Journey · 7 nights

The Druk Path Trek

Paro to Thimphu on foot over four days and three passes, past lakes that freeze by November. Moderate, high, and quiet in a way no road in Bhutan is.

A lit tent at a high camp beside an alpine lake, snow ridges behind at dusk — Photograph — camp above Jimilang Tsho, the second night

7 nightsArriving and departing Paro
From USD 2,240Per person, everything included
2 to 8 peopleOne group at a time, never merged
Spring & autumnLate March to May, mid-September to November

Day by day

Eight days, four of them on foot.

The Druk Path is the classic Bhutanese trek and the only one that starts and ends at a city, which is what makes it possible in a week.

Day 1

Arrive Paro

Met at the airport. Kit check in the evening — we would rather find out now that your boots are new.

Day 2

Paro · Taktsang

The Tiger’s Nest, which doubles as your acclimatisation day. Six hundred metres of ascent and back is a good indication of how the next four days will feel.

Day 3

Paro to Jele Dzong · 3,480 m

Up through blue pine from the National Museum, a steady four to five hours with the whole Paro valley opening out behind you. Camp below the ruined dzong on the ridge. First night under canvas and the first night you can see the Milky Way properly.

Day 4

Jele Dzong to Jangchulakha · 3,770 m

Along the ridge through rhododendron and dwarf juniper, with yak herders’ camps and, if the weather is with you, Jhomolhari out to the north-west all morning. Four hours.

Day 5

Jangchulakha to Jimilang Tsho · 3,870 m

A long undulating day on the ridge to a lake known for its trout, with the shore as a campsite. Five hours. This is the night people remember.

Day 6

Jimilang Tsho to Simkotra Tsho · 4,110 m

Past Janetsho and through dwarf rhododendron to a higher, barer, colder lake. Four to five hours, and you will feel the altitude here if you are going to feel it anywhere.

Day 7

Over the pass to Thimphu

The highest ground of the trek at around 4,200 metres, then a long descent past Phajoding monastery through forest into Thimphu — from tent to hot shower in a single day, which is its own kind of shock. Five to six hours.

Day 8

Depart

Back over to Paro for the flight.

What this trek actually asks of you

Four days of walking, five to six hours a day, crossing passes above 4,200 metres and camping every night at altitude. It is graded moderate, and that is honest — there is no technical ground and no exposure, but you are high, it is cold after dark, and there is no road to bail out to once you start.

You need to be able to walk five hours over uneven ground on consecutive days. You do not need trekking experience. We build in a Taktsang day before you start precisely so you arrive on the trail already part-acclimatised.

Pack ponies carry the tents, food and your main bag. You carry a day pack. Your trekking guide will hold a TG Level III licence — the highest grade, requiring a wilderness first responder qualification — and we carry a first aid kit and a satellite communicator.

Check your insurance covers 4,300 metres. A good many standard policies stop at 3,000. This is the single most common gap we see.

What it costs

USD 2,240 per person.

Based on two people sharing, and it includes the pack ponies, the camp crew, all trekking equipment except your personal kit, and the trekking permits.

Sustainable Development Fee, 7 nightsUSD 700
Hotels, all meals, transport, guide, driver, entriesUSD 1,467
Goods & Services Tax at 5%USD 73
Per personUSD 2,240

Not included: international flights to Paro, the USD 40 visa fee, travel insurance, alcohol and anything you buy for yourself.

25% deposit to confirm, balance 30 days before you arrive.How to pay Cancellation terms Questions

Next step

Tell us your dates.

We will come back with a real itinerary and a total price, usually within a day. No deposit until you are happy with it.

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