The Druk Path Trek - 10 Days

On your arrival at Paro will be received by representatives and will be transferred to the hotel. Afternoon visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. This dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artefacts. Below the museum is the Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. A short walk below the dzong takes you across a traditional cantilevered to one of the innumerable archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). Evening, a leisure walk through Paro is the main shopping district. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, today we are going on a hike. A five-hour hike to and fro to a cliff-hanging monastery is probably the biggest highlight of the Short Cultural Tour of Bhutan. Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest because of the myth that states the visit of Guru Rinpoche on a Tiger’s back, nestles on a cliff that hangs 90m above Paro. We hike up to the monastery, explore around and hike back down to Paro for the lunch. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. Built in the 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 m into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger. Looking at the monastery flying tigers doesn’t seem so impossible after all. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria, followed by a short walk to Ramthangkha and then a drive to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in the 7th century. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

The trek begins today after breakfast in our hotel in Paro. The first day of the Druk Path Trek can be difficult because we gain elevation rapidly. The trek starts from Ta Dzong (National Museum). Initially, the trek chases the gravelled trail for almost thirty minutes which has farms on both sides. Suddenly the challenging part of the trek unfolds as we trek along the vertically steep trail followed by a walk along the pines and first forest to Damche Gom. At the end of the day’s trek, you arrive at the ridge top below Jili Dzong and the final 100m ascent brings you to the campsite at 3480m. Overnight in a camp at Jili Dzong.

Today the trek begins with a steep climb for about an hour and a half. After almost ninety minutes of steep uphill walking, the slopes become gentler. The remaining part of the trek penetrates the trail through dense alpine woods of dwarf rhododendrons to the campsite. Today we gain an elevation of 260m. Settling the camps in the campsite we get to see lots of yaks and their herders.

The trek today is even shorter. We chase the trail along the ridge. While trekking if the bright sunny day stays with us we get to view the striking views of Himalayan Peaks that include the highest unmeasured peak of Bhutan, Gangkar Pensuem. After the easy day walk that covers 11km, we arrive at the campsite, which banks Jingmelang Lake, famous for sizable trout fish.

Yet another short trekking day. Though we cover the distance of 11km, the easy trail makes the day’s trek relatively shorter and soft. Initially, the trail through dwarf rhododendron trees brings us to Janetso Lake. Beyond the lake, we trek along the comfortable trail comprising a few yak herder camps- an opportunity to capture the perfect nomadic life in Bhutan. Soon we arrive at Simkotra Tsho where we settle down for the night.

After breakfast, as usual, we begin the trek. The trek today slides up gently. While ascending up we could catch the wonderful views of spectacular Himalayan peaks including Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest unscaled mountain in Bhutan and several other Himalayas before we reach the pass. Beyond the pass, the Druk Path Trek slides down towards Phajodhing where we settle our camps for the overnight stay. The campsite nestles just above Phadjoding Monastery.

The last day of the trek begins to cross past Phadjoding monastery. As we trek down to Thimphu the trail slides downhill through woods comprising mostly blue pines. Three hours of leisurely walk brings us to Bhutan Broadcast Service (BBS) Telecommunication Tower which caters for the wonderful view of Thimphu. Our trek ends and we drive back to our hotel in the city.

Today the real cultural tour of Bhutan begins and the best way to begin is the Bhutanese capital, Thimpu. In Thimpu, we visit Trashichhoedzong, the beautiful medieval time fortress/monastery, which is now the Bhutanese government’s integral building holding many government offices and King’s throne. Trashichhoedzong is also the summer home of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot in Bhutan. The cultural tour of Thimpu continues to the National Library which holds a wide array of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. Explore Arts and Crafts School to witness the fantastic ongoing workshops of Thanka Paintings and encounter the living traditions of Bhutan at Textile and Folk Heritage Museums before lunch.

Post lunch, the sightseeing tour of Thimpu, takes you to the Handicrafts Emporium followed by a visit to Stupa of Memorial Chorten (monument built in the memory of Father of Modern Bhutan- the third king of Bhutan). After a thorough exploration of the Bhutanese capital, we drive back to Paro, which is a wonderful 75 minutes drive. Overnight in a hotel at Paro.

Our representative will drive you to Paro International Airport on time so that you board a plane to your onward destination on time. Have a safe flight home and travel with Access Nepal.