Druk Path Trek | 9D

[Day 1]

PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – Your first glimpse of Bhutan

• On arrival at the Paro International Airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide and driver. After checking into your hotel, visit the impressive Rinpung Dzong/fortress of Heaped Jewels, a fine example of the ostentatious Bhutanese art and architecture. Located above the Dzong is the National Museum showcasing various artifacts and relics of ancient Bhutan.
• In the evening visit a traditional farmhouse replete with paddy fields, vegetable garden and farm animals. Enjoy a hot stone bath in a wooden tub, get some cooking tips and help in preparing your dinner which you will eat in the traditional Bhutanese style with the whole family.
• Overnight in Paro

[Day 2]

TAKTSANG MONASTERY/TIGER’S NEST/ Acclimatizing Hike– The highlight of your holiday to Bhutan

• Your highlight of the tour and a day excursion to one of the most petrified sites in Bhutan, Taktsang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest which is about 3 hours uphill and 2 hours down. It is located around 900 meters above the Paro valley. In the 8th Century Guru Padmasambhava – the patron saint of Buddhism established the most sacred place in Bhutan and meditated with his consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal. It is believed that Guru flew on a female tigress in pursuit of a demon which he subdued at the current site of the Monastery.
• You can have your lunch, tea/snacks at the cafeteria midway.
• Before you drive back to your hotel visit the Kyichu Lhakhang/temple, one of the oldest temples built in the 7th Century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gyembo.
• Overnight in Paro

[Day 3]

PARO – JILI DZONG

Walking Distance: 7 km, 4-5 hours, 850m ascent, 40m descent, Camp Altitude: 3,480 m

• You will start the first day of the trek from the Ta Dzong (National Museum) in Paro. The trek will take you through blue pine and fir forests. Once you reach the ridge below Jili Dzong you descend about 40m to the campsite below Jili Dzong.

[Day 4]

JILI DZONG – JANGCHULAKHA

Walking Distance: 10km, 4-5 hours, 425m ascent, 50m descent, Camp Altitude: 3,770 m

• The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and beautiful dwarf rhododendron tress. You may see yaks and yak herders around your campsite.

[Day 5]

JANGCHULAKHA – JIMILANG TSHO LAKE

Walking Distance: 11km, 5-6 hours, 370m ascent, 375m descent, Camp Altitude: 3,870 m

• The trail follows the ridge and view of the mountains and valleys are beautiful. The campsite is close to the Jimilang Tsho Lake. The lake is known for its giant sized trout and if you wish, you may fish a trout or two for dinner

[Day 6]

JIMILANG TSHO LAKE – SIMKOTRA TSHOLAKE

Walking Distance: 11 km, 5-6 hours, 820m ascent, 400m descent, Camp Altitude: 4,110 m

• The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and Janetso Lake. You may come across some yak herder’s camps and may take some time to acquaint yourself on the life of the Nomad people. The campsite is close to Simkotra Tsho Lake.

[Day 7]

SIMKOTRA TSHO – PHAJODING

Walking Distance: 10 km, 4 hours, 130m ascent, 680m descent, Camp Altitude: 3,750 m

• The trek begins with a gradual climb. On a clear day, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan (and the highest unclimbed in the world) and other Himalayan peaks. The campsite is above Phadjoding Monastery.

[Day 8]

PHAJODHING – MOTHITANG

Walking Distance: 5-6 km, 3 hours, 1130m Descent

• This is the last day of the trek. Watching the sunrise from Phajoding is a treat in itself. The walk downhill to Thimphu valley, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours through blue pine and rhododendron.
• Your driver will wait for you at the end of the trail to take you to the hotel.

[Day 9]

DEPARTURE Thimphu - Paro (1hr30min)

• After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport where your guide and driver will bid you farewell and hope you had a pleasant holiday and hope to see you in Bhutan again.

TASHI DELEK