Druk Path Trek
8 Nights 9 Days
Trek Facts
- Dificulty Level:
Easy-Medium - Duration: Eight nights/Nine days
- Altitude: 2,400m-4,200 m
- Season: March-June & September-November
- Group Size: 1 pax & above
Trekking Map
Package Includes
Government royalty, all meals, tea and snacks, accommodations, transport, entrance fees, guide, Druk Air fares services, visa fee, TDF
Package Excludes
Drinks, other personal bills and tip for guide, driver, cook & hotels.
Video
Personal Equipment Checklist
Footwear
- Trekking or running shoes
- Camp shoes or slipper
- Socks – polypropylene
Clothing
- Down or Fiber- filled jacket
- Jumper/ Pile jacket
- Hiking shorts for man and woman
- Waterproof jacket, Umbrella
- Hiking pants
- T-shirts or Blouses
Other Equipment
- Rucksack
- Water Bottle
- Torch (Flash light) Batteries & bulb
Miscellaneous Items
- Toilet articles
- Toilet paper and wet tissue (Optional)
- Cigarette lighter if you are smoking (Have to pay 200% tax)
- Sun block
- Small Knife
- Towel
- Laundry soap (Optional)
- Medical & first aid kit
- Sewing kit (Optional)
- Sunglass
- Cap or hat
Photography
- Camera & lenses
- Lens cleaning equipment
Druk Path Trek is befittingly for those who cannot endure high altitude climbing. The trek connects Paro, the airport district, and Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital city; passing through mountains, rides, lakes, meadows, and alpine landscape dotted with alpine and dwarf rhododendron forests.
One major attractions of this trek is the glimpse of the panoramic Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest unscaled peak in the world.
The distance between the rest camps is relatively short with altitudes ranging between 2,400-4,200 m.
Attraction
- Views of Mount Gangkar Puensum (world’s highest unclimbed mountain) and several other Himalayan peaks, Jili Dzong (fortress) in ruins.
- Forests of fir, blue pine and dwarf rhododendrons, nomadic yak herders, pristine glacial lakes of Jigmelang, Simkotra and Janetso teeming with trouts, and the ancient monastery at Phajoding.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: BB - Paro Altitude: 2250 M)
Fly in to the Kingdom of Bhutan. On the flight, you can see breathtaking views of the Great Himalayan Mountains. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed to the Kingdom by your guide from the Travel Agent and lunch at hotel.
Visit Paro-Rinpung Dzong. The flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roof and abutted by two guardhouses to the Dzong.
Today, this massive fortress built in 1645 AD is the seat of the district administration as well as home for the monastic school. The central watchtower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the country. Night Paro
Day 2. Paro – Taktsang hike
Drive up to Ramthangkha (10 Km from Paro Town) and walk to the Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest’’ The Monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 4000ft overlooking the Paro valley.
Taktsang is one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas. People can visit an entire site and called Taktsang Pel-phu too.
According to legend Padma Sambhava founded Taktsang Monastery in the eighth century. It is believed that the Guru came to this place on the back of a tigress from Khengpajong in the Kurtoe region and meditated here for three months in a cave before converting the Paro valley to Buddhism. Night Paro.
Day 3: Paro – Jele Dzong- Jangchuklhakha (half way to Jele Dzong has been connected by road)
Walking Distance: 7 km Walk Time: 4-5 hours Ascent: 1,090m Camp Altitude: 3,480m
Walking Distance: 10 km Walk Time: 4-5 hours Ascent: 310m Descent: 50m Camp Altitude: 3,770m
The first day is a long day, 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.
You begin with a climb for about an hour and a half and then ascend gradually up. The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and dwarf rhododendron tress. You may see yaks and yak herders around your campsite. Night Camp
Day 4: Jangchuklhakha -Jimilangtso
Start: Jangchulakha End: JimilangTsho Walking Distance: 11 km Walk Time: 4 hours Ascent: 230m Descent: 330m Camp Altitude: 3,870m
The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the view of the mountains and valley are beautiful. The campsite is close to the Jimilang Tsho Lake. The lake is known for its giant sized trout. Night Camp
Day 5: Jimilangtso -Semkota – Phajoding
Walking Distance: 10 km Walk Time: 3-4 hours Ascent: 130m Descent: 680m Camp Altitude: 3,750m.
The trek 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 other Himalayan peaks. From this pass, the trek takes you downhill to Phajodhing for a nights halt. The camp is above Phajoding. Night Camp
Day 6: Phajoding –Thimphu
Start: Phajodhing End: Motithang Walking Distance: 4-5 km Walk Time: 3 hours Descent: 1,130m
After passing Phajoding monastery the trek to Thimphu (Motithang) is all the way downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine.
The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours. After a shower at make free walk in Thimphu town. Night Thimphu
Day 7: Thimphu –sightseeing - Dochula
Visit the General Post Office and purchase the world’s most beautiful postage stamps, collector’s items and postcards at face value.
Visit the Arts and Crafts school where one can see young children at work.
Visit the Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to honor the memory of the Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, popularly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. A multi storied stupa that will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism.
Observed traditional paper making from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub to the finished product and maybe purchase some beautiful writing sets from the factory. Visit the mini zoo/sanctuary where one can see the Takin, the National Animal of Bhutan.
Drive up to the viewpoint and take a hike for about an hour to see clear uninterrupted views of the Thimphu valley. Visit Local market and Trashi chhodzong after 5 pm and holidays.
Explore Thimphu on foot, visiting the Handicrafts Emporium and other Arts & Crafts stores. Buy stunning Kiras that can be used as bed covers or wall hangings, jewelry and much more.
An evening drive to Dochula pass 45 minutes from Thimphu.
The drive begins with the ascent to the Dochula pass at an altitude of 3050 meters. On a clear day, you can see the whole range of the Bhutan’s Himalayas from here. The pass has 108 Druk Wangyel Chortens. Night Dochula
Day 8. Dochula – Paro/ Hike lungchotse Monastery from Dochula pass.
After breakfast hike to Lungchotse 600 meters from Dochula. It will take about 3 -4 hours for round trip depends on individual pace.
It was Terton Drukda Dorji who had predicted that in the year of the wood sheep, a ruler of Bhutan by the name of Jigme will be born in place called Wamtang (Now Decholing) and there will be unprecedented peace and prosperity in the country during hi rule.
Today the Lhakhang stands bigger and more beautiful than ever on the ridge high above Dochula at approximately 3,566 meters, looking over the surrounding hills and valleys. It has been restored and enlarged by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk to fulfill a pact she made December 2003 with Ap Tashi Bau the guardian deity of Lungchotse. Inside Lhakhang stands one of the most beautiful a lifelike statue of Guru Padmasambhav.
After lunch drive to Paro.
Night Paro
Day 9. Departure - BKK
Some time itinerary may subject to change depend up on situation and coincidence. This is for your kind information & necessary consideration.