| Duration: | 4 Hour(s) - 0 Minute(s) |
| Tour Category: | Half Day Tour |
Need to make a gradual climb to Jele Dzong. A few monks stay in the dzong and specialize in Buddhist studies. In clear weather, we can enjoy the view of Paro Valley and Mt. Jomolhari. As soon as we crossover the pass, we will see our campsite just a 10-minute walk downhill from the spot. We camp in a yak herder’s grazing round.
Jele Dzong Hike
This hike is about a 2 to 3-hour hike to this Dzong through pristine forests and valleys traversed by yak herders. Strategically located on a ridge, Jele Dzong is a small fortress built several hundred years ago to cater to travelers between Paro and Thimphu.
The impressive main Lhakhang contains a large statue of Sakyamuni almost 4m high. One can only wonder what kinds of mischief the resident monks must have perpetrated to warrant banishment to such a high and isolated monastery!
The journey towards the most popular Druk Path Trek starts with a short climb up to Jela Dzong. Jela Dzong is perch on top of the mountain and it's isolated from Paro Valley. The iconic dzong has become many local and tourist favorite landmarks. There is no road to the fortress, one will either need to hike or take a pony ride. The trail ascends to the Dzong taking 2 hours The trail continues steeply up through the forest. When the weather is clear Paro valley can be seen with snow-capped mountains behind from the vicinity of the Dzong.
Drela Samten Choekhor or Jela was built by Drukpa Kuenley’s brother Lam Ngawang Choegyal (1464-1540) the 14th holder of Druk Ralung in 15th century A.D when great Ngawang Choegyal arrived in Paro. He built the first Drukpa Kagyu place in Paro Tshongdu in 1525 A.D. Then after he built Dobi Chokorgang and Dolpa Shar Samtentsemo.
The treasure of the temple is Buddha Shakyamuni in the center, Maitreya Buddha in the right, Buddha of the light in the left which is a huge statue. To the right of Buddha is the standing Manjushri and to the left is two armed Avalokiteshvara. Both these statues were made by the Je Khenpo Sherub Singye. There are also small old statues of Guru Padmasambhava and Ngawang Chogyal to be seen.
