The Bhutanese landscape is geography identified by its craggy terrain and steep mountain valleys from the steamy subtropical plains in the south, through a clement zone to the Sub-alpine Himalayas that go beyond 7000 meters in the north of the dragon kingdom. With the ‘Druk Path odyssey that includes a two Days whirlwind Cultural Tour,’ we savor a combo of wealthy Bhutanese culture and hike one of Bhutan’s supreme short walks in the gentle wilderness of this country. The Druk Path venture starts in Paro as we stroll into well-known benchmarks like Rinpung Dzong, Kichu Lhakhang temple, and Ta Dzong. This follows with a walk up to the famous Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery for acclimatization and to benefit from Bhutan’s finest signpost. Our trekking voyage takes off the next day for three days where we get to immerse ourselves in amazing views of the Himalayas which include Mt. Gangkar Puensum at (7,497m), Bhutan’s highest mountain, we wade across the Dochula pass and revel in the lush green forests amidst chirping birds. During this program, we also visit Memorial Chorten, Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang temple, and Druk Wangyal Monastery. This is what the DRUK PATH TREK OFFERS FOR THOSE WHO LOVE NATURE…
The stunning vistas of soaring jagged peaks like Chomolhari (7320m), Jichu Drake (6900m), and Tshrim Khang, battered forts, untouched villages, clean rivers, flowing lakes, lush forests of oak, pine, rhododendron, and spruce and abundant wildlife provide our journey with regularly changing panoramas and experiences as we come upfront with the loveliness of mother nature. This 11-day vacation in the land called the last Shangri La gives us an elating and worthwhile avenue to discover some of the most engrossing and extraordinary zones of mystical Bhutan. Great Everest Trek will introduce you to spots most others would probably just pass by and show you the ‘Druk Path trek’ in ways beyond what you would have expected…visit our website for more details:
Great Everest Trek is sure that you enjoyed this amazing cultural and historical tour which has given you many deep insights into this fantastic little Himalayan kingdom, you can now return to Nepal for some other great holidays or proceed further to your destination of choice. Sayonara friends! We do hope to meet you someday again. Doing a trip to Bhutan is ideally started in Kathmandu, or ends in Kathmandu…Nepal has so many programs to give you holidays that only dreams are made of…get in touch with us at Great Everest Trek we’ll give you holiday options that are not only thrilling but also pocket-friendly with our no-frills costs.
Day 01: Arrival at Paro(2250 meters) from Kathmandu
Day 02: Paro – Jele Dzong Past Damchena Village 10km (3480m) 5 hrs
Day 03: Jele Dzong – Jangchulakha 10 km (3780m) 4 hrs
Day 04: Jangchulakha – Jimilangtsho Lake 1km (3880m) 4-5 hrs
Day 05: Jimilangtsho Via Janetsho Lake to Simkota 11 km (4110m) 4hrs
Day 06: Simkota Via Phajodhing (3870m) – Thimpu City 14km 7 hrs
Day 07: Thimphu(2350m) and Later in the afternoon drive to Paro
Day 08: Sightseeing in Paro
Day 09: Departure for your next destination
Price Includes:
Hotel accommodation on a twin-sharing basis; a single supplement is available upon request with an extra surcharge as applicable.
Meals; B=Breakfast, L=Lunch; D=Dinner and evening tea with biscuits.
Transport within Bhutan.
Trekking equipment like sleeping bags, dining tents, kitchen tents, toilet tents, mattresses, etc.
Services of experienced licensed English-speaking guides.
Trekking cooks and trek assistants.
supply of pack and riding ponies.
Bhutan visa fees.
Royalty and taxes.
Price Excludes:
Departure Tax where applicable.
Airfare.
Travel insurance.
Rescue operations by helicopters.
Excess baggage charges.
Mineral water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, laundry, telephone calls, tips, and any other personal expenses.
Nepal Visa (if entering Bhutan through Nepal)
Any services in Kathmandu/Nepal (hotels, transport, etc)
Any cost arising from political disturbances, strikes, cancellation of flights, deviation in the program, delays due to landslides/ road blockage, or otherwise.
* This tour can be fully customized as per your requirement.
Day 01: Arrival at Paro(2250 meters) from Kathmandu
As your flight lands in Paro. You will meet our representative at the airport and will be driven to Thimphu. Check into your hotel. If time permits Sight Seeing in Paro. Overnight In Hotel.
Day 02: Paro – Jele Dzong Past Damchena Village 10Km (3480m) 5 hrs
Although today’s trekking day is short, we keep a slow and steady pace as altitude gain is significant. After breakfast, you will drive to the road and head to the National Museum (2487m) above Paro from where you will start your trek. We will walk from the Museum heading uphill through apple orchards, smallholdings of Damchena village, and pine forests. Visit Jele Dzong (3,490m), perched on a whaleback ridge. Jele Dzong is mostly in ruins and there is a Lhakhang with the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni. On a clear day, the views of Paro town far below and Mount Jomolhari (7,314m) are breathtaking. Overnight camp at 3480m.
Day 03: Jele Dzong – Jangchulakha 10 Km (3780m) 4 hrs
Begin with a gradual ascent and then descend below the ridgeline to walk through the trail of thick alpine forests and rhododendrons. You may see yak herders in the area. There are fascinating views of Jhomolhari and other snow-capped mountains and you can also hear some monal peasants during the day. We continue our uphill walk to reach a yak herders’ pasture at Jangchulakha (3,780m) with outstanding views of the Himalayan range. We camp in a yak pasture near the hillside.
Day 04: Jangchulakha – Jimilangtsho Lake 1Km (3880m) 4-5 hrs
The trail follows the ridge and at times through juniper trees and dwarf rhododendrons. The views of the mountain valleys of Thimphu and Paro are sensational. After making an ascent and then a steep descent, we arrive at Jimilangtsho Lake (3,880m). The lake is famous for its giant-sized trout. Near the camp, you can have great views of 6,989m Jichu Drake, the peak representing the protective deity of Paro. Overnight camp close to Jimilangtsho Lake.
Day 05: Jimilangtsho Via Janetsho Lake to Simkota 11 Km (4110m) 4hrs
The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and bypasses the lake of Janetsho. You may come across some yak herder’s camp and get an idea of how these people live. The trail winds and undulates with a magnificent view of the Himalayas across deep valleys. Simkotatsho Lake (4,110m) can be seen below after crossing one final spur. We continue our trek until we reach the yak pasture where we camp for tonight.
Day 06: Simkota Via Phajodhing (3870m) – Thimpu City 14km 7 hrs
Today you will begin with a gradual climb to a small saddle at 4,150m from where you enjoy the majestic view of Mount Gangkar Puensum and other Himalayan peaks in clear weather. You will then descend to another small lake and then climb to the Phume La Pass (4,210m) which is adorned with beautiful prayer flags. From here, you will enjoy a great view of Thimphu city far below. The trail slowly descends through junipers trees to a community hall near Phajodhing (3,870m). Walkway downhill to Thimphu through a forest of blue pine and juniper until you arrive at the road ahead of Sangaygang on the outskirts of Thimphu Valley.
Day 07: Thimphu(2350m) and Later in the afternoon drive to Paro
Today you will do Thimphu sightseeing.
Memorial Chorten where the older people continuously circumambulated, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s 3rd king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.
Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts. Later visit the Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
Phelchey Toenkhyim (Folk Heritage Museum), is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs, and documentation of rural life. The principal exhibit in the museum is a restored three-story traditional building, rammed with mud and timber, which dates back to mid 19th century. To present a typical Bhutanese rural setting flavor, paddy, wheat, and millet fields, a traditional watermill (with millstones that dates back more than 150 years), traditional style kitchen gardens with vegetables that were grown and consumed over 100 years, and the famous hot stone bath complement the museum building and exhibition within.
Takin, the national animal of Bhutan is said to be created by Lam Drukpa Kinley.
Buddha point: (Kuensel Phodrang). It is again a short drive from the town. You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley. Overnight In Hotel / Resort.
Day 08: Sightseeing in Paro
After an early breakfast visit the Tiger’s Nest(Taktshang)Hike up to the famous cliff hermitage called Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest.” This monastic retreat is built into a sheer cliff face, high above the Paro Valley. The Buddhist saint Padmasambhava flew across the Himalayas on the back of a tiger and landed here, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The trail to the monastery climbs through a beautiful pine forest and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags.
Kyichu Lhakhang: This Lhakhang(monastery), built in the 7th century, is one of the two oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan (the other being Jambey Lhakhang in Bumthang). Kyichu Lhakhang is composed of twin temples. The first temple was built by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. In 1968, H.M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, arranged for a second temple to be built alongside the first one, in the same style.
Rinpung Dzong: Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the “fortress of the heap of jewels“stands on a hill above Paro Township. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge (called the Nemi Zam) and then up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls. The valley’s annual springtime religious festival, the Paro Tsechu, takes place in the courtyard of the Dzong and on the dance ground on the hillside above. Overnight in Paro.
Day 09: Departure for your next destination
After breakfast drive to the airport for your onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.
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Visa Information
Indian, Bangladeshis, and Maldivian nationals can obtain a visa at the port of entry by producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC). For other tourists, you will need to acquire visa clearance in advance. Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent. Tourists are also required to book their holiday through a Bhutanese tour operator or one of their international partners. The tour operator will take care of Visa arrangements for visitors.
You are required to send the photo page of your passport (passport scanned copy) to your tour operator who will then apply for your visa. The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD 50 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours. At your point of entry, you will be required to show your visa clearance letter and the visa will then be stamped into your passport.
Weather Information
There is no appropriate season which is to say that Bhutan’s warm and temperate climate, never-ending festivals, and rich and abundant heritage sites provide visitors with a wide array of experiences throughout the year across the country. Bhutan has all four seasons and the climate varies widely depending on the altitude.
Spring (March, April & May)
This time is considered the most beautiful time of the year, resplendent and ablaze with a spectacular array of bright colors. This is the time when the valleys are green with fresh vegetation and fruit trees are blossoming – the time when locals are naturally mirthful and cheery; when visitors are most welcome. Also, you can witness the famous Paro Tsechu festival.
Autumn (September, October & November)
Autumn is lovely with clear and crisp blue skies, providing a grand view of some of the tallest unclimbed mountains in the world. It is the best time for trekking and traveling. The climate is cool and temperate and you can get lovely photography opportunities of willows shedding their golden brown leaves, the solitude of parks, and somber views of dzongs and monasteries.
Monsoon (June, July & August)
During these months, Bhutan receives more rainfall than any other region in the Himalayas. Glorious sapphire skies and warm weather are a pleasant time to spend visiting places of cultural and historical interest though this season is not the best time for trekking. Enjoy a cup of warm, aromatic tea while watching the rainfall from your hotel window. Or if you possess an adventurous spirit, grab an umbrella/raincoat while it is raining and take a day tour through the town.
Winter (December, January & February)
Winter in Bhutan is sunny, cool, and agreeable to say the least. Much of the east-west highway remains snowbound during winter. It is the best time to tour the western districts of Paro, Wangdue, Punakha, Thimphu, and Haa. One of the chief attractions in winter is the beautiful Gangtey (Phobjikha) valley where you can expect to see a wide expanse of rolling plains with bamboo shrubs.
Safety Guidelines
Credit cards are not a convenient source of payment in Bhutan as only a handful of hotels in a few places provide this facility. Also, only MasterCard and Visa. US dollars are the most convenient currency and are cashed by most banks.
You should avoid drinking tap water altogether, but it is okay to use it for brushing your teeth. Bottled water is widely available and is best for drinking. It is also wise to carry water purification tablets when trekking in remote locations of Bhutan.
The local currency is the Ngultrum, which is pegged to the Indian Rupee. Note: The Indian Rupee in denominations of 500 and 1000 is no longer accepted in Bhutan.
Bhutan is the only country in the world that has banned the consumption and sale of tobacco, resulting in smoking being largely disallowed in public places. Having said that, consumption is not completely prohibited in Bhutan so if you want to smoke, bring your cigarettes and ask your guide where you can light up. (seal opened pack only)
Tuesdays are considered the national 'dry day,' with the sale of alcohol prohibited.
When taking photos/filming inside Dzongs, monasteries, temples, or any religious institutions, check with your guide whether it is permitted as some areas do not allow it.
