Drukpath Trek

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi

On arrival, reception at airport; transfer to the hotel for night stay.

Day 2: Delhi - Paro

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Paro. During the journey, you will experience a spectacular view of Mt. Everest from the left side of the plane, and other famous Himalayan Mountains including the sacred Mt. Jhomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. You will be assisted upon arrival at Paro Airport and transfer to the hotel. Visit Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress), has its great historical importance for the people of Bhutan. It was a place where the Bhutanese finally defeated the Tibetan invasion and drove them back. After Lunch, visit National Museum which was used to be a watch tower for Paro Rimpong Dzong (Fortress). Visit Paro Rimpong Dzong built in 1646 AD. Later, walk down to the town by crossing traditional wood bridge of ancient style, stroll in Paro town; night in a hotel.

Day 3: Paro (An Excursion to Taktshang)

After breakfast, drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 km from Paro town) and from there walk up to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest ". The Monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan meditated at this spot where the Monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Rest of time at leisure; overnight in a hotel

Day 4: Paro - Jeyla Dzong (3350m - Jangchulakha 3700m, 7h, trek 1

Drive to the starting point of the trek. Road goes by the National museum and above. Path follows a gravel road passing by few farms, climbs up a steep ridge toward blue pine and fir forests to Damche Gom. Your hike goes past Jele Dzong, a temple on the hill with a stunning view of the mountains. There cannot be better place for the lunch stop. Trail continue through alpine forests and Rhododendron bushesJangchulakha. Here one can see yak herder around the campsite and can interact to experience their semi-nomadic way of lifestyle. Night in camp.

Day 5: Jangchulakha - Jimilangtso Trek (3706m 11km) Trek- 2

We follow the ridge of the mountains, if the day is clear you can have a beautiful view of the mountains. Our camp is close to Lake Jimilangtso. These lakes are known for their giant sized trout; overnight at the camp.

Day 6: Jimilangtso - Semkotha (3834m - Phajoding 3536m 10km 11km) Trek- 3

Today trail is through dwarf rhododendron trees and passes by the lake of Janetsho. Also come across some yak herder’s. Further gradual climb provide stunning view of Mt. Gangkhar Punsum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and other Himalayan mountains from Doupchula Pass. The path gradually descends till Phajoding, where the monastery and the retreat centers for meditation are located, overnight at the camp.

Day 7: Phajoding - Thimphu (2454m & 8km) (3-4 hrs) * Trek- 5

The trail to Thimphu goes down the hill through the blue pine forests. Upon arrival at Thimphu, check in at the hotel. Rest of the time will be at leisure; overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Thimphu - Gangtey (B/L/D) 140 km, 05 hours

Today’s drive is via the Dochu La Pass (3050m). If weather permits, you can see a range of high peaks toward the north east. The recently built 108 chortens gives the ridge a very beautiful and charming presence. Enroute, we will visit the ancient Wangdi Dzong. Gangtey is a beautiful place of rolling hills and green meadows surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It is at an altitude of 3000m. From Gangtey, one can closely view the picturesque Black Mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikhavalley. Gangtey Gonpa is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. The Monastery is surrounded by a large village inhabited mainly by the families of the 140 Gomchens (Lay Monks). The Gangtey Gonpa is the only NyingmapaMonastery on the western side of the Black mountains and is also the biggest of its kind. Gangtey is also the winter home for the famous Black Necked Cranes which migrate here from Tibet during the winter months. At Gangtey, you can visit the Gangtey Monastery and the Black Necked Crane center. Explore the Gantey village. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.

DAY 9: Gangtey to Punakha via Wangdi 64 km, 2.30 hours

Same way back till Wangdy, visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong. Wangdiphodrang Dzongand its small town are perched on a hill between two rivers. This is another District Administration Office housed in a fortress. The Dzong was built in 1638 AD. Further 13 kms drive to Punakha, check in to the hotel and visit the Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. Punakha Dzong is built in 1637 by Shabdrung, the spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan prior to the present dynasty. It is an old capital which still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. It has withstood several damages from fire, earthquake and flood. The latest flood of Oct' 94 caused great damage to the fortress but miraculously did not cause any harm to the statue of the Buddha Jojampa.

Day 10: Punakha to Thimpu. 77 km, 3 hours.

After breakfast; leave to the capital of Bhutan. Visit the Memorial Chorten (a great stupa) built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972, this stupa was built in 1974. Visit the mini Zoo, where the national animals are kept and drive to Sangeygang, where you can have a spectacular view of Thimphu valley. Visit nunnery in Zulikha the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. Visit the Wood Craft and Painting school where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive through the instructions of painting and curving.

Day 11: Thimpu to Paro: 48 kms, 1.30 hours.

Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Visit the National Library where ancient Buddhist manuscripts are preserved. Check out at 12 noon, after lunch leave to Paro for overnight stay.

Day 12: Paro-Delhi and departure to onward destination.

Morning your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your flight. In Delhi, our representative will welcome you again. Subject to your international flight, you will be transferred to airport or if flight is bit late, common room for wash and change will be allotted to relax for few hours before heading to airport.

Contact us for the price of this trip