Overview
Druk Path Trek of 9 Nights and 10 Days 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.
The Druk Path Trek is also a fairly easy hike to undertake as the distances between rest camps is fairly short. The trail takes you through forests of fir, blue pine and dwarf rhododendrons. This trek also offers hikers stunning views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in the world. The best times to embark on the Druk Path Trek are between March-June and September-November.
Places covered: Paro and Thimphu
Trek Duration: 9 Nights and 10 Days
Best Season: March, April, May, September, October, November and December.
Entry Point: Paro International Airport
Exit Point: Paro International Airport
| DEPARTURE / RETURN LOCATION |
Paro International Airport |
| DEPARTURE TIME |
Please arrive at least 2 hours before the flight. |
| SUITABLE MONTHS |
|
| INCLUDED |
- Land Transportation within Bhutan
- Tours specified in the itinerary
- Sustainable Development Fees (SDF)
- Three star hotel accommodation (Government approved 3 stars and above)
- Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea/conee with snacks as and when required)
- Rooms on Twin Sharing basis
- Experienced and English-speaking licensed guide
- All necessary permits for entering Dzongs, Monasteries, Monuments
- Mineral water on long trips.
- Full service & assistance before, during and after your Bhutan trip
|
| EXCLUDED |
- Airfare
- Monument fees and other special entry fees
- Beverages of any kind
- Personal Shopping
- Laundry
- Tipping
|
Day 1: Paro Arrival
You will be received by the representative of Charisma Bhutan Tours & Treks representative who will be your guide throughout your tour.
- Visit the Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century as a watchtower for the Paro Dzong. This Dzong was converted into the National museum in 1967 and is filled with antique thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor.
- Drive to see the Paro Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now use as an administration center and school for monks.
Overnight at hotel Paro
Day 2: Paro – Hike Taktsang (Tiger Nest)
After breakfast morning hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest).
- The climb up to the view point will take around three hours. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambava landed on the back of a tiger in the 8th century, and mediated for three months. Lunch will be arranged in the cafeteria and after lunch in the cafe, walk back to the road point and drive back to the hotel.
- Drive to Drukgyal Dzong (fortress) now in ruins, which was built in 1646 by Shabdrung to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders, led by Mongolian Warlord, Gushri Khan. Overnight at hotel Paro.
Day 3: Paro – Jele Dzong Trekking
After breakfast start with trekking distance 7 km time cover 2 hours. Today is a short trekking day. The trail is rather gradual till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with its snow capped mountain backdrop.
Overnight Camp Jele Dzong.
Day 4: Jele Dzong – Jangchu Lhakha
After breakfast continue trekking distance 10 km and time cover 3 hours. You begin with about an hour and half’s climb then ascends gradually up. The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and rhododendrons. You may see yak herders around your campsite.
Overnight Camp at Jangchu Lkakha
Day 5: Jangchu Lhakha – Jimilangtsho
After breakfast keep trekking distance 11 km and time cover 5 hours. The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valley are beautiful. Camp is close to the lake of Jimilangtso.
Overnight camp at Near Lake
Day 6: Jimilangtsho – Simkota
After breakfast trekking begins for day distance 13 km and time cover 6 hours. The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and bypasses the lake of Janetso. Today you may come across some yak herder’s camps and get an idea of how these people live. Camp is close to Simkota Lake.
Overnight camp at Simkota
Day 7: Simkota – Phajoding
After breakfast keep trekking distance 10 km and time cover 4 hours. Today you begin with a gradual climb and if the weather permits you will enjoy a majestic view of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest in Bhutan, and other peaks from the Dochula pass. The trail slowly descends till you reach the Phajoding cafeteria.
Overnight in cafeteria or camp
Day 8: Phajoding – Thimphu
After breakfast do for short trekking distance 8 km and time cover 3 hours. The trek to Thimphu is all the way down through a forested area of mostly blue pine. Taking a leisurely pace you reach Thimphu in about 3 hours.
Overnight at hotel in Thimphu
Day 9: Explore Thimphu – evening drive to Paro
After breakfast pay visit to the site:
- National Textile Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection.
- Folk Heritage Museum, ancient traditional of Bhutanese way of living.
- Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family.
- Kuenselphodrang (commonly known as Buddha Point) where the largest Buddha statue in the country is perched on the hillock overlooking the Thimphu Valley and enjoy the magnificent few of Thimphu Valley and mountain peaks.
- National Memorial Chorten (stupa) which was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan.
- Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Day 10: Paro Departure
After breakfast your guide and driver will drive to Paro airport for your onward flight to your next destination.
