Druk Path Trek With Cultural Tour In Pristine Bhutan

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Paro International Airport - Sightseeing in Paro

Stop At: National Museum of Bhutan, Paro, Bhutan
The National Museum of Bhutan is located in Paro just above the Rinpung Dzong (administrative headquarter of Paro district). It is housed in an ancient watch tower called Paro Ta Dzong (Ta Dzong means “watch tower fortress”) built in 1649. It displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions of the country. This unique ancient watch tower was converted into the National Museum in 1968.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Rinpung Dzong, Paro Bhutan
Paro Rinpung Dzong (Rinpung Dzong means “fortress of the heap of jewels”) was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646 and established as the administrative and monastic centre of the western region. Today, the Dzong serves as the office of the governor of Paro district and head of the district monk body in Paro.

A great annual festival known as Paro Tsechu is held in Rinpung Dzong from the eleventh to the fifteenth day of the second month of the traditional Bhutanese lunar calendar (usually in March or April of the Gregorian calendar). On this occasion, holy images are taken in a procession followed by a series of traditional mask dances conveying religious stories which are performed by monks for five days.

After visiting the Dzong, take a short walk to the traditional wooden cantilever bridge called Nemeyzampa, where your driver will be waiting for you. The roofed wooden cantilever bridge is built in a traditional style and this type bridges are called Bazam.
Duration: 40 minutes

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Day 2: Hike to the famous Paro Taktsang to Acclimatize

Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail BT, Paro Bhutan
It takes normally about 2 hours to reach the monastery from the nearest road point. The hike is a steep climb but takes you through the cool shades of pine trees giving you a lot of opportunities to take beautiful pictures of the valley below or the ridge above. There is a nice cafeteria on the way where you can rest and can see the breathtaking view of the Taktsang Monastery. It takes about another hour to reach the monastery from the cafeteria.

Taktsang or the Tiger’s Lair (people prefer to call Tiger’s Nest) is located on a sheer 800-meter rocky cliff in Paro. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Bhutan. It is regarded as one of the most important monasteries in Bhutan. Its history is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the 8th century A.D. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew into the cave from Kurtoe Singye Dzong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner: An authentic homecooked local cuisine will be served at one of the beautiful farmhouses in Paro.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Day 3: Druk Path Trek begins today from Ta Dzong, the National Musuem of Paro / Camp at Jangchulakha (3770m)

Stop At: National Museum of Bhutan, Paro, Bhutan
The first day can be quite arduous as you have to climb more than 1,000m elevation. You start from the Ta Dzong (National Museum) in Paro. The trek follows a gravel road past a few farms for about 30 minutes and then climbs up a steep ridge before leading through blue pine and fir forests to Damche Gom. Continue hiking past Jele Dzong.

You begin with a steep climb for about an hour and a half, then the slope evens a bit and the ascent is more gradual. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and dwarf rhododendron trees. You may see herder and their yaks around your campsite offering you an opportunity to interact and experience a glimpse of their semi-nomadic lifestyle.

Distance: 10km, Time: 5.5 hours, Ascent: 1200m, Camp Altitude: 3,770m/12,370ft.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Outdoor camping at Jangchulakha 3770m.

Day 4: Jangchulakha / Camp at Jimilang Tso (3870m)

Stop At: Jimilang Tsho, Bhutan
Distance: 11km, Time: 4 hours, Ascent: 330m, Descent: 230m, Camp Altitude: 3,870m/12,695ft.
The trail follows a ridge and on a clear day the view of the mountains and valley are simply stunning. The campsite is close to the Jimilang Tsho Lake. This lake is known for its giant sized trout.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Outdoor camping at Jimilang Tso 3870m.

Day 5: Jimilang Tsho / Camp at Labana

Stop At: Simkotra Tsho, Bhutan
Distance: 11km, Time: 4 hours, Ascent: 820m: Descent: 400m, Camp Altitude: 4,110m/13,485ft.
The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and past Janetso Lake. You may come across some yak herder camps where you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of a nomad’s life.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Outdoor camping at Labana 4110m.

Day 6: Labana / Phajodhing Monastery / Thimphu

Stop At: Phajoding Monastery, Phajoding-Pumola Trail Phajoding Bhutan
Distance: 14-15km, Time: 6-7 hours, Ascent: 130m, Descent: 1130m, Thimphu Altitude: 2,334m/7,655ft.
The day begins with a gradual climb. If the weather permits, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and several other Himalayan peaks. From this pass, the trek takes you downhill towards Phajodhing.
After passing Phajoding monastery, the trek to Thimphu is downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours. On the way, you will pass through Chokhortse Temple on the outskirts of Thimphu and couple of hundred meters steep downhill brings you to a radio transmission tower where your driver will be waiting. This is the point where our trekking staff will bid you farewell. Just nearby on the way, if you are interested, we will stop by the Royal Takin Preserve where you can see few Takins (the national animal of Bhutan) in a large enclosure. This is the only animal enclosure in the country.
The population of Thimphu is about 115,000 and it is the only capital city in the world that does not use traffic lights and billboards.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel certified by Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Day 7: Sightseeing in Thimphu / Transfer to Punakha valley

Stop At: Dochula Pass, Thimphu Bhutan
Distance: 74 km, Time: 3 hours, Transport: Private SUV/Minivan/Bus, Punakha Altitude: 1,200m/3,935ft.

Today, after early breakfast, we will drive to Punakha Valley via beautiful Dochu La Pass (3,150m/10,335ft). Before we embark on a 74km road journey which takes less than 3 hours under normal road condition, visit the Buddha Point overlooking Thimphu valley.

We will then drive to Dochula Pass. We then start our journey toward Punakha. Dochu La Pass – 3,150m/10,335ft above sea level: About 45 min drive from Thimphu towards Punakha is a mountain pass at an altitude of 3,150 meters above sea level from where you can see, on a clear day, some of the highest peaks of Bhutan.

Continue driving towards Punakha. After lunch, visit a 15th century Buddhist temple called Chhimi Lhakhang popularly known as "Temple of Fertility".
From there drive to visit the historic Punakha Dzong, a 17th century fortress. The sacred wall paintings and main artifacts inside the dzong, the intricate wood works and the architectural structure of the dzong displays fine example of Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continues to influence Bhutanese architecture even today. After visiting Punakha Dzong, take a short walk to Bhutan's longest suspension bridge that runs over Phochu river. Punakha Dzong is flanked by two glacial fed rivers; Phochu (male) river and Mochu (female) river. Leisure time to explore Punakha town and then drive to the hotel for dinner.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel certified by Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Day 8: Sightseeing in Punakha / Transfer back to Paro

Stop At: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Punakha Bhutan
After breakfast, you will be going for 2.5-hour return hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Choeten. Located on a mountain ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples, monasteries and Zangdogpelri (copper coloured mountains). Normally it takes just 1.5 hour to reach the serene site of the marvelous choeten. The view below is stunning with glacial fed Mochu river snaking through the fertile valley of Punakha.
After lunch we drive back to Paro via Dochula Pass.
On arrival in Paro, visit one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang believed to have been built overnight by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
Leisure time around Paro town.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-Star hotel certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Day 9: Departure Paro International Airport

Stop At: Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point, Paro Bhutan
Today is your final morning in this magical Kingdom of Bhutan. After breakfast, we will drive to Paro and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Your guide will assist you to complete all exit formalities before you check-in. As we bid farewell and wish you a good luck in your onward journey, we sincerely hope that you enjoyed the trip and look forward to serving you again in the future.

Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.