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Best Season:
March, April, May,
September, October & November.
OVERVIEW:
Trek Grade: Easy to Moderate.
Maximum Altitude: 4000m/13100ft.
Maximum Camp Altitude: 3800m/12500ft.
Availability: Group Tours are available.
Private treks are available on request.
This short 6-day Druk Path trek
goes from Paro valley to Thimphu (or vice versa), crossing a chain of mountains
that separates the two valleys. Although there are v ery few villages to see,
there are wonderful lakes teeming with fish at 4000 meters (13,000 feet) and
spectacular rhododendron forests that bloom in May. In clear weather there are
magnificent views of the high Himalayan peaks. The Druk Path trek can be done in
all seasons, but the best times are from October to November and March to May.
Bhutan's best short trek.
Bhutan often amazes visitors
from industrialized countries. This small kingdom, hidden in the Eastern
Himalaya, is so traditional, so ancient and so completely culturally intact that
it can seem almost unreal. Its pastoral valleys are still dominated by 16th
century monasteries where red-robed lamas preside over the events of everyday
life. In high mountain valleys, the main occupation is still yak herding. Few
roads penetrate the country. The Bhutanese Government strictly restricts tourism
to preserve the traditional ways, and to travel through this kingdom is a
privilege and a chance to the peaceful way of life.
This is one of the shortest
treks, which starts from Thimpu, the capital to the enchanting valley of Paro,
across a 12,792 feet pass. The trail goes up through the forest to the monastery
of Phajoding at an altitude of 11,152 feet, which overlooks the whole of Thimpu
valley, leading to Jimilangtsho lakes.
DAY 01:
Arrival at PARO
Arrival at Paro Airport.
Transfer to hotel. A welcome drinks in the evening. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 02:
PARO [Sightseeing]
Drive to Drugyel Dzong, the
ruined fort that once defended this valley from Tibetan invasion. Mount
Chomolhari can be viewed on the clear day. On the way back visit a typical
Bhutanese farmhouse. After lunch, excursion to Taktsang view point. Overnight in
hotel.
DAY 03:
PARO-JELE DZONG [Trekking]
Distance 6-7Km, alt.8, 500ft.
Today is the shortest trekking day. The trek trail is rather gradual till the
camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with the
snow-capped mountains behind the valley. Overnight in camp.
DAY 04:
JELE DZONG-JANGCHULAKHA [Trekking]
Distance 10Km, alt.9, 500ft.
You begin with to ascend gradually up for about 1 1/2 hours. The trail takes you
through thick alpine forest and Rhododendrons trees. You may see Yak herder
around your campsite.
DAY 05:
JANGCHULAKHA-JIMILANGTSO [Trekking]
Distance 11Km, alt.11, 000ft.
The trail follows the ridge and on clear day the views of the mountains and
valley are beautiful. Camp is close to lake of Jimilangtso. These lakes are
known for their giant sized trouts and if lucky you may enjoy well-prepared lake
trout for dinner. Overnight in camp.
DAY 06:
JIMILANGTSO-SIMKOTA [Trekking]
Distance 11km, alt.11, 500feet.
From the trail the views of the mountains and valley are beautiful. Camp is
close to lake of Jimilangtso. These lakes are known for their giant sized
trouts and if lucky you may enjoy well-prepared lake trout for dinner.
Overnight in camp.
DAY 07:
SIMKOTA-PHAJODING [Trekking]
Distance 11km, altitude
9,500feet. Today you will have beautiful views of Gangkhar Punsum the highest
mountain in Bhutan and other Himalayan mountains if the weather permits. Then
slowly descends till you reach Phajoding area. If the time favour visit
monastery and overnight in camp.
DAY 08:
PHAJODING-THIMPHU [Trekking]
Distance 9km, altitude
8,000feet. Today the trek is all the way down hill through a forested area of
mostly blue pine. Walking leisurely you will reach to hotel in about 3 hours for
hot shower and lunch. Afternoon, sightseeing and shopping. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 09:
THIMPHU-PARO [Departure]
Early morning drive to Paro
Airport for your onward departure flight.
OPTIONAL Itinerary.
DRAGON PATH
DAY 01:
ARRIVAL at PARO
Arrival at Paro Airport and
transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 02:
PARO [Halt]
A days halt will bring you to a
number of sightseeing and also to help you acclimatize for your trek. Morning
visit Drugyel Dzong, the ruined fortress once defended the country from the
Tibetan invaders, some selected monasteries and the national museum.
DAY 03:
PARO - JELE DZONG [Trekking]
After breakfast to Dop Shari
village where your trek begins. The trail is rather gradual till the camp and if
the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with the snow-capped mountains
behind the valley. The total distance to cover will be 6-7Km, alt.8, 500 ft.
Overnight in camp.
DAY 04:
JELE DZONG JANGCHULAKHA [Trekking]
Distance 10Km, alt.9, 500 ft.
You will begin with a gradually ascend for about one to one and half-hours. The
trail takes you through thick alpine forest and Rhododendron trees. You may see
Yak herder around your campsite.
DAY 05:
JANGCHULAKHA JIMILANGTSO [Trekking]
Distance 11Km, alt.11, 000 ft.
The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the views of the mountains and
valley are beautiful. Camp is close to lake of Jimilangtso. Overnight in camp.
DAY 06:
JIMILANGTSO SIMKOTA [Trekking]
Distance 11km, alt.11, 500 ft.
To day you will trek to another lake called Simkota. Camp is close to Lake Side.
Overnight in camp.
DAY 07:
SIMKOTA PHAJODING [Trekking]
Distance 11km, altitude 9,500
ft. Today you will have beautiful views of Gangkhar Punsum the highest mountain
in Bhutan and other Himalayan mountain if the weather is clear. Overnight in
camp at Phajoding area. If the time permits, you can visit the monastery.
DAY 08:
PHAJODING THIMPHU
Distance 9km, altitude
8,000feet. The last day of the is all the way down hill through the blue pine
forest . Walking leisurely you will reach to hotel in about 3 hours for hot
shower and lunch. Afternoon some sightseeing OR easy and free. Overnight in
hotel.
DAY 09:
THIMPHU PARO [Departure]
Early morning drive to Paro
Airport for your onward departure flight.
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