Druk Path Trek and Cultural Tour In Pristine Bhutan

Our guide and the drive will receive you at Paro, the only International Airport in Bhutan. The coverage of sightseeing will depend on your arrival time. If you arrive before lunch, we should be able to see all of the below sites:

National Museum of Bhutan: The Museum is housed in the 17th-century watchtower called Ta Dzong and displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life.

Paro Rinpung Dzong: Rinpung Dzong (meaning "Fortress of the Heap of Jewels") was built in 1646 and established as the administrative and monastic center of the western regions. Today, the Dzong serves as the office of the governor and head of the monk body of Paro district. From there, take a short walk to the traditional wooden cantilever bridge where your driver will be waiting for you. The roofed wooden cantilever bridge is built in a traditional style and this type bridges are called Bazam.

Leisure time to explore Paro town

After early breakfast, drive to the base of the Taktsang Monastery from where the hike begins. The hike normally about 4-5 hours round trip from the nearest road head. The hike is a steep climb but takes you through the cool shades of pine trees giving you a lot of opportunities to take beautiful pictures of the valley below or the ridge above. There is a nice cafeteria on the way where you can rest and can see the breathtaking view of the Taktsang Monastery. Lunch will be served at this viewpoint cafeteria.

After lunch at Taktsang Cafeteria, descend back to the base where your driver will be waiting for you. From there drive to visit 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang located just a few minutes drive from the Paro main town. One of the oldest temples in Bhutan Kychi Lhakhang is believed to have been built in 659AD by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

After breakfast, drive to the National Museum of Bhutan. You may visit the Museum if you haven’t visited yesterday. The first day can be quite arduous as you have to climb more than 1,000m elevation. You can either drive little farther up to the roadhead or begin the trek right from the Ta Dzong (National Museum) in Paro. The trek follows a gravel road past a few farms for about 30 minutes and then climbs up a steep ridge before leading through blue pine and fir forests to Damche Gom. You hike past Jili Dzong, a peaceful temple on the hill overlooking Paro valley below. Lunch will be served near temple. Continue the hike through light vegetation of Rhododendron trees until you reach the campsite.

Distance: 7km, Time: 4-5 hours, Ascent: 1,090m, Camp Altitude: 3,480m/11,415ft.

You begin with a steep climb for about an hour and a half, then the slope evens a bit and the ascent is more gradual. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and dwarf rhododendron trees. You may see herder and their yaks around your campsite offering you an opportunity to interact and experience a glimpse of their semi-nomadic lifestyle.

Distance: 7km, Time: 4-5 hours, Ascent: 310m, Descent: 50m, Camp Altitude: 3,770m/12,370ft.

The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and past Janetso Lake. If the weather permits, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and several other Himalayan peaks. You may come across some yak herder camps where you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of a nomad’s life. The campsite is close to Simkotra Tsho Lake.

Distance: 10km, Time: 6-7 hours, Ascent: 330m, Descent: 230m, Camp Altitude: 3,870m/12,695ft.

The last day of the trek begins with a gradual climb. From this pass, the trek takes you downhill towards Phajodhing Monastery from where you can see a grand view of Thimphu valley. You'll spend some time visiting the monastery and young monks. After passing Phajoding monastery, the trek to Thimphu is downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours. On the way, you will pass through Chokhortse Temple on the outskirts of Thimphu and couple of hundred meters steep downhill brings you to a radio transmission tower where your driver will be waiting. This is the point where our trekking staff will bid you farewell. You will have time for excursion/leisure time in Thimphu town if you are not tired.

Overnight in Thimphu either at Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Bhutan Damisa Hotel or Hotel Amodhara.

Distance: 10km, Time: 5-6 hours, Ascent: 820m: Descent: 1500m, Thimphu Altitude: 2,334m/7,655ft

Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and it is home to approximately 115,000 residents and increasing every year. This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. It is the only capital city in the world without traffic lights and even commercial billboards.

After breakfast, visit the 169ft Buddha Dordhenma Statue located at Kuensel Phodrang overlooking the Thimphu valley. From there drive to visit the 13th century Changangkha Lhakhang considered as the national treasure.

Visit National Library of Bhutan considered as national treasure of Bhutan and fundamental source of Bhutanese history, religion, medicine, arts and culture. Opens during working weekdays & on Saturdays 10am – noon. Just nearby is the National Institute of Zorig Chusum (Institute of Traditional Arts & Crafts) where 13 traditional arts & crafts of Bhutan are taught. Both National Library and Zorig Chusum opens during working weekdays & on Saturdays 10am — noon.

After lunch at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant, visit the Centenary Farmers’ Market to learn about the food preference and culture in Bhutanese society. Farmers from all over the country bring their farm produce to sell. The market opens from Friday – Sunday.

From there pass by the Changlimithang Archery Range and witness the game of archery if the match is in progress. You will see archers dancing and singing each time they hit the target from a distance of 145 meters. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan.

Leisure time around Thimphu town.

After breakfast, drive to Punakha valley. En route stop briefly at Dochula – a sacred mountain pass at an elevation of 3150m and enjoy a grand view of some of the highest mountains of Bhutan on a clear day. Good opportunity for photos! From there continue driving towards Punakha and gradually descend to a subtropical valley within an hour.

Just about 11km before reaching Punakha town, visit the famous 15th-century Chimi Lhakhang popularly known among tourists as “Temple of Fertility”. A gentle walk through the terraced rice fields and traditional farmhouses painted with phalluses will give you a unique experience. Walk and explore the village.

After lunch at a nearby hotel, drive to Punakha town and visit the most beautiful 17th century Punakha Dzong which displays fine Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continues to influence the Bhutanese architecture to this day. You will spend sometime appreciating the intricate wood works and sacred wall paintings. From there, if interested, walk to Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge that runs across the glacial-fed Phochu (male) river. Punakha Dzong is flanked by the two glacial-fed rivers - Phochu and Mochu (female) rivers.

Overnight in Punakha at Meri Puensum Resort or Hotel Lobesa or Hotel Pema Karpo.

Distance: 74 km, Time: 3 hours, Transport: Private SUV/Minivan/Bus, Punakha Altitude: 1,200m/3,935ft.

After an early breakfast, drive to the nearest road head and then hike to the picturesque Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten located on a serene hilltop overlooking fertile Punakha valley. It usually takes 2-2.5 hours of walking through the terraced rice fields and a short climb through the pine trees.

Return to the roadhead and drive back to Punakha town for lunch and after the lunch, visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhendrup Buddhist College for Nuns and spend some peaceful quality time meeting nuns. After that drive back to Paro via Dochula pass.

In the evening, visit a beautiful farmhouse for authentic home-cooked local cuisine. If interested, you may soak in a therapeutic and revitalizing traditional hot stone bath for an additional fee of about $15 per person as charged by the owner.

Distance: 115km, Driving Time: 4-4.5hrs, Paro Altitude: 2,200m/7,220ft

After breakfast, drive to Paro and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Your guide will assist you to complete all exit formalities before you check-in.