About Druk Path Trekking
This popular 6-day Druk Path Trekking leads into the unspoiled natural landscape of high altitude crystal blue lakes teeming with fish, delightful forests of blue pine and rhododendron and stunning views of the high Himalayan peaks including Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest unclimbed peak in the world, Mount Chomolhari, and Jitchu Drake.You will also visit some ancient lhakhangs,dzongs and villages.
The Druk Path Trekking is a fairly easy hike for reasonably fit walkers.Compared to the Jomolhari Trek the distances between camps and the altitude range (between 2400-4200 m) is comparatively less. The ‘Dragon Trek’ starts from Drukgyal Dzong, 10 minutes' drive from Paro at the end of the road. We meet up with our camping crew, which includes horses to carry our gear. The Druk Path trail winds over a chain of mountain passes and follows the thunderous Pa Chhu River to reach the beautiful alpine lake, Jimiling, whose crystal clear waters are home to gigantic trout.
After crossing the last pass, Phume La the trail descends to Phajoding monastery and into the Thimphu valley to the end of the Druk Path Trek at the roadhead at Motithang.The trek finishes with a tour of Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.
Best Time for Druk Path Trekking:
This trek is usually possible from late February to June and from September to December, though snow sometimes closes the route in late autumn and early spring. Days are normally warm, but nights can be very cold at times and in winter there is often snow. Tt will be a bit colder in February or December and there is a risk of having snow on the ground at this time of year, which can make it difficult for the horses carrying the gear but since it is not the peak season, you will enjoy having the trails to yourself. Just make sure to bring the right clothes and gear i.e down jacket, fleece layers, hats and gloves, warm sleeping bag etc.
Highlights of Druk Path Trekking
- moderate trek with reasonable distances between camps
- altitude range of 240m - 4200m
- beautiful landscapes of lush valleys, dense forests and snow capped mountains
- unique rural culture: farmhouse and village excursions
- medieval Dzongs/fortresses, markets and museums
- ancient wall paintings and carvings in Dzongs and temples
- sacred Buddhist monasteries of the Himalaya
- famous Taktsang Monastery, perched on a cliff 900m above the valley floor
What's Included
- Accommodation at standard government approved hotels
- Private vehicle for excursions and transfers- comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
- Local English speaking trekking guide/tour leader
- Comfortable camping facilities
- Cook and camp hand who will take care of camp chores and provide wholesome meals
- Horsemen who will look after the horses/yaks that transport luggage and camp gear
- Experienced driver
- All meals in Bhutan.
- All entrance fees and permits
What’s Excluded
- Personal expenses such as alcohol, laundry, telephone and tips.
- Medical / Travel Insurance.
Useful Info
Tourism in Bhutan
The government of Bhutan imposes a tourist tariff, currently set at $250 USD per day, as an effort to keep the country from being overrun by tourists. Although tourists are very welcome, limiting the number is important to preserve their unique environment and culture.
The daily tariff is included in the price of your package tour: it is the minimum amount a tourist must spend per day in Bhutan. It covers the cost of visa, 3-star lodging, meals, tax, guide, and travel within the country. Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions will help you arrange visas. (Although you cant spend less than that rate per person, you can spend more, especially if you opt for luxury accommodation.)
Most tours concentrate on the western midsection probably because the rest of the country lacks necessary infrastructure. Arriving at the international airport in Paro, most tourists visit Thimphu, the capital, and, if possible, the Punakha valley.
Bhutan Visas
- All nationalities except Indians and Maldivians require a visa for Bhutan.
- Independent travel outside of a group tour is extremely difficult and expensive to arrange.
- Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions will arrange your visa as part of a group visa
- Travelers to Bhutan must book with a qualified tour operator, who will arrange a guide and driver to accompany each step of the way
- All travelers arrivals and departures must be synchronized with the start and finish dates of our tour program
- Additional accommodation outside of our tour dates is extremely difficult. In the rare case that no flights are available and you need to arrive earlier or depart later, an individual visa may be arranged, but it will be extremely expensive.
At the time of booking you must provide a scanned copy of your passport. We also require your flight details to finalize the visa process, including arrival and departure flight numbers, times and point of origin.
We will send you the scanned copy of your Bhutan group visa prior to your tour. In some cases this may only be issued close to your date of arrival into Bhutan. You must show the copy of your Bhutan Group visa when you check-in for your flight to Bhutan and on arrival at immigration in Paro, Bhutan where you will have your visa stamped into your passport.
