Day 1- Fly to Paro
Altitude: 2250m
Paro is in Western Bhutan

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 lunch visit the massive Rinpung Dzong, a hub for spiritual life and community events, that has a long and fascinating history. The Rinpung Dzong is the administrative seat of the district of Paro and also houses the monastic community.

Day 2- Trek to view Taktsang
Walking distance : approximately 2-3 hrs
Acclimatization walk to Taksang Monastery. Taksang is one of the most respected places of pilgrimage in the Himalayan world. For people unaccustomed to the altitude it takes about three hours at an average walking speed to reach the temple. Follow an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels; the climb begins, up through a forest of oak and rhododendron to the Taksang tea house, a log cabin. The view over the Lhakhangs from this tea house is extraordinary, and the effort of climbing up to it is amply rewarded. The Taksang Monastery, tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, rebuilt, it is perched some 2950m up on a cliff overlooking the valley. The buildings cling to the black rock, overhanging the valley below by some 800m. 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. Lunch will be served at the view point cafeteria.

Afternoon: visit Kyichu Lhakhang composed of twin temples 1) the ancient temple and 2) the recent temple. The ancient temple is deeply respected for its antiquity and holds one of Bhutan’s holiest statues of the Jowo, Buddha as a prince at the age of eight, which is alike to the one in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. The recent temple was built in 1968 and is dedicated to Guru Rimpoche.
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.

The Druk Path Trek
Grade: Moderate-demanding
Time : 5 days
Distance: 30 miles/48 kms
Altitude gain: 7400ft/2256m
Altitude Loss: 6271ft/1912m

Day 3, Trek Day 1: National Museum, 8036ft/2450m to Camp Jele Dzong, 11,270ft/3436m (8 km, 3-4 hours, altitude gain 3503ft/1068m, Altitude Loss 269ft/82m)
The trek begins above the National Museum. Today’s trek climbs non-stop for over 1065m, before dropping down over 80m to camp. The trek trail winds its way steeply through blue pine forest and around several farmhouses and fenced apple orchards. After an hour of steady climbing you will have nice views over the Paro valley. Above the camp is Jele la (3,400m) and Jele Dzong that is mostly in ruins. Walk through beautiful mixed forest till you reach Jele Dzong. This is a large monastery and contains a hu ge 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. Overnight at Camp.

Day 4, Trek Day 2: Jele Dzong, 11,270ft/3436m to Tshokam 12,995ft/3962m (10 km, 4-5 hours, altitude gain 1726ft/526m, Altitude loss 0ft/0m)
From camp climb back to the pass leading to Jele Dzong. Today’s trail takes us through thick alpine forests and rhododendrons. We pass 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. Overnight at Camp.

Day 5, Trek Day 3: Tshokam, 12,995ft/3962m to Camp Jimilangtso 12,726ft/3880m (10km, 6-7 hours, altitude gain 700ft/213m, Altitude loss 965ft/295m)
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.

Day 6, Trek Day 4: Jimilangtso12,726ft/3880m to camp Simkota 13415ft/4090m (7km, 3-4 hours, with several small ups and downs)
The trail takes us through dwarf rhododendron trees and bypasses the lake of Jaetsho. 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 campsite.

Day 7, Trek Day 5: Simkota13415ft/4090m – Thimphu Radio Tower 9245ft/2818m (10 km, 5 hrs Altitude gain 755ft/230m, Altitude loss 4190ft/1277m)
Several minor climbs to small passes before finally looking down to Phajoding Monastery and Thimphu at the valley floor. Weather allowing Mount Gangkar Puensum and the rest of the Bhutan Himalayas can be seen. Descend to Phajoding Monastery and finally to Thimphu.

Day 8- Thimphu Valley hike OR
Bike ride to Cheri Gompa (monastery) the first monastic body started by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 1600s

Day 9- Thimphu to Punakha
Mode of Transport : Coaster Bus/Toyota Land Cruiser
Driving Distance : 77 kms
Driving Time : 3.5 hrs
Altitude : 1350 m
Punakha is in Western Bhutan
After breakfast we begin our drive to Punakha the winter residence of the Central Monk Body. The drive will take us 3 hours to Punakha via Dochula pass (10000 ft/3050m) through magnificent forest of rhododendron and magnolia. From the pass, weather allowing, you have panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayan peaks, among them Mt. Masagang (7158m) and our highest peak, Mt. Gangkar Puensum. Lunch at Dochula cafeteria. Passing the magnificent group of 109 Chortens (stupas) at Dochula, the Druk Wangyel (or Great Victory) Chortens, the road curls its way down into the relative lowlands of the Punakha Valley. Before Thimphu was made the permanent capital of Bhutan, Punakha was the Winter Capital for 300 years because of its more temperate climate. The Je Khenpo (leader of Bhutan's religious order) and his council of monks still come to pass the winter months here.
Punakha Dzong, or Punthang Dechen Phodrang, was strategically built at the confluence, the river island between the mighty Phochu and Mochu Rivers in Punakha. While the rivers provided natural defense against invaders, it did not obstruct the view of the Dzong. The imposing structure, the biggest and the most magnificent of its kind at that particular point in time, was visible from all four sides. The construction of Punakha Dzong on the strategic location was completed in 1637 AD and it represented the supreme flowering Bhutanese art and architecture.
En-route 25 minutes walks to Chime Lhakhang, a beautiful fertility monastery, and learn about the famous saint known as Drukpa Kinley the “divine madman,” who remains one of the best-loved saints in Bhutan. He spread his teaching through his unorthodox and often shocking behavior, using songs and poems, earthy jokes, and his legendary sexual prowess, to draw attention to true Buddhist values. Overnight at Hotel, in Punakha.

Day 10- Punakha via Wangdi to Trongsa
Mode of Transport : Coaster Bus/Toyota Land Cruiser
Driving Distance : 142 kms
Driving Time : 4-5 hrs
Altitude : 2200 m
Trongsa is in Central Bhutan
Journey today from Punakha to the Centre of Bhutan, Trongsa. En route view the massive Wangdi Dzong atop a high ridge between the Puna Chhu and Dang Chhu. Carry on the drive through beautiful forests of rhododendron and fields of dwarf bamboo breathtaking scenery of the landscape, green meadows, gushing waterfalls and constantly changing vegetation to Trongsa. Arrival late afternoon in Trongsa. Here we halt for the night at a local Bhutanese hotel.

Day 11- Trongsa to Bumthang
Mode of Transport : Coaster Bus/Toyota Land Cruiser
Driving Distance : 68 kms
Driving Time : 3 hrs
Altitude : 2800m
Bumthang is in Central Bhutan

After breakfast, we will have some time to explore the shops at Trongsa after which we will walk up the small hill to visit Ta Dzong, the watchtower which overlooks Tongsa Dzong. The main temple in Ta Dzong is dedicated to Ling Gesar, the warrior whose mission was to vanquish the forces threatening the Buddhist teachings. Built in 1644, Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan with magnificent traditional Bhutanese architecture. The ancestral home of Bhutan's Royal family, the hilly landscapes surrounding the dzong and wooden slatted houses overlooking the town of Tongsa are spectacular.

After lunch, drive for approximately four hours to Jakar, the center of the Bumthang valley. From Tongsa the road climbs quickly to Yuto-la pass (3400m), the scenery changes to fir-covered slopes, reminiscent of the Swiss Alps. We then enter the wide chummy valley of Bumthang, which is famous for woolen cloth weaving known as Yathra. The women weavers make Yathra on pedal-driven looms, following an ancient tradition. Everything is done by hand, from dyeing the skins through the actual weaving. The Yathra is used to make blankets, cushion covers, jackets and others garments. We will visit few centers of Yathra weaving. Arrive at Jakar by late afternoon. Settle into a local village Lodge.

Day 12- Bumthang Valley sight seeing
Bumthang is considered the most sacred and religious of all the valleys in Bhutan. The ancestral home of Buddhism in Bhutan, its wide central valley is the site of many important monasteries and temples that contain a wealth of valuable religious artifacts making it a place of pilgrimage for the devout Bhutanese people.

We will spend a full day in this marvelous valley -Bumthang. It was in this valley that Vajrayana Buddhist doctrine was introduced to Bhutan, when Guru Rimpoche, the second Buddha, visited the valley in 8th Century. Jam bay Lhakhang, the first Buddhist temple dedicated to the future Buddha, was built here in 7th Century, even before the arrival of Guru Rimpoche by the Tibetan King Songtsen Goempo. A little further to the north we have Kurjey Lhakhang, a temple, built around the cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated and left the imprint of his body on a rock. Kurjey is one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Next to this temple, there are two new temples built in traditional style. Walking is certainly the most pleasant way to explore this magical valley, full of peace and beauty. Three to four hours of walk in the valley will take us past numerous chortens, Mani walls and prayer flags, all bearing witness to the importance of Buddhism. Overnight at a village lodge.

Day 13 – Bumthang to Wangdi
Mode of Transport : Coaster Bus
Driving Distance : 197 kms
Driving Time : 7 hrs
Altitude : 3150m
Wangdi is in Western Bhutan

Day 14- Wangdi to Paro
Mode of Transport : Coaster Bus/Land cruiser
Driving Distance : 120 kms
Driving Time : 4-5 hrs

Day 15- Depart Paro

Tarif & Itinéraire complet de ce voyage d’aventure au Bhoutan