7-Day Druk Path Trek in Bhutan

Paro valley is the aerial gateway to Bhutan and being one of the widest valleys is the lucky location to the only international airport in the middle of paddy fields and traditional Bhutanese houses. Paro valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Kingdom with majority of it's inhabitants dependent on agriculture and tourism industry. Paro valley also contributes a large amount of fresh produce including, vegetables, rice and dairy to the Bhutanese palette. Hundreds of temples and monasteries can be found dotting the hills and vales, one of them being the remarkably iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery perched on a vertical cliff at 10,000ft high above the valley. The Paro chu (chu means river) meanders down the valley by the beautiful traditional farmhouses and terraced fields filled with rice and chilies. Large Weeping Willow trees and apple orchards can be seen stretching toward the road with a backdrop of lush green mountains rising up around the valley.

The Rinpung Dzong or the Fortress of Heaped Jewels is located along the Paro river gathering attention and admiration from every corner of the valley. Like all the Dzongs in the country, the Rinpung Dzong houses the administrative offices along side the district monastic body, i.e. the monks, their living quarters and learning centers. The beautiful view of the wide Paro valley with its paddy fields and Pa Chhu (Paro river) from the Dzong is spectacular and a good vantage point to take panoramic pictures of the valley. However, the Dzong along with the traditional cantilever bridge and the Museum (above the Dzong) illuminated by floodlights make for impressive night photography. The Rinpung Dzong is featured in Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1993 Hollywood movie ‘Little Buddha’ starring Keanu Reeves as a young Buddha; and one of Hongkong’s leading entertainment couple, actors Tony Leung and Carina Lau who got married in Bhutan chose the Dzong as an exclusive spot for their wedding photos.

The National Museum located above the Rinpung Dzong was previously a watch tower (Ta Dzong) built in 1649 to guard the valley from numerous Tibetan invasions. Built in the shape of a conch shell the tower was converted to a Museum in 1968, was severely damaged by three major earthquakes, the recent being in 2011 and renovated and reopened in all its former architectural glory in June 2020 as the National Museum. The Museum has on display numerous unique sets of religious and historical artifacts that narrate the traditional heritage and culture of Bhutan. The artifacts include festival masks, fine arts, paintings, textiles from all over Bhutan, collection of stamps, preserved specimens of exotic animals and many antique collections. A visit to the Museum will familiarize a visitor to the ancient culture and traditions of Bhutan and discover the beauty, mystery, myths and legends that makes Bhutan a hidden gem of a country.

Locally known as Taktsang Goemba, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is one of the most sacred and revered holy site in the Buddhist arena akin to Mecca of Saudi Arabia, St. Peter’s Basilica of the Vatican City, The Wailing Wall of Jerusalem, Kashi Vishwanath Temple of India and many more. Located on a steep cliff high above the Paro valley at an altitude of 3,120 meters above the sea level, the Tiger’s Nest is an architectural and engineering feat baffling visitors with its spiritual ambience and extraordinary history. Legend holds that Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism in Bhutan in the 7th Century, flew on a tigress back from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to the current site at Taktsang. Guru Rinpoche then subdued the demons and meditated for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and 3 hours thus sanctifying the site as one of the most holiest and religious. Over the centuries many great saints, yogis and lamas visited the site for meditation and blessings.

The Kyichu Lhakhang/temple is one of the oldest temple in Bhutan and has been visited and blessed by numerous renowned Buddhist saints over the centuries. The temple enjoys a peaceful and serene location away from the main town and though the structure is simple but abounds in many tantric and mythical wonderful stories that will take you back to the times of demons and saints and their battles. The temple was built in the early 6th Century by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo credited for introducing Buddhism to Tibet and he is believed to be a manifestation of the Buddha of Compassion (Avalokiteshvara) of whom the Dalai Lamas are similarly believed to be a manifestation of.

Walking Distance: Distance 7 Km (4-5 hours walk) Camp Altitude: 3,480 m Since there is new road construction reaching near Jili Dzong you can either opt to take car till the road point or start hiking a little above Ta Dzong. The hike will continue till Jili Dzong, a quiet small monastery perched on the hilltop over looking Paro valleys. Lunch at the monastery and start hiking till your campsite through the temperate vegetation and Rhododendrons tress.

Walking Distance : 10 KM (4-5 hours walk) Camp Altitude : 3,770 m The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and beautiful dwarf rhododendron tress. Now you are on the tree line and one step up is above tree line with small shrubs, some exotic Himalayan flowers like primulas and different species of Rhododendron flowers. Cross your lunch spot at Jangchulakha, you will continue to hike another 2 hours to react the beautiful camp site by the huge mountain lake called Jigme Langsto. The campsite is close to the Jimilang Tsho Lake. The lake is known for its giant sized trout and if you wish, you may fish a trout or two for dinner and ofcourse with prior permission and approval from the concerned agencies. One the way and around the camp site you may see yaks and yak herders

Walking Distance: 10 KM (6-7 hours walk) Camp Altitude: 3,870 m The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and Janetso Lake. You may come across some yak herder’s camps and may take some time to acquaint yourself on the life of the Nomad people. The trek begins with a gradual climb. On a clear day, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan (and the highest unclimbed in the world) and other Himalayan peaks. Camp site at Labana

Walking Distance: 10 KM (5 hours walk) This is the last day of the trek. Watching the sunrise from Phajoding is a treat in itself. The walk downhill to Thimphu valley , at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours through blue pine and rhododendron The sun rise at the camp site at Labana or from Phajoding is spectacular. You can see Thimphu city down the valley and the sun timidly showing off as it rise from the surrounding mountain behind. Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu

Located north of the city is the Takin Preserve that houses the Takin, the weird looking national animal of Bhutan with the head of a cow and body of a goat. Legend holds that the Takin was created by the saint Lama Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman of Bhutan. A religious preacher as well as a proficient tantric, the Divine Madman is famed for his unconventional methods of teaching through songs, comic acts and often shocking sexual connotations during the 15th Century.

After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport where your guide and driver will bid you farewell and hope you had a pleasant holiday and hope to see you in Bhutan again.