What our guest are saying
Starting From $2599.00 per person
The Druk (Dragon) Path trek is ideal for those who are interested in seeing some of Bhutan’s rich culture and its stunning Himalayan vistas without committing to one of our longer, more strenuous treks. This trek provides significant contact with the people, landscape and culture of this mythic kingdom. The trek is designed to maximize exposure to the countryside and provide views of Bhutan’s most spectacular mountain scenery.
No Experience Required
No former trekking experience is needed for this trek. To take part in this trek, you should be physically fit, meaning you should be able to walk a full day with a small day pack. Animals will carry the bulk of our loads.
This is a classic walk along high, windy ridges, past ruined forts which long ago guarded against Tibetan invasion. Although the route is sparsely inhabited there are wonderful lakes teeming with fish and the area is famous for its spectacular rhododendron forests which bloom in Spring. The views of the Himalayas can be seen in late autumn and winter.
After arrival and overnight stay at Paro, the next day breakfast we visit the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a victory fortress of the 17th century. On the way back stop at the Takshang (tiger\’s nest) view point, and also visit a farm house.
We also visit Ta-Dzong (National Museum) which is considered to be the one of the best natural and historical museum and walk down hill for a view of Paro Dzong with its traditional cantilever bridge over the Pa-chu (Paro River).
The next day the Trek starts to Jele Dzong. This is rather a short trekking day so you can relax and enjoy the secnic beauty of the Paro vally. The hike is gradually uphill through pine forest.
On day 4 we trek to Jangchulakha. The trek begins uphill through huge rhododendron trees. You may encounter yak herders during the winter season. We camp at 3650 meters. Walking time 3/4 hours.
On day 5 we proceed to Jigmelangtsho. The trail follows the ridge and on clear weather you will have perfect view of the mountains. The path descends for sometime and camp will be near the lake at 3600 meters. The lake is filled with gaint salmon trout. Walking time 5/6 hours.
Day 1 Arrival Paro by Druk Air
Fly into Paro. If you are flying in from Kathmandu or Delhi, the flight over the Himalayas is one of the most spectacular experiences one will ever experience. You will fly past Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and the entire Himalayan range visible on the left side. On landing at Paro you will be met by our representative. After Customs and Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel.
Day 2 Sightseeing at Paro
After breakfast drive through the valley straight north to see the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a victory fortress of the 17th century against the Tibetan army intruders . On the way back stop at the Takshang (tiger’s nest) view point.
“The path of enlightenment is lonely and narrow for monks at Taktshang Monastery, who take turns meditating alone in a cliffside retreat for three years, three months, three weeks, and three days. Taktshang, the Tiger’s Den, is where the great Guru Rimpoche, who first brought Buddhism to Bhutan, is said to have arrived on a flying tiger in the eighth century.”
We also visit a farm house. After lunch visit Ta-Dzong (National Museum) which is considered to be the one of the best natural and historical museum and walk down hill for a view of Paro Dzong with its traditional cantilever bridge over the Pa-chu (Paro River). The evening is free to spend as you wish.
Day 3 Paro – Jele Dzong
Start of Trek Day 1 : Distance 10 Kms and walking time 4-5 hours.
Starting at Dopshare (2300m) and camp at Jele Dzong(3450m). The trek trail is rather gradual climb till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with the Mt. Jumolhari(7314m) and snowcapped mountains behind the valley.
Day 4 Jele Dzong – Jangchulakha
Trek Day 2: Distance 10 Kms and walking time 3-4 hrs.
Starting at Jele Dzong (3450mtrs) and camp at Jangulakha (3780 mtrs). The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and rhododendrons trees and most of the walking is up and down on a ridge. Mt. Jumolhari would also be visible on this day. We will likely encounter yak herders camped in their usual black woven yak hair tents.
Day 5 Jangchulakha – Jimilangtso
Trek Day 3 : Distance 11 Kms and walking time 4-5 hrs.
Starting at Jangchulakha (3780mtrs) and camp at Jimilangtsho(3880mtrs). The trail follows the ridge and on clear day the views of the mountains and valley are beautiful, in particular the Jichu Drake (6989m). Camp is close to lake of Jimilangtso. These lakes are known for their giant sized trout.
Day 6 Jimilangtso – Simikot
Trek Day 4 : Distance 11 Kms and walking time 4-5 hrs.
Starting at Jimilangtsho (3880m) and camp at Simikot (4040m). The trail takes you through dwarf Rhododendrons trees and then you pass by the lake of Janye Tsho. Camp is close to Simkot lake.
Day 7 Simikot – Phajoding
Trek Day 5 : Distance 10 Kms and walking time 3-4 hrs.
Starting at Simkot (4040m) and camp at Phajoding (3870m). You begin with a gradual climb upto Phume la (4210m) the highest elevation for this trek. If the weather permits you will have beautiful views of Mt. Gangkhar Punsum (7541m) the highest mountain in Bhutan and other Himalayan peaks. Below , you can see the entire Thimphu valley.
Day 8 Phojoding – Thimphu
Trek Day 6 – End of Trek : Distance 4-5 Kms and walking time 3 hrs.
Starting at Phajoding (3870m) and end of trek at Thimphu (2300m) The trek to Thimphu is all the way down hill through a forested area of mostly Blue pine. By taking leisurely pace you can reach Thimphu in about 3 hours for a nice hot shower and lunch. evening at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9 Thimphu Sightseeing
A full day of Sightseeing of Thimphu valley with a visit to Handicraft emporium, Zilukha Nunnery, National Library, Painting School and Dechen Phodrang Monastic School. After lunch visit Memorial Chorten which was built in the memory of the late King and if time permits visit Simtokha Dzong – the first Dzong built in Bhutan by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1629. If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to the Weekend Market is a must. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10 Thimphu – Paro
Morning at leisure or Souvenir Shopping. After lunch drive to Paro. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11 Departure
Farewells and departure to your country.
With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all other visitors travelling to Bhutan need a visa.
Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC).
All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior the travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator directly or through a foreign travel agent.
You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to your tour operator who will then apply for your visa. The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received, the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours.
At your point of entry you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport.
Online Regional Permit System
In order to streamline and facilitate smooth visitation by tourists from Bangladesh, India and Maldives, the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Council of Bhutan have launched the Online Permit System. The system facilitates the online processing of permits for regional tourists through registered Bhutanese tour operators and TCB certified hotels. The facility is offered as an optional channel to process permits for visitors from the region and is applicable for entry from Paro and Phuntsholing. Visitors who use this facility will be able to obtain their permit clearances and route permits ahead of their arrival in Bhutan similar to international tourists.
What our guest are saying
In December 2011, my husband and I did a 3 trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal followed by 3 days at Chitwan National Park with Everest Trail Walker P. Ltd. (Kuman Gurung). We’re in our mid-sixties and began to question our decision when various friends and family members said that it’d be way too cold and difficult at that time of the year. Actually November and December are excellent months to trek in Nepal as it is normally dry and sunny. Kuman is an excellent choice as he did all the planning, gaining of licenses, arranging for lodging and planning of the length of our trekking days. We liked that he not only planned, but accompanied our group of 6, along with two other wonderful assistants (porter and guide). One needs to understand that Nepal is a third world country, and electricity and warm water become an issue all over the country. Our days were very warm---how I wished I’d brought a short sleeved shirt---and the nights are cold. We hadn’t anticipated that we’d spend much of our time climbing up or down----but Nepal translates to the Himalayas so that’s what you do. (much is rock steps which can be difficult for some) The vistas make stopping often to rest a treasure,----it is beautiful---so beautiful. You are remote and everything is packed into the area---your meals come mainly from the gardens and are delicious! Kuman is willing to tailor the trip’s destination and length to your ability and time frame. He provides one with a most memorable experience, and you come away with a true appreciation of the country and people. He also arranged our stays in Katmandu and 3 days in the Chitwan National Park. You begin and end your trek in Pokhara and we recommend the Temple Tree Resort and the Moon Dance restaurant as a great way to end your trek. Thank you Kuman for making our adventure in Nepal so perfect!Namaste to Kuman and Lokenra,
I write as the expedition leader of a team of 6 (3 Canadians and 3 Americans) who recently traveled for 1 month in Nepal and Bhutan using the guiding and coordinating services of Everest Trail Walker P. Ltd., in particular Kuman and Lokendra. This was the second expedition which these gentlemen looked after us, the first being in 2010, another month long expedition which featured trekking through the Everest region, a jungle adventure in Chitwan and an extended whitewater rafting trip on the reverred Sun Kosiriver. Our October- November2013 trip featured trekking the Annapurna region, trekking for a week in Bhutan and whitewater rafting 2 rivers - the Kali Gandaki and the BhotoKosi rivers.
Needless to say, the care and expert attention provided by Kuman and Lokendra was exceptional. Every aspect of our trip was handled flawlessly and with good humor and insight of the Nepalese culture and traditions. Over the last 15 years, I have lead many trekking and rafting expeditions around the world and without any qualification I give the highest marks to both Kuman and Lokendra. Not only did we get full value for our money, but it was done with genuine TLC by both these wonderful gentlemen. Even when things went off track ( which in the 3rd world - in truly remote environments - can happen in technicolor - in this case a National Strike of workers) alternate arrangements were undertaken with ease and care - maintaining our schedule and achieving our expedition objectives.
I obviously think highly of Kuman and Lokendra and strongly recommend Happy Holidays as 'the go to' trekking/expedition/rafting company in Nepal.
In this regard, if you require further amplification of my comments I would be pleased to endorse this recommendation via email or telephone. Clearly, if Nepal offers a Tourism Award for best guides/guiding companies, Happy Holidays would be a first prize winner!Dear Kuman,
Happy New Year and Namaste. It has been more than a month since the Team Tim returned home from the experience of a lifetime—organized by you and your company. It was such an amazing trip with so many different aspects to it. We started our adventure in Nepal where you and I first met, then quickly off to Bhutan, and eventually back to Nepal and home. The trip you organized for us contained so many different elements--- hiking, rafting and learning about the cultural aspects of the two countries. It was an organizational nightmare, but everything ran so smoothly under your direction. Tim, Viv and I commented about how smooth the transition was between each activity and country. It really was one of our best adventures.
I was so impressed with the way in which the guides took such very good care of us. They were all so happy to teach us about Buddhism, their country and their politics. I thought it very special how you joined us on the trekking part of the trip. You also went that extra mile when we rafted in Nepal. You followed our route and met us at each stop along the way to feed us, take pictures, carry our “stuff”, or whatever else our team of 6 needed. We all became family ----Lakendra, you, and the 3 Canadian and 3 American travellers.
I know that you and Tim had thousands of emails between you as you planned this extensive trip. Tim you knew from his last trip. He was thrilled that you had opened your own office and that he was able to have you and Lakenda organize and guide the trip respectively.
I would be privileged to serve as a reference for you if a potential client requests it. You receive a five start rating from me.
Thanks again,