Druk Path Trekking

About Druk Path Trekking

The Druk Path Trek is the most popular trek among the foreign hikers. It is because the route will take you 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 path is also a fairly easy hike to undertake as the distances between rest camps are not too far. The trail takes you through forests of fir, blue pine and dwarf rhododendrons at altitudes ranging between 2400-4200m. This trek also offers hikers stunning views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest unconquered peak in the world. The best times to embark on the Druk Path Trek are between March-June and September-November.

Itinerary

Arrive at Paro International Airport after an enthralling flight overseeing the mighty Himalayas, including Mt Everest. Our company’s representative will welcome you at the airport in traditional Bhutanese way and escort you to the hotel.
If your arrival is in the morning hours, then after a brief recess in your hotel room, we will travel to see the National Museum, Paro Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang.

Accommodation: Hotel

 

After tea, we will begin acclimatizing adventure with the hike to Taktsang Monastery. This is one of the most revered religious sites in Bhutan and a checkpoint for pilgrimages. The monastery is perched some 1000 meters on a cliff, overlooking the Paro valley.

It is believed that the great Buddhist Saint known as Guru Padmasambhava rode on a tigress in a fiery and wrathful form into cave within this temple and subdued the evils who were obstructing the spread of Buddhism. Since then, several Buddhist masters have meditated in and around the monastery. Some have even discovered hidden religious relics.

The hike takes about five hours for the round trip and follows an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels.
If you can make back to hotel early, we will visit some of the temples in nearby locality.

Accommodation: Hotel

(Distance 7 km, 4-5hrs, camp altitude 3,770m)
 After a 45 minutes’ drive from the town, we will begin to scale the mountain of more than 1,000m while enjoying the scenic view including a trail that leads you through blue pine and fir forests to DamcheGom. Once you reach the ridge below Jili Dzong. Steep climb for about an hour and a half, and then the slope evens out a bit and the ascent is more gradual passing through a thick alpine forest of rhododendron till we reach our overnight camp. You may see herders and their yaks around your campsite.

Dinner and overnight stay at Jangchulakha campsite.

(Distance 15 km, 5hrs, camp altitude – 3,870m).
After breakfast, we follow a trail along the ridge of the mountains and on a clear day you can get stunning views of the mountains and valleys. Our overnight camp is close to Lake JigmelangTsho. This lake is known for its giant-sized trout, and if you are lucky you may enjoy well-prepared trout for dinner.

Dinner and night halt near JigmelangTsho

(Distance 11 km, 4hrs, camp altitude 4,110m)
The trail today goes through large areas of dwarf rhododendron trees and past Janetsho Lake. Once again, you may come across some yak herder camps where you will get the opportunity to get a glimpse of a nomad’s life.

Dinner and overnight stay at Laban campsite.

(Distance 15 km, 4-5hrs, descent to 1,130)
Today’s trek begins with a gradual climb and if the weather permits you will get a spectacular view of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and several other Himalayan peaks. From this pass, the trek takes you gradually downhill towards Phajodhing, where a monastery and meditation retreat center are located. After passing Phajodhing monastery the trek to Thimphu (Motithang), is downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours.

Accommodation: Hotel

Depart from Paro International Airport

What's Included

  • Bhutan Royalties, tourists fees, Visa fees and taxes.
  • Accommodations in listed or similar hotels (pleasant hotels 3 star) during the tour.
  • All meals, including evening tea/coffee etc through-out the trip.
  • All land transfers, sightseeing with entrance fees
  • Bottled water in the vehicle and other camp services.

What's not Included

  • Luxury hotel upgrades available at additional cost.
  • Travel insurance
  • Expenses of personal nature
  • Drinks like beer, whisky, coke, fanta and Mineral water
  • Telephone and internet