Druk Path Trek-10 days
Trip Introduction
5-days stunning trek and 3 days cultural tour in Bhutan.
Bhutan-the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon' - a small country sandwiched between Tibet in the north and India in the three sides offers a mesmerizing and unspoilt cultural and natural grandeur. Bhutanese landscape is characterized by rugged terrain and steep mountain valleys from subtropical plains in the south, through temperate zone to the Sub-alpine Himalayas exceeding 7000 meters. Bhutan is predominantly a Buddhist country with Vajrayana Buddhism being Bhutan`s state religion. Hinduism is Bhutan`s second-largest religion mostly followed by the Nepali speaking Bhutanese in the south.
The 10-days Druk Path Trek offers cultural highlights of Bhutan combined with stunning 5-days trek and 3 days cultural tour. Discover Bhutan with one of the finest short treks in Bhutan, the Druk Path, leading from Paro to Thimphu and following the traditional high route between these towns. After an exploration of the Paro Valley, our first day's walk takes us up to the ruined Jele Dzong which sits on a high ridge and commands breath-taking views across to Jumolhari. During the next 4 days of super breaking, we climb above the tree-line and cross several passes, including the Phume La (4210m.).
We make camp beside clear mountain lakes, visit a number of yak herder`s encampments and have splendid views of the peaks on the Bhutan/Tibet border, including Jitchu Drake and Gangkar Puensum. Arriving at Thimphu, we have a full program of sightseeing, at the impressive Tashichhodzong, the traditional summer capital of Bhutan. An excursion to the important dzongs at Punakha completes this unbeatable 10-Day taste of Bhutan.
Day to Day Itinerary for Druk Path Trek
Day 01 Arrive Paro (2250m/7382ft)
The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by the guide and transfer to the hotel. After lunch, visit the Ta Dzong, once a fortified lookout tower that is now the National Museum. Then walk down the trail to visit the Rinpung Dzong meaning “fortress of the heap of jewels". Next visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. From there you will be taken to the Drugyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. On a clear day you can see Mount Jumolhari, Bhutan's second-highest mountain at 7,314meters. Overnight hotel in Paro. |
Day 02 Acclimatization hike to Tiger's Nest (3180m)
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery situated at 3180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up on the mountain. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. After having explored the monastery, you will hike down to Paro. Overnight hotel in Thimphu. |
Day 03 Trek Paro-Jele Dzong(3480m/11415 ft): 4-5 hrs/10 km
After breakfast in your hotel, you will drive to the roadhead at the National Museum from where you will start the trek. The trek trail is rather gradual up till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with snow-capped mountains behind including Jumolhari in the distance. Above the camp is Jele La Dzong (3,400m) and Jele Dzong is mostly in ruins and there is a Lhakhang with the statute of Buddha Sakyamuni. Overnight camp. Altitude 3480m. |
Day 04 Jele Dzong- Jangchulakha(3770m/12365ft): 3-4 hrs /10 km
Before your trek, you can explore the Jele Dzong which sits at 3570m. Today's trek begins with an hour and half climb and then ascend gradually up. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and rhododendrons crossing the Jele La (3490m). You may see yak herders around your campsite. There are fascinating views of Jumolhari and other snow capped mountains and you can also hear some Monal peasants during the day. Overnight camp. Altitude 3770m. |
Day 05 Jangchulakha-Jimilangtsho (3870m/12635ft): 4 hrs/11 km
The trail climbs steeply to the Jangchulakha (4180m). On a clear day the views of the mountains and valleys are sensational. Descending from the pass you arrive at your camp beside the Jimilangtsho lakes. These lakes are famous for their giant sized trouts. Also there are great views of 6,989m Jichu Drake, the peak representing the protective deity of Paro and Gangkar Puensum (7497m), Bhutan's highest mountain. Overnight camp. Altitude 3870m. |
Day 06 Jimilangtsho-Simkota (4110m/13480ft): 4 hrs/11 km
The trails climbs up from lower end of the lake and makes a traverse along the side of the ridge, then descends to a single stone shelter. Again ascend to a summit at 4050m overlooking Janetsho Lake. Today you may come across some yak herder's camp and get an idea how these people live. Camp is close to Simkota Lake. Overnight camp. Altitude 4110m. |
Day 07 Simkota–Phajoding-Thimphu (2350m/7710ft): 5 hrs/14 km Trek Ends
Today you begin with gradual climb and if the weather permits, you will enjoy majestic view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, and also the other peaks. The trail slowly descends through junipers trees to a community hall near Phajoding. From Phajoding the trek to Thimphu is downhill all the way, passing through a forested area of mostly blue pine. On arrival, check into hotel in Thimphu. Overnight hotel in Thimphu. |
Day 08 Thimphu-Punakha(2350m/7710ft): 3 hrs/76 Km
After breakfast you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school). You will also visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the traditional paper factory and the majestic Tashichhodzong. After lunch, enjoy the scenic drive to Punakha with a stop for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. From the pass, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will arrive at Punakha after traversing through rice field and along the bank of Punakha River. Overnight hotel in Punakha. |
Day 09 Punakha-Paro(2250m/7382ft): 4 hrs/130 Km
After breakfast, you will visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Then drive to Paro. On the way, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to Divine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. If you wish, receive the blessing from the Lama's wooden phallus! Continue drive to Paro via Dochu La Pass. Here, you will visit the new Druk Wangyal Monastery, which is the only of its kind in the country with elaborate paintings depicting the lineage of the present monarchy and their visionary works. Stop in Thimphu for lunch. Later in the evening, you can drive to Paro. Overnight hotel in Paro. |
Day 10 Depart Paro
Drive to airport for departure. Today you bid farewell to the tiny Himalayan Kingdom and her friendly people. Druk Air generally departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions. Therefore, after taking breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport in the morning depending on the flight schedule and your destination. Our representative will bid you farewell. |
|
Trip Cost Includes
- All meals, tea & snacks
- Government approved A category hotels on twin sharing basis in city and camping during trekking
- Roundtrip airport transfers and other transport as per itinerary
- Experienced English speaking guides and local staff
- All city tour
- Government taxes, permits, sightseeing entrance fees for museums and monuments
- Porter and pack animals for the trekking
- Trekking equipments like 2-men sleeping tents, dining tents, kitchen tents, toilet tents, and sleeping mats
Trip Cost Does Not Include
- Airfare to/from Paro, Bhutan
- Bhutan Visas fee US$20 on arrival)
- Items of a personal nature (personal gear, telephone calls, beverages, internet , laundry etc.)
- Trip cancellation and Medical/Evacuation Insurance
- Tips for Staff/guide
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our trips that be protected against comprehensive expenses potential to incur due to medial issues or accidents (to include air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs). Please be noted that we don't arrange or sell insurance.
Accommodations
Hotels in Bhutan are approved and classified by the government as grade A, B and C. These government approved hotels are equivalent to 3-4 star hotels elsewhere. Based on availability at the time of your booking, we provide grade A hotels in all the places you go. Since the Druk Path trek is designed on twin sharing basis, you share room with your fellow traveler but in case you prefer single rooms we charge USD 270 as single supplement. We use Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort or similar in Paro, Hotel Migmar or similar in Thimpu, Meri Puensum Resort or similar in Punakha and camping (tent) during trekking.
Meals
A variety of meals are available in most hotels – the most popular being Indian, Chinese, and the more common continental food. Non vegetarian dishes are generally available in most parts of Bhutan - pork, beef, chicken, and fish. The best advice is to ask the hotel and restaurant to recommend what is fresh and in season. For the actual trekking days, our company will send wide assortment of food. You will be provided 3 meals a day – breakfast, hot picnic lunch on the way, and dinner at the campsites with evening tea and snacks. Our trekking cooks are well trained and can whip up delicious meals at any altitude. If you have any special dietary needs, please let us know prior to the trek departure so that we would be able to take care of it. For the first few days during trekking, you will be served fresh foods and meats and towards the end of the trek, you will be served with high quality tinned foods.
Reservation
A deposit of RM4000 is required upon confirmation and the balance must be paid in full 30 days prior to the departure date.
Non-payment by required date may result in the cancellation of your booking and subjected to cancellation charges.
Special Note (For trekkers):
It is recommended that all trekkers should have themse lves medically checked before attempting any high altitude trek. If you have a history of suffering from the following ailments, it is highly recommended that you should refrain from trekking to a high altitude.
Hypertension, Arthritis, Heart Disease, Severe Anemia, Peptic Ulcers, Epileptic Fits, Obesity (overweight). Chronic Asthma, Muscular Cramps, Hepatitis (Jaundice); or any other disease, which may hamper the trekker.
|
|
