Druk Path Trek

Today is an exciting day we are to visit Tiger Nest, Taktsang the famed site where the mythical Buddhist teacher Guru Padmasambhava alighted upon the back of a tigress The walk up is fairly steep about half way through we catch sight of Taktsang and the stunning location of the monastery as it seems to cling to the edge of the cliff encourages us onwards.  We refresh ourselves with some tea and biscuits and continue upward.  Suddenly we find ourselves at the edge of a cliff and right on the opposite cliff is Tiger Nest.  We climb the stone steps down to a small bridge light some butter lamps and start climbing up, the final leg on the way to heaven!  And suddenly we are there bowing in reverence to the deity in the inner sanctum.  On our way back to Paro we visit Kitchu Monastery. A little away from Paro is the national Museum and the Rinpung Dzong and to complete our tour we visit them. Overnight stay at hotel in Paro.

Our trek starts today.The start of the Druk Path Trek is at the historic Ta Dzong, the National Museum. We follow a dirt road until it gives way to our trail in the pine forests. The trail is uphill all the way till Jela Dzong, a temple built as a war fortress in the olden days, overlooking the Paro valley below. Our first day of trek will take us about 6 hours. Dinner and overnight stay at camp in Jea Dzong.

Today’s trail looks like the setting of Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. With ancient firs wrapped in Spanish moss, a dinosaur or a Bhutanese Yeti might actually surprise you around the bend. You may see yak herders around your campsite. Dinner and overnight stay at camp in Jangchu Lakha.

The trek today starts off with a climb, overlooking the rolling valleys below. Rhododendrons and other high altitude shrubs decorate the rocky trail which climbs up and down. On a clear day the Chomolhari can be seen. We camp near the lake Jimilang Tsho famous for its trout. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at the lake of Jimilang Tsho.

The trail will take us through dwarf rhododendrons and junipers. We will also pass the lakes of Janye Tsho and Simkotha Tsho. The view of the far ridge across the valley which you trekked will fill you with a sense of personal satisfaction and renew you with extra confidence in yourself. Our camp is going to be the coldest of all our camps. Dinner and overnight stay in camp at Camp above Simkotha Tsho.

An hours’ climb from the camp will take us over the highest pass on this trek at 4210m. On a clear day we can see the Gangkhar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan. Descending from the pass over rocky steps, we will be greeted by the sight of Thimphu far below in the valley. From this point on, it’s all downhill. We will be passing through the temple and meditation center complex of Phajoding. Our car will meet us just as we start emerging from the forest. Overnight stay in a hotel in Thimphu.

We take in the sights of Thimphu and visit National Memorial Chorten, Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, Handicrafts Emporium, National Library and the Thimphu Dzong. The rest of the day is at leisure as we are free to wander through the quaint city of Thimpu and finish off any last minute shopping. Overnight stay at hotel in Thimphu.

We leave Thimphu post breakfast for Paro Airport for final departure.

End of arrangement…