Reviews:

5/5


Difficulty:

Moderate


Duration:

10D/9N


Tour Type:

Trekking


Avialability:

Seasonal


From:

USD $2860


Druk Path Trek of 9 Nights and 10 Days 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. This trek also offers hikers stunning views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in the world. The best times to embark on the Druk Path Trek are between March-June and September-November.

Day 1: Paro Arrival

 You will be received by the representative of Charisma Bhutan Tours & Treks representative who will be your guide throughout your tour.

  • Visit the Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century as a watchtower for the Paro Dzong. This Dzong was converted into the National museum in 1967 and is filled with antique thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor.
  • Drive to see the Paro Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now use as an administration center and school for monks.

Overnight at hotel Paro

Day 2: Paro – Hike Taktsang (Tiger Nest)

 After breakfast morning hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest).

  • The climb up to the view point will take around three hours. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambava landed on the back of a tiger in the 8th century, and mediated for three months. Lunch will be arranged in the cafeteria and after lunch in the cafe, walk back to the road point and drive back to the hotel.
  • Drive to Drukgyal Dzong (fortress) now in ruins, which was built in 1646 by Shabdrung to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders, led by Mongolian Warlord, Gushri Khan. Overnight at hotel Paro.

Day 3: Paro – Jele Dzong Trekking

After breakfast start with trekking distance 7 km time cover 2 hours. Today is a short trekking day. The trail is rather gradual till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with its snow capped mountain backdrop.

Overnight Camp Jele Dzong.

Day 4: Jele Dzong – Jangchu Lhakha

 After breakfast continue trekking distance 10 km and time cover 3 hours. You begin with about an hour and half’s climb then ascends gradually up. The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and rhododendrons. You may see yak herders around your campsite.

Overnight Camp at Jangchu Lkakha

Day 5: Jangchu Lhakha – Jimilangtsho 

After breakfast keep trekking distance 11 km and time cover 5 hours. The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valley are beautiful. Camp is close to the lake of Jimilangtso.

Overnight camp at Near Lake

Day 6: Jimilangtsho – Simkota

After breakfast trekking begins for day distance 13 km and time cover 6 hours. The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and bypasses the lake of Janetso. Today you may come across some yak herder’s camps and get an idea of how these people live. Camp is close to Simkota Lake.

Overnight camp at Simkota

Day 7: Simkota – Phajoding

After breakfast keep trekking distance 10 km and time cover 4 hours. Today you begin with a gradual climb and if the weather permits you will enjoy a majestic view of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest in Bhutan, and other peaks from the Dochula pass. The trail slowly descends till you reach the Phajoding cafeteria.

Overnight in cafeteria or camp

Day 8: Phajoding – Thimphu

After breakfast do for short trekking distance 8 km and time cover 3 hours. The trek to Thimphu is all the way down through a forested area of mostly blue pine. Taking a leisurely pace you reach Thimphu in about 3 hours.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu

Day 9: Explore Thimphu – evening drive to Paro

After breakfast pay visit to the site:

  • National Textile Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection.
  • Folk Heritage Museum, ancient traditional of Bhutanese way of living.
  • Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family.
  • Kuenselphodrang (commonly known as Buddha Point) where the largest Buddha statue in the country is perched on the hillock overlooking the Thimphu Valley and enjoy the magnificent few of Thimphu Valley and mountain peaks.
  • National Memorial Chorten (stupa) which was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan.
  • Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 10: Paro Departure

After breakfast your guide and driver will drive to Paro airport for your onward flight to your next destination.

Inclusions:
  • Accommodation in 3 Star Hotels.
  • Transportation in comfortable vehicles with experienced driver – (SUV cars of Toyota and Hyundai up to 4 persons, for more than 5 persons Toyota Mini bus and in Toyota coaster bus more than 9 persons).
  • All meals – (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). Experience Licensed English-speaking tour guide. Royalty Taxes (Sustainable Development fee) of US $65 per person per night spent in Bhutan.
  • All Entrance fees to all tourist sites (Dzongs, Museums and Monuments).
  • Refreshment (Tea and snacks during the day Tour).
  • Mineral water bottle during the day Tour.
  • One-time Bhutan Visa Fee of US $40.
  • Surcharges for solo and 2 traveler $40 and $30 per night per person respectively but more than 3 travelers’ surcharges is not applicable.
  • Pick and Drop till Airport included
Exclusions:
  • Flight Airfare (both international and domestic)
  • Travel insurance
  • Beverages, Laundry and Tips.
  • Any cost incurred due to flight cancellation, delayed flight or road blockage
  • Spa
  • Hard and Soft drinks.

The total tour cost includes minimum daily tariff, surcharges and Bhutan visa fees:

Single Traveler: $3760
2 travelers: $3590 Per Person 
3 travelers: $3280 Per Person 
4 Travelers: $3095 Per Person 
6 Travelers and above: $2860 Per Person 

Note: Due to nature of Tour and man force required, cost for trekking may be slightly more expensive compared to Cultural and festival tours.