BHUTAN - DRUK PATH TREK

Day 1. ARRIVE PARO
Arrive Paro by Druk Air flight. During this flight, you will experience breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks including the sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro our representative will meet you outside the arrival hall and escort you to your hotel. After lunch visit Ta-dzong, the museum. Evening walk around the town.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Day 2. IN PARO
After breakfast drive along the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasion. Mt. Chomolhari, the sacred summit, reaches skyward beyond the Dzong. On the way back visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Day 3. IN PARO
Breakfast at the hotel. The highlight of this day will be a hike to Taktsang retreat at Taktsang monastery (Tiger's Nest). This is about a 3-hour walk uphill and can also be done on horseback. The magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff at 3000 mts. Legend says that Guru Padmasambhava flew here on the back of a tigress for the purpose of meditation. When the Guru finished his meditation, he instructed that the monastery be built. Lunch will be served enroute.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Day 4. PARO - JELE DZONG
Today's trek will be a short one covering a distance of approx. 4 miles at an altitude of 8500 ft. The trail is rather gradual till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with its backdrop of snow capped mountains.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 5. JELE DZONG - JANGCHULAKHA
Today's trek will cover a distance of approx. 6.25 miles at an altitude of 9500ft. You begin with about an hour and a half's climb and then ascend gradually. The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and rhododendrons. One might see yak herds around the campsite.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 6. JANGCHULAKHA - JIMILANGTSO
Today's trek will cover a distance of approx. 7 miles at an altitude of 11000 ft. The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the view of the mountains and valley is beautiful. Camp is set close to Jimilangtso Lake, which is famous for its giant trout.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 7. JIMILANGTSO - SIMKOTA
Today's trek will cover a distance of approx. 7 miles at an altitude of 11500ft. The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and bypasses the lake of Janetso. Today we might come across yak herders'camps and get an insight into the way they live. Camp is set up close to Simkota Lake.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 8. SIMKOTA - PHAJODING
Today's trek will cover a distance of approx. 6.25 miles at an altitude of 9500ft. You begin with a gradual climb and if the weather permits you will enjoy a majestic view of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest in Bhutan, and other peaks from the Dochula pass. The trail slowly descends till you reach the Phajoding cafeteria.

Stay overnight in cafeteria or Camp.

Day 9. PHAJODING - THIMPHU
Today's trek will cover a distance of approx. 6.25 miles at an altitude of 8050ft. The trek to Thimphu is all the way down through a forested area of mostly blue pine. In about 3 hours we will reach Thimphu. Check into the hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Day 10. IN THIMPHU
After breakfast enjoy full day tour of Thimphu, visiting the National Library (ancient Buddhist manuscripts); School of Fine Arts (Thangka painting and other traditional arts); Royal Dance Academy; handmade paper studio; Zangto Pelri and Changgangkha temples; Drubthrob nunnery; Folk and Textile Museums; King's Memorial Chorten; Tashichhodzong, site of the Dragon Throne and main monastery of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot); Handicraft Center; and a scenic drive above the valley to see the small Takin zoo. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Day 11. THIMPHU - EXCURSION TO PUNAKHA & WANGDUE
After an early breakfast take a scenic drive on the mountain route towards the former capital of Bhutan, passing through Dochu La pass (Alt: 10,000ft). Stunning scenery of the Himalayan ranges can be witnessed on a clear day from Dochu La pass. Walk around the 108 stupas dedicated to His Majesty the King by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. Later descend to Wangdue valley to visit the Wangdue Dzong, the most picturesque in Bhutan. The drive from Thimphu to Wangdue is approx. 3 hours and covers a distance of nearly 44 miles. Walk around the local market of Wangdue and then visit Punakha Dzong, which is situated at a distance of approx. 8 miles. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of two mighty glacial rivers, Mo Chu and Pa Chu, which descend from the lofty heights of the Himalayas, and was the capital of the kingdom in olden times. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the river and relax for some time. In the evening drive back to Thimphu.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Day 12. THIMPHU - PARO AND FINAL DEPARTURE.
Early morning drive back to Paro airport in time for the connecting flight for onward destination.