Beautiful Druk Path Trek
Welcome to Bhutan, Land of the Peaceful Thunder Dragon, and now more popularly known as the Land of Happiness. We will ensure you have a most memorable, happy and comfortable trip. We will take care of all your needs, safety and luxury on your trip to Bhutan. A dedicated Bhutanese guide and a chauffeured driven car will be with you throughout your trip.
Tour Type: Cultural & Trekking Tour
With the popular Druk path trek Happiness Expeditions will take you through cultural extravaganza of the valleys of Thimphu and Paro Bhutan, spicy Bhutanese cuisine, culture and traditions, temples, monasteries, stunning landscape and warm and hospitable people. Traverse through pristine forests, slow meandering rivers and witness a game of archery. Enjoy spectacular views of the snow capped Himalayas from the various high mountain passes, mingle with the locals, dip in a traditional wooden tub of hot stones and visit awesome places and enjoy the intricate art and architecture that is evident in almost everything and everywhere.
Enjoy the ride through the mountains as you drive from high mountain passes to lush green valleys and riverside and be prepared for temperate to tropical weather conditions. The Druk path trek in Bhutan is a moderately tough trek starting from Paro to Thimphu or vice versa and is the most popular and beautiful of all Bhutan treks. The trek leads up to altitudes above 4,000m, however walking distances between the camps are not too long. This trek will take you through thick alpine jungles, beautiful pine trees, various rhododendron trees and spectacular lakes. Incredible views of valleys, lakes, green Himalayan mountains and Himalayan snow capped mountains are the order of the days throughout the trek. You will also see some of the mighty Himalayan ranges like the GangkarPhuensum, and mount Jhomolhari. Being on top of the mountain, sunsets and sunrises are absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing. Apart from the lakes, Phadjoding monastery and the view from there is one of the highlights of this trek. The Lonely Planet describes the Druk Path Trek as “One of the most scenic and popular treks in Bhutan, following a wilderness trail past several remote lakes. Although it is a short trek, it still goes to a high altitude making it moderately strenuous.”
Travel Difficulty: Moderate
6 – 7 hours of activity a day and/or elevation gain, higher altitude, longer distance, uneven terrain.
- The beautiful Druk Path Trek
- Tiger’s Nest/Taktsang Monastery. Hanging onto a precarious almost vertical mountain cliff, it’s a spectacular sight in terms of location, setting and history and is one of the holiest sites in the Buddhist arena.
- Excursion of Thimphu Valley- Combination of ancient and modern
- Visit Tashi Cho Dzong or the Fortress of the Auspicious Religion – the office of the Dragon King of Bhutan
- Traditional Hot stone bath
- Bhutanese cooking experiences
- Play or Practice a game of traditional archery
- Included quality wining and dining : a welcome reception with drinks at every hotels of your stay,
- Throughout your holiday to Bhutan, escorted by one of the Bhutan Swallowtail’s expert tour guide- your ‘travelling concierge’, expert guide, consummate facilitator and friend in a foreign land who ensures your journey is as enjoyable as possible.
- Baggage handling everywhere on your tour.
- Free Wi-fi and internet in most of the hotel rooms and lobbies.
- Enjoy the unique comfort of Bhutan Swallowtail’s Luxury air conditioned SUV and coach with extended leg room.
- Airport Transfers as per the scheduled flights.
- Airport Transfers
- Stay in hotels as mentioned in the itinerary – all are standard 3 star hotels whose services and properties are approved by the Tourism Council of Bhutan and only caters to tourists
- All three meals, tea and coffee
- Bottled mineral water throughout the Trip
- Dedicated SUV vehicle with a driver
- English Speaking Guide throughout the Trip
- Short hikes, Packed lunches and snacks wherever required
- Monumental Fees
- Bhutan Tourism Development Fee
- VISA Fee
- Government Royalty – goes towards the economic developmental works eg, education, health, roads etc
- Air fare
- Refreshments and bottled drinks and alcohol
- Tips/gratuities – It is at your discretion to tip your guide and driver as per their services
- Cost arising out of Flight Cancellation/road blockades/ landslides and events beyond our control
- Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost
- All three meals, tea/coffee and snacks for the trek
- One Trekking Expeditions Leader
- 1 Chef
- 1 Helpers
- Horses and horsemen – if needed for longer treks
- A medical kit
- Good quality accommodation – tents (sleeping, dining & toilet tents), insulated mats and sleeping bags. (you can also bring along your own sleeping bags if you prefer)
- All park entrance fees and trekking permits
The only document needed for your Bhutan Visa is a scan copy of your passport with a minimum validity of 6 months prior to entering Bhutan. All Bhutan tourist visa has to be applied through a local tour operator and on your behalf we will apply for your Visa and as soon as it gets approved we will send you the approved Visa, a print out of which you will have to show at the Airport while boarding your flight to Paro, Bhutan.
The only document needed for your Bhutan Visa is a scan copy of your passport with a minimum validity of 6 months prior to entering Bhutan. All Bhutan tourist visa has to be applied through a local tour operator and on your behalf we will apply for your Visa and as soon as it gets approved we will send you the approved Visa, a print out of which you will have to show at the Airport while boarding your flight to Paro, Bhutan.
Compliments– We are glad to offer you the following compliments:
- A Traditional hot stone bath – White round stones picked up from the riversides are roasted in fire until red hot and then immersed in a wooden tub of fresh spring water sprinkled with herbs. These hot stones baths are supposed to be very curative with numerous medicinal and healing properties and has been the practice since the ancient times in Bhutan.
- A complimentary 1 hourmassage at Hotel Taktsang View Boutique and Spa, located at the base of Tiger’s Nest monastery, Paro and the spa and massage is recommended after the challenging hike to Tiger’s Nest monastery.
- Paro International Airport
- Paro Dzong/fortress of heaped jewel
- National Museum
- Kyichu Lhakhang / temple- One of the oldest temples in Bhutan
- Stroll through the main streets, market places and numerous small handicraft shops
Overnight at your hotel in Paro
- Drive to Trek Point (below Jili Dzong)
- Distance 10 km, 4 to 5 hours trek, 310m ascent, 50m descent Campsite at JangchuLhakha: altitude 3,770 meters
- Distance 10 km, 4-5 hours trek, 230m descent, 330m ascent
Campsite near the Lake: altitude – 3,870 meters
- Distance 11 km, 5-6 hours trek,
Camp altitude: 4,110
- Distance 13km, 6-7 hours trek,
Camp above the Phajoding Monastery – altitude – 3,750 meters
- Excursion of Phajoding Monastery 3-4 hours trek
- Trek ends at Thimphu
- Visit to Takin Preserve- the weird National animal of Bhutan with the head of a goat and body of a cow
- Check into your hotel – rest and relax
- Visit Tashi Cho Dzong or the Fortress of the Auspicious Religion – the office of the Dragon King of Bhutan
- Memorial Chorten / stupa – congregation of devout Buddhists circumambulating the Chorten from dawn till dusk
- Stroll through the market area
Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu
- Breakfast
- Drive to the Airport
- Paro International Airport
TASHI DELEK AND THANK YOU FOR VISITING.