Experience the most popular short high altitude Druk Path trek between Paro to Thimphu. The trek begins from above Ta Dzong – the National Museum after a short uphill drive passing through several farmhouse, settlement and apple orchard. The trail on this trek is quite harsh and rough but your effort will not go in waste. Thought it is a popular route taken, most of the time it is less crowded and even at time you will trek without encountering with any trekkers along the trail. The trail on this trek is known for its rich lush green forest of pine, fur, rhododendron, and juniper, which is quite famous in this area and run riot in the month of May. The other interesting feature on this trek is that trekkers will encounter several small high altitude beautiful lakes.
Drukpath Trek - 10 days
- Destination: Bhutan
- Trip Difficulty: Moderate
- Transport: Private Vehicle/Tourist Bus
- Food: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner in Trekking
- Accommodation: Hotel + Teahouses + Lodges
- Group Size: 2+
Highlights
- Short, moderate trek passes through picturesque landscapes of blue pine forests, high hills, lakes, with distant views of high peaks and a chance to step into old forts and temples.
- In April and May the trail is beautified by blooming rhododendrons.
- Try traditional hot stone bath called Dotsho, which helps to relax the body and mind. River stones are heated and put into a wooden tub of water. Farmhouse stay to experience real Bhutanese way of living.
- Try farm house stay to experience real Bhutanese way of living.
- Day hike to “Tiger’s Nest” monastery that clings to a sheer cliff 900m above Paro valley.
Itinerary
Hide AllDay 1:ARRIVAL PARO I 2250M
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.
Day 2:PARO – JELI DZONG I Camp Altitude: 3,480M I 7KM I 05HRS
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.
Day 3:JELI DZONG – JANGCHULAKHA I Camp Altitude: 3,770M I 10KM I 05vbHRS
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.
Day 4:JANGCHULAKHA – JIGMELANGTSHO I Camp Altitude: 3870M I 12KM I 06HRS
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.
Day 5:JIGMELANGTSHO – SIMKOTA TSHO I Camp Altitude: 4110M I 11KM I 05HRS
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.
Day 6:SIMKOTATSHO – PHAJODING I Camp Altitude: 3750M 10KM I 04HRS
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.
Day 7:PHAJODING – THIMPHU I ELEVATION: 2320M I 02HRS
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.
Day 8:THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING – PARO
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.
Day 9:TAKTSANG MONASTERY
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.
Day 10:DEPART BHUTAN
Your tour comes to a close, leaving you with many wonderful memories.
What to Expect
What's included
- Bhutan Government Royalty of US$ 65/person/night
- FIT surcharges of US$40/person/night for a single traveler and US$30/person/night for a double
- Twin sharing hotel rooms at 3 star hotels
- All meals ( breakfast, lunch, dinner & light refreshments) with standard menu at 3 star hotels
- English speaking tour guide service
- All transfers and excursions by private vehicles
- All entrance fees to museums and monuments
- All internal taxes and fees
- Mineral drinking water
What's not included
- Single room supplement of US$ 40/room/night (optional)
- Bhutan Visa fee of US$40/person (must be paid in advance with tour cost)
- Airfares (optional)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- 4 star and 5 star accommodations and meals (optional)
- Other personal expenses like overseas calls, laundry