Druk Path Trek in Bhutan

One of the finest short treks in Bhutan following ancient trail ( Druk Path) from Paro to Thimpu, Moderate trek through the pristine landscape, splendid camping and mountain views with unique Bhutanese culture makes it one of the most rewarding adventure in the Himalaya.

Duration: 11days (5 days Trek).
Best Time : March to May & Mid Sept to Mid December.
Grade: Moderate/ Maximum altitude 4210mts.
Focus: Cultural Highlights, splendid short trek, Lovely campsites, Stunning mountain views and yak herders.
Discovery Journeys www.india-discovery.com
Destination: Koltattak-Paro-Jele Dzong-shimkota Tsho

Day 1: Arrive Kolkatta ( Calcutta):
Pick-up with assistance with garland welcome and transfer to hotel Peerless Inn for overnight.

DAY 02 ARRIVE PARO (2280m)
Morning after breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Paro, Departure at 0840/ Arrival Paro at 1010Am ( Flight does not operate on Monday and Thursday).
On arrival at Paro airport. You will be received at the airport by a representative from the Bhutan Lha-Yul Tours & Travels who will then take you to the hotel.
After lunch visit the national museum and Paro Rimpong Dzong Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

DAY 03 PARO (DOPSHARE) - JELE DZONG (11Km, 5 hours)
Start with a short walk to Jili Dzong, which you can see atop a ridge above Paro. From Dopshare the trail crosses a brook and makes a long, gradual climb to a wooded crest. It's then a gentle walk along the ridge to a camp site in a yak pasture at 3450m. If you are coming from Ta Dzong, it is a one hour gentle walk to a fork in the trail and then from the fork a steep climb to the camp. Above the camp is Jili La (3490m) and Jili Dzong where there is a monastery with a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. You can visit the Dzong. If the weather is clear, the Paro valley can be seen with Jhomolhari and other snow-capped peaks in the distance.

DAY 04 JELE DZONG - JANGCHU LAKHA (11 km, 5 hours)
After crossing the pass the route stays below the ridge, climbing through thick alpine forest and rhododendron to a saddle at 3590m. It then follows the ridge, amking many ups and downs, staying just above the tree line. The trail goes from one side of the ridge to other, due north to a yak herders camp at Jangchu Lakha, 3780m. There are views of Jhomolhari and other snow peaks, and you are likely to see or hear some monal pheasants during the day.

DAY 05 JANGCHU LAKHA - JIMILANG TSHO (12km, 6 hours)
The trail follows the ridge for about one and a half hour to a saddle at 4040m, then drops a bit and follows the ridge back to Jangchu La at 4180m. Descend to a camp at 3880m, close to the large Jimilang Tsho (sand Ox Lake), named for a bull that emerged from the lake and joined the cattle of a family that uses the area as a summer grazing ground. The lake is also known for its giant trout (which some people believe were taken to Bhutan by early British visitors). There are good views of 6989m Jichu Drake, the peak representing the protective deity of Paro, to the west.

DAY 06 JIMILANGTSO - SIMKOTA TSHO (12km, 5-6 hours)
The trail climbs through dwarf rhododendron trees to the lake of Janye Tsho, another yak herders camp. It's a short climb along the side of the ridge and then a short, steep descent to camp at 4040m, close to Simkota Tsho, where there is another chance to fish for trouts.

DAY 07 SIMKOTA TSHO - THIMPHU (19km, 8-9hours)
The day begins with a gradual climb to a saddle at 4180m. A short descent leads past another small lake, then the trail climbs to Phume La (4210m), where you are gretted by a vast array of prayer flags. Weather permitting, there are views of Gangkhar Puensum and other Himalayan peaks here. Below sprawls the entire Thimphu vally. The route then descends past Thujidrag Goemba, a meditation centre that hangs on the side of a precipitous rock face. The descent continues through juniper trees to a camp site beside a community hall near Phajoding Goemba, an important pilgrimage site at 3870m. The trek is continues downhill through the forest towards the Bhutan Broadcasting Service tower where our vehicle will meet you to take you to Thimphu which is only a 15 minute drive away, Celebratory Dinner and overnight in hotel.

DAY 08 THIMPHU - PARO
Morning at leisure. After lunch, drive to Paro about 2hrs. On the way, visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the country built in 1627 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan. Evening walk around the Paro town.

DAY 09 PARO EXCURSION TO TAKTSHANG
Spend a full day hike to Taktshang, the Tiger's Nest. Taktshang is the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the floor of Paro valley where the only sounds are the murmurs of wind and water and the chanting of monks. All meals and overnight in hotel.

Day 10: Paro- Calcutta:
After early breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the airport for flight to Kolkatta, departure at 1115/ Arrive at 1220hrs (Flight does not operate on Wednesday and Sundays). Arrive Kolkatta nd transfer to the hotel. Afternoon free, Farewell dinner and the transfer to the airport.

Day 11: Fly to UK.

Risk assessment : Along the Druk Path trek trail, there are no hospitals or basic health units. The closest distance to the hospital will be either Paro or Thimphu depending on the distance they have traveled i.e. first 02 days of the trek would be closer to Paro and the remaining 03 days of the trek will be closer to Thimphu.

Visa formalities for Bhutan : Visa applications should be routed through Discovery Journeys India Pvt Ltd. Five weeks prior to arrival of the tour to Bhutan, we require the passport particulars (name, passport number, date of birth, date of issue, date of expiry, place of issue, occupation, nationality and home address) along with 04 passport size color photographs. Without visa clearance number the Druk Air will not permit to board the flight.

Please bring your own :
Trekking shoes, Sleeping bag, sun cream, sun glasses, hat, cotton light and warm clothing, personal medical kit, rain coat etc.