The Dream Destine
Druk Path Trek
Total Duration: 12 Days – 11 Nights | Trek Days : 6 Days – 5 Nights
Difficulty: Moderate
Highest Altitude: 4110 Meters
Best Seasons: March to June or September to November
The six day trek is the most popular trek in the country as it passes through a gorgeous natural landscape of blue pine forests, high ridges and pristine lakes while at the same time offering the opportunity to visit some ancient lhakhangs, dzongs and villages.
The Druk Path Trek is also a fairly easy hike to undertake as the distances between rest camps is fairly short. The trail takes you through forests of fir, blue pine and dwarf rhododendrons at altitudes ranging between 2400-4200 meters. On the third day hikers will arrive at Jimiling Lake, whose crystal clear waters are home to gigantic trout.
This trek also offers hikers stunning views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest unclimbed peak in the world. The best times to embark on the Druk Path Trek are between March to June or September to November
Day 1: Arrival in Paro Airport
Our representative will be there at the airport to receive you and transfer you to the hotel.
- Visit the nearby Ta Dzong, and Rinpung Dzong.
Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Paro. Food and accommodation will be arranged as per your reservations.
Day 2: Paro Ta Dzong to Jili Dzong – Trek Day 1.
After breakfast, your transportation will drop you off at Paro Ta Dzong.
- The first day can be quite arduous as you have to climb more than 1,000 m 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 at an altitude of 3,480 m. The total trek is estimated to take a maximum of 4 to 5 hrs.
Lunch will be served on the way. Dinner and overnight halt in campsite.
Day 3: Jili Dzong to Jangchulakha – Trek Day 2.
After breakfast,
- 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. We camp at an altitude of 3,770 m.
Lunch will be served on the way. Dinner and overnight halt in campsite.
Day 4: Jangchulakha Jigmelang Jersey – Trek Day 3 .
After breakfast,
- begin your trek following a ridge and on a clear day the view of the mountains and valley are simply stunning. The campsite is close to the Jimgelang Lake at an altitude of 3,870 m. This lake is known for its giant sized trout.
Lunch will be served on the way. Dinner and overnight halt in campsite.
Day 5: Jimeglang Jersey Simkotra Jersey – Trek Day 4 .
After breakfast,
- commence your 4th day trek following the trails that 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 at an altitude of 4,110 m.
Lunch will be served on the way. Dinner and overnight halt in camp.
Day 6 : Simkotra Tsho to Phajoding – Trek Day 5.
After breakfast,
- begin your day with a gradual climb. If the weather permits, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum and several other Himalayan peaks. From this pass, the trek takes you downhill towards Phajoding where you will halt for the night. The camp is located just above Phajoding Monastery at an altitude of 3,750 m. Next morning you will wake up with the greetings of sunrise overlooking the Thimphu valley and the clouds forming a blanket over the valley.
Lunch will be served on the way. Dinner and overnight halt in Phajoding campsite.
Day 7 : Phajoding to Motithang – Trek Day 6.
After breakfast, visit
- The Phajoding monastery and start a steady descend downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine towards Motithang for about 1130 m. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hrs.
- The Druk Path finishes at the Bhutan Broadcast Service (BBS) Telecommunication Tower, offering great view of the city of Thimphu.
- Your guide will take you to your respective hotels where you can rejuvenate and refresh yourselves to embark on yet another adventurous journey tomorrow.
- Sixth day into the trek and to relieve yourself from the tiring week you can enjoy some of the finest hospitalities that the capital city has to offer you.
Day 8: Thimphu sight seeing
After breakfast, visit
- KuenselPhodrang, where the largest statue of siting Buddha is located. It offers a stunning panoramic view of the whole of the Thimphu city.
- Visit Changgangkha Lhakhang, and the Takin preservation Center in Motithang.
After lunch visit ,
- Dechenphu Lhakhang.
Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Thimphu.
Optional activities you can choose from :
- Day hiking in Thimphu
- Visit to national memorial Chorten and handicrafts emporium located in the heart of the city.
Day 9: Thimphu to Punakha.
After breakfast,
- drive towards Punakha. On the way to Punakha, halt in Dochula pass for photography and visit Royal Botanical Park at LamPelri.
- Upon crossing Lobesa, visit Chimi Lhakhang.
Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Punakha.
Day 10: Punakha to Phobjikha
After breakfast,
- drive towards Phobjikha. Take a detour in the Phobjikha valley. You can also take up an excellent photography session while you enjoy the view of the Black necked cranes. Phobjikha valley is the winter retreat for the black necked cranes that fly from Tibet every year to spend their summers in Bhutan.
Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Phobjikha.
Snowfall and the cranes in the valley make it a wonderful vacation spot recommended by every visitor who has enjoyed this heavenly abode of the cranes.
Day 11: Phobjikha to Paro
After breakfast, drive towards Paro.
- On the way to Paro visit Tachogang Lhakhang. Take you the thrilling experience of walking the suspension bridge that leads to the Temple. Make your last stop as memorable as ever as you take this short walk up to the Temple located on a hill top adjacent to Paro highway.
Dinner and overnight halt in Paro hotel.
Day 12: Departures from Paro
After breakfast, drive to the airport and we bid you farewell.