Bhutan Druk Path Trek

Trip Overview

Druk Path Trek is one of the most popular short treks in Bhutan. This trip provides a wonderful opportunity to visit ancient Lakhangs, Dzongs, and villages. The trail passes through the natural landscape of lush pine forest, high ridges with alpine yak pastures and pristine lakes to add up value in the trip. This trip route connects the valleys of Paro and Thimpu and also provides the stunning views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest unscaled peak in the world.

If you are thinking of undertaking tis trip, best to plan your holiday in between March to June or September to November.

Highlights

Walk in one of the oldest trail in Bhutan with magnificent views of mountains and landscapes.
Visit the Tiger Nest (Taktsang) Monastery.
Visit Jimi Langtsho Lake stocked with Trout.

Itinerary

The flight to Paro gives you one of the most spectacular views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Makalu and various other peaks of Bhutan like Mt. Chomolhari, Jichu Drakey, and Tsrim Gang. Upon landing at Paro, you will be received by our Bhutan Trip representative and escorted to the hotel.

After a few hours rest, you will visit the National Museum of Bhutan which is called Ta-Dzong meaning Watch Tower. This museum is believed to be built in the 17th century together with Paro Dzong below to protect from the Tibetan invasion. Inside the museum, you will witness many varieties of collection from all over Bhutan dating back to the 6th century which will give you a highlight of Bhutan existence.

Hotel

Lunch, Dinner

After your morning breakfast, you will start off for the hike to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger Nest). The climb up to the viewpoint will take approximately around 3 hours. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery where Guru Padmasambava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and meditated for 3 months. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684.

Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Starting off early morning to escape the scorching heat, you will start the trail above the Ta Dzong. Climbing gradually uphill you will pass through the mixed temperate forests and occasional farmhouses. By lunchtime, the trails go through the thick coniferous belt. Take some time to rest and admire the beauty and enjoy watching wild animals and birds.

By the evening, you will reach the Jelela Pass (2600m) from where your campsite is a few hundred meters downhill on a wide meadow where the yak herders use to camp when they migrate their herds.

Camp

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, the trekking starts with ascending uphill to Jeli Dzong which served as the rest house during the 2nd Kings time and now has become a monastic institute. The trail is mostly up and down with good views of Paro valley on your left side as you walk on the ridges.

Camp

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you will be heading up towards Jimi Langtso Lake (3880m), which is the highest campsite on your trip.

Starting with 500m uphill through the coniferous forest and barren hillsides dotted with rhododendron flowers along with other floras and faunas, you will cross the first pass of the trip. The trail continues to move uphill and downhill walking by a ridge before crossing the last pass. On clear days, you can enjoy a clear view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Bhutan's Chomolhari, Jichu Drakey and Tsrim Gang all on the left side (northwest).

After the last pass, the lake can be seen on your left. Walk downhill until you reach by the lakeside for camping.

Camp

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today will be a 6-7 hours trekking to Phajoding (3870m). Starting with a gradual climb uphill you will cross numerous passes which are as high as 4000m. You will cross the Yak herder camp watching grazing Yaks and also get to see the carven of Blue Sheep too.

In this last day of Phajoding camp, you will come across the lakes of Janetso and Semkotatso which are filled with Trout fish. On clear days, you can enjoy the majestic views of snow capped peaks to the northwest. When you reach the Phajoding pass, enjoy a great view of Thimphu capital valley and downhill till the campsite.

Camp

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is the last day of the trip and if you want to reach Thimphu early, best to start early morning from Phajoding. If not, you can visit some old temples here and also enjoy the spectacular sunrise view. If you take a short morning walk around the hillside, you will be greeted by many Pheasants around.

The walk down through the mixed temperate forest to the trek ending point will take around 2 hours of your day. Here, your car will be waiting to drive you back to the capital city, Thimphu.

Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast in your hotel, visit the National Memorial Chorten built in the memory of Late 3rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1974. Visit the 15th-century Changangkha Temple, Taking (National Animal) sanctuary and viewpoint of Thimphu city. On the way back, visit Zilukha Nunnery and Dechenphodrang Monistic School.

In the evening, visit the Tashi Chhodzong the capital parliament house and after explore the various handicrafts store in the town.

Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After lunch, drive to Paro through the winding road following the Wangchuk River till the confluence of Wangchuk and Pa-Chu river. After done with the checkpost, continue towards Paro.

Hotel

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, you will be dropped at Paro Airport by the Bhutan representative for your flight to the next destination. Trip concludes !!

Breakfast