Active Bhutan With Druk Path

On arrival at Paro International Airport this morning, you will be warmly received by a friendly, customarily dressed representative with a traditional white welcome scarf (called Khadhar) with eight propitious symbols printed on it. Drive to your hotel and lighten up with a cup of welcome tea while completing the check in formalities.

Later, visit Ta Dzong, which once served as the watchtower for Paro Dzong and now houses the National Museum. Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

The evening is at leisure or you can visit Paro town and wander down streets with typical Bhutanese traditional buildings.

The Druk Path is the best and most popular trek in the country. Trek this short but brilliant 5-days route between Paro and Thimphu valleys crossing a chain of mountains that separate them.  Each day, you’ll be walking between 4 and 5 hours.

The route goes through apple orchards, cultivated terraces, ruined dzongs, alpine forests, yak herders’ camps, lakes teeming with trout and spectacular rhododendron forests that bloom in April to May. In clear weather there are magnificent views of the high Himalayan peaks. The best season is from October to November and March to May.

On the trek, you will be staying overnight at designated campsites where the crew will erect your tents. At the end of the 5 days of trekking, you’ll enjoy a well deserved hot stone bath, a traditional Bhutanese way of easing those sore muscles.

Trek Route: Paro – Jele Dzong – Jangchu Lakha – Jimilang tsho Lake – Simkotratsho Lake – Labana – Phajoding Monastery – Thimphu

Trek Grade: Easy to Moderate.
Maximum Altitude: 4000m/13100ft.
Maximum Camp Altitude: 3800m/12500ft.

We will provide: Sleeping Tent · Sleeping Mat · Mat Rug · Solar lamp in each Sleeping tent · Pillow, Inner Blanket & Hot water bag · Dining sets · Dining Tent, Chairs & Table · Kitchen Sets · Kitchen Tent · Toilet Tent, Pot & Paper · Shower Tent & Bag · Packaged Fruit juice on trail. · Drinking water · Fruits. · Tea & Snacks ready throughout the trek. ·

Note: Please bring your own sleeping bags, or these can be obtained locally at your own expense.

After breakfast ride your bike along the Thimphu River for 25km to the base of Tango monastery, the seat of higher learning for the Buddhist Monks. From the parking lot hike uphill for about an hour to the Monastery. Your support vehicle will lead/follow you.

Ride or drive back to Thimphu and visit Kuenselphodrang where world’s tallest Buddha Statue (169 feet) sits overlooking the Thimphu Valley. Enjoy the spectacular view of Thimphu city.

In the afternoon, visit Royal Textile Academy, Folk Heritage Museum, and the General Post Office where you can make a postage stamp with your own picture which can be posted within Bhutan.

In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong the impressive fortress which houses the secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and central monk body. Witness the Flag lowering ceremony before you enter the Dzong.

Drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the 108 chortens, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks towards the north east will be revealed in all their glory. On a clear day, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.

Hike to Chimi Lhakhang through a nice walk along the rice field and through farm houses. The temple was built by Lama Nawang Chogyel in 1499 and is today a popular temple where barren women come to pray for a child. The temple is popularly known as the Fertility Temple.

Visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955 and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body. Bhutan’s first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood damage from fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. The latest flood, in October, 1994, caused great damage to the fortress but miraculously spared its most holy statue.

Drive further to take a small hike to Nyzergang to visit the Khamsum Yuelly Namgyal Temple.

Drive to Nunnery viewpoint to enjoy the views of Punakha and Wangdue valleys.
Evening drive back to Thimphu.

Note: Our vehicle will carry your bikes so that you can enjoy the ride any time you like to. And our guide will advise you the best places to bike according to your ability.

Today, you will be hiking to the Taktsang Monastery, which is better known as “Tiger’s Nest”. Hanging precariously and magically from a rather steep cliff, the Taktshang monastery is a monument of genuine pride for the Bhutanese. The hike takes anywhere from 4 to 6 hours depending on your hiking ability. You’ll be having your lunch at the Cafeteria on the way.

At the end of the day, if you feel you’d like another hot stone bath, your guide will be able to arrange one for you, to be paid for locally.

After breakfast, your trip to Bhutan ends with memories, photographs and wide smiles as our representatives will see you off at the Paro Airport for your onward destination.