Druk Path Trek Tour

You will have mygnaficent flight to Paro, you will see the fantastic views of the Himalaya including Everest and other top mointains particularly exciting is the section through the Bhutanese foothills and the thrilling landing. You will be met on arrival by your Bhutanese guide and then transferred to your the hotel. Afternoon you will take a short drive out from Paro to make a walk up to Dzong Drakha. This is a beautiful cluster of 16th Century cliff temples set above the small village of Bondhey, overlooking the Paro Valley. Although this walk will take little more than a couple of hours it's a good leg stretch and rest.

Morning a short drive beyond Paro town takes you to the trail head for the walk up to the famous Tiger's Nest, Taktsang Monastery. The monastery is perched some 600m/2,000ft up on a cliff overlooking the valley and was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. It's a steep uphill walk through woods, of about 1½-2hrs, to reach a tea house (an ascent of 340m/1,125ft). Apart from offering welcome refreshment this tea house is one of the principle viewpoints of Taktsang and those who prefer not to climb any further can relax here whilst others continue on. If there is a particular religious gathering or VIP visit in progress, you will not be able to enter the monastery, but the further half an hour's ascent is well worth it in any case, as it brings you to another viewpoint directly across from Taktsang.

The route is part of the original mule track that linked Thimphu Valley with Paro Valley and ultimately connected Bhutan to the Indian border. The walk is always done from Paro to Thimphu, as baggage horses are only available in Paro. It is a much more exciting way of reaching Bhutan's capital and after five days' trekking the sense of anticipation is keenly felt. The walk starts appropriately behind Paro Dzong itself. Starting from the watchtower, the path winds its way slowly and evenly upward, through the forest towards the ridgeline of the Himalayan foothills above. As the day passes, the views below of the highly cultivated Paro Valley, the Queen Mother's Winter Palace, and the monastery/fortress itself are wonderful.

A short twenty minute hike from the camp to the dzong. This is a large monastery and supposedly haunted. It contains a huge statue of Padma Sambhava. There are birds nesting in the arrow slits and old Mongol helmets and shields hanging on the walls. The building was until very recently deserted, but has now undergone some renovation and is in use again. It sits astride a ridge, which affords dramatic views of the valleys on both sides and the Himalaya to the north. On a clear day the second highest mountain in Bhutan can be seen Mt. Chomolhari. The path now follows a ridge for a short while before descending into forest. It then follows a snake-like route on rather magical paths, along mountainsides and through many different types of rhododendron.

From camp the path ascends to gain the ridge and then traverses along it, first one side and then the other, with wonderful mountain views. Eventually you cross a small pass and circle round, until above Jimi Langtsho Lake. This is a large beautiful lake, stocked with trout, with a large chorten (religious obelisk) built at one end. You zigzag down to the lakeside, which is thick with rhododendron and hemmed in by rocky bluffs. The path then leads up from the lake and along cliff paths with massive drops below. Eventually it leads round a succession of ridges until you arrive at the second lake, Jana Tsho, another magical campsite.

Again a lovely walk in glorious high mountain country, crossing the highest pass, the Simkota La (also known as Phume La) 4,210m/13,812ft. From the lake a wide stone path between rhododendrons leads to traversing a basin, which contains the 3rd lake. Two other lakes are above and out of sight, one male, one female and collectively they are called Dungkar Tsho. The latter of these has a very strong spirit and if anything 'dirty' is done nearby, cloud comes down and only goes away with many prayers. The path is a mixture now of small passes, mountain tracks, some of which wander underneath cliffs. You may meet monks on their way from Thimphu to visit the sacred lake of Jimi Langtsho, where they meditate for a few days before returning. The rocky mountain next to the highest pass, Thujedraj, used to be used for sky burials in the old days. Lower down there is one smaller pass with a chorten which looks directly down onto Thimphu. Afternoon you will have lunch here and then the path zigzags down to Phadjoding. There is time to rest, wash and then see the temples. There is a recent one, constructed with funds donated by the 4th King's Secretary, dedicated to Padma Sambava, but the 9th and 16th Jey Khempos (head monk of Bhutan) built the two main ones.

It will takes two or three hours to reach the road, descending steeply at times through the forest, on a well-worn path. It is worth getting up early for the clear views of the Eastern Himalaya. Seen clearly on the horizon behind the temples is the highest mountain in Bhutan, Gangkar Punsum. There are several paths leading down to Thimphu, perhaps the best is the one leading to the Radio Station, which takes about 3 hours. Quite often the valley below may be filled with cloud, with just the mountains poking up into the clear air. Afternoon there should be time to explore a little of Thimphu at leisure, or your guide will be happy to take you to visit a couple of the principal sights, including the late King's Memorial Chorten, the Takin Reserve (home to Bhutan's national animal) or the Textile Museum, or up to the giant Buddha statue for views over the town.

There will be time this morning to visit some of the sights of Bhutan's capital. Apart from those places not visited on the previous day, possible options include the indigenous hospital specialising in herbal medicine, the School of Painting and Changangkha Lhakhang. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs via a series of zigzags over the Dochu La Pass, 3,140m/10,302ft. On a clear day panoramic views can be had of the eastern Himalaya, including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum (7550m). The road drops down through forest finally emerging into the cultivated Punakha Valley. The drive takes around 3 hours.

Breakfast in the morning then you will make the short 10 minute drive up through Punakha to visit Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan's most celebrated sights. The main monastery/fortress in Punakha was the power base for the old system of reincarnate rulers. The remains of the original ruler of Bhutan, Nawang Namgyal, are kept in a small room at the top of the highest tower; only the King and the head of the Monastic Order are allowed to enter this room. Provided the head of the Monastic Order and his monks are in Thimphu it should be possible to view the inner courtyards of Punakha Dzong. In 1994 there was a major flood in the town as a glacial lake burst up in the Himalaya, causing tremendous havoc in the town and damage to the dzong, which has now been beautifully restored.

After complete the beautiful Durk Path Trek Tour you will transfer to Paro airport for departure to your home town with the beautiful memory of Bhutan Kingdom.