Best Season March, April, May and September, October, November
Highlights
Trek through the beautiful Bhutanese countryside
Explore the incredible 'Tiger's Nest' Monastery
Famous cultural highlights; Wangduephodrang Dzong and Thimpu's Memorial Chorten
Dynasty views of Jichu Drake peak (6,989m)
You will explore the city's several UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Druk Path Trek is one of the most popular treks in Bhutan. It is a short and scenic trek with some great views and beautiful lakes en route. Although it leads up to altitudes above 4,000m it is not too strenuous as walking distances between the camps are not too long. Besides the lakes, it is the Phadjoding monastery that is one of the highlights of this trek.
Itinerary
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The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by the guide and transfer to the hotel. After lunch, visit the Ta Dzong, once a fortified lookout tower that is now the National Museum. Then walk down the trail to visit the Rinpung Dzong meaning “fortress of the heap of jewels". Next visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. From there you will be taken to the Drugyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. On a clear day you can see Mount Jumolhari, Bhutan's second-highest mountain at 7,314meters. Overnight hotel in Paro.
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery situated at 3180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up on the mountain. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. After having explored the monastery, you will hike down to Paro. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast in your hotel, you will drive to the roadhead at the National Museum from where you will start the trek. The trek trail is rather gradual up till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with snow-capped mountains behind including Jumolhari in the distance. Above the camp is Jele La Dzong (3,400m) and Jele Dzong is mostly in ruins and there is a Lhakhang with the statute of Buddha Sakyamuni. Overnight camp. Altitude 3480m.
Before your trek, you can explore the Jele Dzong which sits at 3570m. Today’s trek begins with an hour and half climb and then ascend gradually up. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and rhododendrons crossing the Jele La (3490m). You may see yak herders around your campsite. There are fascinating views of Jumolhari and other snow capped mountains and you can also hear some Monal peasants during the day. Overnight camp. Altitude 3770m.
The trail climbs steeply to the Jangchulakha (4180m). On a clear day the views of the mountains and valleys are sensational. Descending from the pass you arrive at your camp beside the Jimilangtsho lakes. These lakes are famous for their giant sized trouts. Also there are great views of 6,989m Jichu Drake, the peak representing the protective deity of Paro and Gangkar Puensum (7497m), Bhutan’s highest mountain. Overnight camp. Altitude 3870m.
The trails climbs up from lower end of the lake and makes a traverse along the side of the ridge, then descends to a single stone shelter. Again ascend to a summit at 4050m overlooking Janetsho Lake. Today you may come across some yak herder’s camp and get an idea how these people live. Camp is close to Simkota Lake. Overnight camp. Altitude 4110m.
Today you begin with gradual climb and if the weather permits, you will enjoy majestic view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, and also the other peaks. The trail slowly descends through junipers trees to a community hall near Phajoding. From Phajoding the trek to Thimphu is downhill all the way, passing through a forested area of mostly blue pine. On arrival, check into hotel in Thimphu. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school). You will also visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the traditional paper factory and the majestic Tashichhodzong. After lunch, enjoy the scenic drive to Punakha with a stop for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. From the pass, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will arrive at Punakha after traversing through rice field and along the bank of Punakha River. Overnight hotel in Punakha.
After breakfast, you will visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Then drive to Paro. On the way, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to Divine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. If you wish, receive the blessing from the Lama’s wooden phallus! Continue drive to Paro via Dochu La Pass. Here, you will visit the new Druk Wangyal Monastery, which is the only of its kind in the country with elaborate paintings depicting the lineage of the present monarchy and their visionary works. Stop in Thimphu for lunch. Later in the evening, you can drive to Paro. Overnight hotel in Paro
End of the departure from Airport.
This itinerary is not suited for you? Plan your own trip.
Adventure Himalayas set up and excellent tour for me in Central Bhutan, taking in Paro, Timpu and Punacka as the main bases. Had to bail out of the Druk Trek early on due to Altitude Sickness (it of course happens to us all at sometime!). My guide and driver along with the tour operator in Bhutan were able to however to provide me with a fantastic alternative package of lower level hikes in the forests lower down. The Guide and Driver I was supplied were first class. They both knew the area really well and explained well the inner workings of Budism. (Very confusing!). The Monstaries, Forts and Temples visited were amazing, particularly the art work. Nowhere was crowded with tourists and there were very few Westerners about (Most Tourists were from India) . The Hotels allocated to me were first class in terms of service and all in the centre of towns, which gave greater opportunity to experiance the local scene. All were also small and therefore easy to escape from. A fanatastic break. Well worth the heavy Tourist Tax (Once there Bhutan is very cheap for day to day expenses). The experiance delivered by the Tour Operator on the ground was first class. Scenery was amazing, particularly if you are into Mountains, Flora (the Rhododendrons were amazing) and Forna
