DRUKPATH TREK

ITINERARY

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DRUKPATH TREK (4NIGHTS ON TREK)

09D/08N

 

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Day 01: -Fly Paro

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Fly onboard Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan.  On a clear day the panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational, including Everest, but particularly exciting is the approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep turns to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro. In Paro you will be received by your Bhutanese guide and transferred to the hotel. Later in the afternoon visit National Museum of Bhutan which is established in 1967, the museum is housed inside a circular Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower. It has fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha paintings, household’s stuffs, arms, handicrafts, stuffed animals and Bhutan famous Stamps among others.

Rinpung Dzong: was built and consecrated in 1645 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal on the site of five storey castle built in 16th century. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries it served as a bastion against invasion from the north. It is regarded as one of finest Bhutanese architecture – with intricate wood work, large beams slotted into each other and held together without nails. In it houses the giant 30m X 45m Thangka (Thongdrol), commissioned in mid 18th century, displayed on the last day of Paro Tsechu festival. Nowadays, it functions as the administrative and judicial headquarter of Paro district, and residence for the 200 monks of Paro Rabdey.

Overnight- Paro

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Day 02: Paro Sightseeing (B/L/D)

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Taktshang – Tiger\’s Nest: Tiger\’s Lair or Tiger\’s Nest as it often referred to for Taktshang Pelphung monastery, is one of the most venerated and famous of Bhutan\’s monasteries. It is located on the face of a sheer 900m cliff above the floor of Paro valley. It is an impressive and un-miss-able sight but accessible only by walk or to ride mules/pony. If you need the riding horse, you must ask your local guide to arrange it on the previous day. From the trail head (2600m), the walk till the Cafeteria is a steep one hour uphill (about 350m ascent). From the Cafeteria (2940m) and areas around it, one can get a good close-up view of Taktshang. Savor views of the monastery over a well-deserved cup of tea and biscuits at the cafeteria.

For those who wish to proceed further from here, one must be able to walk. Usually Ponies/horses will not take people beyond this point and neither will they take you downhill. From the cafeteria, trail continues uphill for another 45 minutes to a high observation point (3140m) where there is a Chorten (stupa). From this vantage point, the lookout to the monastery is a very spectacular and seems almost close enough to touch. It is now on the other side of a deep chasm, only around 150m away as bird flies, but takes half hour or even more to reach. Continue down the flight of cliff-hanging steps on the narrow trail to a beautiful waterfall that plunges down the deep chasm and alongside is a retreat hermitage, jammed dramatically into a rock crevice. Then climb up the flight of steep steps to the monastery. At any point on this walk, you can always return if you find it too difficult. Once inside the monastery, there are several shrines or temples to see with few monks in residence. After visiting Taktshang monastery’s many shrines, most tours schedule lunch at the Cafeteria upon return. After lunch, retrace back to the road-head where you started in the morning. The retrace back is all downhill and always on foot as it is not suitable for riding pony/horse.  On the way back visit Kichu Lhakhang . It was built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gompo in the 7th century miraculously built 108 temples, along with Jorkhang in Lhasa. Kyichu is considered to be one of them and is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

Overnight: Paro

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Day 03: Drukpath Trek Start

Paro - Jili Dzong

Distance 7 km

Time 4-5 hours

Ascent Ascent 1,090m

Camp Altitude 3,480m

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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. Once you reach the ridge below Jili Dzong you descend about 100m to the campsite below the Dzong.

 

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Day 04: Jili Dzong - Jangchulakha

Distance 10 km

Time 4-5 hours

Ascent Ascent 310 m, descent 50m

Camp Altitude 3,770m

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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 tress. You may see herders and their yaks around your campsite.

 

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Day 05: Jangchulakha - Jimelang Tsho

Distance 11 km

Time 4 hours

Ascent Ascent 330m

Camp Altitude 3,870m

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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 Jimgelang Tsho Lake. This lake is known for its giant sized trout.

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Day 06: Jimgelang Tsho - Simkotra Tsho

Distance 11 km

Time 4 hours

Ascent Ascent 820m

Camp Altitude 4,110m

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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. The campsite is close to Simkotra Tsho Lake.

 

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Day 07: Simkotra Tsho – Phajoding- Thimphu

14KM |

7 HOURS |

100M ASCENT | 1800M DESCENT

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Today you will begin with a gradual climb to a small saddle at 4,150m from where you enjoy majestic view of Mount Gangkar Puensum and other himalayan peaks on clear weather. You will then descend to another small lake and then climb to the Phume La pass (4,210m) which is adorned with beautiful prayer flags. From here, you will enjoy great view of Thimphu city far below. The trail slowly descends through junipers trees to a community hall near Phajodhing (3,870m). Walk way downhill to Thimphu through a forests of blue pine and juniper until you arrive the roadhead of Sangaygang on the outskirts of Thimphu valley.

Overnight at  Hotel

 

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Day 08: Thimphu sightseeing - Paro

 

Thimphu: (at 2300m) is Bhutan\’s capital city and center of government, religion and commerce. About two hours drive east from Paro is this a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. Home to civil servants, expatriates and monk body, Thimphu maintains a strong national character in its architectural style.

 

Memorial Chorten: This white and tall landmark of Thimphu was built in 1974 in the memory of third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. It is a four-storey tall white building, containing statues and iconography of deities from complex tantric teachings and serves as an important place of worship for Thimphu residents, as well as from other parts of the country.

Zilukha Nunnery: is housed in Drubthob Goemba (monastery). There are about 70 nuns who live and pray every day in the monastery. There are good views of Tashicho Dzong, Golf course and upper Thimphu.

Takin Sanctuary: Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) has been chosen as the national animal of Bhutan is based both on its uniqueness and its association with country\’s history and mythology. It is said that Devine Madman, a popular saint is said to have created it with his magical power at a large congregation of devotees. It resembles a cow from back, a goat in from the front, and it continues to befuddle taxonomists, who cannot quite relate to other animal.

Tashichho Dzong: This fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organizations. It also is the headquarters for central monastic body of Bhutan. Bhutan\’s spiritual leader Je-Khenpo and the monks of both Thimphu and Punakha reside here during summer. It is also the venue for Thimphu Festival in the fall season.
Weekend Market of Thimphu: starts around noon on Friday and ends on Sunday afternoon. It resembles the farmers market in the west. However since there are no big super markets, Thimphu\’s weekend market is the main source of fresh produce. It is an interesting place to visit, where village people jostle with well-heeled Thimphu residents for best and cheapest vegetable and other food products.

Evening drive to Paro.

Overnight- Paro

 

 

Day 09- Departure Transfer (B)

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After breakfast, drive to Paro International airport for onward destination.