The Drukpath Trek
The Drukpath trek allows you to Breathe the pure himalayan air; walk through the untouched nature; live the unique tradition, culture and experience the best Bhutanese hospitality. Choose Drukpath Trek for your adventure in Bhutan and breathe the pure himalayan air; walk through the untouched nature; live the unique tradition, culture and experience the best Bhutanese hospitality. The Drukpath trek is a moderate five to six days trek and is one of the most popular treks in Bhutan. The trek offers beautiful views as you walk through the chain of mountains that separate Paro and Thimphu Valley. The trek route also offers you Rhododendron forests, high altitude lakes and a number of temples and dzongs on the way. With the Drukpath trek we had also added sightseeing in Thimphu and Paro in this itinerary thereby giving you both, natural and cultural experience in Bhutan.
This trek may be experienced with extensions to Haa or Punakha with the increase in number of nights.
Tour Highlights – The Drukpath Trek
- Experience the beautiful Lush valleys, dense forests, snowcapped mountains and other beautiful natural landscapes.
- Opportunity to explore Paro valley, Thimphu (the capital city of Bhutan without traffic lights) and the Punakha Valley (the old capital of Bhutan)
- Discover some of the most sacred monasteries and temples in the Himalayas.
- Travel hassle free with your own guide, driver and trekking crew. Travel as per your convenience and visit places as per your interest. We are flexible with the itineraries except for the confirmed overnight destinations. Enjoy a real holiday.
- Personal attention by the tour operators.
- A private traditional cultural show and experience of the traditional hotel stone bath.
- Wonderful day hike to the abode of gods and monks, the world famous, Taktshang Monastery (Tigers’ nest)
- Visit to the age old Lhakhang (Monasteries/ temples) and dzongs ( Fortress)
- Opportunity to explore villages, visit to village houses and interact with local people.
- Opportunity to play archery (the national game of Bhutan) and many more.
- Value-Added opportunities such as cooking lesson or meditation session with a monk.
- Choice to experience an overnight in a village house.
Trip Rating: Moderate
Travel Type: Trekking, Tour, Photography, Nature, Culture, Hikes, Art, Architecture, People and lifestyle, Villages, History
Total Duration: 8 Nights, 9 Days
Trek Duration: 5 – 6 Days
Destinations Covered: Paro and Thimphu
Arrival: Paro Airport
Departure: Paro Airport
Best Possible Departures: Late February to June and September to December
Day 1. Arrive Paro
Day 2. Paro
Day 3. Paro – Jele Dzong (Start of Trek)
Day 4, Jele Dzong – Jangchulakha
Day 5, Jangchulakha – Jimilangtsho
Day 6, Jimilangtsho – Simkota
Day 7, Simkota – Phajoding – Thimphu
Day 8, Thimphu
Day 9, Departure
Detailed Itinerary – The Drukpath Trek
Day 1. Arrive Paro
Altitude of Paro – 2280 m.
On your journey to Paro, the panoramic views of the Himalayas are sensational, including the Everest and other famous Himalayan Peaks. The approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep turns to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro becomes more exciting as you enter Bhutan.
On arrival, you will be received with a warm welcome by your Bhutanese tour guide from Neptune Holidays Bhutan with “Tashi khadar”, then Check in Hotel.
After lunch, you may relax or go around the Paro town and valley – A time for yourself. If you have enough time, you can also choose to sightseeing in discussion with your tour guide from Neptune Holidays Bhutan.
A private traditional cultural show in the evening.
Dinner with your Bhutanese Host as you converse in regards to this new place and its cultures.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 2. Paro
Altitude of Paro -2280 m.
After breakfast, start your day with a hike to the abode of gods and monks, the Taktshang Monastery. It shall be taken care of that the time shall be yours for the hike, no hurries and no worries. Reaching the top shall be worth the climb; the touch of the Himalayan breeze, the views of the valley below and temple on the rocky cliff shall be fascinating and shall let you feel the real freedom of mind and happiness.
Taktshang Monastery: The primary lhakhang was built surrounding Guru Rinpoche’s Meditation cave in the 1684 by Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer Rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew here on the back of a tigress which gives its name “Taktshang” meaning Tiger’s nest. It is a two to three hours excursion uphill; however, one feels truly blessed reaching the monastery.
Picnic Lunch among the woods shall be another great experience. After lunch, visit the Kyichhu Lhakhang.
Kyichhu Lhakhang: This temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan. The Tibetan King, Songtsen Gompo miraculously built 108 temples to consecrate the entire region of Himalaya in the 7th century. Kyichhu Lhakhang is considered to be one of them.
Then we have a special program for you to feel the pure Bhutanese hospitality. Drive to a village house. You shall be served with the local Bhutanese alcohol (Arra) and shall have the opportunity to understand and experience the life in a village in Bhutan. Right from the daily household chores to other works in the field. Also relax in traditional hot stone bath.
Hot stone bath: The traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath, known as Dotsho in local language has been practiced in Bhutan for centuries as a medicinal soak. Many Bhutanese believe that the bath helps in curing joint pains, helps in relaxing and other medical problems. River stones are heated and then put in water to heat the water; sometime medicinal herbs are added to the water before it is ready for the soak.
You may choose to have your dinner with the family. (If interested you could also choose to have a traditional Bhutanese dish cooking lessons here) You can also have the option to spend overnight in the village house, however this will have to be confirmed during the confirmation of your tour to Bhutan.
Dinner and overnight in village house or hotel.
Day 3. Paro – Jele Dzong (Start of Trek)
Altitude of campsite – 3480 m. | Walking Distance – 10 Km. | Walking Time – 4 to 5 Hrs. | Ascent – 1090 m. |Maximum altitude – Jele La at 3560m.
The trek begins above the National Museum. Walk the slopes till we reach the Jele Dzong. If the weather is clear the Paro valley and the snow-capped mountains can be seen.
The campsite is near the old Jele Dzong. The Dzong can be visited if the care taker is present.
Overnight in camp.
Day 4. Jele Dzong – Jangchulakha
Altitude of campsite – 3780 m. | Walking Distance – 10 Km. | Walking Time – 3 to 4 Hrs. | Ascent – 310 m. | Descent – 50 m.
The trail starts with a short climb and then passes through a thick alpine forest of rhododendron and gradually climbs till we reach camp. You may see yak herders around your campsite.
Overnight in camp.
Day 5. Jangchulakha – Jimilangtsho
Altitude of campsite – 3880 m. | Walking Distance – 11 Km. | Walking Time – 4 to 5 Hrs. | Descent – 230 m. | Ascent – 330 m.
The trail follows the ridge. Our camp is close to Lake Jimilangtso. These lakes are known for their giant sized trout.
Overnight in camp.
Day 6. Jimilangtsho – Simkota
Altitude of campsite – 4110 m. | Walking Distance – 11 Km. | Walking Time – 4 to 5 Hrs. | Ascent – 820 m. | Descent – 400 m.
The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron bushes and the lake. You will be able to observe the nomadic life of the yak herders on the way today. The camp is beside the Simkota Lake.
Overnight in camp.
Day 7, Simkota – Phajoding – Thimphu
Altitude of campsite – 3750 m. | Walking Distance – 10 Km. | Walking Time – 3 to 4 Hrs. | Ascent – 130 m. | Descent – 680 m. |
Phajoding to Thimphu: Walking Distance – 5 km | Walking time – 2 to 3 hrs. | Descent – 1130 m.
The trek begins with a gradual climb eventually reaching 4210m at Labana La. In clear weather you will be able to see the spectacular view of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in the country and her sister mountains. Descend down to the family of Monasteries at Phajoding which serves as the View point of the Thimphu valley.
Walk down the slope till we are at the valley floor. Our vehicle will be waiting for you at the road point. Drive to your hotel.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 8. Thimphu
Altitude of Thimphu – 2350 m.
After a leisure breakfast, your sightseeing for the day includes;
Sangaygang view point (2685 meters): You can have a very good view of whole Thimphu valley from this place. Walking through the hundreds of colorful prayer flags that dot the hill could be another good experience.
Takin Preserve Centre: Takin, the national animal of Bhutan can be seen here. This particular animal is found only in the Himalayan region.
Changangkha Monastery: This monastery is built on a hill overlooking the Thimphu valley. It was built in 15th Century by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo. Many parents of Thimphu take their new born babies to this monastery to be blessed by a high lama.
Folk Heritage Museum: Founded by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck the museum is one of a kind that portrays the lifestyle of a family in the Thimphu valley in the olden days. This is a three storied, 19th century traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households. The museum contains typical Bhutanese household objects, tools and equipment.
A typical Bhutanese lunch at Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant. Tasting the local “Arra” (Bhutanese Local alcohol) is a great experience.
After lunch sightseeing includes;
The Institute for Zorig Chusum: Zorig Chusum means the thirteen traditional arts and crafts. Students are taught the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan in this institute.
The Institute of Traditional medicine: Medicines are prepared according to the Tradition practices in this institute. People are also treated here in traditional ways.
Kuenselphodrang: A place for refreshing with a huge statue of Buddha. The area also gives a very good view of the Thimphu Valley from the west. The place also consists for biking trail and has a picnic spot.
National Memorial Chhorten: This Chhorten was built in the honor of the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, also known as “The Father of Modern Bhutan”. This Chhorten was built in 1974 in a typical Tibetan style. This Chhorten is also a center of worship for the people living in Thimphu and contains many religious paintings and tantric statues. Lighting Butter lamps and circumambulating the chhorten can be a great experience and a good way to earn merits as per Buddhist beliefs.
In the evening, visit the Tashichhodzong.
Tashichhodzong: The Dzong is the seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan) at present. A Doom (Blue Stone) Dzong was built on the hill above Thimphu in 1216 the lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa. A few years later Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo, who brought the Drukpa Kagyu lineage to Bhutan, took over Dohon Dzong. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (The one who unified the country) acquired the Dzong in 1641 from the descendants of lama Phajo and renamed it as Tashichhodzong.
In the evening, you could choose to visit a local resident in Thimphu and spend time with the family.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 8. Departure
After breakfast, Drive to airport and farewell.
Important Notes
The comfort, convenience and interest of the travelers is very important to us. We are flexible with the itinerary. Sightseeing can be done as per the convenience and interests of the guests. If it is of interest to the guest, they may choose to visit places that may not be in the itinerary, except for the change of overnight destination.
We reserve the right to change the itinerary or hotels anytime as may be required to, in case of unforeseen contingencies (natural/man made) or unavailability of hotels.
Some of the sites to be visited may be closed on government holidays or during breaks. In such cases we shall do other sightseeing in its place.
This itinerary can be tailor made for any duration or within any destination and can be combined with any kind of activities such as trekking, rafting, walking tour, cycling , etc.
It is advisable to book “the Drukpath trek” at least 6 months prior to the travel date because of limited Bhutan tourism infrastructures and inventories.