Druk Path Trek

Druk Path Trek Overview

Druk Path Trek Program with cultural Sightseeing

Short Itinerary

Day 1 :

Arrive Paro: 4 hours

Day 2 :

Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery: 2-4 hours

Day 3 :

National Museum - Jele Dzong Altitude: 3,350m, Duration: 5-6 hours

Day 4 :

Jele Dzong - Jangchulakha Altitude: 3550m, Duration: 6 hours

Day 5 :

Jangchulakha - Jimilangtsho Altitude: 3650m, Duration: 6 hours.

Day 6 :

Jimilangtsho – Simkotra Tsho. Duration: 5-6 hours

Day 7 :

Simkotra Tsho- Phajoding Duration: 5-6 hours

Day 8 :

Phajoding – Thimphu: 3-4 hours

Day 9 :

Thimphu –Punakha & sightseeing Duration: 3 hours of drive, about 3-4 hours walk

Day 10 :

Punakha- Paro : 4 hours

Day 11 :

Departure Day:

Druk Path Trek Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive Paro: 4 hours

Hotel Breakfast

Arrival at Paro on national carrier; Druk Air. It is going to be the most exciting mountain flight and the perfect introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. There are magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks during clear weather. On arrival, you will be welcomed by the representative at the airport, assist you with your luggage, and drive to the hotel for lunch. After lunch, we will drive to visit the National Museum, which served as a watch tower to the Paro Rimpong Dzong until 1968 when it was converted into a museum. The museum collection includes displays of spectacular thankas (religious scroll paintings), ancient artifacts dating from 7h century onwards, beautiful Bhutanese stamps, temples with a tree of wisdom depicting the history of Buddhism, and a good collection of ancient armors such as canons, guns, shield, bows, and arrows, spears, etc. Visit the Rimpong dzong (fortress), the administrative & religious center of the Paro district. This dzong was built in 1646 by the order of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the one who unified Bhutan in the 17th century. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 : Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery: 2-4 hours

Hotel Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive 10km north and hike to Taktsang monastery (tiger’s Den) hanging on a cliff 800m above the valley. It takes about 2 hours to climb up to the closest viewpoint, and 1 hour to climb down to the valley. We will stop at the tourism café situated halfway for refreshments. The excursion at Taktsang is the highlight of this trip. Many tour operators abroad recommend this excursion to acclimatize yourself before you start your trek. In the 8th century, Guru Rimpoche flew here on the back of a tigress on his eight forms (Guru Dorje Drolo) meditated for 3 months in a cave, and converted Paro Valley into Buddhism. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 : National Museum - Jele Dzong Altitude: 3,350m, Duration: 5-6 hours

Tent Breakfast

After having breakfast, we will then drive to the point from where we will start our trek. For the first couple of hours, walk through the farm road that passes by the villages and apple orchards. The trail ascends gradually through the forest of Chir pine, spruce; silver fir, etc. to the camp below Jele dzong (fort). If the weather allows us, then Paro Valley can be seen with views of snow-capped mountains behind. Overnight in a tent.

Day 4 : Jele Dzong - Jangchulakha Altitude: 3550m, Duration: 6 hours

Tent Breakfast

After having a delicious breakfast at our tent. We will begin our trek by climbing past the Jele Dzong. If the caretaker is present, you will be able to go inside the temple. Then you will be following the ridge and enter the thick forest of junipers. The trail then takes you through thick temperate forests full of rhododendron trees. You may see yak herders around your campsite. Overnight in a tent.

Day 5 : Jangchulakha - Jimilangtsho Altitude: 3650m, Duration: 6 hours.

Tent Breakfast

The trail follows the ridge making many ups and downs and is said to be long and a bit challenging. On a clear day, you will be able to witness beautiful views of the mountains and the valleys.

Day 6 : Jimilangtsho – Simkotra Tsho. Duration: 5-6 hours

Camp Breakfast

Following breakfast, we will start our day with another gradual climb past several false summits and arrive at Lake Jynetsho. We will stop around here for lunch and then start uphill for another 2 hours until you arrive at the camp area above Lake Simkotra. Overnight in a Camp.

Day 7 : Simkotra Tsho- Phajoding Duration: 5-6 hours

Camp Breakfast

This will be your other long climb past several false summits, then a long rocky traverse to a group of cairns at top of Labana pass - 4210m. The trail descends gently and traverses above a broad valley to another crest. Along this stretch of trail, there are great views of Dochula, Mt. Jomolhari, and other mountains. Pass a rough stone wall, and soon come to some prayer flags on a hill above the trail that marks a seldom-used sky burial site. Another long traverse leads to a crest and the trail drops and crosses a final ridge called Phumela Pass - 4080m. If the weather is clear; there are stunning views of the highest mountain in Bhutan (Mt. Gangkhar Puensum) and other Himalayan peaks. Above Phajoding, the trail is marked by a small stone stupa. Below sprawls the entire Thimphu valley. Overnight in camp near Phajoding monastery.

Day 8 : Phajoding – Thimphu: 3-4 hours

Hotel Breakfast

Following breakfast, descend downhill on a maze of eroded trails through Juniper and rhododendron bushes, past Phajoding monastery, and continue downhill through an area forested with blue pine. Taking it leisurely, you reach Motithang (above Thimphu) in about 2 hours. You will be greeted by our representative and driver with some refreshments at the end point of your trek and drive to the hotel for a hot shower, hot showers lunch. After lunch, you visit Memorial Stupa, Changangkha Lhakhang, the national handicraft emporium, the mini zoo to see Takin and a few other wild animals, and Buddha Point before you leave for Paro. Overnight in a Hotel.

Day 9 : Thimphu –Punakha & sightseeing Duration: 3 hours of drive, about 3-4 hours walk

Hotel Breakfast

We will have our delicious breakfast early in the morning and start our journey for the day. It will be 3 hours of drive to Punakha, the winter residence of the chief abbot. We need to climb uphill for about an hour till we reach a pass at Dochula - 3150m. If the weather is in our favor, then this pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. You can stop at several places and even walk to a nearby forest to watch various species of birds. Lunch will probably be at Dochula cafeteria depending on the weather and the bit of hike that you decide to make on and around the pass. After having your nice lunch, continue driving on a windy road with many loops that make the driver cautious and slow. The road descends all the way to Punakha and Wangdue through a temperate forest of rhododendrons and magnolia bloom in spring then a semi-tropical zone where orange trees, banana trees, and cactuses are found in abundance. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. After having lunch, we will go sightseeing at Punakha Valley - 1300m. There we will visit the Punakha Dzong some 7-8 km away from the hotel. Punakha Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan situated at the confluence of Phochhu and Mochhu (male & female rivers). It looks similar to a giant ship with excellent woodwork and details of paintings. It was here that the first King was crowned in 1907. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and then it was changed to Thimphu. This dzong was built by Shabdrung Nga Ngawang Namgyel in 1637. This dzong still serves as the winter residence of the chief lama of Bhutan and houses both the administrative & religious center of Punakha district. Drive further north of the valley and for about 45 minutes cross over a suspension bridge to the new Khamsum ley Namgyel Chorten, a new temple, the paradise of Guru Rimpoche through the rice field and village of Niengergang. The view from the temple to the valley below is photogenic. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 : Punakha- Paro : 4 hours

Hotel Breakfast

Following breakfast, drive to Paro for your last night's stay in Bhutan crossing over the most famous Dochula pass. If you didn’t get a chance to see the view earlier, then now you will have a second opportunity to enjoy the panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas. Afternoon at leisure. You need time to pack up your luggage, rest, etc. Farewell dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 : Departure Day:

Breakfast

Following the early breakfast, we will drive to the airport for your onward destination. Your guide will assist you with your baggage, bid you farewell, and wish you a safe journey back home.