COUNTRIES VISITED: Bhutan
TRIP CODE: KPU
DURATION: 14 Days
TRIP TYPE: Trekking
TRIP LEADER: Local Leader
TRIP GRADE: Moderate
GROUP SIZE: 2 - 10 people
TRIP STYLE: Camping
NEXT DEPARTURE: 12 Oct 2025
REVIEWS: 5 Stars Based On 1 Reviews
TREES PLANTED: 14 Trees Planted for each Booking
This trip combines seeing the culture of Bhutan with a short trek to Kitiphu Ridge also known as The Owl trek. There are incredible views of the Himalaya including Mount Gangkar Punsum. At an altitude of 7,570m this is the highest unclimbed peak in the world.
With this itinerary we visit the main cultural highlights of the Kingdom of Bhutan. We explore Paro Valley with a walk to Taktsang or ‘Tiger's Nest’ monastery. We also visit Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang. In Phobjika we have the chance to see Black-necked cranes. The birds spend the winter from mid-October to end of February. We visit their roosting areas located in wetlands at Phobjika and Gyetsa.
The Himalayan trek has three days of scenic walking. From Gyetsa we follow a quiet forest trail up to Tharpaling monastery. We ascend onto Kitiphu Ridge where we see the Himalayan view along the Bhutan and Tibet border. We view Mount Gangkar Punsum at an altitude of 7,570m. This is the highest unclimbed peak in the world.
During the sightseeing part of the trip we stay at hotels. For three nights we sleep in tents and our cooks provide the meals. The other short camping style trek we organise in Bhutan is the five day Druk Path.
We will meet you on arrival at Paro airport and drive you to the hotel. When the whole group has arrived we will give a full briefing to get you ready for the Kitiphu Ridge trek. Later on we will organise a trip into Paro to change money at the bank and to look around the town. Afterwards we arrange sightseeing tour to visit Paro Dzong and the National museum. Paro is Bhutan’s second largest town. The valley also contains significant religious and historic sites in the country. It also has as well as Bhutan’s only international airport.
After breakfast we organise a walk up to the Taktsang monastery known as the “Tiger’s Nest”. The hike up to the monastery through pine forest takes about 2 to 3 hours and the trail ascends 520m. This is a good opportunity to stretch your legs after your travels to Bhutan. After our visit to Taktsang we drive to the Chele La pass at an altitude of 3,780m. From here on a clear day there is a view of Mount Chomolhari to the north. We descend from the pass into Haa Valley at an altitude of 2,712m where we stay for two nights. Being at this high elevation before the trek is essential for acclimatisation. Haa Valley remains one of the least visited areas in the country.
Today we drive to Punakha which is the old winter capital of Bhutan. On the way we drive over the Dochu La pass at an altitude of 3,050m. This is one of the finest viewpoints of Eastern Himalaya. On a clear day you can see a panorama of the Bhutan Himalaya. We can see Mount Masangang, Tsendagang, Terigang and Gangkar Punsum plus many others. On arrival at Dochu La we get out of the car to admire the view. We will walk around the 108 chortens marking the top. From the pass we drive down through beautiful forest into the Punakha Valley at an altitude of 1,350m.
Before reaching Punakha we visit Chimi Lhakang. This is also known as the fertility temple of Bhutan or the Divine Madman’s monastery. Lama Drukpa Kunley was an unorthodox Buddhist saint. It takes about 20 minutes to walk across rice fields to reach the temple. Afterwards we drive to our hotel and check in for the night.
After breakfast we visit Punakha Dzong. This is an impressive building and at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (father) and Mo Chhu (mother) rivers. This dzong is the second largest in Bhutan. Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, built the dzong in 1638 so it is also the second oldest.
Today we drive to the beautiful Phobjikha valley. This place is home to the endangered black-necked cranes that migrate every winter. The cranes over winter from mid-October to the end of February. Phobjikha is on the North Western edge of Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park. It has ecological significance and rich natural heritage. Phobjikha valley has the largest wetland in Bhutan. It is a habitat to 300 black-necked cranes that migrate from their breeding grounds in Tibet.
On reaching Phobjikha we visit the Gangtey monastery. This is the only gompa of Nyingmapa religious school in western Bhutan. From here we walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail. We pass Semchubara village through forests of blue pine trees covered with lichen. We see views of the wetlands where you will see black-necked cranes. At the end of the nature trail in Kingathang village we visit a temple built by the Queen Mother. After we drive up to the black-necked cranes visitor centre. This place overlooks the roosting area of the cranes and you can use their telescopes for a closer look at the birds.
We drive to Trongsa on a road with lots of bends. We pass beautiful waterfalls and thick forest cover along the way. We have good view of the south Trongsa Valley and stunning views of the Trongsa Dzong. We visit the Trongsa Dzong and the museum. After lunch we continue the drive and meet our trek crew at Gyetsa village where we camp for the night. There are wetlands outside the village used as a roosting area by black-necked cranes.
After leaving the village we walk through fields and cross a bridge over a small stream. We ascend a small path up through blue pine forest. There are good views back down to the field and wetlands around Gyetsa village. After 45 minutes we reach several traditional Bhutanese farmhouses and a private monastery. We continue following the ridge up through more forest. Along the way we pass prayer flags, mani wall and an old gateway with a beautiful mandala painted on the roof. This marks the old trail from Trongsa to Bumthang.
We see Tharpaling monastery above us near the top of the ridge. After about three hours walking we arrived at our camp in the grounds of the monastery. We pitch the tents next to eight stupas and after arrival you will enjoy a cup of tea. Tharpaling is a cluster of isolated monasteries at an altitude of 3,700m. This is an important monastery complex founded in 1352 by Longchen Rabjampa. This was during his enforced period of exile from Tibet. There are usually more than 100 monks at Tharpaling. During the winter they head south to a warmer place so in December we only saw a few caretaker monks. Near the main hall are eight stupas built in 2011. These commemorate the major deeds in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. In the afternoon you can visit one of the temples and attend a puja (religious ceremony).
In the morning we are likely to see monks and nuns walking their koras around the chortens. On their hands they spin prayer wheels. After breakfast we walk up through the monastery complex and follow the trail up to a pass on Kitiphu Ridge. From here you should see your first views of the Himalayan peaks to the East.
We ascend the grassy ridge to the first viewpoint bedecked by prayer flags. We see Mount Chomolhari to the West. We hike through blue pine and rhododendron. After there are more grassy slopes to the second viewpoint. From here we look down into the Bumthang valley far below and see Jakar Dzong located on a hilltop.
At the end of the ridge is Mount Kitiphu at an altitude of 4,050m. on a clear day we see Mount Gangkar Punsum. At an altitude of 7,570m it is the highest unclimbed peak in the world. There are many prayer flags, a large Buddhist prayer umbrella and a shrine for pujas. We have time to take photos and enjoy the view.
We start the walk down Kitiphu Ridge and after passing a yak herder's hut we reach Drange La (3,600m). At this pass we descend through a beautiful forest of spruce, fir, rhododendron and bamboo. It takes about 45 minutes to reach our camp in a grassy clearing called Shonath. In the forest around this camp there are owls, hence giving the trek its alternative name “The Owl trek”.
Today we take an excursion to Tang valley where we visit Membar Tsho known as the burning lake. This is one of Bhutan’s most important pilgrimage sites. After we drive to Drangchel. This is Pema Lingpa’s birthplace where walk up to visit Ugyenchholing Palace. The Palace is a museum giving an insight into life in an aristocratic family in the last century. Return to Bumthang for the night.
Today we continue the drive over Dochu La. We have another chance to see the view of the Himalayan mountains. On arrival to Thimphu we will check into the hotel and then in the afternoon we can explore the town.
Today we have a full day of sightseeing in Thimphu. There are many options of places to visit with your guide. We visit the Tashichho Dzong and the large Shakyamuni Buddha statue overlooking town. It is also worth taking time to explore the town centre. We can see the Clock Tower square and Changlimithang Stadium. There are lots of shops, restaurants and cafes.
Transfer to Paro airport for flight home. End of trip.
| Dates | Trip Leader | Price | Single Supplement: Room/Tent | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Oct 2025 to 25 Oct 2025 | Local Leader | US$4,950pp | Room: US$595pp Tent: US$95pp | 2 Left to Guarantee |
| 26 Oct 2025 to 08 Nov 2025 | Local Leader | US$4,950pp | Room: US$595pp Tent: US$95pp | 2 Left to Guarantee |
| 09 Nov 2025 to 22 Nov 2025 | Local Leader | US$4,950pp | Room: US$595pp Tent: US$95pp | 2 Left to Guarantee |
| Dates | Trip Leader | Price | Single Supplement: Room/Tent | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Apr 2026 to 25 Apr 2026 | Local Leader | US$4,950pp | Room: US$595pp Tent: US$95pp | 2 Left to Guarantee |
| 11 Oct 2026 to 24 Oct 2026 | Local Leader | US$4,950pp | Room: US$595pp Tent: US$95pp | 2 Left to Guarantee |
| 25 Oct 2026 to 07 Nov 2026 | Local Leader | US$4,950pp | Room: US$595pp Tent: US$95pp | 2 Left to Guarantee |
| 08 Nov 2026 to 21 Nov 2026 | Local Leader | US$4,950pp | Room: US$595pp Tent: US$95pp | 2 Left to Guarantee |
| Dates | Trip Leader | Price | Single Supplement: Room/Tent | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Apr 2027 to 24 Apr 2027 | Local Leader | US$4,995pp | Room: US$625pp Tent: US$125pp | 2 Left to Guarantee |
Hotel Olathang is set amidst 28 acres of blue pine forest on a hill overlooking Paro valley. This hotel is in traditional Bhutanese style.
There are 28 rooms with attached bathrooms and the cottages have an outdoor deck with chairs. There is a restaurant and bar in the main building. Other facilities include a spa and a traditional hot stone bath.
This was the first hotel built for tourists in Bhutan. Established in 1974 for the guests invited to the coronation of the Fourth King of Bhutan.
Swiss Guesthouse is above Jakar with good views over the valley. This property is an old Bhutanese farmhouse surrounded by apple orchards. The older sister of the first King of Bhutan used to live here.
A Swiss-Bhutanese family set up the guesthouse. They also make cheese and this property is well known for its Swiss dishes such as Fondue and Raclette. There is a restaurant and a bar. They serve Red Panda beer, this is a traditional wheat beer brewed in Bumthang. The rooms are simple with attached bathrooms. They also have a wood-burning stove (bukhari) for heating.
Dewachen Hotel is located above Gangtey valley and a short walk from the area with black necked cranes. This property is designed in traditional Bhutanese style and is set in three acres of garden and apple orchard with views over the valley.
There are 16 rooms with attached bathroom and individual balconies. Each of the rooms has a wood-burning stove (bukhari) for heating. There is a restaurant and a bar.
Hotel Meri Puensum is above Punakha with good views down to the river and valley below. This property is family owned and was one of the first hotels built in Punakha.
The rooms have attached bathrooms and are simple yet functional. Some of the rooms have balconies overlooking the valley. There is a restaurant serving Bhutanese, Indian and Chinese dishes. Most meals are a buffet style. The blocks of the hotel are set in an attractive garden.
Gyelsa Boutique Inn is a family-run hotel located in the centre of Thimphu city. It is within walking distance of the restaurants, cafes and shops of the largest city in Bhutan.
The hotel has 6 suites and 12 twin rooms. The furniture is made in Bhutan from Himalayan wood. Facilities include a restaurant, bar and café. Every room has wifi.
We use A frame tents in Bhutan. These sturdy tents work well with the conditions experienced in Bhutan. They are waterproof plus have ample headroom inside.
We provide a comfortable experience on our camping style treks in Bhutan. Our team works hard to support you so that you can relax and enjoy the trek. We provide personal tents, mess tent, kitchen tent and toilet tent(s). The camp will be set up and dismantled by the trek crew. We bring along a cook and kitchen helpers to provide the meals.
The day starts with an early morning mug of tea brought to your tent by one of the trek crew. Before heading for breakfast you pack your overnight gear into your duffel bag. During breakfast the trek crew pack away the tents. The pony men load up the pack animals and set off on the trail. After breakfast, between 7am and 8am, we start walking.
The pace of the trek is moderate as there is plenty of time in the itinerary to reach the camp for tonight. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photos and explore the local villages. Lunch will be around midday at a spot by the side of the trail. After lunch we continue the walk and on most days we arrive to camp by mid afternoon. Some of the trek crew would have gone ahead of the group to set up camp and to put up the tents. On arrival to camp you will get a hot drink and biscuits. In the evening our cook will provide a three course meal in the mess tent around 6pm.
After supper the leaders will discuss the plan for the next day. Afterwards people might stay in the mess tent chatting about the day’s events or playing cards. After a tiring day most people head to their tent quite early for the night. Tomorrow is likely to be very similar as today! The only difference is that if we are crossing a high pass or climbing to a summit we leave camp earlier in the morning.
While on a camping style trek in Bhutan we provide tasty and nutritional food. We make sure there is more than enough quantity to go around as trekkers will be hungry after a long day on the trail. Over the years we have worked on increasing the variety of the menus. We have expanded the list of ingredients provided to the cooks so they have more to work with. Also in 2015 we purchased two food dehydrators with a vacuum sealing machine. We dehydrate a large number of different vegetables in Paro before departure. This has transformed the quality of food especially on the longer treks to remote areas.
For breakfast we provide porridge or cereal, toast or chapatis and eggs. There will be hot drinks including tea, herbal teas, hot chocolate and coffee. We provide fresh coffee from our Bialetti Moka coffee machine.
For lunch we stop at a convenient spot with water at the side of the trail. In Bhutan the cooks prepare lunch after breakfast before leaving camp in the morning. One of the ponies carries the insulated "tiffin" containers to the lunch place. After lunch we have time to relax before starting to walk again in the afternoon.
On arrival at camp in the afternoon you have biscuits and a hot drink such as tea or coffee. Around 6pm we serve a three course meal in the mess tent. The starter is often soup with popcorn or poppadums. We have a range of main dishes and carbohydrates including rice, potatoes or pasta.
We cater for a variety of dietary requirements. Our meals are suitable for vegetarians. If there is a meat dish then we also provide vegetarian options as standard. During booking we find out if you have any dietary needs and agree upon meal plans before departure. If you have any questions about the food provided please get in touch with us to discuss further.
We bring a Thuraya satellite phone for logistical, safety and personal use. Personal calls charged at £4 (US$5 or €4.50) per minute and £2 (US$3 €4.50) to send and receive SMS text.
For the safety of everyone in the group and to help ensure a successful trek, you are required to have the following items in our clothing and equipment list tailored for the Kitiphu trek.
As a reminder, the weather on this trek will vary from season to season and day to day as you ascend to higher elevations and you will experience the coldest temperatures in December would have overnight lows around -5˚C.
Each trekker should bring one backpack for gear required during the day. Your day backpack will contain items such as warm clothes, a jacket, a camera, water bottles, a personal first aid kit and snacks. The maximum weight allowance for your day pack is 5kg. The rest of your personal equipment packed in a duffel or kit bag will be carried by a pony. The maximum weight allowance for your duffel bag is 15kg. Please ensure that your bag is marked clearly on the outside for easy identification.
We suggest you print the kit list and tick items off as you pack them then weigh your kit bag before you come on trek.
Footwear:
Clothing:
Handwear:
Headwear:
Personal Equipment:
Travelling:
Personal first aid kit:
Note: we provide a comprehensive group first aid kit but please bring personal medications and other items you might use regularly such as:
You should be aware trekking in a developing country involves a risk of personal injury or death. You must accept these risks and be responsible for your own actions and involvement. Adventure travel requires an open and flexible attitude. You may experience extreme conditions and unpredictable weather. There could be last minute changes to the itinerary beyond our control. The ability to work in a team is an important aspect of our trips.
We have performed a threat and risk assessment for our Kitiphu Ridge trek. Our trips have a degree of risk. This is part of the attraction of adventure travel and why so many people choose to join this type of holiday. By identifying the hazards we assess the level of risk. We have control measures in places to reduce this happening or to reduce the impact.
Our risk assessment is available to clients on request. We have listed below a summary of the significant risks and hazards identified by us:
This trip visits a remote area. You are away from the usual emergency services and medical facilities. Evacuation for a serious injury requiring hospitalisation could take up to several days. This delay could impede your ensuing recovery. Helicopters are the usual means of evacuation. They are not always available or hindered by poor weather and flying conditions.
Kitiphu Ridge trek has a wide range of temperatures. This depends on the season, altitude and time of day. In the mountains between 2,000m and 3,500m the nights will be cool around 5 Celsius. During the day temperatures sometimes rise to 20 Celsius. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 15 Celsius to -5 Celsius.
The trekking season in Bhutan is late September to May. October and November is generally recognised as having the best weather. Spring is a popular time of year with warmer weather than in Autumn. Also there is the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom.
