Druk Path Trek

Day 1: Arrive in Paro
Depending on your arrival time, we will tour serene Paro valley. Most probably we will be able to cover visit of Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan housed in a an Watch-tower. Then visit Rinphung Dzong (fortress monastery), which currently houses the district office, local court and the regional monastic body. Later take a short around the charming town. If you are arrival is early, we can cover visits to other sights such as the Kichu Temple complex and Dungtse Lhakhang temple. Overnight hotel in Paro

Day 2: Paro to Punakha
Drive down south following Pachu river and then north, upstream following the Wangchu river towards capital Thimphu. After Thimphu, the road climbs up to Dochula pass (3100m) with spectacular panorama of the peaks along Bhutan-Tibet border (weather permitting). Most of Bhutan peaks’ including the highest peak Gangkar Puensum can be seen. Take a short break for tea, visit the Chortens or even a temple atop the ridge and enjoy the views.
Our Guide can offer you an option to hike to Lungcuzekha monastery, which is around 2hrs further uphill with great views and through rich forests filled with Rhododendron trees. The return is along the same path and takes little less.
From Dochula, the road drops down to subtropics (approx 1400m) in just over 1hr from Dochula pass. This evening or afternoon, we plan on visiting Chimi Lhakhang temple or others as per available time and your interests. Overnight hotel in Punakha or Wangdue.

Day 3: In Punakha
A full day of activities could include hikes, walks, visits to villages and sights that can be arranged as per interests. We could visit impressive Punakha Dzong located at the confluence of the two rivers. Hike up to Khamsum Chorten, which typically takes about 45 minutes uphill through the terraced rice fields. Depending on your interests, we could visit few other temples, nunnery etc and drive to Talo and Nobgang villages. There are some nice walks and could also hike for an hour or so downhill to Punakha, through fields, villages etc. Overnight hotel in Punakha or Wangdue.

Day 4: Punakha – Thimphu
After breakfast, drive to the capital Thimphu. With the better road conditions, it should just take over 2 hrs. Spend the rest of the day, visiting some of the many attractions in around Thimphu. We will not miss the visit of Tashicho Dzong, the main seat of the Government, the giant Buddha statue on Kueunselphodrang ridge, the memorial Chorten, the Centennial Farmers market (which is vibrant on weekends). You will also have a little time of you own to walk the main streets in Thimphu. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5: Begin Trek to Phajoding
The trek begins from Motithang (above Wind Horse Office and from next to Takin Preserve) at about 2500m. It is approximately around 5-6 km of steep hike uphill and could take 3hrs or more. The path goes through the forest of mostly blue pine, rhododendrons and as you reach Phajoding, the trees turn mostly to shrubs. Phajoding is a large monastic complex with 10 or so temples, and residences for the monks on extended retreats. You can visit some of these temples. The campsite is located at about 3700m. Overnight in tents.

Day 6: Trek from Phajoding to Simkotra Tsho.
The trek is much tougher today as we gain altitude. From Phajoding a steep hike uphill for about 45 mins brings you to the ridge-top (4090m). However instead of going directly, you can climb for about 300m from the campsite to Thujedrak Goempa (3950m), a remote meditation center that clings to a side of a precipitous cliff. After the ridge top, your walk is gradual uphill along the ridge with great views of Dochula, Chomolhari and other peaks. Cross Labanla pass (4235m) and make a long descend through switchback trails to campsite near Simkotra Tso Lake (4100m). Approx. 11km/4-5hr trek. Overnight in tents

Day 7: Trek from Simkotra to Janchu Lakha
From Simkotra, we will follow the main trail at first but instead of going to Jimilangtso, we will you use a direct route to Jangch Lakha. This part is expected to take 6-7hrs. Those who are good hiker, can also go to Jimilangtso and then come to Jangchulakha, a yak pasture located at 3750m. Overnight in tents

Day 8: Trek to Jili Dzong, Jaydika and finish in Paro
Today’s hike is an enjoyable as you walk along the sides of ridge, through meadows and forests, to arrive in Jili Dzong after about 4hrs. You might occasionally see or hear monal pheasants. Jili Dzong (monastery) is located on a promontory at 3540m with views of Paro and Tsaluna valley. The temple inside contains a large impressive statue of Buddha. Then begin a long descent through the dense forests of golden moss to a few settlements with apple orchards and finally arrive at road point after 2-3hrs downhill from Jili Dzong. Meet the vehicle,and transfer to the hotel in Paro valley. Overnight in comfortable hotel.

Day 9: In Paro (Takstang)
In the morning, transfer to the trail head for a hike to the iconic Takstang (tiger’s nest) monastery, which is expected to take 2-3hrs for the uphill part. After visiting the monastery and having lunch enroute, it takes up most of our day. In the evening cover any missed-out sights in Paro valley. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.

Day 10: Departure
Departure transfer to the airport in time for your flight.

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Option A Drukpath Trek – 6 Days

This is the recommended route and duration for those who like to be an easy trek with ample time to stop, rest and look around.

Day 1: Begin trek from Paro to Jele Dzong
From your hotel in Paro, transfer to the trail head near Ta Dzong museum and begin trekking. About 3 -5 hr trek uphill ascending 1050m. Camp at 3570m.

Day 2: Trek to Jangchulakha
Visit Jeli Dzong and trek along the ridges with the views of Paro’s side valleys. About 10km/4hr trek and camp at 3760m.

Day 3: Trek to Jimilangtso lake
Trek for about 10km/4hr and camp near the lake at 3870m.

Day 4: Trek to Simkota lake
Climb up gradually up to 4150m and descend to your camp site at 4110m overlooking another lake. About 11km/4hr trek.

Day 5: Trek to Phajoding
Gradually trek up hill and climb to Labanla pass at 4210m, after which the trail makes a long and steep descent past Thujidrag to Phajoding. The campsite is near the hermitages and monasteries at 3750m. About 10km/3-4hrs trek.

Day 6: End with the trek to Thimphu
After visiting the temples and monasteries in Phajoding, walk downhill for about 5km/2-3hr to Motithang (2540m). Meet and transfer to your hotel or city center.

Option B Drukpath Trek – 5 Days

This is slightly more strenuous then option A. The duration is shorter by day for the same distance. However this is the one of popular option on Drukpath trail.

Day 1: Begin trek from Thimphu to Phajoding
Walk steep uphill for about 5-6kms in about 3-5hrs and camp at about 3700m

Day 2: Trek to Simkotra
Trek for about 10km. in about 4-5hrs. At the start, it is really steep uphill for about an hour and reach the hightest point on this trek at Labanla at 4235m. Campsite near Simkotra lake is around 4100m

Day 3: Trek to Jimilangtso lake
Trek for about 11km/4hr and camp near the lake at 3870m. About 400m ascent/820m descent.

Day 4: Trek to Jangchu Lakha or Rabana
Climb up gradually and walk along the sides of ridges with many short ascents and decent to Yak pastures at Jangchulakha at 3760m or a short distance before at higher site of Rabana (3900m). Approx 11km -4hrs/ with 375m ascent and 370m decent.

Day 5: Trek to Jili Dzong and then downhill to end above Paro
Today’s hike (5-6hrs) is an enjoyable as you walk along the sides of ridge, through meadows and forests, to arrive in Jili ili Dzong (monastery) located on a promontory at 3540m with great views of the Himalayas and also of Paro and Tsaluna valleys on the either side. After visiting the temple, begin a long descent through the dense forests of golden moss to a few settlements with apple orchards and finally arrive at road point. Meet the vehicle,and transfer to the hotel in Paro

Drukpath Trek – 4 Days Option C
For those who are serious trekker and short on time, this is definitely the choice. The second and the third day of the trek are both long days of 7-8hours trek, making the trek quite strenuous. The trek is also commonly done.

Day 1: Begin trek from Paro to Jele Dzong
From your hotel in Paro, transfer to the trail head above Ta Dzong museum and begin trekking. About 4-5hr trek uphill ascending 1050m. Camp at 3570m.

Day 2: Trek to Jimilangtso lake
Visit Jele Dzong and trek for about 20km/7-8hr trek and camp near the lake at 3870m.

Day 3: Trek from Jimilangtso to Phajoding
Climb up gradually up too 4150m and descend to Simkota, which takes 4hrs. Then gradually trek up hill and climb to Laban La pass at 4210m, after which the trail makes a long and steep descent past Thujidrag to Phajoding. The campsite is near the hermitages and monasteries at 3700m. Total about 7–8hrs trek, about 21km.

Day 4: End with the trek in Thimphu
After visiting the temples and monasteries in Phajoding, walk downhill for about 5km/2-3hr to Motithang (2540m). Meet and transfer to your hotel or city center.

Option D Drukpath Tsaluna Trek – 2 days
This is a shorter alternate but not an easy one as the hikes are long.
You will miss out the alpine lakes but cover the first and last parts of Drukpath trek. It is also called Tsaluna trek. Horse or pack animals are not used on this trek, instead we bring supplies and large safari style tents with mattress by the vehicle across the valley (Lungta Comfort Camp). The advatage of this trek is that you camp at a lower altitude

Day 1: Thimphu – Phajoding -cross Pumela to Tsaluna
(Approx. 7hrs.). Start your trek from Thimphu (Takin Preserve) to Phajoding (3600m) in 2-3hrs (5km). Visit some of the temples and walk across the slopes of the ridge for less than 2hrs to Pumola pass (approx. 3750m). Then it is a long steep decent down into Tsaluna valley which could take up to 3hrs. Decend through the forests of spruce, juniper and through rhododendrons, pines and bamboo shrubs into the valley with small villages. Camp site is in the field on the knoll, after crossing the villages. Overnight in Lungta comfort camp (2800m)

Day 2: Trek to Jele Dzong – Paro
(Approx. 6 hrs.) Begin the walk up the hill to Jay-dikha village. Then climb up gradually through spruce, hemlock, fir and giant rhododendron forest to Jili Dzong (monastery) located on a promontory at 3540m with great views of the Himalayas and also of Paro and Tsaluna valleys on the either side. After visiting the temple, begin a long descent through the dense forests of golden moss to a few settlements with apple orchards and finally arrive at road point. Meet the vehicle,and transfer to the hotel in Paro