bumthang, Yotong La at 3,425m/11,235ft to enjoy the pristine environment and fresh air at this altitude. Then gradually descend down to the village of Chumey. At Chumey stop by the roadside Yathra Weaving Center (Yathra is the hand of the colorful textile woven out of sheep and yak hair) at Chumey village and get insights on traditional attires and weaving culture of the people of Bumthang. Continue driving towards Chamkhar, the main town of Bumthang. The valley of Bumthang is considered the religious heartland of Bhutan and home to some of the oldest temples and monasteries in the country.
On arrival in Bumthang, check into the hotel and later visit the Swiss Cheese and Wine factory which was established by Mr. Fritz Maurer, a Swiss volunteer who came to Bhutan in the early 1960s and made Bumthang his home. After that visit the sacred Tamzhing temple built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa who is considered the patron saint of Bhutan. Among the many treasures and religious artifacts handcrafted by the Pema Lingpa himself, there is an armory that stood the test of time for five centuries bearing no rust or any sign of deterioration. It is believed that you will be cleansed of all your past sins and defilement if you circumambulate the inner sanctum of the temple 3 rounds carrying that sacred armory. This is one activity enjoyed by all visitors with fun and a sense of veneration.
Leisure time in Chamkhar, the main town of Bumthang district.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Overnight at Kaila Guest House or Mountain Lodge.

Day 5: Bumthang / Transfer to Dhur Village (2850m)

After breakfast, you will visit one or two important landmarks in Bumthang valley. Later after lunch, transfer to Dhur Village from where the trek will begin tomorrow.

Kurjey Lhakhang

Visit Kurjey Lhakhang which is built on the sacred site blessed by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. Guru Padmasambhava brought Buddhism to Bhutan and is revered as the second Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism. If you wish, visit one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, the 7th century Jambay Lhakhang believed to have been built overnight by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

Jampa Lhakhang

One of the oldest Lhakhangs in the Kingdom, Jampa Lhakhang was founded by the King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in the 7th century AD. The King was destined to build 108 Lhakhang to subdue the spirit of the demoness that was residing in the Himalayas. Jampa Lhakhang is one of the two which were built in Bhutan. The other one is Kichu Lhakhang in Paro, both believed to have been built on the same day.
After lunch at the hotel, drive to Dhur village for overnight camping. You may explore the Dhur village which lies at an altitude of about 2900m and interact with the local people who are known as Brokpa. The people of Dhur village speak two languages, the Bumthang Kha which is the main language spoken in the Bumthang region and the Brokke spoke only by the inhabitants of Dhur village.
Distance 13 km| Time 1 hour | Camp Altitude 2,850m/11,319ft.
🏚️ Accommodation: Full-service outdoor camping at Dhur village.

Day 6: Dhur Village / Drangela Pass (3870m)