Druk Path Trek

Trip Facts
Accommodation:	Standard to Deluxe Hotel's Option in Cities & Camping During Trek
Grade:	Moderate
Max Altitude:	4,210 m/13,812 ft
Meals:	As Mentioned In The Itinerary
Transportation:	Private Vehicle/Flight
Group Size :	2 to 15 People
Duration:	12 Nights/13 Days

Highlights

Enjoy 5 Days Fully Organized Camping Trek in Bhutanese Mountains and its wilderness
Visit Paro, Thimphu and Hike to the Tiger Nest (Taktsang Monastery) in Bhutan
Get the best view of Mt. Jumolhari, Jichu Drake Peak and Bhutan's highest mountain Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m)
High Himalayan Pass of Simthoka Tso (4,110 m) and Phume La Pass (4,210 m)
Enjoy Bhutanese Authentic Foods, Culture, Visit Villages and markets in Bhutan
Visit World Renowned Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and other World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu
Pay Homage to Living Goddess, Kumari and visit Sacred Hindu and Buddhist Temples in Kathmandu
Scenic Kathmandu/Paro and witness Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Gaurishankar and Bhutanese Mountains

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350 m/4,430 ft)

Day 02: Fly to Paro (2,200 m/7,218 ft)- 50 Minutes

Day 03: Sightseeing in Paro

Day 04: Hike to Tiger's Nest Taktsang Monastery (3,048 m/10,000 ft)-5/6 Hours

Day 05: Trek from Dopshari to Jili Dzong (3,450 m/11,488 ft )-10 kms/ 5 Hours

Day 06: Trek from Jili Dzong to Jangchup Lakha (3,780 m/12,587 ft)-10 kms/ 4 Hours

Day 07: Trek from Jangchup Lakha to Jimilang Tsho (3,880 m/12,920 ft)-11 kms/ 4 Hours)

Day 08: Cross Simthoka Tso Pass (4,110 m/13,484 ft) to Simkota Tsho (4,040 m/13,453 ft)-11 kms/ 4 Hours

Day 09: Cross Phume La Pass (4,210 m/13,812 ft) to Phajoding and to Thimphu(2,334 m/7,657 ft -15 kms/6 Hours

Day 10: Sightseeing of Thimpu Valley and drive to Paro (1 Hour)

Day 11: Fly back to Kathmandu

Day 12: Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square

Day 13: Departure from Kathmandu

Overview

Druk Path Trek connects the Paro Valley and Thimphu Valley which allows the travelers to enjoy the daily lives of friendly Bhutanese people by visiting villages, temples, monasteries, and gigantic fortresses. It is one of the shortest beautiful treks in Bhutan goes through ancient trade route and cross high mountain passes. It gives us chance to meet people, enjoy the pristine forest with rare glimpse of wildlife and observe the ancient old traditions of arts and crafts. We will be travelling through the less frequent trails of Bhutan.

Our journey starts from Paro Valley where our flight from Kathmandu will land. We spent one and half day sightseeing around the Paro valley and a full day excursion to the Tiger’s Nest locally known as Taktsang Gompa. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. We then start our short five days trek, which leads from Paro to Thimphu, or vice versa, crossing the chain of mountains. Although there is little settlement on this route, there are wonderful lakes teeming with fish and the area is famous for its spectacular rhododendron forests, which bloom in May. In the clear weather of late autumn and winter there are views across to the Himalayas. We finally arrive into the lush valley of Thimphu the Capital city. After touring through this tiny no traffic light Capital city, we will return to Paro and take our flight back home with beautiful memories of this Living Museum.

During Bhutan Druk Path Trek, we see finest views of Mountain Jumolhari, Jichu Drake peak and highest mountain of Bhutan, Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m). We trek through dense forest of Rhododendron, Alpine Yak Pastures and witness high altitude lakes and also cross Himalayan passes of Simthoka Tso (4,110 m) and Phume La Pass (4,210 m). We stay at lodges in Paro and Thimphu and Fully Organized Tented Camp during the whole trek. Our highly experienced kitchen members prepare fresh meals during the trek.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival (1,350 m/4,430 ft)

Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, we will meet, greet, assist you and take you to hotel. Check-in and free time for rest. In the evening, we will pre-brief you on trek and take you to Nepalese Restaurant to make you introduced with Nepalese culture and food.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: D

Activity Duration:

Day 02: Fly to Paro (2,200 m/7,218 ft)- 50 Minutes

After breakfast, we fly to Paro. From the left seat, you can see mountain ranges including Langtang Range, Gaurishankar, Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga and Bhutan's Mountain Jomolari. Upon, arrival at airport, we will drive to hotel. This day, we spend on trek briefing and arrangements. In the evening, you many consider to walk round Paro town

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Paro.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 03: Sightseeing in Paro

This day, we do sightseeing around Paro. We drive to north-west up of Pa Chhu River to Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invaders. Mount Chomolhari, the sacred summit reaches skyward beyond the Dzong. We then visit Satsam Chorten, Kyichu Temple built in 7th century by a Tibetan King Songtsen Gompo. After sightseeing, we return back to hotel and after lunch, we visit the National Museum (Ta Dzong). This museum is considered to be a temple by the natives because of the number of ancient religious objects it contains. The museum holds works of art, handcrafted objects of daily life stuffed animals, costumes, armor and even stamps. We hike down from the Paro Museum to Paro Rimpung Dzong. Then after Paro Dzong, we cross Old bridge and drive to hotel.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Paro.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 04: Hike to Tiger's Nest Taktsang Monastery (3,048 m/10,000 ft)-5/6 Hours

After breakfast, we drive to the base of Tiger’s Nest and hike to the Monastery which takes around 2 hours to reach the Cafeteria which gives the great view of Taktsang Monastery. Further 30 minutes hike takes us to magnificent Taktsang where we will be greeted by the in-house monks. This is the most important Monastery in Bhutan where Guru Rinpoche was flying on a Flaming Tigress from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan and meditated for three months. He flourished Buddhism in Paro from 8th Century. After Lunch, we walk down to the car and drive to hotel. In the evening, you may walk around the Paro town.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Paro

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 05: Trek from Dopshari to Jili Dzong (3,450 m/11,488 ft )-10 kms/ 5 Hours

After breakfast, we start with a short walk to Jili Dzong, which is on the top of a ridge above Paro. From Dobshari, the trail crosses a brook and makes a long gradual climb to a wooded crest. Then we walk gentle along the ridge to campsite in a Yak pasture. We visit Jili La and Jili Dzong at just above the camp. The Dzong is dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha and now is mostly ruined. This place offers the breathtaking view of Paro valley, Mount Jomolhari and other peaks.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Jili Dzong.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 06: Trek from Jili Dzong to Jangchup Lakha (3,780 m/12,587 ft)-10 kms/ 4 Hours

Today we cross a pass and stay below the ridge and climb through thick forest of Rhododendron. Then our trail follows the ridge with many ups and downs staying just above the treeline. The trail goes from one side of the ridge to other, and follows north to a Yak herder’s camp at Jangchup Lakha, Our Camp site gives the view of Jomolhari and other peaks.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp in Jangchup Lakha.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 07: Trek from Jangchup Lakha to Jimilang Tsho (3,880 m/12,920 ft)-11 kms/ 4 Hours)

Our trail follows the ridge for about one and half hours and drops a bit and follows the ridge back to Jangchu La at 4,180m/13,919 ft. Then we descend to the camp close to the large Jimilang Tsho Lake (Sand Ox Lake), named for a bull that emerged from the lake and joined the cattle of a family that uses the area as a summer grazing ground. The lake is also known for its giant trout (which some people believe were taken to Bhutan by early British visitors). We see Jichu Drake peal which representative the protective deity of Paro.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp at Jimilang Tsho.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 08: Cross Simthoka Tso Pass (4,110 m/13,484 ft) to Simkota Tsho (4,040 m/13,453 ft)-11 kms/ 4 Hours

The trail climbs through dwarf Rhododendron to the lake of Janye Tsho, another yak herder’s camp. We climb short along the side of the ridge and then descend steep to our camp.

Accomodation: Overnight at Tented Camp at Simkota Tsho.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 09: Cross Phume La Pass (4,210 m/13,812 ft) to Phajoding and to Thimphu(2,334 m/7,657 ft -15 kms/6 Hours

This is our last day of the trek and we begin with a gradual climb and descend to another small lake.Then our trail climbs to Phume La which is marked with prayer flags. During clear weather we see Gangkar Puensum just straight and down the entire Thimphu valley. The route then descends pass Thujidrag Temple which is a Retreat Center hangs on the side of a precipitous rock face. Then we descend through Juniper forest near Phajoding Temple. We further continue downhill through Blue Pine forest near the old Motithang Hotel. From here, we end our trek drive to Thimphu.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 10: Sightseeing of Thimpu Valley and drive to Paro (1 Hour)

After breakfast, we visit King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Chorten, Dupthop Lhakhang ( Monastery for the Nuns), National Library, the Painting School and the Medicine Institute where traditional medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. After lunch, you will visit Lungtenzampa to observe the traditional silversmiths playing at their crafts and visit the Bhutanese traditional paper factory. Then we return back to town to visit the handicraft stores and stroll around the tiny capital city. Then in the evening, we drive back to Paro.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Paro.

Meals: B L D

Activity Duration:

Day 11: Fly back to Kathmandu

After breakfast, we drive to airport and fly back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, drive to hotel and rest.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Day 12: Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square

After breakfast, our guide will take you for guided tour of Kathmandu city. We will begin with Pashupatinath Temple which is famous Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva at the bank of holy Bagmati River. After this, we continue to Boudhanath Stupa, which is giant Stupa in Asia and a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Kathmandu. Later on we proceed to Swayambhunath Stupa also know as Monkey Temple in a small hill in Kathmandu which gives you great view of Kathmandu valley and mountains on north. Further, we drive 10 minutes to Kathmandu Durbar Square where Nepalese kings used to get throne. Interesting places to see here are Taleju Temple, Statue of Kal Bhairabh and Hanuman, Temple of Jagannath (Erotic Temple) and Kastamandap Temple from which Kathmandu got it name. We visit Kumari Temple and pay homage to the living goddess, Kumari and also walk around the Freak streets which was famous during Hippy era in 60's and 70's. In the evening, we organize farewell dinner to celebrate the grand success of Druk Path Trek.

Accomodation: Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals: B D

Activity Duration:

Day 13: Departure from Kathmandu

After breakfast, we drop you to the airport before 3 hours of your flight time.

Accomodation:

Meals: B

Activity Duration:

Cost Info

Cost Includes:

Garland welcome, arrival and departure transfers in Kathmandu with office representative.
3 Nights in Kathmandu with breakfast inclusive of taxes and service charges.
4 Nights/5 Days Fully Organized Druk Path Camping Trek with Sleeping Tent, Dining Tent, Toilet Tent, Kitchen Staffs and Experienced Trek Crews.
4 Nights in Paro and 1 Night in Thimphu on Standard Hotels with all meals.
Bhutan Visa Fees, all paperwork for Bhutan tour and trek, Bhutan Travel permit.
Kathmandu/Paro/Kathmandu Airfare.
All drives, sightseeing and transfer in Kathmandu and Bhutan as per the program.
Meals as indicated in the Itinerary.
Kathmandu sightseeing with English Speaking Tour Guide with all applicable entrance fees.
All sightseeing in Bhutan with English Speaking Guide with all applicable entrance fees.
English Speaking Tour Escort throughout the tour.
Welcome and Farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
Bottle Drinking water in vehicle for sightseeing drives and transfers.
All drives, sightseeing and transfers by Deluxe Vehicle as per the group size.
24/7 hours Assistance.

Cost Excludes:

International Airfare to/from Kathmandu.
Nepal Visa fees on Arrival at airport (USD 30/- for 15 Days).
Meals other than breakfast in Kathmandu except welcome and farewell dinners.
Personal nature of expenses like tips, bar bills, laundry and personal expenses.
Cost may arise of natural calamities, flight cancellation, illness, hospitalization, tour cancellation, blockade etc.
Other than in our include section.