Druk Path Trekking

Druk Path Trekking
    Highlights
    • Trek through Bhutanese countryside
    • Enjoy pristine alpine lakes
    • See Himalayan peaks like Mt. Jomolhari
    • Hike to Taktsang 'Tiger's Nest' Monastery
    • Visit National Memorial Chorten
    • Visit National Institute of ZorigChusum
    • Visit historical monuments in Paro
    • Visit culture centers in Thimphu

    Treks in Bhutan are not always about spectacular mountain views, although those are magnificently present everywhere in Bhutan. They are also about cultural encounters from a distance. Many trails, much like this one, offer unforgettable exploration of mountain villages with age-old traditions, a chance to stroll around ancient fortresses, and sample sumptuous local cuisine, including the delicious EmaDatshi.

    As a perfect trail on which to watch the full majesty of untamed Bhutanese landscapes unfold before you, the Druk Path trek shows you the best of Bhutan and its Himalayan wilderness. That is why this is one of many sought-after trekking trails in Bhutan. This is a complete camping trek but will offer a few days of sightseeing in cities like Thimphu and Paro.

    Itinerary

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    Treks in Bhutan are not always about spectacular mountain views, although those are magnificently present everywhere in Bhutan. They are also about cultural encounters from a distance. Many trails, much like this one, offer unforgettable exploration of mountain villages with age-old traditions, a chance to stroll around ancient fortresses, and sample sumptuous local cuisine, including the delicious EmaDatshi.

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    On arrival at Paro airport, you will be met by our representative from Golden Tibet. Upon completion of airport and immigration formalities, drive to your hotel. At Paro, visit the Rinpung Dzong. Overnight at Hotel.

    Rinpung Dzong: Rinpung, which translates to 'heap of jewels, was built in 1644 on the order of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the seats of the Kagyu school of Buddhism. Rinpung Dzong has religious and administrative centres and is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture. It is a five-storied central tower with exquisite woodwork though not a single nail was used in the construction of the entire complex.

      After breakfast, hike to Taktsang ‘Tiger’s Nest’ monastery. After lunch, visit National museum at Paro. Overnight at Hotel.

      Tiger’s Next Monastery:  Taktsang is a beautiful monastery that is located on a cliff face 900 meters above the Paro Valley. The name Taktsang translates to ‘The Tiger’s Nest/Den. This was originally a cave, transformed into a monastery complex. It is believed that Saint Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), flew on the back of a tigress, and meditated in the cave in the eighth century. The monastery reaches an elevation of 3,120m, 900m above the Paro Valley. It is about 16km (10 miles) away from Paro. One has to make a three-hour hike to reach the monastery.

      National Museum: Located close to the Rinpung Dzong, this beautiful museum displays well-preserved artifacts of ancient Bhutan. The museum has an assortment of religious and cultural artworks, handicrafts, jewelry, paintings, and a stamp hall displaying a large collection of stamps.

       

        This is the first day of our trek. We first drive to Ta Dzong. Although a road has now been constructed, we will still hike for a few hours to reach a forest. After lunch on the trail, we hike further to reach Jele La Pass, at 3500m. Once we cross the pass, we make a small descent to reach Jele Dzong (fortress). There are beautiful views of the valley below. We camp below the Dzong, for the night.

          Today’s trek begins with our walk up to the Jele Dzong. The trail ascends gradually and the beautiful view of Mt. Jomolharilooms at a distance. We then enter a dense rhododendron forest. While on the trail you can come across nomads, along with their Yaks. In the forest, you could catch a glimpse of the beautiful Blood Pheasants. Coming out of the forest, we hike uphill to reach Jangchulakha , our campsite at 3780m.

            Today’s trek is going to be quite challenging as we have to reachJimilangTsho Lake, located at an altitude of 3,880m. We begin by making a steep ascent along a ridge. We leave the forests far below as we reach the top of the ridge which offers breathtaking views of Mt. Jomolhari (7,326m) and Mt. Jichu Drake (6,662m)with a host of other small mountain peaks. From the ridge, we descend for a short while to reach JimilangTsho Lake. We camp close to the lake.

              Although the distance that we cover today isn’t much, the climb can be difficult. We begin our climb through a rhododendron forest till we reach a small lake known asJanyeTscho Lake at 3956m. From here, the path becomes broader as it rambles uphill till we reach Simkota Lake at 4090m. Many trekkers camp at Simkota for the night but we will keep walking for a while to reach out campsite at Labana, situated at 4,100m.

                After breakfast, we climb up to the Labana Pass (4235m). This pass offers excellent views of Bhutan’s Himalayan peaks. There are majestic views of Mt. GangkarPuensum (7,570 m) and other peaks.Down below, we can clearly see Thimphu city. We hike downhill to reach the Phajoding Monastery. From here the trail starts with the steep descentgradually through a thick forest for another 2-3 hours until we reach apaved road. From here, we will drive to Thimphu city where we stay at a hotel for the night.

                  After our early breakfast, we get ready for a sightseeing tour of Thimphu. We visit Memorial Chorten, National Institute of ZorigChusum, and Tashicho Dzong. Halt overnight at hotel.

                  National Memorial Chorten: This is a Tibetan-style Stupa built in 1974 in memory of the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Unlike other Chortens, the Memorial Stupa does not hold any human remains. It was built because it was the Late King’s wish to build a Chorten that is a symbolic manifestation of the mind of the Buddha.

                  National Institute of ZorigChusum: At this institute, there is a display of Bhutan traditional arts that have been perfectly classified into 13 traditional forms. The words 'ZorigChusum' translates to classification of skills. These arts, which include calligraphy, painting, carving, sculpting, metal casting, silver and gold smithery, needlework, carpentry, textile production, paper making, bamboo craft, black smithery, and masonry, are taught in the school. These are traditional skills of Bhutan that form an integral part of Bhutan's cultural heritage.

                  Tashichho Dzong: This is a fortress-turned monastery, and also the seat of the civil government since the medieval era. The Dzong houses beautiful traditional paintings, and intricate Buddhist carvings adorn its walls. This grand fort also serves as the venue for one of the country’s biggest annual religious festival called Thimphu Tshechu.

                    After our early breakfast, we get ready for a sightseeing tour of Thimphu. We visit National Textile Museum, and Zilukha Nunnery. We will drive to Paro in the evening. Halt overnight at hotel in Paro.

                    Zilukha Nunnery: ThangthongDewachenDupthop Nunnery or Zilukha Nunnery is the largest Buddhist nunnery in Bhutan. Founded in 1976 century by ThangtongGyalpo, it houses 60 nuns. An enclosed chorten in the courtyard is very beautiful.  You can walk around the compound of the Zilukha nunnery and interact with the nuns.

                    National Textile Museum: The museum is divided into six categories that include wrap pattern, indigenous weaves, and textile from indigenous fibers, among others. The museum has several collections of antique Bhutanese textile artifacts, including Royal robes of Bhutan's kings, and those of highly venerated spiritual masters of the past. The ground floor of the Textile Museum demonstrates the skills of spinning, coloring fibers, preparing a loom, and manipulating two sets of yarns.
                     

                      After breakfast, drive to airport for departure.

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