Druk Path Trek

On arrival at the Paro International Airport you meet your tour guide and driver. Check into your hotel and after a brief rest, start your magical experience of Bhutan by first visiting the impressive Rinpung Dzong/Fortress of Heaped Jewels a fine example of the ostentatious Bhutanese art and architecture. The Dzong is located in the heart of the town and a few minute walk through Nyimazam, one of the few last remaining traditional cantilever bridges in Bhutan. Dzongs serve as both monastic institutions and district administrative offices.

Located above the Dzong is the National Museum that houses various antiques and artifacts of Bhutan and provides a glimpse into Bhutan’s cultural and religious history.

Visit the 3 storied Dungtse Lhakhang/temple, built in the mid 1430’s by Thangtong Gyalpo, an iron bridge builder, to subdue a demon and the temple is believed that it is firmly chained to the ground. The three floors of the temple represent hell, heaven and earth and house some of the finest murals in Bhutan.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro

After a sumptuous breakfast, you will hike to Taktsang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest which is about 3 hours uphill and 2 hours down. Riding ponies are also available if you think the hike is a bit daunting. Located around 900 meters above the Paro valley on a precarious almost vertical mountain cliff, Taktsang Monastery is truly a wonderful and spectacular sight in terms of its location, setting and history. In the 8th Century this was one of the major sites where Guru Padmasambhava – the patron saint of Buddhism in Bhutan meditated with his consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal. It is believed that Guru flew on a female tigress in pursuit of a demon which he subdued at the current site of the Monastery. It is one of the holiest site in the Buddhist arena and the most important cultural icon in Bhutan.

You can have your lunch, tea/snacks at the cafeteria midway.

Before you drive back to your hotel visit the Kyichu Lhakhang/temple, one of the oldest temples built in the 7th Century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gyembo.

In the evening, enjoy a hot stone bath in a wooden tub which is supposed to be very curative with numerous medicinal and healing properties and has been the practice since the ancient times in Bhutan.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro

Walking Distance: Distance 7 Km (4-5 hours walk) Camp Altitude: 3,480 m

Since there is new road construction reaching near Jili Dzong you can either opt to take car till the road point or start hiking a little above Ta Dzong. The hike will continue till Jili Dzong, a quiet small monastery perched on the hilltop over looking Paro valleys. Lunch at the monastery and start hiking till your campsite through the temperate vegetation and Rhododendrons tress. 

Walking Distance : 10 KM (4-5 hours walk) 

Camp Altitude : 3,770 m

The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and beautiful dwarf rhododendron tress. Now you are on the tree line and one step up is above tree line with small shrubs, some exotic Himalayan flowers like primulas and different species of Rhododendron flowers.

Cross your lunch spot at Jangchulakha, you will continue to hike another 2 hours to react the beautiful camp site by the huge mountain lake called Jigme Langsto.

The campsite is close to the Jimilang Tsho Lake. The lake is known for its giant sized trout and if you wish, you may fish a trout or two for dinner and ofcourse with prior permission and approval from the concerned agencies.

One the way and around the camp site you may see yaks and yak herders 

Walking Distance: 10 KM (6-7 hours walk) 

Camp Altitude: 3,870 m

The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and Janetso Lake. You may come across some yak herder’s camps and may take some time to acquaint yourself on the life of the Nomad people. The trek begins with a gradual climb. On a clear day, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan (and the highest unclimbed in the world) and other Himalayan peaks. Camp site at Labana

Walking Distance: 10 KM (5 hours walk)

This is the last day of the trek. Watching the sunrise from Phajoding is a treat in itself. The walk downhill to Thimphu valley , at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours through blue pine and rhododendron

The sun rise at the camp site at Labana or from Phajoding is spectacular. You can see Thimphu city down the valley and the sun timidly showing off as it rise from the surrounding mountain behind. 

Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu

After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport where your guide and driver will bid you farewell and hope you had a pleasant holiday and hope to see you in Bhutan again.