Day 1- Fly to Paro

Transfer for the flight by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline, to Paro, the country's only airstrip. The flight often gives fantastic views of the Himalaya, including Everest, and particularly exciting is the section through the Bhutanese foothills and the thrilling landing. You will be met on arrival by NAT Representative, your Bhutanese guide and then transferred to your hotel.

After a fine rest and lunch we take off the afternoon biking to Drukgyal Dzong, 15 kms from Paro town and take a loop on a dirt road on return, for guests still wanting to make it biking.   Alternate arrangements will be made for guests who prefer to shuttle back from Drukgyal Dzong.  Spend the night at hotel Olathang, Paro.

Day 2-Trek to view Taksang (2/3 hrs Walk)

Follow an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels to the site of the famous Tiger's nest, the Taksang Monastery, tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, rebuilt, it is perched some 1000m/3,000ft up on a cliff overlooking the valley. It was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. After Lunch visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. Originally built as Watch Tower since 1967 it is the National Museum of the country and holding fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit the massive Rinpung Dzong, a hub for spiritual life and community events, which has a long and fascinating history. There will also be a chance to wander around the small township of Paro. Overnight Hotel Olathang.

The Druk Path Trek
Grade: Moderate-demanding
Time: 6 days on trek
Distance: 30 miles/48 kms
Altitude gain: 7400ft/2256 m
Altitude loss: 6271ft/1912m

HIGHLIGHTS: This moderate 6-day trek takes you across the mountains separating the Paro and Thimphu valleys. You can go from Paro to Thimphu or reverse.  It is also called the Chorten Path since we pass by many religious monuments. The route is part of the original mule track that linked Thimphu Valley with Paro Valley and ultimately connected Bhutan to the Indian border. The trail will take you through blue-pine forests, thick alpine forests, and dwarf rhododendrons. The highest point of the trek is Phume La (pass) at 4,210m. From there you can see Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan. On this trek you can also catch amazing views of Jumolhari Mountain and other Himalayan peaks. You will camp near Phajoding Monastery one night and can explore the area. You will also have opportunities to fish in some of Bhutan's most beautiful lakes.

Season: This trek is possible from March to June and from September to November

Day 3-Paro 2450m to Jele Dzong (3436m) start of trek. (8 km, 3-4 hours)

Today is a short trekking day. The trek begins above the National Museum. The trek trail is rather gradual up till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with snow-capped mountains behind. Above the camp is Jele la (3,400m) and Jele Dzong that is mostly in ruins.  Distance approximately 8 Km; Time 3 - 4 hours. Walk through beautiful mixed forest till you reach Jele Dzong. This is a large monastery and contains a huge statue of Padma Sambhava. There are birds nesting in the arrow slits and old Mongol helmets and shields hanging on the walls. The building was until very recently deserted, but has now undergone some renovation and is in use again for monastic school.  It sits astride a ridge, which affords dramatic views of the valleys on both sides and the Himalaya to the north. The second highest mountain in Bhutan can be seen, Mt. Jhomolhari, 7,314m/23,997ft. The camp site is just a few hundred feet below Jili Dzong in a clearing. There are plenty of interesting birds, flora and fauna throughout the day.   Here we camp for the night.  

Day 4– Jele Dzong( 3436m) to Camp Jangchulakha (3962m) (10 km, 4-5 hours)
The trek begins with an hour and half climb and then ascends gradually down. The trail takes us through thick alpine forests and rhododendrons. We may see yak herders around your campsite. There are fascinating views of Jhomolhari and other snow capped peaks and you can also hear some Monal Pheasants during the day. Altitude 3,700m; Distance 10 Km; Time 4 - 5 hours.  Here again we camp for the night. 

Day 5- Jangchulakha(3962m) to Camp Jimilangtso (3880m)
(11km, 5-6 hours) the trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valleys are sensational. Lovely walk to the large beautiful lake, stocked with trout, with a large chorten (religious obelisk) built at one end. From here you zigzag up to the ridge, which is thick with rhododendron and hemmed in by rocky bluffs. The path now follows a ridge for a short while before descending to the camp. It then follows a snake like route on rather magical paths, along mountainsides and through many different types of rhododendron. Occasionally you may meet local yak herdsmen and take in wonderful views of mountains, including another large peak called Kangcheeta (Tiger mountain) You will see this mountain has two peaks and is split by a straight, pronounced gully - locals believe that Kangcheeta is the brother of Jhomolhari (female mountain goddess) who hit him with a stick because he wanted to marry her. To the south, the Dagala range dominates the skyline. Below Mt. Kangcheeta there is a temple, Tshomphu Monastery, where an idol is supposed to float in the air. We believe it was possible to pass a string underneath the statue, thus proving it floated. Altitude 3,800m; Distance approximately 11 Km; Time  5-6 hours.  Here put up Camp for the night.

Day 6– Jimilangtso to Simkota (11 km, 4- 5 hours)
The trail takes us through dwarf rhododendron trees and bypasses the lake of Jaetsho. Today you may come across some yak herder’s camp and get an idea how these people live. Camp is close to Simkota Lake and if we are lucky we can enjoy dinner with lake trout’s.  Put up camp for the night.

Day 7- Simkota to Phajoding (5 km, 3-4 hours)
Today we begin with a gradual climb and if the weather permits, will enjoy a majestic view of Mount Gangkar Puensum and also the other peaks.  The trail slowly descends through juniper trees to a campsite beside a community hall near Phajoding Monastery from where Thimphu town is visible at the valley floor.

Day 8 - Phajoding – Thimphu (5 km, 3 hours)
The trek to Thimphu is all the way downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. Taking a leisurely pace you reach Thimphu in about 3 hours. After lunch and good rest, we take care of the afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu.  Sightseeing includes visits to the late king's memorial chorten, the Textile Museum, the Heritage Museum, the silversmiths and pottery workshops, and possibly the National Library. There will also be time to visit Traditional Art School and the Indigenous hospital.  Overnight at Hotel Druk.

Day 9- Thimphu Valley hike OR
Bike ride to Cheri Gompa (monastery) the first monastic body started by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal in the 1600s
For Thimphu valley hike, we have to shuttle 40 minutes to Begana village and the hike itself is for around 5 hours through pine forests, field, and village and finally behind the King’s palace and back to the hotel through town. Today we have picnic lunch.  More time to explore the streets for shopping towards the evening.  Overnight at Hotel Druk.

Day 10-Day Excursion to HAA Valley
Drive to Haa approximately 4 hours from Thimphu.  Haa Valley is situated in the north-west of Bhutan bordering Tibet. Extraordinarily beautiful Haa Valley is newly opened to visitors.  With its three prominent hills representing the three guardian deities, this valley is said to have been named by Guru Padma Sambhava himself—Haa means "mystical”,    Overnight at Hotel Olathang, Paro.

Day 11 FLY TO BANGKOK.