Druk Path Trek

Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrival at Paro

  • Altitude: 2,280 m
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B L D

  Receive at the Airport by your personal guide and driver. Overnight in Paro. Paro is situated in a valley at 2,280 metres and the introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. There should be time for a stroll around Paro town before lunch. A visit to Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. Nearby you can also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Overnight in Paro.

• Day 2 : Drive & Hike up to Tiger's Nest and return back

  • Altitude: 2,280 m
  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B L D

  We will be hiking up to ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery. Afterwards you may also have time to visit Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder. This evening you can sort out your luggage for the trek. Anything you don’t need to carry with you will be transported safely to Thimphu to await your arrival. Overnight in Paro.

• Day 3 : Trek from Paro to Jangchulakha via Jili Dzong

  • Altitude: 3,760 m
  • Duration: 7 hours
  • Accommodation: Camp
  • Meal: B L D

  The trek follows the gravel road passing through the village. The wide trail climbs through blue pine and fir forest to a mani wall. It is then a long, but not steep, climb through forests to a camping place in a large pasture just below Jili La, marked by a cairn at 3,560 m. We will walk for around 3 hours away from Jili Dzong. Jangchulakha is a pasture for yaks and you will camp here at 3,760 m. Overnight in Jangchulakha.

• Day 4 : Trek from Jangchulakha to Jimilang Tsho

  • Altitude: 3,870 m
  • Duration: 4 hours
  • Accommodation: Camp
  • Meal: B L D

  Today you climb gradually upwards through juniper forest for around an hour and then you will follow the ridge, making many ascents and descents, from where you can also catch a magnificent view of Mount Jomolhari. Eventually you will make a last steep ascent through large rocks and dwarf rhododendrons to Jimilang Tsho, an isolated lake at 3870m. There is a pleasant camping place here at the far end of the lake. Overnight at Jhimilang Tsho.

• Day 5 : Trek from Jimilang Tsho to Semkotha

  • Altitude: 3,834 m
  • Duration: 3-4 hours
  • Accommodation: Camp
  • Meal: B L D

  Climbing from the lower end of the lake to a ridge at 4,110m, you descend again and then climb to crest at 4050m overlooking Janye Tsho. You drop down to the lake, then climb to a ridge at 4150m and descend to some stone ruins overlooking Semkotha Tsho. Camp by the Semkotha Lake at an altitude of around 3,834 m. Overnight at Semkotha.

• Day 6 : Trek from Semkotha to Thimphu

  • Altitude: 2,334 m
  • Duration: 5- 6 hours
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B L D

  The beautiful view of Mount Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan’s highest mountain, as well as of further peaks from the Doupchu La Pass will be seen today. The path gradually descends to Phajoding Gompa, where a monastery and retreat centres for meditation are located. From there you continue your final descent for a couple more hours through blue pine forest, emerging just above Thimphu town where you will be met by your driver and taken to your hotel. Overnight at Thimpu.

• Day 7 : Drive from Thimpu to Punakha

  • Altitude: 1,250 m
  • Duration: 4-5 hours
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B L D

  We will visit Changangkha temple on the hilltop overlooking the town. Devotees flock throughout the day to circumambulate and turn the prayer wheels. The temple also contains beautiful wall paintings and hundreds of religious scriptures written in gold. Then you can visit the School of Traditional Arts, browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile Museum or visit the Folk Heritage Museum. Tell your guide what takes your interest. After lunch we will drive approximately 3 hours to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, where we will stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. Punakha at We will visit Changangkha temple, perched on the hilltop overlooking the town. The temple contains beautiful wall paintings and hundreds of religious scriptures written in gold. Then you can visit the School of Traditional Arts, browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile Museum or visit the Folk Heritage Museum. Tell your guide what takes your interest. After lunch drive approximately 3 hours to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, where we will stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. Overnight at Punakha

• Day 8 : Drive from Punakha to Paro

  • Altitude: 2,280 m
  • Duration: 4-5 hours
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B L D

  After a good breakfast, we visit the imposing Punakha Dzong, “Palace of Great Happiness”. Built in 1637.Then we return to Paro, a drive of approximately 4 hours. This afternoon we will check out some souvenir shops and return back to our Hotel. Overnight at Paro.

• Day 9 : Departure from Paro

  • Meal: B

  After breakfast your personal guide and driver will drive you to the airport. Wishing you a safe flight home.