Druk Path Trek

Fly over the beautiful Himalaya ranges to the international airport in Paro. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our Bhutanese crew members. They will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to a hotel in Paro. Tonight, we stay at a hotel in Paro.

Early in the morning, we hike to a popular monastery in Paro, i.e., Tiger’s Nest monastery. It is an alluring attraction of Paro city placed on the edge of the steep cliff. It is popular for its dramatic location and a Buddhist myth. As per the mythology, the monastery lies in the same place where Guru Rinpoche had fled on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave. Today, we walk up to the monastery and explore the monastery and its peripheral areas. Tonight, back to the hotel in Paro.

Today, we initiate our trekking journey to Jele dzong. The trek for the day is short, hence we march forward slowly at a steady pace just to adapt to the altitude gain, which is quite significant. After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the National Museum that lies just above Paro city. We walk past the museum and head uphill through the orchards of apple and pine forests to Jele dzong. Jele Dzong is actually the ruins of a dzong perched on a ridge. Here, we can observe Lhakhang with a big statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. On a clear day, we can get some amazing views of Paro and Mt. Jomolhari from here. Tonight, we stay at Jele Dzong.

After breakfast at Jele dzong, we follow the trail and begin our walking adventure. We ascend up gradually and descend below a ridgeline. We walk past the dense forests of oak and rhododendron to Jangchulakha. On the route, we pass many grazing areas, yak herders, and temporary settlements of yak herders. If lucky, you may be able to see peasants in the backdrop of beautiful Jhomolhari peak and other neighboring mountains. We continue our walk uphill until we open up into the pastures of Jangchulakha. The place offers some stunning views of mountain ranges. We set up our camps in the pasture near a hillside. Tonight, we stay at Jangchulakha.

In the morning, after breakfast, we follow the trail that moves along the ridge and then through dwarf rhododendron and juniper trees. The views of mountain valleys, i.e., Thimpu and Paro, from the trail are truly magnificent. We first make a gradual ascent and then a steep descent down to the Jimillangtsho Lake at an altitude of 3880meters. The lake is very popular for the large trout fish. We set up our camps near the lake with amazing views of Jichu Drake in the backdrop. Tonight, we stay at Jimilangtsho Lake.

Leaving the lake, we follow a trail along with the dwarf rhododendron trees to another lake known as Janetsho Lake. On the way, we come across the camps of yak herders. Simple observation and short interaction with the herders would give us an opportunity to get some insights into the Bhutanese people, their culture, customs, and lifestyle. The trail then winds up to Simikota with wonderful views of the Himalayas in sight. We can get a glimpse of Simikotatsho Lake as we open up to a yak pasture at Simikota. We set up for camp in the yak pasture for the night. Tonight, we stay at Simkota.

Today, we leave Simikota and climb up gradually to a saddle at an elevation of 4150 meters. From here, we can relish some spectacular views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum with other neighboring peaks. We descend from here through a beautiful trail adorned with colorful prayer flags to a community hall near Phajodhing. Further, we walk downhill through the forests of pine and juniper to Thimphu. Tonight, we stay at a hotel in Thimphu.

Leaving Paro, you will be driven all the way to Paro airport to catch a scheduled flight back to your hometown.