The Druk Path Trek

Day 1: Paro full day sightseeing
Arrive at Paro by Druk Air/Bhutan Airline. Your flight into Bhutan takes you over the Mighty Himalayas with the spectacular views of the mountains.
On arrival, you will be received by your guide and your driver. After refreshment, make your way to visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum which hosts fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha (scrolls), paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Visit the beautiful Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress), built 1644. Later in the afternoon, take a short drive to visit the lovely Kyichhu Lhakhang (monastery, built 659 A D). Evening at leisure.
Night halt: Paro

Day 2: Paro – hike to Taktsang Monastery
Today, you will trek up the mountain to view the magnificent Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) that clings dramatically on a huge rock cliff, 900 m above the valley.
The 2-3 hours easy hike (slightly steeper towards the end) takes you along winding footpaths and through pine forests with spectacular views of the wide valley below.
Later in the afternoon, you will drive along the scenic route to see the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong (built 1647).On a clear day, you will see the magnificent Mt. Jhomolhari (7313m) in the distance.
Night halt: Paro

Day 3: Paro – Today, you will start your Druk Path Trek.
Paro – Jili Dzong 
Distance 7 km, 4-5 hours, 1,090 m ascent, camp altitude 3,480 m.
The first day can be quite arduous as you climb more than 1,000m elevation. You start 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. Once you reach the ridge below Jili Dzong you descend about 100m to the campsite below the Dzong.
Night halt: Camping

Day 4: Jili Dzong – Jangchulakha
Distance 10 km, 4-5 hours, 310 m ascent, 50 m descent, camp altitude 3,770 m.

You begin with a steep climb for about an hour and a half, then the slope evens a little and the ascent is more gradual. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and dwarf rhododendron trees. You may see herders and their yaks around your campsite.
Night halt: Camping

Day 5: Jangchulakha – Simkotra Tsho
Distance 15 km, 6- 7 hours, 820 m descent, 400 m ascent, camp altitude 4,110 m.
The trail follows a ridge and on a clear day the view of the mountains and valley are simply stunning. You will pass through dwarf rhododendron trees and past Janetso Lake. 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.
Night halt: Camping

Day 6: Simkotra Tsho – Phajoding – Thimphu
Distance 14 km, 6-7 hours, 130 m ascent, 680 m descent.
The day begins with a gradual climb. If the weather permits, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and several other Himalayan peaks.
From this pass, the trek takes you downhill towards Phajoding Monastery. You will see Thimphu city far below in the valley.
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 two-three hours.
On the way down, stopover at the Takin Nature Preserve to see the unique animals grazing on the mountainside. Evening at leisure.
Night halt: Thimphu

Day 7: Thimphu – full day sightseeing
In the morning, you will continue your sightseeing in the city.
Drive towards the city centre to visit Zorig Chusum Institute, which literally translates as the thirteen (chusum) arts and crafts (zorig) of Bhutan. Spend time learning about Bhutanese arts and crafts at the Institute. Make your way to the Textile Museum which hosts an exquisite collection of the traditional fabrics and textiles of Bhutan. Later visit Simply Bhutan – the ‘living museum’ that depicts Bhutan’s ancient cultural heritage. Enjoy lunch at the Museum Restaurant which serves traditional Bhutanese dishes from around the country.
After lunch, take a walk in the town and pop in to the Royal Postal Museum. Later in the evening, take a short drive to see the impressive giant statue of Buddha Dordenma, Standing at a height of 51.5 metres, it is one of the biggest and tallest Buddha statues in the world.
Night halt: Thimphu

Day 8: Thimphu – Punakha
After breakfast, make your way to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan.
Stopover at Dochhu La (3,050m) to enjoy the view of the spectacular Himalayan ranges in the horizon and visit beautiful 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens. Continue your journey to Punakha. Stop at Lobesa to visit the famous Chimi Lhakhang (monastery) which sits snugly on a hilltop. The monastery is also known as the ‘Temple of Fertility’ dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who is also known as the Divine Madman. Later visit the lovely Punakha Dzong (fortress) – the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of the most majestic structures in the country. Evening at leisure
Night halt: Punakha

Day 9: Punakha – Paro
After breakfast, make your way upstream to take a leisurely hike to visit the charming Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten (stupa) which sits on a ridge overlooking the valley.
In the afternoon, slowly make your way to Paro, 130 km. Evening at leisure.
Night halt: Paro

Day 10: Depart from Bhutan
Your tour ends and depart from Paro on your onward journey.