Bhutan Druk Path Discovery Trek 11 days, 10 nights +1 646.905.0479 tours@graylangur.com
Druk Path Discovery Trek Come journey with us along the Druk Path, an ancient trading link between Paro and Thimphu that crosses a chain of remote mountains separating the two valleys. Experience the beauty of Bhutan as you hike through beautiful rhododendron and pine forests, camp near high-altitude lakes, and, in clear weather, panoramic Himalayan views. At its peak, the trek reaches 13,800 feet (4,100 metres) and is the perfect option for those looking to combine an adventurous wilderness exploration with a fantastic experience of Bhutanese culture. We ll give you plenty of time to visit some of the many highlights of the Paro and Thimphu Valleys including historic Dzongs, ancient monasteries, temples and thriving villages. Due to the altitude, it is best to be fit and healthy for this moderate trek. Along the journey, we ll provide luxury accommodations at our hotels and resorts with comfortable campsites en route. All luggage and camping gear will be transported by a support crew. Trekking brings you closer to the heart and soul of Bhutan. Let your journey begin today. Itinerary DAY 01 Arrive Paro DAY 02 Climb to Iconic Tiger s Nest Monastery DAY 03 Hike Chele La Pass to Kila Goemba Nunnery DAY 04 Climbing Trek from Paro to Jele Dzong DAY 08 Journey from Labana to Thimphu DAY 09 Explore Thimphu s Past and Present DAY 10 Visit Tango Monastery and Drive to Paro DAY 11 Depart Bhutan DAY 05 Forest Trek from Jele to Jangchu Lakha DAY 06 Hike Jangchu Lakha to Jimilang Tsho Lake DAY 07 Ascending Trek Above Simkotra Tsho
DAY 01 Arrive in Paro You ll land in Bhutan with glimpses of the natural beauty of Paro Valley. In clear weather, you ll be able to see the world s highest peaks give way to the lush green valley. Stepping out of the plane, you ll feel the cool, fresh air of Bhutan an introduction befitting the beauty of the Kingdom. Gray Langur Tours will take care of all airport formalities while you enjoy the comfort of the VIP airport lounge services. You will then be transferred to your accommodations. If time permits, you can explore the town of Paro, either accompanied or on your own. Your personal guide and chauffeur will be available at any time. In the evening, you ll be treated to a sumptuous welcome dinner, possibly accompanied by a cultural show featuring some of the liveliest festive mask dances of the Kingdom of Bhutan that originated centuries ago. After settling in, we begin the afternoon with a visit to one of the holiest temples in Bhutan, Dungtse Lhakhang. Dungtse Lhakhang was built in 1421 by the famous Tibetan Lama, Thangton Gyelpo (1385-1464), who was also known as Chagzampa, (the builder of iron bridges) and Drubthob (The Realized One). This temple has three floors representing Hell, Earth, and Heaven, and the paintings inside are considered to be some of the most significant in Bhutan. Afterwards, we ll travel even farther back into history at Kyichu Lhakhang, a symbolic temple built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659 AD. This Lhakhang (temple) is one of the most sacred monasteries in Bhutan. It s believed to be holding down the left foot of a demon whose body is so large that it covers Bhutan and most of Eastern Tibet. It also contains a five-meter-high statue of Guru Rinpoche and another of Tara, who represents one of the wives of King Songtsen Gampo.
DAY 02 Druk Path Discovery Trek Climb to Iconic Tiger s Nest Monastery In the morning, we ll drive to the foothill of the iconic Taktsang, or Tiger s Nest Monastery. The 8th-century Buddhist master Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress. He then meditated in a nearby cave for three months and converted the Paro Valley to Buddhism. At this point in the journey, you ll have the option to make the climb up to the magnificent monastery perched on the side of a cliff more than 2,900 feet above the floor of the Paro Valley. You can choose to hike the trail or ride up on horseback. It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete the uphill hike to the Taktsang cafeteria, where you ll have a chance to catch your breath and take in the amazing view of the iconic Taktsang Monastery. From here, it s about another hour to a lookout point beside the monastery. Please note that we don t recommend riding on horseback down the mountain. After indulging in a half-day of cliffside Bhutanese history, we ll return to our hotel for lunch before continuing on to explore the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the Great Unifier of Bhutan. He constructed this dzong to commemorate his victory over the Tibetans in 1644. Drukgyel Dzong was featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine when John Claude White published an article about Bhutan in 1914. In 1951, a fire destroyed most of this glorious and magnificent dzong, but its ruins are a fascinating piece of history. Afterwards, we ll visit the Rinpung Dzong, also known as the fortress of a heap of jewels. Built in 1646, the dzong stands on a hill high above Paro and features beautiful architecture and ancient frescos. In the evening, you re free to explore Paro Town to soak in that last bit of Bhutan before tucking in for the night. DAY 03 Hike Chele La Pass to Kila Goemba Nunnery We ll start early for our drive to Chele La Pass, which, at nearly 12,500 feet high, is the highest road pass in Bhutan. The drive snakes upward through blue pine and rhododendron forests for 21 miles. On a clear day, the view of Bhutan s second highest peak, Mt. Jhomolhari, and down to the Haa Valley is breathtaking. Enjoy the view before descending for a two-hour hike through dense rhododendron forest to Kila Goemba Nunnery.
This ancient nunnery is nestled in a craggy patch on a mountainside. It s a serene retreat for 32 Anim (Buddhist nuns) who lead an undisturbed life of religious studies, prayer, and meditation. The nunnery is one of the seven oldest nunneries in the Kingdom. Dupthob Chhoeje Norbu and Dupthob Temba initially established it in the early 9th century as a place for meditation. After being destroyed by fire, the Lhakhang was reconstructed by the 25th Je Khenpo, Sherab Gyaltsen, and in 1986 the Government officially established Kila Goemba as an Anim Dratshang (nunnery). This sacred place has a timeless quality - ample reward after the strenuous hike and about as far off the beaten path as you can get. Having made offerings and perhaps receiving blessings, we ll descend further, arriving at the road in about an hour to be met by an awaiting vehicle. Those who prefer a leisurely sightseeing day can choose instead to drive from Chele La Pass down the other side to the Haa Valley. In case Chele La Pass is not accessible during the winter months due to ice or snow, your personal guide will propose an alternative for this day excursion. DAY 04 Climbing Trek from Paro to Jele Dzong Duration: 8 km (about 5 miles), 4-5 hours. Altitude gain: 1090 m (3500 feet) Altitude loss: 0 m Today is a short trekking day. The journey starts with a climb through apple orchards and ancient pine forest to a whaleback ridge. The altitude gain today is significant, so we recommend that you walk at a slow and steady pace. The monks at Jele Dzong, which is perched on the ridge itself, will welcome visitors. The dzong was the former residence of Ngawang Chhogyel (1465-1540), cousin of the famous saint Lama Drukpa Kinley (a.k.a The Divine Madman. The views of Paro Town far below and of mount Jhomalhari (7,314m) are breathtaking on a clear day. Tonight, we ll camp out beneath the stars. DAY 05 Forest Trek from Jele to Jangchu Lakha Duration: 8 km (about 5 miles), 7-8 hours. Altitude gain: 310 m (1000 ft) Altitude loss: 50 m Today, we ll cross the two-mile-high Jele La Pass and descend below the ridgeline to walk through forests of pine and rhododendron before climbing to reach a yak herders pasture at Jangchu Lakha. Here, we ll take a break to enjoy great views of the Himalayan range, including Jichu Drake, the peak representing the protective deity of Paro. Tonight we will camp in a yak pasture on the hillside of Jangchu Lakha.
DAY 06 Hike Jangchu Lakha to Jimilang Tsho Lake Duration: 11 km (about 7 miles), 6-7 hours. Altitude gain: 330 m (1100 ft) Altitude loss: 230 m After your breakfast, the trek begins in the juniper trees and advances to the dwarf rhododendron trees which afford a view of Thimphu and Paro Valley. From here, we climb uphill and then travel down a steep descent to camp at Jimilang Tsho Lake. This lake is known to house a large number of trout, believed to have been introduced by the British in the last century. Take in the excellent mountain views near the camp, including the sacred peak of Jichu Drake. Tonight, we ll camp out beneath the stars. DAY 07 Ascending Trek Above Simkotra Tsho Duration: 15 km (about 9 miles), 6-7 hours. Altitude gain: 330 m (1100 ft) Altitude loss: 0 m The ascent from the lake is steep at times, through dwarf rhododendron and over a spur to the lake of Janye Tsho. As the trail winds around, trekkers are rewarded with views across the deep valley to the route from two days ago, and to Jele Dzong, now a tiny white dot in the distance. Crossing one final spur, we ll glimpse the Simkotra Tsho below. Continue your trek until you reach the yak pasture, which is where we will set up camp for tonight. Tonight, our entertainment is a magnificent view of the Himalayas, weather permitting.
DAY 08 Journey from Labana to Thimphu Duration: 12 km (about 7.5 miles), 4-5 hours. Altitude gain: 90 m (300 ft) Altitude loss: 1,810 m The morning begins with an ascent to a small saddle at 2.5 miles high before descending to another small lake. Then we ll climb to the Phume La Pass, which is adorned with quietly fluttering prayer flags. Here, you ll be able to enjoy your first view of Thimphu far below. The trail descends all the way down to the pilgrim site at Phajoding, into pine and juniper forest and all the way to the road head at Motithang on the outskirts of Thimphu. A vehicle will be waiting for you at the road to take you to your accommodations. For the remainder of the day, you ll have leisure time for a well-deserved rest. Alternatively, you may choose to stroll through the streets of Thimphu to explore the city s vibrant center. Dinner will be served at the hotel. DAY 09 Explore Thimphu s Past and Present Today, we ll explore some of the colorfully diverse sites around Thimphu. These include the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who died in 1972. We ll also visit Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Thimphu Valley; the National Library featuring an extensive collection of Buddhist literature mostly in block-printed format, with some works dating back hundreds of years; the School of Traditional Arts; and the Folk Heritage Museum. In the late afternoon, we ll visit Tashichoedzong, The Fortress of the Glorious Religion. The expansive dzong houses some national ministries, His Majesty s Secretariat, and the Central Monastic Body.
DAY 11 DAY 10 Visit Tango Monastery and Drive to Paro Depart Bhutan After an early breakfast, you ll be transferred to Paro International Airport for your flight to your return destination. If you still have the urge to do some walking, you may choose to enjoy a short hike up to Tango Monastery. The trail to Tango Monastery climbs about 900 feet and takes about an hour. Built into the mountainside by a 12th century Tibetan saint, Tango Monastery is now a Buddhist University and the residence of that saint s young seventh reincarnation. Here, philosophy and scholarship are king; this is where His Eminence the Ninth Khamtrul Rinpoche completed his studies in Master of Buddhist Philosophy in 2009. His Eminence Thuksey Rinpoche is in his final year pursuing his Master of Buddhist Philosophy. We will return to Thimphu for lunch. Take in the sights on your own or shop for souvenirs. Afterwards, we ll drive one hour to Paro and check into our hotel for a comfortable night of rest. A Unique and Enriching Adventure Awaits... This sample itinerary is an example of the kinds of accommodations, activities, and experiences we can customize for you. Let us help you plan your perfect trip to the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Just drop us an email at tours@graylangur.com, or call (646) 905-0479.