Druk Path Trek Tour

Season: March-May and September to November.

Day 1: Arrival by Drukair

Arrive Paro by Druk Air, the only national carrier. The flight offers you a beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. Upon arriving in the Paro Valley and after completing visa formalities, you will be met by our representative at the airport.

In the afternoon, we will visit Ta Dzong (watchtower) which houses the National Museum. After visiting the Museum, drive towards the north to see the Drukgyel Dzong, which is in ruins. In clear weather, we will be able to see Mt. Jomolhari from the Drukgyal Dzong and the Tiger’s Nest on our way back to Paro. En route, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the two oldest monasteries built in Bhutan by the King of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century.

Day 2: Excursion in Paro

Paro is a valley of religion and myth. The most famous landmark, the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), stands on a granite cliff about 800m above the valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, a famous Buddhist saint, flew to Paro on a tigress and meditated at Taktsang. The monastery, considered a national treasure, was burnt in April 1998, and still, the cause is unknown. The monastery is under construction and its exterior is almost completed.

The hike to Taktsang would take us around two and a half hours. To reach a cafeteria, a point from where one can enjoy a great view of the monastery is more than an hour's walk from the road-head uphill. Those interested can walk a further 45 minutes uphill to get a closer view of the monastery and return to the cafeteria for lunch. The journey downward to the road-head would take us less than one and a half hours.

Day 3: Jele Dzong

Distance: 10 km
Altitude: 11,600 ft
Duration: 4 hrs

The walk is short today, but we 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 cross over the past, we will see our campsite just a 10-minute walk downhill from the spot. We camp in a yak herder’s grazing round.

Day 4: Jele Dzong to Jangchulakha

Distance 10 km
Altitude 11,900 ft

Make a gentle climb for one and a half hours and then the trail passes through thick alpine forests and rhododendrons. We can spot yak herder’s tents from our campsite.

Day 5: Jangchulakha to Jimilangtso

Distance: 11 km
Altitude: 12,160 ft

We will be walking through the ridge. If the weather is clear, we can see the view of Mt. Jomolhari towards the north. We camp by the Jimilangtso, a lake rich in giant-sized trout.

Day 6: Jimolangtso to Simkota

Distance: 11 km
Altitude: 12,580 ft

The trail will pass through dwarf rhododendron trees and by the Janetso, another lake. Camp close to Simotoka Lake for the night. Since we camp close to the yak herder’s camp, we can also have a look over how the nomads live their lives.

Day 7: Simotoka to Phajoding

Distance: 10 km
Altitude: 11,600 ft

We begin our day with a gradual climb. In clear weather, we should be able to see Mt. Gangkhar Punsum, the highest mountain in Bhutan. Next, descend until we reach Phajoding, our campsite for tonight.

Day 8: Phajoding to Thimphu

Distance: 7 km
Altitude: 8,050 ft

We will be descending through the blue pine forest. The journey is short and it would take us around two and a half hours to reach Thimphu; thus we can walk at our leisure. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 9: Thimphu to Paro

In the morning, we go sightseeing around Thimphu. After lunch, we will proceed to Paro. En-route visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest dzong in Bhutan built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal “at whose feet one submits”. The fortress now houses students who specialize in Buddhist studies.

Day 10: Departure

After breakfast drive to the airport for departure.