Druk Path Trek and Cultural Tour
Duration:
Highest Camp:
Standard:
Best Seasons:
Start:
Finish:
Six days, Maximum Elevation: 4,200m
4,110m
Easy to medium
March to June & September to November
National Museum in Paro
Mothitang (Thimphu)
Druk Path Trek is one of the most popular treks in Bhutan. It is a short and scenic trek with some great
views and beautiful lakes en route. Although it leads up to altitudes above 4,000m it is not too
strenuous as walking distances between the camps are not too long. Besides the lakes, it is the
Phadjoding monastery that is one of the highlights of this trek.
Day 01: Paro – Cultural Tour
The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas, offering dazzling scenic views of some of
world's highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will sweep past forested hills with the silvery
Paro Chu (Paro river) meandering down the valley below.
Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (National Museum) on the hills above the town will be a fine sight.
Our representative will meet you at Paro airport and drive to Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, an exciting
blend of tradition and modernity.
Check in to the hotel.
Druk Path Trek
Day 02: Paro – Jili Dzong (Distance seven km, four to five hours, 1,090m ascent, camp altitude
3,480m). The first day is a long day 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 Jili
Dzong.
Day 03: Jili Dzong – Jangchulakha (Distance 10 km, four to five hours, 310m ascent, 50m descent,
camp altitude 3,770m). You begin with a climb for about an hour and a half and then ascend gradually
up. The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and dwarf rhododendron tress. You may see yaks and
yak herders around your campsite.
Day 04: Jangchulakha – Jimilang Tsho (Distance 11 km, four hours, 230m descent, 330m ascent,
camp altitude – 3,870m). The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the view of the mountains and
valley are beautiful. The campsite is close to the Jimilang Tsho Lake. The lake is known for its giant sized
trout.
Day 05: Jimilang Tsho – Simkotra Tsho (Distance 11 km, four hours, 820m ascent, 400 m
descent, camp
altitude 4,110m). The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and Janetso Lake. You may
come across some yak herder’s camps where you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of a
nomad’s life. The campsite is close to Simkotra Tsho Lake.
Day 06: Simkotra Tsho – Phajoding (Distance 10 km, three to four hours, 130m ascent, 680m
descent, camp altitude 3,750m). The trek begins with a gradual climb. If the weather permits, you will
have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and other
Himalayan peaks. From this pass, the trek takes you downhill to Phajodhing for a nights halt. The camp is
above Phadjoding.
Day 07: Phajodhing – Mothitang (Distance fur to five km, three hours, 1,130 m descent). After
passing Phadjoding monastery, the trek to Thimphu (Mothitang) is all the way downhill through a
forested area of mostly blue pine. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours.
Day 08: Thimphu
Start exploring from BBS view point then visit mini zoo. The reserve of Bhutan’s national animal called
Takin. Also visit Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory on your way from the mini zoo.
National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating
back several hundred years, as well as modern academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and
religion.
Visit King's Memorial Chorten
continuously
circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this
landmark was the idea of Bhutan's third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ("the father of modern
Bhutan") who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after
his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace. Later
visit Buddha statue
at the Kuenselphodrang. This statue is constructed to benefit all the sentient beings of the world. You
have the advantage of visiting this sight now owing to its construction; once it’s completed the place will
turn into a major pilgrimage site.
Also visit Trashichhoedzong,
"fortress of the glorious religion". This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch's throne
room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan,
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without
nails or architectural plan.
Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as The School of Arts & Craft where students undertake a
six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan;
Textile and Folk Heritage Museum: These museums, both of which opened in 2001, provide fascinating
insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life.
Handicrafts Emporium: This government-run enterprise displays a wide range of beautifully handwoven textiles and craft products. It also carries a small collection of books on Bhutan, Buddhism and
Himalayan culture.
Overnight at Thimphu
Day 09: Punakha
Punakha (alt. 1300m/4265ft)-
After breakfast proceed to Punakha via Dochula pass (3,080m)
stopping briefly here to take in the view and
admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies
are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang
(6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7,
060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the
highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
After Lunch visit Chimi lhakhang. The temple is famously known to outsider as the ‘Fertility Temple’ you
should examine the blessing tool careful for Later visit Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction
of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and
administrative centre of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan's history.
Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has now been fully restored.
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha
Day 10- Gangtey/Phobjikha
Gangtey & Phobjikha (alt. 3000m/9845ft)-
After breakfast drive to Phobjikha. You can stop to take photograph of the Wangdi Dzong in Ruins. The
Dzong was burnt down due to short circuit. Fortunately most of the important relics and statue were
recovered. There is an abrupt change in vegetation at this point, with mountain forest replaced by high
altitude dwarf bamboo. The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. The surprise
of finding such a wide, flat valley without any trees after the hard climb through dense forests is
augmented by an impression of vast space, and extremely rare experience in Bhutan where most of the
valley’s are tightly enclosed.
A few kilometers beyond the Gangtey Monastery, on the valley floor lies the village of Phobjikha. This
place is the winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass
winter in milder and lower climate. Phobjikha, at an altitude of 2900 m, falls under the district of
Wangduephodrang and lies on the periphery of the Black Mountain National Park. The valley boasts two
beautiful meandering rivers, Nakay Chhu (Chhu Naap-black water) and Gay Chhu (Chhu Karp-white
water).
Black Necked Crane Information Centre-
Situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley, the blacknecked crane information Centre has an observation room equipped with high power telescope and
spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes. The centre also offers display information that
outline the natural and cultural history of the area. There is a small gift shop, which sells handicrafts
produced by the local people. According to a local legend, the two rivers actually represent a snake and
a boar. The two animals once raced each other with an agreement that if the snake (Nakay Chhu) won,
Phobjikha valley would be able to grow rice, but if the boar won, then rice could never be cultivated in
the area. The snake lost since it had to meander all the way during its journey. Rice cannot be cultivated
in the valley even today.
Overnight at the lodge in Gangtey / Phobjikha.
Day 11: Paro
Drive back to Paro.
Overnight at Paro
Day 12: Departure.