11-Day Druk Trek

Upon arrival at the airport and after immigration procedures your Bhutanese escort will greet you and guide you to your hotel in Paro. You can spend the rest of the evening exploring Paro, immersing yourself in the Bhutanese way of life.

Meals included: Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Tenzinling Resort (Paro / 3-star)

Today, you will hike to Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest Monastery. This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 3000 feet above the valley floor. The primary monastery was built around Guru Rinpoche's meditation cave in 1684 AD by Gyaltshe Tenzin Rabgay. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tigress. The old monastery, unfortunately, was destroyed by fire in 1998, but has been completely restored. The hike takes about 4 hours round-trip. Once you reach the view point of the Monastery, you have the option to visit the Monastery, which takes about another hour to reach.

Next, you will visit the Kyichu Monastery built in the 7th century. This is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built by the great Tibetan King Songsten Gyepo and the main statue is of the Future Buddha which is similar to the main Buddha statue in the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Pilgrims turn the many prayer wheels along the walls as they circumnavigate the temple. The statues of the Bodhisattvas and the Buddha are national treasures. The wooden floor of the sanctum is inlaid with turquoise and coral gemstones offered by pilgrims.

Last, you will visit the ruined Drugyal Dzong, whose massive ruins offer insight into the unique construction of Bhutan's famous fortresses. From its ramparts, the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. Weather permitting, you will have great views of Mt. Chomolhari at 24,000 ft.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Tenzinling Resort (Paro / 3-star)

This is a short trekking day: We begin with a gradual trek to the camp and if the weather is clear, the Paro Valley can be seen against the backdrop of snowcapped mountains.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping

The trail follows the ridge and with clear conditions the views of the mountains and valley are beautiful. The campsite is close to Lake Jimilangtso. These lakes are known for their giant sized trouts and if lucky you may enjoy a well-prepared lake trout for dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping

The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and the lake of Janetso. You may come across some yak herder camps where you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of nomadic life. The campsite is close to Simkota lake where you can try some trout fishing.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping

The trek to Thimphu is all downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pines, taking about three hours. Back in Thimphu you can stroll around Thimphu Town for shopping and enjoy your evening.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Camping

First, you will visit Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, a large Tibetan-style Buddhist Monastery. The Memorial Chorten is a popular landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the late king ("the father of modern Bhutan") and a monument to world peace.

Next, you will visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which is housed in a three story 19th century traditional earthen and timber building. Established in 2001, the museum provides a glimpse into the traditional Bhutanese culture and way of life.

Later, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, which was established in 1988 with the concept to merge the allopathic and traditional systems of healing. The Institute also has a small museum and a gift shop, and also produces the famous herbal tea, Tsheringma.

Last, you will visit the National Library of Bhutan, which collects and preserves important documents on Bhutan. The library also contains a representative collection of English and other western language books mainly related to the Himalayas, Bhutan, and Buddhism.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Peaceful Resort (Thimphu / 3-star)

After breakfast, you will drive to Do Chula Pass (3,150 meters). On a clear day, you can see the breathtaking views of the whole range of Eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges.

On the way, you will do an easy hike to Chimi Lhakhang (the fertility temple) where childless women go to the temple to receive blessing from the saint. It was built by Saint Drukpa Kunley (Divine madman) in 1499. Legend has it that he subdued the demoness of the Dochu La with his magic thunderbolt of wisdom. A wooden effigy of the Lama's thunderbolt is preserved in the Lhakhang

Finally, you will visit the Punakha Dzong built by Shabdrung in 1637. Punakha Dzong has undergone flooding from a glacial lake high above in the mountains of Lunana, which periodically has broken through its barriers, and has been ravaged by fire, but it has stood on its remarkable site since the 17th century. The flash flood of October 1994 caused a great deal of damage but miraculously spared the statue of Lord Buddha. The three-story Machhen Lhakhang is a fine example of traditional architecture, crafted from cypress with four intricately embossed entrance pillars decorated in gold and silver, the inside walls are covered with elaborate murals depicting the teaching of the Buddha. The Chorten which contains the Kudung is adorned with precious jewels and took twenty craftsmen four years to construct.

The drive from Thimphu to Punakha is 77 km / 3 hours.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Drubchhu Resort (Punakha / 3-star)

After breakfast, you will drive 12 km north of Punakha and hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. This is a moderately easy hike, which should take about an hour, through a moderately inclined trail surrounded by pine trees. The Chorten, which was dedicated for the well being of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings, dominates the upper Punakha Valley and offers commanding views across the Mo Chhu and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond.

Drive back to Paro where you can spend the rest of the evening walking around Paro Town. Explore the area and you may decide to do some shopping to remember your adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Tenzinling Resort (Paro / 3-star)

Drive to Drugyal Dzong, a ruined fortress 16 km from Paro town. Tour Drukgyal Dzong with massive ruins that offer insight into the unique construction of Bhutan's famous dzongs. This Dzong is also of great historical importance as it was a critical point when the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. This gave the fortress it's name, translating to "victorious Bhutanese". Here you will have a magnificent panorama of Mount Chomolhari.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Tenzinling Resort (Paro / 3-star)

Transfer to airport for departure flight.

Meals included: Breakfast