Druk Path Trek
A classic high-altitude trek between Paro and Thimphu.
Journey Facts
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Best season
April–June, Sep–Oct
Difficulty
Moderate
Region
Western Bhutan
Group size
4–12 guests
Journey Overview
Curated for immersive Bhutan travel
Traverse alpine lakes, mountain passes, and camping sites with expert guides.
Signature Moments
Highlights tailored to this journey
Alpine lakes
High passes
Camps under stars
Day by Day
Immersive itinerary flow
8 days of curated experiences
Hover a day to explore
Arrival & Gear Check
Day 1Paro · 2,250 mLand in Paro and meet your trekking crew — guide, cook, and horsemen. Afternoon gear check and a leg-stretching walk to Paro's cantilever bridge, with carb-loading done the Bhutanese way: red rice and ema datshi.
Acclimatisation: Tiger's Nest
Day 2Taktsang · 3,120 mWarm up your lungs on the classic climb to Taktsang monastery at 3,120 metres — the perfect acclimatiser, with a cliff-hung reward at the top and a farmhouse hot-stone bath afterwards.
Trailhead to Jele Dzong
Day 3Jele Dzong · 3,480 mThe trek begins above Paro: a steady climb through blue pine and fir to the tiny ridge-top fortress of Jele Dzong. From camp, Paro valley spreads out below and, weather willing, Jomolhari crowns the horizon.
Ridgelines to Jangchulakha
Day 4Jangchulakha · 3,770 mWalk high ridgelines through rhododendron and juniper, sharing the trail with yak herders moving between pastures. Camp on alpine meadow with the whole western Himalaya for a backdrop.
Jimilang Tsho — the Sacred Lake
Day 5Jimilang Tsho · 3,870 mDescend to the shore of Jimilang Tsho, a dark glacial lake famous for giant golden trout and the legends that guard it. An afternoon at the waterline: mist, prayer flags, and absolute quiet.
High Point: Simkotra Tsho
Day 6Simkotra Tsho · 4,110 mTraverse dwarf rhododendron slopes past a string of alpine lakes to Simkotra Tsho, the trek's highest camp. Sunset here turns the whole sky and lake the colour of hammered copper.
Phajoding & the Descent to Thimphu
Day 7Thimphu · 2,320 mOn a clear morning, Gangkar Puensum — the world's highest unclimbed mountain — lines up along the skyline. Descend past the cliffside monastery of Phajoding and down through blue pine to Thimphu, where a hot shower and a celebration dinner await.
Departure
Day 8Paro International AirportTransfer to Paro for your flight out — legs tired, camera full, and the Druk Path's lakes still glinting somewhere behind you.
What’s included
Inclusions
- Trekking crew
- Camping gear
- Meals
Not included
- International flights
Know before you go
FAQs
Is prior trekking experience required?
Moderate fitness is recommended.
Visual story
Gallery
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