The Druk Path Trek
The Druk Path Trek is simple and excellent short trek that goes past across several lakes. The six-day trek is the most popular trek in the country as it passes through a gorgeous natural landscape of blue pine forests, high ridges and pristine lakes while at the same time offering the opportunity to visit some ancient Lhakhangs, Dzongs and villages. It is ideal for those who want to experience Bhutan’s rich culture and its stunning Himalayan beauty without taking the more difficult and arduous trek.
The trail takes you through forests of fir, blue pine and dwarf rhododendrons at altitudes ranging between 2400-4200 m. On the third day hikers will arrive at Jimiling Lake, whose crystal clear waters are home to gigantic trout. En route, we come across clear mountain lakes, number of yak herder’s camps and have splendid views of Himalaya along the Bhutan – Tibet border including Mount Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Gangkar Puensum. The best times to embark on the Druk Path Trek are between March-June or September-November. Along with the trek you would be embarking on Cultural Tour where you would visit some of the key sight seeing places in Thimphu, Paro and Punakha.
Brief Description of Cities covered in this tour
Thimphu: Capital and the largest city of Bhutan - Only capital city in the world that does not have traffic lights - Main center of Commerce, Religion and Government in the country - Most modern city of Bhutan and has abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping center. It is one of the few cities of Bhutan having ATM facilities.
Paro: Small town in the western part of Bhutan - Also home to Paro Airport, Bhutan’s only International Airport - The valley has many isolated small villages and is known for red rice - Also home to most of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries.
Punakha and Wangdue: Punakha and Wangdue is located in the same valley. These two places are located within a distance of 13 km. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955 - The valley is fed by the Pho Chhu and the Mo Chhu rivers - It is one of very few places in Bhutan which offers Rafting facilities - It is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the monk body at present.
- Trek one of Bhutan’s oldest trails with superb scenery and mountain views
- Traverse beautiful landscapes from lush valleys to dense forests and snow capped mountains.
- Capture a glimpse of the local nomadic lifestyle.
- Visit old Monasteries and majestic fortresses
- Explore a capital city with no traffic lights.
- Feast on Ema Datsi and Red Rice, two of the most popular dishes of Bhutan
- First-hand experience of untouched Nature and unique Culture
- Experience the Sacred Spirituality and see the prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
- Village houses and rural life
- Shop for Silks, Souvenirs and More
- Marvel at structures adorned with Phallus paintings.
- Hike through pine forests to visit “Tiger’s Nest”
- The must visit Dochula Pass and the Druk Wangyal Chhortens
Day 1. Arrival at Paro:
Altitude of Paro 2,280 m
Your flight to Paro on a clear day, is marked with the panoramic views of the Himalayas including the Everest and other famous Peaks. The approach through the foothills and the landing (including few steep turns) at the tiny airstrip of Paro has been termed as adventurous by many travelers. After the completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be received by your Bhutanese guide with traditional “Tashi Khadar”. Thereafter you are driven to your hotel and do your check in. Lunch would be provided at the hotel. You can relax for the rest of the day. In the evening, explore the Paro Town and valley.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 2. Paro Sightseeing:
After breakfast, start your day with a hike to
- Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's nest), the abode of gods and monks situated at an altitude of 3100m on the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhana (Guru Rinpoche), the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came in the form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the demon that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.
After the completion of the hike, you would be served picnic Lunch among the woods. After lunch, visit
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo.
In the evening take a walk around Paro Town and valley. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). If we are lucky, we may catch a match in action. The evening ends with a walk through Paro's main shopping district.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 3. Paro - Jele Dzong (Start of Trek):
Camp Altitude 3,350 m; Distance 10 Kms; Time 4 hrs - 5 hrs; Ascent: 1,090 m; Maximum Altitude: Jele La /3,560 m.
The trek begins above the National Museum. Walk the slopes till we reach the Jele Dzong. If the weather is clear the Paro valley and the snow-capped mountains can be seen. The campsite is near the old Jele Dzong. The Dzong can be visited if the care taker is present.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 4. Jele Dzong - Jangchulakha:
Camp Altitude 3,700 m; Distance 12 Kms; Time 5 hrs - 6 hrs; Ascent: 310 m; Descent: 50 m.
The trail starts with a short climb and then passes through a thick alpine forest of rhododendron and gradually climbs till we reach camp. You may see yak herders around your campsite. One may also see the fascinating view of Jhomolhari and other snow capped mountain during the day.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 5. Jangchulakha - Jimilangtso:
Camp Altitude 3,800 m; Distance 11 Kms; Time 4 hrs - 5 hrs; Descent: 230 m, Ascent: 330 m.
The trail follows the ridge and at times through Juniper Trees and Rhododendrons. The view of mountain valleys of Thimphu and Paro is truly breathtaking. Our camp is close to Lake Jimilangtso. These lakes are known for their giant sized trout.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 6. Jimilangtso - Simkota (via Janetso lake):
Camp Altitude 4,100 m; Distance 11 Kms; Time 4 hrs - 5 hrs; Ascent: 820 m, Descent: 400 m.
The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees past the lake, Janetso. Again you will come across Yak Herders Camp on the way. This will give you an opportunity to glimpse into a nomad’s life. We camp overnight close to Simkota Lake. If you are lucky you can catch a lake trout for your dinner.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 7. Simkota - Phajoding:
Camp Altitude 3,870 m; Distance 14 Kms; Time 7 hrs - 8 hrs; Ascent: 130 m, Descent: 680 m.
The trek begins with a gradual climb. On a clear day, you may have an opportunity to view the majestic Mount Gangkar Puensuem. Follow the route to the Phajoding monastery. The Thimphu town is visible at the valley floor from the Phajoding monastery. Visit the Phajoding Monastery.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 8. Phajoding - Thimphu (End of the Trek):
Distance 5 Kms; Time 3 hrs - 4 hrs; Descent 1,140 m, Altitude of Thimphu – 2,350 m
Walk down the slope till we are at the valley floor. Our vehicle will be waiting for you at the road point.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 9. Thimphu Sightseeing:
Today you would be driven in and around Thimphu covering key places of interest. After breakfast you would visit
- Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park.
- National Memorial Chhorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten.
- Zorig Chusom, Premier institute of traditional arts and crafts in Thimphu built of preserve “thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan”.
- Folk Heritage, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households
Thereafter you would be taken to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon you would be taken to
- Sangaygang View Point, also known as BBS Tower offering panoramic view of Thimphu Town situated at an elevation of 2,685 m.
- Changangkha Monastery, popular fortress like temple perched on a ridge above Central Thimphu built in 15th Century by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo.
- Takin Preserve Centre, see Takin (National animal of Bhutan) It is a unique combination of Goat and an Antelope
- Tashichhodzong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM.
After the completion of sightseeing, you are driven back to your hotel. After relaxing for sometime you are served with dinner.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 10. Thimphu - Punakha/Wangdue Phodrang:
Driving Distance: 76 Kms, Driving time: 2.50 hrs - 3 hrs, Altitude of Punakha: 1310 m
After breakfast and completion of Check Out formalities you are driven to Punakha/Wangdue, for your second leg of the tour. On the way, you would stop at
- Dochula Pass, lies at an elevation of 3,150 m and is a great place to view the higher Himalayas. The landmarks around the pass includes 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk
After arrival at Punakha, check in to the hotel. After lunch, you would visit
- Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second King, it served as the seat of the Government. It is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (The Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan)
- Chhimi Lhakhang, a famous Temple, which is also known as “The Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley
Evening free for leisure activities.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.
Day 11. Wangdue Phodrang/Punakha - Paro:
Driving Distance: 135 Kms, Driving time: 4.50 hrs - 5 hrs, Altitude of Paro: 2,280 m
After breakfast, you would check out of the hotel to proceed to Paro, final leg of the tour. On the
way stop at
- Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi, also known as the Rhododendron Garden, is the first Botanical Garden of Bhutan. It is famous for 46 species of rhododendrons.
After arriving at Paro, you would be transferred to you Hotel for Check In. After lunch, you would be taken around to visit
- Paro Rimpung Dzong, also known as Fortress of the heap of jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646
- Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 now converted into national museum.
Evening is free for leisure activities and shopping.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 12. Departure:
Today we will bid farewell to this beautiful country and take an early flight back. We hope by now you mist have made some good friends and also have taken photographs and beautiful memories of Bhutan. We certainly hope of serving you again on your next visit to this great country or the Last Shangri-La. Tashi Delek.