Druk Path Trek cum Tour

Druk Path Trek cum Tour 10 Days

Background
Druk Path Trek is one of the most sought-after adventure experiences in Bhutan. Take a short scenic trek along the famous pilgrimage circuit and explore many natural, cultural, spiritual, religious, and historical insights of the beautiful Himalayan Kingdom. Druk Path Trek takes you along the foothills of three majestic peaks, Gangkhar Puensum (7570m), Chomolhari, and Kula Kangri (7538m).

Explore the wilderness, deep ravines, and massive rivers of Bhutan as you trek along the Druk Path. The Druk Path pilgrimage trail is famous for the monks who embarked on a couple of days of trekking along with the major monastic destinations around the country. The trail makes a circuit around Bumra Monastery, Zangto Pelri Monastery, Punakha Dzong, and Paro Taktsang Monastery. This trek also offers a great chance to witness the grandeur of Vajrayana Buddhism, the tantric form of Buddhism introduced by Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche in the 8th Century. The imagery of Thunder Dragon and the Phallus is also popular among the Bhutanese. Explore the beautifully designed monasteries, Dzongs, temples, and cultural sites that bear the imagery of Thunder Dragon or the Druk.

The 10-days Druk Path Trek begins with a short trans-Himalayan flight to Paro Valley in Bhutan. Paro Valley lies at the altitude of 2,280 meters. After a delicious lunch, you’ll embark on a quick tour to Paro Dzong. Also known as Rinpung Dzong, it is a massive fortress and a Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage. The next day you’ll enjoy a short hike towards Paro Taktsang Monastery located at the sheer altitude of 3120 meters. The 16th Century monastery is popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest. The trek begins at Ta Dzong (National Museum) in Paro and climbs through Damche Gom towards Jili Dzong. The second day of the trek goes past five hours of the trek along with the rhododendron forests towards Jangchulakha. The last day of trek takes you past Jimilang Tsho Lake towards Phajoding. The trail advances along the countryside of Bhutan overlooking the majestic Gangkhar Puensum Peak. The trek ends at Thimpu. Enjoy a scenic tour around Thimpu City and explore the popular tourist sites of Cheri Monastery and Memorial Chorten. The tour continues towards Dochula Pass that is home to 108 Buddhist Chortens. Advance towards Punakha Valley via the beautiful Phobjikha Valley. Punakha is the former administrative center of Bhutan that is home to the famous Punakha Dzong. The tour ends with a scenic drive past Thimpu towards Paro Valley.

Optional Helicopter tour to Mount Everest. and read more reviews in this link.

Enjoy a unique outdoor adventure in Bhutan with Himalaya Holiday Service. Druk Path Trek cum Tour is suited for both private and group tourists. Our handpicked treks in Bhutan come with full-board programs that include domestic transportation, three meals a day, an experienced guide, and permits during your stay.

Trip highlights
Enjoy one of the most sought-after trekking experiences inside Bhutan on the Druk Path Circuit.
Visit popular monastic sites like Thimpu Memorial Chorten, Punakha Dzong, Paro Dzong, and Cheri Monastery.
Take a short trek to the popular monastic site of Paro Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest nestled at the sheer altitude of 3,120 meters.
Explore the beautiful Motithang Taking Preserve and Jigme Dorji Wildlife Sanctuary.
Relish the captivating wilderness of Bhutan and walk past deep ravines, dense forests, rhododendron trees, and yak pastures.

Trip Facts
Geography: Hills, Valleys
Location: Bhutan
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Duration of Trip: 10 days
Max Altitude: 4100m
Religions: Vajrayana Buddhism
Ethnic People: Bhutanese
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private Vehicle and Flight
Minimum Pax: 02

Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive At Paro Airport (B, L, D)
Welcome to Bhutan! Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. After refreshment, you’ll enjoy lunch and take a short tour to Paro Dzong. Also known as Rinpung Dzong, Paro Dzong is a large fortress cum Buddhist monastery. The ancient site built in the 15th Century highlights the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu School in Paro District. Enjoy a short tour around old Paro Town before heading back to the hotel. Overnight in Paro.

Day 02: In Paro (B, L, D)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then embark on scenic hiking towards Taktshang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. One of Bhutan’s most recognizable cultural icons, Tiger’s Nest, lies on the sheer altitude of 3,120 meters above the sea level. The monastery highlights the life of Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche, who meditated in Paro’s caves for three years, three months, three weeks, three days, and three hours. Witness the legacy of Vajrayana Buddhism at the monastery before enjoying a lunch at the local café. Overnight in Paro.

Day 03: Druk Path Trek Commences (B, L, D)
Today, you’ll embark on the first day of the Druk Path Trek. The short, scenic trek goes along the majestic Druk Path or the pilgrimage route. The highest you’ll reach during this trek is 4,000 meters. Make a short drive towards Ta Dzong, the national museum in Paro. The trek advances through the gravel road for 30 minutes before climbing uphill through the blue pine and fir forests towards Damche Gom. After lunch, you’ll continue trekking towards Jili Dzong, where you’ll set up your camp. Overnight in a tented camp.

Day 04: Druk Path Trek (B, L, D)
Enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by your staff. From here, you’ll embark on the second day of the trek. The trail rises through the deep forests along the Jili Dzong. The five hours of trek and almost 310 meters of ascent through thick alpine forests and rhododendron trees towards Jangchulakha at 3,770 meters. The site is popular for Yak pastures, where you will witness many Yak Caravans. Overnight in Jangchulakha.

Day 05: Druk Path Trek (B, L, D)
Enjoy a delicious breakfast. Leaving Jangchulakha, you’ll embark on a lengthy trek towards Jimilang Tsho Lake. The trail climbs almost 820 meters through Janye Tsho (4050m) towards Simkotra Tsho at 4,110 meters. Simkotra Tsho Lake is home to giant-sized trout fishes. Enjoy a scenic tour around the lake before climbing to the other side towards Jimilang Tsho Lake. The campsite offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding landscapes. You’ll camp beside Jimilang Tsho Lake for the night.

Day 06: Druk Path Trek Ends (B, L, D)
Leaving Jimilang Tsho, you’ll make a rather long journey spanning 20km in length. The trail begins to climb down past rhododendron trees and yak herder’s camps. Along the trail, you’ll catch the spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan. Leaving this site, you’ll begin to climb down towards the Phadjoding monastery. You’ll enter the beautiful Motithang Takin Preserve and engage in three hours long hike towards the site. Catch the beautiful sight of Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, along the tour. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 07: Thimphu to Dochula Pass (B, L, D)
Today, you’ll embark on a scenic tour of Thimpu City. The tour begins with a walk down the main street, enjoying the local lifestyle. Take a hike towards Cheri Monastery or Cheri Dorji Dhen built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 16th Century. From here, you’ll head towards the Textile museum established to preserve Bhutanese textile arts. From here, you’ll head back to the hotel and then embark on a road journey towards Dochula Pass that is home to 108 Buddhist Memorial Chorten. Overnight in Dochula Pass.

Day 08: Dochula Pass to Punakha/Wangdue (B, L, D)
Enjoy a morning hike towards the 18th Century Lungchutse Lhakhang. Lungchutse offers a beautiful view of sunrise and sunset. The hike continues along with the beautiful Botanical garden below Dochula Pass. Enjoy a delicious lunch and then continue along the trail towards Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the Temple of fertility. You will witness the houses and buildings decorated with phalluses painted on the walls. Embark on a short drive towards Punakha Valley.

Day 09: Punakha/Wangdue to Paro (B, L, D)
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and then tour around Punakha Dzong built-in 1637 by Zhabdrung. The fortress is home to a beautiful temple. You will explore the fortress and then head down towards the confluence of Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu River. From Samdingkha, you’ll embark on an adventurous rafting tour. The 4-km long rafting tour goes past Strainers Paradise; a class III boulder choke towards Bhutan’s longest footbridge at Wrathful Buddha, a class IV. After rafting, get on a road journey back to Paro valley. Overnight in Paro

Day 10: Depart From Paro (B, L, D)
Today is the last day in Bhutan. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and then indulge in a shopping tour around the main street. The tour ends with a drive to the airport from where you take a flight back to the connecting city.