Drukpath Trek - 10 days

Join us on a journey of most popular short high altitude Druk Path Trek between Paro – Thimphu. Your tour opens in Paro where you will be met by our local tour guide and after a short briefing you will then transferred to the hotel. After the short refreshment in the hotel, drive through Paro valley for your introductory sightseeing. Your sightseeing in the Paro includes a visit to National Museum, Paro Rinpung Dzong and Jangsa Dumtse Lhakhang. This evening, join your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Begin the first day of trek by climbing more than 1,000m elevation. You start from the Ta Dzong (National Museum) in Paro. The trek follows a gravel road past a few farms for about 30 minutes and then climbs up a steep ridge before leading through blue pine and fir forests to Damche Gom. Once you reach the ridge below Jili Dzong you descend about 100m to the campsite below the Dzong.

Your day begins with a steep climb for about an hour and a half, then the slope evens a bit and the ascent is more gradual. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and dwarf rhododendron tress. You may see herders and their yaks around your campsite.

The trail follows a ridge and on a clear day the view of the mountains and valley are simply stunning. The campsite is close to the Jimgelang Tsho Lake. This lake is known for its giant sized trout. Your campsite is located on the northern edge of the lake.

The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and past Janetso Lake. You may come across some yak herder camps where you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of a nomad’s life. The campsite is close to Simkotra Tsho Lake.

The day begins with a gradual climb. If the weather permits, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and several other Himalayan peaks. From this pass, the trek takes you downhill towards Phajoding where you will halt for the night. The camp is located just above Phajoding Monastery.

After visiting Phajoding monastery, you will then gradually descent downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours. Your vehicle and the driver wait to welcome you and then drive to your hotel in Thimphu.

Enjoy sightseeing I in Thimphu, including a visit to the National Memorial Chorten depicting the Buddhist faith in the form of paintings and statues. Continue on to 12th century Changangkha Temple, The National Library housing the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century and Tashichho dzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body.

Towards the evening, drive back to Paro. In the evening stroll around the booming town of Paro.

After breakfast, drive to Ramthangka to hike up to the view point of Taktsang (Tiger’s nest) (2950m. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometre above the Paro valley floor (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to cafeteria). The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. According to legend, the great Guru Rimpoche and his consort are said to have meditated in a cave here for three months when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. After meditation, they manifested themselves in the forms of Guru Dorji Drolo and a tigress to subdue demons in the valley below. The cave, where the monastery was later built is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan. On the return drive to Paro, visit other sites in Paro valley. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

Your tour comes to a close, leaving you with many wonderful memories.