Bhutan Druk Path Trek

Overview

Runs in: April, May, October, November. Outside that window we do not sell the trip rather than run it badly.

Day by day

6 days, in the order you will walk or drive them.

1. 1Arrive Paro (2,280 m) — Rinpung Dzong and the valleyDay 1

   Fly into Paro, which is one of the more interesting approaches in aviation — the aircraft turns between ridgelines on the way in. Permits collected, then the afternoon in the valley: Rinpung Dzong and its cantilever bridge, and the National Museum in the old watchtower above it. Kit check and briefing at the hotel. No exertion today; you have arrived at 2,280 m.
2. 2Paro to Jele Dzong (3,480 m)Day 2

   A deliberately short first walking day for the altitude. From the National Museum the trail climbs steadily through blue pine for about 7 km and four hours, gaining 1,200 m, to the ruined Jele Dzong on its saddle. Camp below the dzong with the Paro valley laid out behind and, on a clear evening, Jomolhari to the north-west.
3. 3Jele Dzong to Jimilang Tsho (3,880 m)Day 3

   Along the ridge through rhododendron and dwarf bamboo — yak herder camps, and blood pheasant and monal if you are quiet. About 11 km and six hours, undulating rather than climbing. Camp on the shore of Jimilang Tsho, a lake known for its large brown trout, with the water going still at dusk.
4. 4Jimilang Tsho to Simkotra Tsho (4,110 m) via Phume LaDay 4

   The high day. Past Janetsho lake, then a climb to the Phume La at roughly 4,200 m, the top of the route, with the eastern Himalayan skyline north of you if the cloud allows. Around 11 km and six to seven hours, ending at the camp beside Simkotra Tsho. Cold night — this is the one the sleeping bag is rated for.
5. 5Simkotra Tsho to Phajoding, descend to Thimphu (2,320 m)Day 5

   A last ridge morning with dwarf rhododendron underfoot, over a final rise and down to the Phajoding monastery complex above the capital, then a steep forest descent into Thimphu. Around 13 km and six hours, most of it downhill. Hot shower, then the evening in town — Thimphu still has no traffic lights, and the policeman directing the main junction is worth watching.
6. 6Thimphu, Taktsang, and depart ParoDay 6

   Early transfer back to Paro and up to the Taktsang trailhead. Two to two and a half hours' climb, about 900 m of gain, to the Tiger's Nest on its cliff at roughly 3,120 m, with the cafeteria viewpoint halfway. Down by early afternoon, then to Paro airport. Guests on next-morning flights take an extra Paro night at cost — tell us at booking.

Dates and prices

Seat counts are live. A date leaves sale the moment it fills — we do not overbook and sort it out later.

What is included

Questions about this trip

Answered from this departure's own numbers. Anything not here, the desk will tell you straight.

2 reviews

Each one is linked to a booking on one of the departures above.

• Simkotra at 4,110 m was a properly cold night and the bags were rated for it. Phume La the next morning in clear weather with the eastern Himalaya out is worth the whole trip. Marking this four rather than five only because the first day's climb out of Paro is steeper than 'deliberately short' had me expecting — arrive fit.

• Two other operators quoted me lower and then added ₹1,200 a night on top. Himgiri's price had it in from the start, and the permits were done before I landed. The trek itself: three days on a ridge with lakes to camp beside and almost nobody else on it. Doing Taktsang on the last day with trek legs was a very good idea.