Druk Path Trek
7 Days / 6 nights
Two nights – Paro
Three nights – Druk Path Trek
One night back to Paro
Following the ancient’s high-level route between Paro and Thimphu, the Druk path trek is an excellent short trek, ideally for those who are in Bhutan only for short duration.
You will experience the countryside, mountains, alpine meadows, glacier lakes and monasteries. The first day walk leads to the Jele Dzong which sites on high ridge above the Paro valley and commands the breathtaking views across Mt. Jhomolhari.
During the succeeding 5 days of trekking, we climb above the tree- line and across several passes. En-route, we camp beside clear mountain lakes, visit Yak herder’s encampments and enjoy splendid panoramas of the peaks on the border with Tibet, including Mt. Jhomolhari, Mt. Jitchu Drake and etc.
Arrival and Welcome to Bhutan
Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: Chelela Pass and hike to Kila Nunnery
Day3: Taktsang hike
Day 4: Damchen Nang to Jangchu Lakha
Day 5: Jangchu Lakha to Jimi Langtsho
Day 6: Jimi Langtsho to Labana
Day 7: Labana to Paro via Thimphu
Day 8: Departure
Day 1: Arrive and visit around Paro Valley
Arrive at Paro by Druk Air flight. Reception will be arranged for you on arrival. After lunch, visit National Museum, Kyichu Lhakang and drive to Drugyel Dzong ruins. Along the way one can view the sacred Mt jhomolhari (7326 m) if the weather permits.
Overnight: Paro
Day 2: Taktsang Hike (Tigers nest)
Highlights of Paro valley as well as Bhutan, the Taktsang monastery (Tigers nest), Taktsang is one of the most important pieces of architectures building in Bhutan, Taktsang monastery defies logic, gravity, and reason. As the legend has it that this Cliffside was blessed by Guru Rinpoche (Pamasambhava), landed on the back of flying tigress, to subdue the local deities and he meditated there for 3 months. It is the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, miraculously perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900 m above the floor of Paro valley. It will be challenging climb for you but worth to go and to avoid the hot sun an early start is advice for two –hour climb, via cafeteria, to the viewpoint, then descend steeply through steeps and passes by the waterfall before entering the main gate to monastery.
Evening 1 hour culture show with Traditional dances and music
Difficulty: moderate to hard
Overnight: Paro
Day 3: Damchen Nang (2880m) – Jangchu Lakha (3780)
Trekking starts from Damchennang trek with a gradual climb. On clear day, you can see Mt. Jhomolhari and Altitude 3,500 meters. One and half hour of bit steep climb and then gradual ascend. The trek takes you through alpine forests and rhododendron shrubs and Yak herders.
Duration: 14 km, 7 – 9 hours
Altitude gain: 1,300 m
Altitude loss: 0 m
Difficulty: Hard Guided with picnic
Overnight: Camp (3,780 m)
Day 4: Jangchu Lakha (3780)- Jimi Langtsho (3880)
In the morning it’s gradual climb and then in the afternoon descends down to the campsite. Altitude 3,700 meters. The trail follows the ridge and offers clear views of mountains and valleys. Camping at Jimi Langtsho Lake (Lake of the Ox).
Duration of drive: 11 km, 6 – 7 hours
Altitude gain: 330 m
Altitude loss: 230 m
Difficulty: Hard Guided with picnic
Overnight: Camp (3,880m)
Day 5: Jimilangtsho (3880)– Labana (4120)
Altitude 3850 meters. The Trail takes you through rhododendron shrub forests and yak herders. You will pass Janatso lake and Simkotra Lake on the way.
Duration: 12 km, 6 – 7 hours
Altitude gain: 330 m
Altitude loss: 0 m
Difficulty: Hard Guided with picnic
Overnight: Camp (4,120m)
Day 6: Labana (4120) –Paro via Thimphu (2200)
Altitude 3,400 meters. Gradual Climb with beautiful view of “Gangkar Puensum” mountain, the highest mountain in Bhutan. Slowly descend to reach Phajoding monastery, overlooking Thimphu city. You also descend down to Thimphu through mostly Blue Pine forests.
Duration: 12 km, 5 – 6 hours
Altitude gain: 90 m
Altitude loss: 1,810 m
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard Guided with picnic
Overnight: Paro
Day 7: Departure
We wish you safe flight back home and hope to see you again. Thanks for traveling with us.
- Walking poles for hikes ADDITIONAL TREK INFORMATION For a trek at this level, fitness is important and you may wish to optimize your fitness before departure to get the most out of the experience. A detailed pre-departure information sheet designed to help you prepare for your adventure will be sent out with your booking confirmation.
Packing Essentials: warm jacket, good leather or waterproof fabric boots or shoes with good soles, waterproof jacket, sunglasses, warm hat, sunhat, sunscreen, torch, and backpack.
Packing Recommended: trekking pole, binoculars, gloves, tracksuit or thermal underwear, lip balm, a sufficient supply of any medication you are taking. NB. Camera film is rare in Bhutan so bring your own in your carry-on luggage.
Travel Insurance
It is strongly recommended that you be insured against medical and personal accident risks (including repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services) and that you also take out cancellation insurance. You should be aware that some policies restrict coverage or do not cover travel to Bhutan and may not cover activities such as trekking (and mountain bike). Please ensure that your policy provides a sufficient level of protection and covers you for the activities involved. You must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you to Bhutan.
Please Note
This overnight camping trek is only available from March to May and from September to October and requires a minimum of two people.
Happiness Journey Bhutan requires that our guest checkout of there rooms for the camping nights and will store guests’ nonessential trekking luggage.
We offer our guests with walk-in tents, with raised camp beds and camping armchairs for luxury camping only. Bed tea and hot washing water is delivered to each tent in the morning and generous portions of healthful cuisine for dinner and breakfast. For more details please refer to our pre-departure information sheet for
Trekking.
This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Local conditions and weather may necessitate variations to the programmed, which can affect the availability of views and panoramas described. Please be aware that all times stated are approximate, and may vary with individual and group fitness and interest levels.
Happiness Journey Bhutan provides complimentary drinking water for all guided itineraries. If you have any special dietary requests, please let us know in advance.
Throughout your stay you have the option to participate in a range of extra Outdoor Activities at an additional charge.
Travel to Bhutan: Happiness Journey Bhutan handles the whole booking process on your behalf, including Druk Air & Bhutan airline flights. However, the price of Druk Air and Bhutan airline is not included in the package and it is therefore advisable to book well in advance to secure seats. We also handle visa application processing (included in the package). It normally takes 2 to 3 weeks to process the visa but under some circumstances, we can accelerate the process.
