Druk Path Trek in Bhutan

On the arrival at the Airport, the representative of Somify Destination Tours –Gateway to your Unforgettable Bhutan Experience: Will warmly welcome & greet you. After the welcoming, we will visit the Ta-Dzong, built in the year 1649 by Lha Ngenpa Tenzin Drugdra the first governor of Paro and it was converted to National Museum in the year 1968. Then visit Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in this region, built in 1646 by the great unifier of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Lunch will be at one of the restaurants in Paro town. After lunch, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, it is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Evening, stroll around the Paro town. Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Paro.

Today after having breakfast, we will make a hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery, the most famous and sacred monastery in Bhutan. Taktshang means “TigerNest” named after Guru Rinpoche flew to this site riding on the back of a flying tigress in the 8th century. We have to hike about 2 hours and 30 minutes up steep from the road end. The trail climbs through a beautiful pine forest, many trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Lunch will be served at the Taktshang cafeteria. Today is the best hike to get your body acclimatization. Evening at leisure in Paro town, dinner and overnight stay at Paro Hotel.

Distance 7 km, 4-5 hours, 1,090 m ascent, camp altitude 3,480 m.

The first day can be quite arduous as you have to climb 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.

Distance 10 km, 4-5 hours, 310 m ascent, 50 m descent, camp altitude 3,770 m.

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

Distance 11 km, 4 hours, 230 m descent, 330 m ascent, and camp altitude 3,870 m.

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

Distance 11 km, 4 hours, 820 m ascent, 400 m descent, camp altitude 4,110 m.

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 the nomad’s life. The campsite is close to Simkotra Tsho Lake.

Distance 10 km, 3-4 hours, 130 m ascent, 680 m descent, camp altitude 3,750 m.

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 Phajodhing, where you will halt for the night. The camp is located just above Phadjoding Monastery.

Distance 4-5 km, 3 hours, 1,130 m descent.

After passing Phadjoding monastery, the trek to Thimphu (Mothitang) is downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours. Once we reach Thimphu, we will take a rest. Evening, stroll around Thimphu city, then visit Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Dinner & Overnight stay at the Hotel, Thimphu.

After breakfast, visit Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the third late king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the temple inside gives good examples of tantric Buddhism and its philosophy. Big Buddha Point is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuk, the thirteenth Druk Desi. Mothithang mini-zoo, to see the National Animal of Bhutan Takin (Budorcas Taxicolor). The Takin as a National Animal of Bhutan is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kunley. Zulikha Nunnery, the Thangtong Dewachen nunnery was founded in 1976 by Rikey Jadrel and today it houses the sixty nuns engaged in Buddhist study and practices. We will have lunch, at one of the restaurants in Thimphu and evening we will drive to Paro. Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Paro.

After breakfast, drive to the airport for your onward flight. Our guide and driver will bid you farewell here at the airport. We wish you a very safe and pleasant flight for your onward destinations.