Bhutan Drukpath Trek

Trip Duration 11 Nights/12 Days
Trip Code NAP-BHU - 525
Trip Grade Sightseeing/Hiking/Driving.
Trip Cost On Request
Best Time Sept – Nov/March - April

Overview

Bhutan Drukpath Trek goes as high as 3800m above the sea level. Bhutan Drukpath Trek is very wonderful and a very popular trek in Bhutan – as this trek requires a shorter duration. The trek is moderate and demanding one. En-route, on clear weather, views of the Himalayas are breathtaking, the sceneries are beautiful and fantastic, monasteries, lakes, the rhododendron and high altitude wild flowers and many more makes the trekking very interesting and memorial in one’s life time.

Our journey starts on arrival at Paro airport, welcomed by our Bhutan representative and after immigration formalities, you will escort to the hotel. A pre-trip discussion held in Hotel where you can meet your group leader/guide then you can ask any questions you may have. We spent one and half day sightseeing around the Paro valley, the day will start with a guided tour of Paro historical and spiritual key attractions; visit the National Museum which has a very interesting assortment of costumes, treasures and world-renowned stamps, and will bring alive the history of Bhutan since the 6th century and a full day excursion to the Tiger’s Nest locally known as Taktsang Gompa, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below.

We then start our short, five-day trek, which leads from Paro to Thimphu, or vice versa, crossing the chain of mountains that separates the two valleys. Although there is little settlement on this route, there are wonderful lakes teeming with fish and the area is famous for its spectacular rhododendron forests, which bloom in May. In the clear weather of late autumn and winter there are views across to the Himalayas. We finally arrive into the lush valley of Thimphu the Capital city. After touring through this tiny no traffic light Capital city we will return to Paro and take our flight back home with beautiful memories of this land.

Highlights

⚝ Picturesque Paro valley
⚝ Monuments of the capital Thimphu
⚝ Easy to moderate trek
⚝  Pristine alpine nature and number of ice lakes
⚝ Buddhist monasteries and beautiful villages on the way
⚝ Conclude trek at the Tiger's Nest monastery
⚝ Magical landscape with hundreds of lakes

Trip Summary

Trip Grade Sightseeing/Hiking/Driving.
Trip Duration 11 Nights/12 Days
Trip code NAP-BHU - 525
Trip Start/Ends Kathmandu-Paro/Paro-Kathmandu
Maximum Altitude Simkota (3834m)
Trip Cost On Request
Group Size Minimum 2 upto 16 passengers
Accessibillity Schedule flight from Kathmandu, Bangkok, Delhi and Kolkatta to Paro or land entry through Phuentsholing on the southwestern border with India.
The Route Kathmandu fly to Paro airport to reach Bhutan, after completing Bhutan tour, fly back to Kathmandu or onward destination.
Season Sept – Nov/March - April
Trip Valid This offer is valid on reservations made from September through December 31, 2018.
Trip Facilities Standard hotel/Lodge both part of Bhutan and Nepal,

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan international airport, welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel. Generally there will not any tour activities today unless requested. Depending on your arrival time in Kathmandu, you may explore the touristy area “Thamel”. A pre trip meeting and briefing will held all together with you at hotel about the daily program activities by company representative and your trip Leader/Guide where you can discuss your final questions all together.

On arrival at Paro airport, welcomed by our Bhutan representative and after immigration formalities, you will escort to the hotel. A pre-trip discussion held in Hotel where you can meet your group leader/guide then you can ask any questions you may have. After lunch, the day will start with a guided tour of Paro historical and spiritual key attractions; visit the National Museum which has a very interesting assortment of costumes, treasures and world-renowned stamps, and will bring alive the history of Bhutan since the 6th century. Visit Paro Dzong, headquarter of Paro (2280m) District.

 The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest. You stop at the cafeteria for a rest and refreshments and continue the hike for short while until you see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the remains of Taktsang monastery. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. The history states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger.

To start our trek, we will have to take a short drive of about 15 minutes to the trail head. This day, we will have to make our way up gradually along the ancient trade route till Jele-La Pass (3490m). It’s then just a short gentle walk down to our camp in a yak pasture (3450m). If we have time and if you are not tired with day’s walk, we can walk along the ridge that is just above our camp for the stunning view of mountains and the valleys.

After making a short climb the trail gets level in the meadow along the ridge for sometime before you walk downhill for a while to climb through thick alpine forest to a saddle at 3,590m. The trail then follows the ridge, making many ups and downs, along the one side of the ridge to the other, heading towards north east to our camp at Jangchup Lakha (3,780m) yet another yak pasture. En-route you are likely to see or hear some Monal pheasants, and if the weather is clear, you will be rewarded with the breathtaking views of the mount Jhomolhari and its associates.

This morning, we have a short steep climb through the forest of junipers that starts right from the camp. Once the steep climb is done, the trail gets level for a while and then it goes gradually up and down through the thicket of dwarf rhododendrons leading ultimately to Jangchu-La (4180m) before you make a big drop to the camp at Jimilangtsho Lake (3,880m). The name of this lake means 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.

This day to start our climb, we will have to walk down to the southern end of the lake and then climb through dwarf rhododendrons till the trail becomes a little flat to get to another lake known as Jahnye Tsho. From here, the path gets much wider as it meanders uphill through the dwarf rhododendrons till the summit near by the camp. As we climb up, if we take a look back to the lake when the rhododendrons are in blossom, this place with the lake gets so beautiful and special that it takes a long time to forget. Also on a clear day from here, we can see the most part of the trail that we trekked on along the ridge on the other side on day two and three of our trek.

The day begins with a gradual climb. If weather permits there will be a beautiful view of Mount Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan’s highest mountain, as well as of further peaks from the Doupchu-La Pass. The path gradually descends to Phajoding Gompa, where a monastery and retreat centers for meditation are located.

Last day of the trip and if you want to reach Thimphu early. You can start in morning otherwise you can start late and visit some old temples there. The sunrise view from Phajoding is great with Thimphu valley just below you. Many pheasants can be seen if you take a little morning walk around the hillside. Always carry a walking stick with you at Phajoding, as sometimes the Monastery dogs can be a menace. The walk down is through mixed temperate forests and takes Maximum 2 hours. Your car awaits you at the trek endpoint then a Tashi Delek & Farewell to your trekking crews.

After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten built in memory of late 3rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1974.visit 15th century Changangkha Temple, Takin (National Animal) sanctuary and view point of Thimphu city. On the way back visit the Zilukha Nunnery and Dechenphodrang monistic school. Visit National library, Scholl of Arts and Crafts, Government Handicrafts Emporium and Traditional Handmade paper factory and Goldsmith & Silversmith unit. In evening visit the Tashi Chhodzong the capital parliament house and after explore the various handicrafts store in the town.

 It is free time in morning and after lunch drives to Paro through winding road all the way down following the Wangchuk River and reaches to the confluence (Chu- Zom) it means the meeting of two rivers Wangchuk & Pa- Chu from Paro. This point is to check the vehicle pass by and immigrations. On the junction of this river you will witness the three different kind of Chorten Tibetan, Bhutanese and Nepalese style. You will cross this bridge and turn to right towards Paro.

After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch up your onward flight.

Cost Included

⚝ Fee: Bhutan entrance visa, permit & entrance tickets to all attractions
⚝  Activities: Driving, sightseeing, hiking and trekking trip as per the itinerary.
⚝  Accommodation: 8 night hotel/Tented accommodation on twin sharing bedroom in city and mountain.
⚝  Equipments’:  Tents and other camping equipment
⚝  Food: Full board [Breakfast, lunch and dinner]
⚝  Staffs: A licensed English speaking local guide, cook, kitchen staffs, horses or Yak for carrying all the trekking materials during the entire trekking.
⚝  Transportation: Arrival/Departure transfer and all internal road transportation by private veichle with excellent driver
⚝  Company and Government’s service charge: All applicable Government fee, royalty, taxes and surcharges. And Crew’s, daily wages/salary, food, equipment, air and road-head transportation

 

Cost Excluded

⚝  Travel insurance
⚝  Airfare from Delhi to Paro and return flight USD 570 Kathmandu to Paro and return flight USD 410 Delhi to Paro and Kathmandu flight USD.510 by Druk air
⚝  Personal travel and hiking equipments
⚝  Bar bills & Beverages
⚝  Tips/Gratuities for guide and driver
⚝  Optional activities
⚝  And unforeseen expenses which are out of control by Nepal Adventure Point

Note: Travellers shuold has to bring their own trekking gears like sleeping bags, rainproof, trekking boots and enough warm clothes.

Trip Notes

Package includes: Accommodation in 3* hotels on double sharing basis, transportation in comfortable private vehicle with experienced driver, licensed English speaking guide, all entrance fees, full board, visa and permit fee.

On trekking: Accommodation in tents on double sharing basis, baggage hauling on mules, dining tent, latrine tent, chairs and tables, cook, helper staff.

Not included: International flight tickets, drinks except tea and coffee, any insurance, tips, personal expenses and any extra expenses caused by climatic conditions, late flight arrivals, natural causes, health condition etc., bank account transfer fees, optional bike rent.

The list of trekking gear we recommend you to bring along:
* Mountain trekking shoes
* sports shoes
* Sandals or slippers (useful at camp site)
* Few pairs of socks
* Light warm jacket and/or fleece / down jacket
* Enough spares T-shirt and inner wear
* Rain and wind proof gear – pants/jackets/ponchos/gaiters
* Gloves, scarves, other clothing
* Water bottle
* Cap/hat to prevent sun exposure
* Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip protection, sun burn relief cream
* Insect repellent
* Tooth paste, tooth brush and other sanitary items
* Camera with extra charger (no facility to charge battery during trek)
* Small sewing kit and safety pins, pocket knife, scissors
* Flash light with spare batteries
* Your favorite sweets and/or snacks for energy
* Personal medicines and/or medical kit
* Water proof bags/pouches to protect your clothes, electronics and personal items
* Backpack and  waterproof backpack cover in case of rain
* Duffel bags or bags without wheels (easier for ponies to carry) to pack your belongings

Tour payment and cancellations: Full payment for tour has to be credited prior to arrival in order to arrange visas. Possible modes of payments are bank account transfer (SWIFT) or credit/debit card (Visa or Master). For cancellation conditions please inquire.

Payment and visa issuing process: Payment for the package tour has to be wired to travel agency bank account ideally 1 month before the trip, so all the formalities can be arranged safely. After we receive you payment, we will apply for visa on your behalf. After the visas are granted, we will send you Visa approval letter. You will need this visa confirmation while checking into the flight to Bhutan. Visa stamp into your passport will be only given at the immigration after arrival to Bhutan.

More information: We will be happy to provide all necessary information to make your trip to Bhutan reasonable and successful. Please do contact us at: nap@wlink.com.np

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