Druk Path Trek

Flying into the country’s only airport, in the beautiful Paro valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress, provides a breath-taking first impression. On arrival at Paro airport, after immigration and custom formalities, your guide  will receive you and transfer you to the hotel. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum. The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons, coins, stamps and a small natural history collection. Then walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) situated at a commanding height overlooking Paro valley. Built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646, this dzong now houses Paro’s monk body and the offices of the civil administration and is symbolic as the religious and secular center of all affairs of the valley. Overnight in Paro.

Take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, (one of the most sacred places in Bhutan due to its association with Guru Rinpoche). It is believed that Guru Rinpoche reputedly flew to Paro Taktsang cliff in the form of Guru Dorji Drolo, mounted on a flaming dakini-tigress in the 747 A.D., where he meditated and subdued evil spirits). Guru Rinpochhe is also the founding father of the Bhutanese form of Mahayana Buddhism. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 and is now restored to its original form. The visit involves a two-hour climb on a steep footpath through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags In the evening, take an evening stroll along the main street, and perhaps visit a few handicrafts shops, or take refreshments at a local café or bar. Overnight- hotel in Paro.

Time 4-5 hours Distance, 5 miles -8 Km, Altitude gain 3503 ft/106m Altitude Loss
At the end of road point you will meet your trekking staffs , the horsemen and pack animals. At the start of a trek the staff always takes some time to get organized, so don’t be in rush to arrive early at camp- the luggage will undoubtedly behind you! Today’s trek climbs non-stop for over 1065m, before dropping down over 80m to camp. This is the major effort at this altitude, so take your time and drink as much as possible. The trail winds its way steeply through blue pine forest and around several farm houses and fenced apple used during the apple harvest-several times. The trail continues steeply up through the forest Just before reaching a small pass(11,540 ft/3518m) below the dzong ,the route opens up a bit, and tonight’s small campsite (11,270ft/3436m) is a little way down from the pass. You may be able to hear the monks playing instruments in the Lhakhang during one of their prayer sessions.

Time 4-5 hours, Distance 5.5 miles/9 km, Altitude gain 1726ft/526m
The trek starts with a short climb and then passes through a thick alpine forest of rhododendron and gradually climbs till we reach camp. You may see yak herders around your campsite. After 3hr pass a possible campsite (Dorjo Lakha or Jangchu Lakha (12,365 ft/3770m).After another 1 hour climb, the better campsite, Tshokam (12995 ft/3962m), is reached ,just after a small saddle.

Time 6-7 hours, Distance 6 miles/10 Km, Altitude gain 700ft/213m (or 1475m/450 if opting for the higher trail at the end), Altitude loss.
The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valley are beautiful. Our camp is close to Lake Jimilangtso. These lakes are known for their giant sized trout.

Time 3-4 hr, Distance 4.5 miles/7 km, Altitude gain/loss several small ups and downs. Walk around the lake to its far (western) end. There is a split in the trail. One branch is that used by the packed animal. The other soon starts to clime up above the lake. There is some steep climbing through bushes, but later good view will open up. An exposed cliff trail leads to trail leads to a small saddle (13450fts/4100m) from here, you can see the next lake below (Jayne tsho or Jane. tsho; 12975fts/3956m; 1.5-2hrs), a nice campsite, which may be occupied by yak headers. From the lake a wide stone path between rhododendron bushes traverses a valley with a small lake below. There are lakes just above, dung tsho and dung tsho Sama, regarded as male and female. The local people believe that the second (female) lake has a powerful spirit, who gets easily provoked if anything dirty gets near the lake. If this happens, bad weather will ensue, which only can be stopped by endless prayer. Climb up the ridge and look for a cairn. After 1hrs a viewing point at 13610fts/4150m reached, with a lake below, simkotra tsho (13415fts/4090 m) which some stone ruins nearby. This is tonight camp site.

Time-5hrs; distance-6miles/10kms; altitude gain-755fts/230m to the viewing point; altitude loss-1330fts/405m to phajoding (or 4190fts/1277 m to radio tower)
The trail is good but there are seven minor climb to small passes before you finally look down to Phajoding monastery and Thimphu. Monks frequently passes here on their way to meditate at the scared lake Jimilang tsho. When climbing up pass number five-Thujedraj-Gangkar Punsum become visible. If you are lucky with the weather, the rest of the Bhutan Himalayas can been seen .From the pass climb 250m up to a small rocky outlook (14170fts/4320m) on the left side. It is covered with prayer flags, and there are also traces of fires on the top. This place was formerly used for sky burial, and has an incredible view over the whole of the Bhutan Himalayas. After this excursion descend a little, then climb to pass number six (13515fts/4120m).the final pass is Dochula (13,430 ft/4120m), and is very windy. There is good view over the last part of the trek: a steep decent to Phajoding monastery and finally Thimphu. Camping at Phajoding (12100fts/3690m) is definitely worthwhile.

Time 2 – 3 hours, Distance 2.5 miles /4Km Altitude gain oft/0m Altitude loss 2860ft/872m or 3705ft/1130m
Today the trails start with the steep descending slowly through thick forest until Chhokhortse Gompa (9870ft/3010m) in a clearing. Just before the gompa there is a model of a hot stone bath in the ground. A steep, 200mm descent leads to radio tower, past hundreds of prayer flags put up by people from Thimphu. This is the transmission tower for Bhutan’s only radio station, BBS. From here, drive down to Thimphu, passing the Thimphu Zoo, where some Takins (National Animal of Bhutan) can be seen. Then say good bye to trekking team and then drive to hotel Pedling. In the aftnoon, first thing you will visit is the Memorial Chorten which was built in memory of the third king in 1974.You can further go inside the Chorten and enjoy the most exotic statues of the gods. You can then visit the Indigenous hospital, the Painting school where the art of ancient painting is used by the students. Then you can visit the Tashichhodzong from outside which is the seat of the Royal Government and central monastic body. In the evening you can walk in the town and buy small souvenirs back to home.

Visit the tallest Budhha and drive to Punakha. On the way visit magnificent 108 Dochula stupa, then drive down to Chimi Lhakhang. After lunch visit Punakha dzong.Check in hotel.

Drive to Gangtey ,the most beautiful glacial valley in Bhutan.Its also the winter habitat of Black Neck Crane, one of the rarest bird in the world. Walk the Gangtey nature trail ,the most beautiful trail in the Himalayas. Visit the crane center and check in hotel.In the evening ,you may visit the family house.

In the morning ,visit Gangtey Gomoa monastery which is one of the oldest private monastery in Bhutan. Check out the intricate design of wood works and Bhutanese architecture. Drive to Thimphu and on the way ,explore many interesting places. You may want to try Longchoetshoe (Dochula) hike which is little more than 2 hours hike to enjoy the 3D view of the places. Check in Hotel

Start the hike from Changangkha and end it at Kuensel Phodrang which is little more than 1 hour. Enjoy the picnic lunch at Buddha point. After lunch visit the weekend market,local farmer’s market and craft market.

Then drive to Paro, In Paro visits the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 Kms. up the valley. Built in 1647 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, the Dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts, village and on a clear day view the spectacular Mt. Chomolhari (7,314 meters). Drive back south and visit Kyichu Temple, which, according to Bhutanese tradition, was initially built by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo, in the seventh century. Return back to hotel for lunch. After Lunch Dungtshi Lhakhang founded by Drubthop Thongthong Gyelpo (Iron chain bridge builder) in the 12th century. Then walk in the market.

After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch up your onward Flight. With lots of good memories of Bhutan….