DRUK PATH TREK
(9NTS/10 Days)

Day 01 ARRIVE PARO: On arrival at Paro International Airport you will be received by your guide. Lunch at the Hotel. Discuss the Tour Programme with the Tour Guide. Evening walk around the town. Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

DAY 02 PARO – SIGHTSEEING - A DAY EXCURSION TO TAKTSHANG : Drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 km from Paro town) and from there walk up to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest ". The Monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan meditated on this spot where the Monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round hike takes about 4 hrs.

After lunch visit Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress), 16 kilometers away from Paro town. Although it has been in ruin but this Dzong has its great historical importance for the people of Bhutan. It was a place where the Bhutanese finally defeated the Tibetan invasion and drove them back. On a clear day one can view the sacred Mt. Jumolhari (Mountain of Goddess). Its altitude is 7,329m.Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means temple). Which was built in 659 AD by the King Songtsen Gompo of Tibet as one of the 108 such monasteries he built in various places to spread Buddhism. It is located between Paro Town and Drugyal Dzong. It is one of the holiest place in the country, as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country.

After Lunch visit National Museum which used to be a watch tower for Paro Rimpong Dzong (Fortress). It was converted into Museum in 1968. Visit Paro Rimpong Dzong, the Dzong was built in 1646 AD, and walk down to town one the way you can see the traditional wood bridge of ancient style. Visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse and sightseeing trip to the Paro town. Overnight: Hotel in Paro

DAY 03 PARO - JELE DZONG: (Trek Starts) Altitude 3,350m; Distance 10 km; Time 3 - 4 hrs.Today is a short trek. The trek begins above the National Museum; we climb till we reach camp. If the weather is clear the Paro valley and the snow-capped mountains can be seen. The campsite is near the old Jele Dzong. If the caretaker is there you can visit the Dzong. Over night: Camping.

DAY 04 JELE DZONG – JANGCHULAKHA: Trek Day 2: Distance 09 Kms and walking time 4-5 hrs. Starting at Jele Dzong (3436mtrs) and camp at Tshokam (3962mtrs; 12,995 ft). The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and rhododendrons trees and most of the walking is up and down on a ridge.Mt. Jumolhari is also visible today. And you will pass by Jangchulakha whereby we use this area as our campsite earler but due to lack of water we have moved our campsite to Tshokam and you may see Yak herders around Jangchulakha and if you are interested you can visit their tents before reaching your camp site.

DAY 05 JANGCHULAKHA - JIMILANGTSO Altitude 3,706m; Time 7 hours.: The trek starts with a short climb and then passes through a thick alpine forest of rhododendron and gradually climbs till we reach camp. The Yaks on winter graze in the pastures around the path, you may see yak herders around your campsite.

The trail follows the ridge of the mountains and on a clear day, one can get the spectacular views of the mountains and valleys are beautiful. Our camp is close to Lake Jimilangtso. These lakes are known for their giant sized trout, and if lucky, you may enjoy well-prepared trout for dinner. Altitude 3,800m; Distance 16 Km; Time 6/7 hours.Over night: Camping

DAY 06 JIMILANGTSO – SEMKOTHA: Altitude - 3,834 m. Distance – 5 hrs.: The trail goes through dwarf rhododendron trees and passes by the lake of Janetsho. One may come across some yak herders’ camps and one can see to how they live. Camp is close to Simkotha Lake. Over night: Camping

DAY 07 SEMKOTHA – THIMPHU: Altitude - 3,536 m. Distance – 7hrs.: The trek begins with a gradual climb and if the weather permits one will get a beautiful view of Mount Gangkhar Punsum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and other Himalayan mountains from Doupchula Pass. The path gradually descends till Phajoding, where the monastery and the retreat centers for meditation are located. Overnight: Camping

DAY 08 THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING: After breakfast visit the Memorial Chorten (a great stupa) built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972,this stupa was built in 1974. Visit the mini Zoo where the national animals were kept and drive to Sangeygang where you can have a spectacular view of Thimphu valley. Visit nunnery in Zulikha the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. Visit the Wood Craft and Painting school where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive through the instructions of painting and curving. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Visit the National Library where ancient Buddhist manuscripts are preserved. Lunch in hotel in Thimphu.

Afternoon visit Simtokha Dzong, this is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 AD. It houses the largest monastic schools in the country. In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the senior monks. Overnight in Hotel.

DAY 09 THIMPHU – PUNAKHA/WANGDUE/THIMPHU
: After breakfast depart to Punakha, an ancient capital of Bhutan. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha and drive to visit Punakha Dzong, this is the winter residence of Bhutan's spiritual leader, the Head Abbot, and the Central Monastic Body. The Dzong is built between two rivers known as "Phochu" (Male River) and "Mochu" (Female River). After the visit to Punakha Dzong a short drive takes you to the valley of Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur at the confluence of 02 rivers. The position of the Dzong is remarkable as it completely covers the spur and commands an impressive view over both the north-south and east-west roads and later in the evening drive back to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 10 THIMPHU - PARO - DEPARTURE: Early morning drive to Paro International Airport and your Bhutanese guide will accompany you to bid farewell as you embark on your onward journey to back home.

Price on request.

Cost Includes:
Twin sharing accommodation in the best available hotel or tourist cottage on full board basis, sight-seeing, English speaking tour guide, entrance fees, permit and trekking equipments, kitchen utensils and well experienced trekking crews.

Cost Excludes:
All kind of personal nature expenses such as liquor, telephone calls charges, laundry, tips. Bhutan visa fees USD 20 payable at airport upon arrival, Re entry visa fee, Travel insurance etc.