Bhutan – Druk Path Trekking

Detailed itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel – welcome dinner

  On your arrival you will be picked up at the airport and driven to your reserved hotel. In the evening you are invited to a tasty welcome dinner to get to know the wide variety of dishes from Nepalese cuisine. Overnight at Kathmandu Guest House or an accommodation of similar category (D).

• Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath

  Today you explore Kathmandu with a local guide. The chosen places are the Buddhist/Hindu temple of Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, which is reached by a long stairway and offers great views of Kathmandu. Other significant sights are the Hindu temple complex of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati river, with cremation grounds, as well as the sacred Buddhist Boudhanath Stupa adorned with colourful prayer flags. This stupa has, for many centuries, been a place of attraction for Buddhist pilgrims who circumambulate the structure several times while turning prayer wheels, praying and murmuring mantras (kora). Overnight at Kathmandu Guest House or similar (B).

• Day 3: Flight Kathmandu to Paro (2,250 m) – approx. 1½ hours of hiking

  Early in the morning we set off on a one-hour flight to Paro. If the weather is clear, we should have (from the left side of the cockpit) a fantastic view of much of the eastern half of the Himalayas, including the 8,000-metre peaks of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. After completing the visa formalities in Paro, we drive to our hotel. After a rest and lunch we first visit the National Museum. Above Paro Dzong towers the Ta Dzong (watchtower), built in 1649 for protection and renovated in 1968 to house the National Museum today. The unusual round building is said to have the shape of a conch shell, with walls 2.5 m thick. The entrance on the 4th floor begins with a description of the early history that perfectly illustrates how magic and science are inextricably linked in Bhutan. Information about Stone Age tools is found alongside descriptions of battles between gods and demons. The thangka gallery presents exhibits on the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism (Sakya, Nyingma, Gelug and Drukpa). Afterwards we take a leisurely 1.5-hour hike along the wooded hill to Zuri Dzong (2,500 m), dating from 1352, and then down to the Uma Resort, where we are picked up by our driver. Even though the hike does not take long, it helps us with acclimatisation. Overnight at Tashi Namgyel or an accommodation of similar category (B|L|D).

• Day 4: Warm-up hike to Taktshang (3,100 m), also known as the Tiger's Nest monastery (3,120 m) – approx. 5 hours

  We leave the town of Paro and, after a short drive, reach the starting point of the trail leading to the famous Tiger’s Nest and Taktshang monastery. Bhutan’s most famous monastery has only recently been recognised as one of the most sacred places in the world. Taktshang sits at 3,100 m on a cliff above the Paro Valley and is said to be the place where the legendary Indian saint Guru Padma Sambhava is said to have flown from Tibet on the back of a tigress in the 8th century in order to defeat five demons that were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is a steep ascent through the forest, taking about 1½ hours, to reach the tea house at the viewpoint. Those who do not wish to climb further can relax here while others continue. On the five-hour intense but rewarding mountain hike to the monastery, which covers more than 900 metres of altitude, both body and soul are said to be purified, and the view of the monastery up close is well worth the effort. We recommend bringing trekking shoes, walking poles and plenty of water. Please note that there are around 1,000 steps up and down along the way. Overnight at Tashi Namgyel or an accommodation of similar category (B|L|D).

• Day 5: Drive to Damchena and trek to Jili Dzong (3,500 m) – 4 to 5 hours of hiking and 1 hour of driving

  
  Today we set off on our 5-day / 4-night hike. The route is part of the original mule track that connected the Thimphu Valley with the Paro Valley and finally Bhutan with the Indian border. We drive for about an hour to Damchena (Damchegon, 2,970 m), where our crew is waiting for us. The hike follows a gravel road for about 2 hours and 30 minutes, past a few farms, and then climbs a steep ridge before leading through blue pine and fir forests. Once we reach the ridge below Jili Dzong, we descend about 100 m to the campsite below the dzong. After a break we begin with a steep, roughly one-hour ascent, then the gradient becomes a little more even and the climb continues more slowly. The hike first leads through pines, then bamboo, then birches and finally rhododendrons. We may see herders and their yaks around us and visit Dhochorten Gonpa, founded in the 14th century as a Drukpa-Kagyu monastery. Throughout the day we will admire a great variety of interesting flora and fauna. After the visit to the monastery, we return to the campsite along the same path. The hike there and back takes about two and a half hours. Overnight in tents (B|L|D).

• Day 6: Jili Dzong to Jangchulakha – 15 km drive and 6 to 7 hours of hiking (3,740 m)

  From the campsite we set off on a steep ascent of about an hour and a half, then it continues somewhat more gently and the climb proceeds more slowly. On a clear day, from the ridge we can see the second-highest mountain in Bhutan, Mt. Chomolhari, 7,314 m. The trail now follows a ridge for a short time before descending into the forest. The route then winds along magical paths along mountain slopes, where many different rhododendron species grow. From time to time we can meet local yak herders and enjoy the wonderful view of the mountains, including another great peak called Kangcheeta. We will see that this mountain has two summits and is divided by a straight, pronounced ravine. The locals believe that Kangcheeta is the brother of Chomolhari (female mountain goddess), who struck him with a stick because he wanted to marry her. To the south, the Dagala range dominates the horizon. Finally we pass a series of yak herders’ clearings and stay overnight at the largest of them. Because Jimelang Tsho can freeze over in November, our camp will be at Tsokam (3,850 m), about 45 minutes above Jangchulakha. Overnight in tents (B|L|D).

• Day 7: Jangchulakha – Jimelang Tsho (6–7 hours of hiking) (3,870 m)

  From the camp the trail climbs up to the ridge and then crosses it, first on one side and then on the other, with breathtaking views of the mountains. Finally we cross a small pass (4,150 m) and circle around it until we get past Lake Jimelang Tsho. This is a large, beautiful lake full of trout, with a large chorten (religious obelisk) at one end.
  In November our camp will be at Jana Tsho (3,880 m). In zigzags we descend to the shore of the lake, which is densely overgrown with rhododendron and surrounded by rocky cliffs. The path then leads up from the lake and along cliff trails with massive drops below. Finally the trail leads around a series of ridges until you arrive at the second lake, Jana Tsho, another magical campsite. Overnight in tents (B|L|D).

• Day 8: Jimelang Tsho to Simkotra Tsho / Labana Camp – 4 to 5 hours of hiking (4,090 m)

  Another magnificent day of hiking through dwarf rhododendron forests and past Lake Janetso, with beautiful views of the mountains, awaits us. From the camp the path leads up a rocky trail to Lake Janye Tsho at 3,956 m. We climb higher to a saddle at 4,150 m and then descend briefly to Simkotha Lake (4,090 m), the highest lake on our hike. From the lake we continue with a gentle up and down to the Labana camp at the foot of the Labana pass. Overnight in tents (B|L|D).

• Day 9: Trek Labana, over the Labana pass (4,220 m) and trek to Motithang (2,800 m) – drive to Thimphu (2,340 m) – 5 hours of hiking and approx. 30 min of driving

  Today the trail gradually climbs to the highest point of this hike, the Labana pass at 4,220 m. The view becomes ever more spectacular, and on a clear day we can see Gangar Puensum (7,570 m), the table mountain and a large part of the Bhutan Himalaya. Far below now lies the Thimphu Valley. From the top we cross the slope with fantastic mountain views and descend in the direction of Thimphu. There are a few small ascents over some mountain saddles, but the general trend is downhill. We continue to descend a further 1,300 m through forests of blue pine until we finish our hike at Motithang, slightly above Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. By late afternoon we should reach our hotel and enjoy a long-awaited shower. Overnight at Hotel Pelyang Boutique (B|L|D).

• Day 10: Thimphu sightseeing and drive to Punakha (1,400 m)

  Today we spend the day visiting the most important sights in and around Thimphu, including the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in honour of the third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, and Buddha Point, a large Buddha statue erected on the slope overlooking Thimphu. There are several museums in Thimphu and an art school; the post office and the market are interesting, and above the city there is a takin area. Your guide will do his best to show you as much as possible in the time available and according to opening hours.
  After the sightseeing tour we drive into the Punakha Valley (1,220 m). Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and is today the winter residence of the central monastic body. On the way we will stop at the Dochu La pass at 3,150 metres to admire the 108 chortens, built on three levels. With a little luck and good weather conditions, we will be able to see the main Himalayan ridge from there. Afterwards a visit to the Mad Man’s Temple (Chimi Lhakhang) is on the day’s programme. Built in 1499, the temple stands on a small hill in the middle of the valley. It was dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529), also known as the “Divine Madman”, who became famous for his humour, his songs and also for his outrageous behaviour. At an altitude of 1,350 m, the temperature difference from Paro is clearly noticeable, and the flora too has now changed markedly. Overnight at Meri Peunsom Resort or an accommodation of similar category (B|L|D).

• Day 11: Sightseeing in Punakha and drive to Paro (2,250 m)

  After breakfast we set off on the short 10-minute drive through Punakha to visit Punakha Dzong, one of the most famous sights of Bhutan. The main monastery / fortress in Punakha was the power base for the old system of reincarnated rulers. The remains of the original ruler of Bhutan, Nawang Namgyal, are kept in a small room at the top of the highest tower. Only the king and the head of the monastic order may enter this room. Provided the head of the monastic order and his monks are in Thimphu, it should be possible to visit the inner courtyards of Punakha Dzong. After the visit to the dzong we are picked up by our driver for the return journey westwards to Paro and have lunch on the way. If we did not visit the temple of Drukpa Kunley yesterday, there should be time for it today. On the way to Paro we will no doubt stop again at Dochu La pass to enjoy — weather permitting — the view of the eastern Himalayan peaks once more. If time allows, in the afternoon we will visit Paro Dzong. The fortress was built in the 17th century and was one of the most massive and important in Bhutan, and several times succeeded in defending the Paro Valley against invasions from Tibet. Scenes from the 1995 film “Little Buddha” were filmed in the dzong. Please note that the above itinerary may change depending on flight times, which are generally unpredictable. Overnight at Hotel Tashi Namgyel or an accommodation of similar category (B|L|D).

• Day 12: Flight to Kathmandu, drive to Bhaktapur – free time

  We fly back to Kathmandu today and are driven to Bhaktapur immediately after arrival. Bhaktapur lies 12 km east of Kathmandu on the Arniko Highway, which leads to the Chinese border. Over an area of 6.4 km², Bhaktapur has managed to preserve its authentic ambience with paved streets, charming red brick houses and a way of life that dates back to the Middle Ages. This ancient city is also famous for pottery and wood carvings, which are amply displayed on the squares and in the windows of the local houses and temples. Overnight at Bhaktapur Heritage House or similar (B).

• Day 13: Bhaktapur sightseeing and drive back to Kathmandu

  Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is an elegant and open south-facing square, surrounded by buildings from the 13th to the 18th century. The palace of 55 carved windows from the 15th century, called Pachpanna Jhyale Durbar, and the palace entrance, the “Golden Gate” — a masterpiece of repoussé art — have given this palace square an incomparable splendour. The extraordinary Durbar Square with its outstanding monuments reflects the glorious days of the Malla dynasty, when art and architecture flourished in the three cities of the valley. After the sightseeing tour we drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight at Kathmandu Guest House or similar (B).

• Day 14: Transfer to the airport and flight back home

  The day is at your leisure until your departure (B).

  We reserve the right to make changes to the programme due to special events, force majeure or weather conditions.

  B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner