Druk Path Trek
Season:
January - June & September - December
Group: Minimum 6 but individual is also acceptable.
Climate: Days are normally warm. Nights can at times be very cold and
in winter some time temperature comes to below freezing points. Monsoon
showers in summer (heaviest July, August) and sometimes in spring and
autumn.
Personal Clothing: Strong normal clothing (according to season). Preferably
cotton for summer. Woolen clothes for evening and winter.
Other personal items that might be useful: Strong comfortable trekking boots, sunglasses, headgear, raincoat & warm clothing for the evenings. A sleeping bag is a must. Medium to heavy sleeping bag is advisable. Torchlight will also be very handy. (Note: for trekking a load of 25 kg is allowed.)
Arrival
at Paro by Druk Air
During this trek, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest,
Kanchen Junga and other Himalayan Peaks including the sacred Chomolhari
and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport
you will be received by our representative and transferred to a hotel
through the enchanting valley of Paro. Overnight at Hotel.
Paro
- Sightseeing
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa-Chu to Drugyel Dzong, the ruined
fortress which once defended the Paro valley from Tibetan invasion. This
fortress was built to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invasion
in the 17th century. From here Mt. Chomolhari, the sacred summit can be
viewed on a clear day. After lunch drive to Ta-Dzong to visit the National
Museum and walk downhill past Paro Dzong and cross the traditional roofed
bridge to Paro town. Overnight at Hotel.
Paro
- Excursion to Taktsang
Spend a full day hiking to Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest. This magical monastery
clings to a vertical granite cliff 3,000' above the valley floor. Legend
says that Guru Padmasambhava flew here on the back of a tiger, which was
actually his favorite consort, Yeshe Tshogyel, whom he transformed to
a flying tiger for the purpose of his journey. When Guru finished his
meditation he instructed that the Monastery be built on this site. Overnight
at Hotel.
Paro
- Jele Dzong
Distance 10 km. Alt. 11,600 ft. Today is a short trekking day. The trek
trail is rather gradual till you reach the camp for overnight stay. If
the weather is clear you can catch a glimpse of the beautiful Paro valley
and the snow-capped Mt. Jomolhari behind the valley. Camp at Jele Dzong.
Distance 10 km. Alt. 11,900ft. You begin with a gradual climb for about an hour and a half. The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and rhododendron trees. You may also see Yak herders around your campsite. Camp at Jangchulakha.
Distance 11 km. Alt. 12,160ft. The trail follows the ridge and on clear days the view of the mountains and valleys are spectacular. Your camp will be close to Lake Jimilangtso. These lakes are known for their giant sized trout and if lucky you may enjoy well-prepared trout for dinner.
Distance 11 Km. Alt. 12,580ft. The trail takes you through dwarf Rhododendron trees and then you pass by the lakes of Janetso. Today you may come across some Yak herder’s camp and can have a look as to how these people live. The camp is close to Simkota Lake and if you are lucky you can catch some lake trout for dinner or stroll around the camp.
Distance 10 Km. Alt 11,600ft. Today you begin with a gradual climb and if weather permits you will have a beautiful view of Mount "Gangkhar Punsum" the highest mountain in Bhutan and other Himalayan mountains from the Doupchula Pass. Then the path slowly descends till you reach Phajoding Cafeteria. Overnight halt in a tented camp.
Distance 7 to 8 Km. Alt. 8,050ft. The trek to Thimphu is downhill all the way through a forested area of mostly blue pine trees. By taking leisurely pace you can reach Thimphu in about 3 hours for a hot shower and a nice lunch. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
A full day of sightseeing in the Thimphu valley including a visit to The Handicraft Emporium, Zelukha Nunnery, National Library and the Painting School. After lunch – visit the Memorial Chorten (stupa) of late His Majesty the King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and stroll in the Thimphu City. Overnight at Hotel.
Morning at leisure. After lunch - drive to Paro, en route visit Simtokha Dzong, the first fort built in 1627 - 29 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Continue the journey to Paro following the Wang-Chu till confluence and taking the direction towards west to Paro. Overnight at hotel.
Drive to International Airport at Paro for onward flight to Kathmandu/Delhi/Bangkok/ Dhaka/Kolkota.
