Bhutan - The Druk Path Trek
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 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.
TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2007
| PARO
TSHECHU |
PARO |
17th
- 21st March 2008 |
| THIMPHU DRUPCHEN |
THIMPHU |
04th - 08th October
2008 |
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.
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