Bhutan · Paro & Thimphu · Trek
Druk Path Group Trek
Paro to Thimphu over the ridge in six walking days
- Duration
- 9 days
- Group size
- 4–10
- Guaranteed at 4
- Difficulty
- Moderate · 3/5
- Highest point
- 4,210 m
- Highest night
- 3,880 m
Is this your kind of journey?
The published itinerary covers 5 of the 9 days in detail, typically 1–5 hours of walking a day, with 3-star hotel, twin-share accommodation. Read the day-by-day route and preparation information below to judge whether this journey suits you.
Explore fitness and preparation ↗Itinerary at a glance
9 days, day by day
Highest night 3,880 m · longest walking day 5 h
- Day 1Arrive Paro1 h walking · 2 km · sleep 2,200 m
- Day 2Tiger's Nest hike5 h walking · 8 km · sleep 2,200 m
- Day 3Paro to Jele Dzong5 h walking · 7 km · sleep 3,480 m
- Day 4Jele Dzong to Jangchulakha4.5 h walking · 10 km · sleep 3,780 m
- Day 5Jangchulakha to Jimilang Tsho4.5 h walking · 11 km · sleep 3,880 m
Days 6–9 are in the itinerary PDF we send with every inquiry.
The journey
More than a destination.
A journey through Paro & Thimphu.
The Druk Path group trek crosses the ridge between the Paro and Thimphu valleys on the old trade route, camping beside glacial lakes and finishing at Phajoding monastery above the capital. It is Bhutan's most accessible trek: five nights under canvas, days of 4–6 hours and a high point of 4,210 m at Labana La.
Our crew carries everything, sets up camp and cooks; you walk with a daypack. The trek is bracketed by a day in Paro with Tiger's Nest and a day in Thimphu, with the Sustainable Development Fee, all meals and the visa included.
- ✓Bhutan visa and Sustainable Development Fee
- ✓Paro airport transfers
- ✓Three hotel nights and five camping nights
- ✓All meals
- See all inclusions and exclusions ↗
Highlights
- •Jimilang Tsho and Simkotra Tsho lakes
- •Labana La (4,210 m) with views to Gangkar Puensum
- •Phajoding monastery above Thimphu
- •Full camping crew, walk with a daypack
- •Tiger's Nest and Thimphu included
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive Paro1 h walking · 2 km · sleep 2,200 m
Airport pickup, check in and an afternoon at Rinpung dzong and the old Ta Dzong watchtower where the trek begins tomorrow.
Meals: Lunch, dinner. Overnight: 3-star hotel, twin-share.
Day 2Tiger's Nest hike5 h walking · 8 km · sleep 2,200 m
The classic hike to Taktsang: two hours up through blue pine to the viewpoint, then across the gorge to the monastery. Afternoon rest.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: 3-star hotel, twin-share.
Day 3Paro to Jele Dzong5 h walking · 7 km · sleep 3,480 m
Climb steadily through pine and oak to the ridge and the small dzong at Jele. Paro valley opens below and Jomolhari appears to the north.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Camp below the dzong.
Day 4Jele Dzong to Jangchulakha4.5 h walking · 10 km · sleep 3,780 m
Ridge walking through rhododendron and juniper, with yak herders' huts and the first views east toward Thimphu.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Camp in the meadow.
Day 5Jangchulakha to Jimilang Tsho4.5 h walking · 11 km · sleep 3,880 m
Down and up along the ridge to the largest of the lakes, known for its trout. Camp on the shore.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Lakeside camp.
Full day-by-day detail for all 9 days is in the itinerary PDF we send with every inquiry.
Route and altitude
Where you walk, and how high you sleep
Route map is sent with the itinerary PDF.
- Walking days
- 5
- Distance on foot
- ~38 km
- Total ascent
- ~2,280 m
- Longest day
- 5 h
Altitude by day
Hover, tap or tab through the days for figures.
Dates & prices
| Dates | Availability | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Nov 2026 – 20 Nov 2026 | 10 seats | $2,890 | Book |
| 15 Mar 2027 – 23 Mar 2027 | 10 seats | $2,890 | Book |
| 9 Apr 2027 – 17 Apr 2027 | 10 seats | $2,890 | Book |
| 6 Oct 2027 – 14 Oct 2027 | Guaranteed | $2,890 | Book |
Prices per person, twin-share. Single room supplement $360. 25% deposit at booking; balance due 60 days before departure.
What's included
- ✓Bhutan visa and Sustainable Development Fee
- ✓Paro airport transfers
- ✓Three hotel nights and five camping nights
- ✓All meals
- ✓Licensed trekking guide, cook and camp crew
- ✓Tents, sleeping mats, dining and toilet tents
- ✓Pack ponies for group gear
- ✓Entrance fees
Not included
- –Flights to Paro
- –Travel insurance
- –Sleeping bag (hire USD 30)
- –Drinks and tips
- –Personal expenses
Travel information
Best time to visit
March to May and late September to November. Spring has rhododendrons and clearer mornings; October and November give the sharpest views from Labana La. The route is closed by snow in winter.
Difficulty & fitness
Grade 3. Five walking days of 4–6 hours with the first day the steepest (1,000 m from Ta Dzong to Jele Dzong). Camp altitudes of 3,500–4,100 m; nights can reach −5 °C.
Accessibility & dietary needs
Camp meals are cooked fresh; vegetarian and vegan are standard, gluten-free with notice. Not suitable for travellers with mobility limits.
Health & safety
The gradual altitude profile (nothing above 4,210 m) keeps altitude sickness rare; the guide carries a first-aid kit and oximeter. Evacuation is on foot or by horse to the nearest road, then by vehicle to Thimphu hospital.
Local etiquette
Jele Dzong and Phajoding are working monasteries: covered shoulders, no photography inside, clockwise around chortens. Leave lakeside camps as you found them; the lakes are sacred.
Travel documents & permits
Passport valid six months. We apply for the visa and trekking permit from your passport scan 30 days before departure.
Packing list
Everything we recommend bringing for this trip.
- Trekking boots
- Camp shoes
- Down jacket
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Fleece
- Base layers, two sets
- Trekking trousers
- Warm hat, sun hat, gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sleeping bag −5 °C (hire available)
- Head torch
- Water bottles, 2 litres
- Sun cream and lip balm
- Personal first-aid kit
- Trekking poles
- Daypack 25 litres
- Duffel 60 litres for the ponies
- Passport, insurance printout
Questions about this trip
Do I sleep in tents on the Druk Path Group Trek?
Yes, five nights. Two-person tents with foam mats, a dining tent with tables and a toilet tent are set up by the crew before you arrive at camp. The three other nights are in hotels in Paro and Thimphu.
How cold are nights on the Druk Path trek?
Camps sit between 3,500 and 4,100 m; expect 0 to −5 °C in October and April, with frost on the tents. A sleeping bag rated to −5 °C is enough, and can be hired from us for USD 30.
Is the Druk Path a good first trek in Bhutan?
Yes. It is the shortest of the classic Bhutanese treks, stays below 4,300 m and has a full crew carrying everything. You walk with a daypack for 4–6 hours a day.
Do I have to carry my own gear on the Druk Path trek?
No. Pack ponies carry your duffel (15 kg limit) and all camp equipment. You carry a daypack with water, layers and camera.
Is the Sustainable Development Fee included on the Druk Path trek?
Yes, along with the visa, all meals, hotels, camping equipment, guide, cook and crew. Only flights to Paro, insurance and tips are extra.
Can I see Jomolhari from the Druk Path?
Yes, on clear mornings from Jele Dzong and from the Labana La, where the view extends to Gangkar Puensum, Bhutan's highest peak.
Reviews
★★★★★
Camping done properly
Hot tea delivered to the tent every morning, three-course dinners and lakes you could drink from. Labana La view was the best of the trip.
★★★★★
Right level of challenge
First day is a real climb, then it eases. Six of us, all different ages, all finished happy.
Talk to the person who runs this trip
Our Kathmandu team
Questions about fitness, dates or rooming? Our Kathmandu team answers Sunday to Friday, 9am to 6pm Nepal time.
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