Detail Itinerary: 5 Days Trek to Bhutan (Druk Path Trek)
Day 01. Arrive Paro (2280m).
Representative from Yak Holidays will greet you on arrival, and then drive you the short distance to the hotel. Visit Ta Dzong (built in 1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography. Dinner and over night in Tashi Namgay Resort or similar.
Day 02. Excursion to Taktsang Monastery:
A very special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery – The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort. Lunch will be served at the Paro town.
After Lunch, visit to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, under renovation/construction, 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo.
- Srongsen Gampo was a Tibetan king who married a Chinese princess, Wenchen in 641, as a part of her dowry was a statue called “Jowo” which was an Indian image of Buddha, Sakyamuni as a small boy. In 659, He decided to build 108 Temples in a single day to pin the Ogress to the earth forever and, at the same time, convert the Tibetan people to Buddhism. 6 of these Temples lie in Bhutan, most prominent of them are Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang and Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. Kichu Lhakhang is said to hold the left foot of the Ogress and Jambay Lhakhang pins the left knee.
Dinner and over night in Tashi Namgay Resort or similar.
Day 03. Paro – Jele Dzong (Start of Trek):
Today is a short trek. The trek begins above the National Museum; we climb till we reach camp. If the weather is clear the Paro valley and the snow-capped mountains can be seen. The campsite is near the old Jele Dzong. If the caretaker is there you can visit the Dzong.
Camp Altitude: 3560 m; Distance 10 Km; Walking Time 4 – 5 hours. (1090 meters ascent).
Day 04. Jele Dzong – Jangchulakha:
The trek 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.
Camp Altitude: 3770 m; Distance 10 Km; walking time: 3 – 4 hours. (Ascent 310 meters, descent 50 meters),
Day 05. Jangchulakha – Jimilangtso:
The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valleys are beautiful. Our camp is close to Lake Jimilangtso. These lakes are known for their giant sized trout, and if lucky, you may enjoy well-prepared trout for dinner.
Camp Altitude: 3870 m; Distance 11 km; Walking time 4 hours, (330 meters ascent, 230 meters descent).
Day 06. Jimilangtso – Simkota. (4-5hours):
The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees past the lake of Janetso. Overnight camp.
Camp Altitude: 4110 meters, Distance: 11 km, Hiking time: 4 hours, (820 meters ascent, 400 meters descent).
Day 07. Simkota – Phajoding – Thimphu (2320 m) (4-5 hours):
From here we slowly descend down to Phajoding Monastery from where Thimphu town is visible at the valley floor.
After lunch, rest in the hotel. Overnight in Hotel Pedling.
Altitude (End of Trek: 2520 meters), Distance: 15 km, walking time: 6 – 7 hours, (130 meters ascent, 1820 descent).
Day 08. Thimphu Sightseeing:
The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the and to the Largest Statue of Buddha followed by a visit to Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls).
After Lunch, visit Takin Preserve Center and Sangay Gang View Point visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. In the evening, visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Overnight in Hotel Pedling or similar.
Day 09. Thimphu – Punakha:
After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. We stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. Drive further down and visit the Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi.
- The Royal Botanical park, also known as the Rhododendron Garden at Lamperi is about half and hour drive towards Punakha/Wangdue. The recorded species are the monal pheasants, blood pheasants, musk deer, tiger, leopard, red panda and the leopard cat. A Rhododendron garden with 46 species of the plant is the theme of the botanical garden. Located 30 KMS from capital, the park has numerous view points, a lake and a canteen.
Drive further to Punakha. On the way, view/visit Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Popularly known as “The Divine Madman”, in the year 1499. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
- Lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529) was one of the Bhutan’s Favourite Saints who was born in Tibet, trained at Ralung Monastery and was a contemporary and a disciple of Pema Lingpa. He Traveled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi) using songs, humor and outrageous behavior to dramatise his teachings of Salvation through sex.
After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the First National Assembly here in 1952. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Vara.
Day 10. Punakha – Thimphu:
After breakfast, hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery.
- Drive to Yabesa village and hike to through rice fields and up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions.
After lunch, Lungchutse hike (Short hike – 2 hours): This is one of the most rejuvenating and picturesque hikes in the Thimphu region. It can be done as a loop starting from Dochula and finishing at Hongtsho village with Lungchutse gomba and Trashigang gomba visit. At Lungchutse one can enjoy 360° view of the Himalayan mountain range. You will start your hike from the large chorten in the middle of Dochula, the pass between Thimphu and Punakha at 3140 meters (10300 feet) above sea level. A small trail leads you the last 50 meters past a row of fluttering prayer flags up to Lungchutse temple.
You vehicle will pick you up at Hongtsho and drive to Thimphu. In the evening, free to stroll in the town or witness Archery match at Changlimithang stadium. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Pedling.
Day 11. Thimphu – Paro (Departure):
After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell.
