Embark on Bhutan’s most iconic short trek ‘The Druk Path’. Connecting the historic valleys of Paro and Thimphu, the Druk Path Trek takes you across ancient trade routes, past sacred high-altitude lakes, and along ridge lines offering views of unclimbed Himalayan peaks. The Druk Path Trek is also a fairly easy hike to undertake as the distances between rest camps is fairly short. The trail takes you through forests of fir, blue pine and dwarf rhododendrons at altitudes ranging between 2400-4200 m. On the third day hikers will arrive at Jimilangtsho Lake, whose crystal clear waters are home to gigantic trout.
Note: If you are an experienced or a good hiker, you can also do the Druk Path Trek in 4 days and 3 nights.
Trek Overview
- Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights on trail (8–10 Days total Bhutan trip)
- Distance: ~54 km (33.5 miles)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Maximum Elevation: 4,235 m / 13,894 ft (Labana Pass)
- Start / End: Paro to Thimphu
- Trek Style: Fully guided & supported camping (Private guide, camp crew, and pack animals)
The 5 Day Druk Path Trek
Day 1: Paro (Damchena) to Jele Dzong
- Distance: 10 km | Time: 4–5 hrs | Ascent: 1,050 m | Camp Altitude: 3,480 m
Begin with a steady climb through blue pine, fir, and oak forests. As the trail steepens, the valley opens up to reveal views of the Paro valley. Reach the ridge where Jele Dzong stands—a 15th-century fortress built on a high point to protect against northern invasions. Camp nearby with sweeping valley views.
Day 2: Jele Dzong to Jangchulakha
- Distance: 10 km | Time: 3–4 hrs | Camp Altitude: 3,770 m
Follow the ridge line through dense rhododendron and alpine forests. If trekking in spring, the trail becomes a corridor of white, pink, and deep red blossoms. Today offers short, gentle climbs with opportunities to spot rare mountain bird species and grazing yak herds.
Day 3: Jangchulakha to Jimilangtsho Lake
- Distance: 11 km | Time: 4 hrs | Camp Altitude: 3,880 m
Ascend along high ridges with panorama views of the surrounding peaks. The trail descends through dwarf rhododendrons to Jimilangtsho Lake (“Sand Ox Lake”), famous for its crystal-clear water and trout. Enjoy an afternoon exploring the lakeshores or relaxing at camp.
Day 4: Jimilangtsho to Simkotra Tso
- Distance: 11 km | Time: 4–5 hrs | Camp Altitude: 4,090 m
Cross a series of high ridges, passing Janetso Lake along the way. Get a glimpse into local nomadic life as you pass traditional yak herder encampments. Arrive at Simkotra Tso lake for your final night of high-altitude camping.
Day 5: Simkotra Tso to Thimphu (via Labana Pass)
- Distance: 15 km | Time: 6–7 hrs | Descent: ~1,800 m
Ascend to the highest point of the trek, Labana Pass (4,235 m). On clear days, enjoy views of the main Himalayan range before beginning a long descent. Pass through Phajoding Monastery, where young monks study, then descend through pine forests to Motithang on the edge of Thimphu. Transfer to your hotel for a hot shower and celebration.
Best Time to Trek
- Spring (March – May): Bright, clear mornings with stable weather. Rhododendrons, wild orchids, and wildflowers bloom across the mountain ridges.
- Autumn (September – November): Crisp, clear skies and the best visibility of the year for snow-capped peak views.
What’s Included in standard packages?
- All meals, tea, and camping snacks on the trail
- Professional English-speaking trekking guide & camp crew (cook, camp assistants)
- Horses/yaks to carry all heavy luggage and camping gear
- Quality four-season tents, sleeping mats, and dining equipment
- Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), visa processing, and permits
Trekking Rates For Bhutan
The Department Of Tourism requires that a minimum standard needs to be maintained while trekking in Bhutan, so as to provide a premium trekking experience to nature lovers. You will be accompanied by your own trekking team consisting of a professional trekking guide, certified and experienced cook, camp assistant and one or two horsemen (depending of the group size) and several horses; regardless of whether you’re a solo trekker or you are a part of a bigger group. All food supplies must be carried along will be prepared hot and fresh at the campsites. Trekking in Bhutan can therefore be expensive for solo travelers and those traveling in smaller groups.
TREKKING SURCHAGE PER PERSON ON TOP SDF, GUIDE & VEHICLE CHARGES
1 Pax
USD 300 Per Person Per Day
2 Pax
USD 200 Per Person Per Day
3 Pax
USD 180 Per Person Per Day
4 Pax or More
USD 160 Per Person Per Day
A TYPICAL DAY ON THE TREK
The day starts off with a wake up call, around 6-6:30 am, if you are not already awake by then. A staff will come with a bowl of warm water to wash up along with tea/coffee brought to your tent. Before heading over to the dinning tent for breakfast, usually around 7-8, we suggest you pack your overnight gear into your duffel bag and prepare for the day. During breakfast the staff will pack away the tents and ready the horses.
After breakfast, usually between 8:30-9 am, we start walking. The pace of the trek is leisurely with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photos and explore the local settlements, if any. Lunch will be around noon at a favourable spot by the side of the trail. Lunch is carried by the staff.
There is usually more walking after lunch, we will always plan to cover big ascents/passes before lunch but this does not always pan out as expected. Normally we will get into camp by mid afternoon with the tents already set up by the support team. Once you arrive at camp, you will be able to wash up, change to get into your comfy camp clothes and try and get comfortable.
Tea and snacks will be served. Followed by dinner later in the evening around 7pm.
FOOD
All meals are freshly prepared by our cook and kitchen team. Breakfast with fried rice, toast/pancakes with various condiments, omelettes and a range of hot drinks. Hot lunch is prepared by the kitchen crew during breakfast and packed into containers carried by the staff to be eaten on the trail. On arrival at the campsite, there will be tea and other hot drinks in the dining tent with biscuits and snacks, help yourselves. Dinner will follow with soup, meal and dessert.
ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS (AMS)
This happens due to the body’s reaction to the low air pressure (less oxygen) at high altitudes and each individual responds to this situation differently. So please ascent at your own steady pace so that you allow your body to acclimate as you gain elevation.
This is a problem for some people, especially when hiking and sleeping above 3500 meters. The onset of symptoms has no logic in the sense that you never know who will get it regardless of your previous climbs and high ascents. There is no natural way to avoid getting AMS. However, acclimatization before the trek (we recommend day hikes, climbing high and sleeping low) and staying hydrated, eating and sleeping (rest) well on the trek goes a long to keeping yourself fit and feeling good.
Usually a steady and throbbing headache at the back of your head is a telltale sign of the onset of AMS. But this is not a major concern if it does not develop further and persists. Other symptoms include: fatigue, shortness of breathe, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping and vomiting. There is no treatment to this sickness other than letting the body rest, acclimate and cure itself. If the symptoms do not get better, we will descend in altitude.
PACKING LIST AND TIPS
They say we pack our fears when we travel and thus all of us pack different and are each their own creatures of comfort. But the rule of thumb on treks is to keep it to the essentials and be organized.
Less things to pack in the morning means, being swift and at ease which translates to a few more cups of coffee while enjoying the morning sun.
Therefore only listing the essentials here.
THE ESSENTIALS
DAS BOOT: Your favourite hiking boot or shoe. One that is broken in and kept you on the trail, blister free, while hitting the gnarly stuff. A pair with good ankle support that breathes well and to a certain extent is water resistant, keeps your feet happy!
THE FART SACK: I mean the sleeping bag. Check where and when you are going and take something that is rated lower by 5ºC than the expected temperature, just be on the warmer and safer side. Women typical tend to sleep colder than men.
MATTRESS: A foldable and comfortable mat, ideally an inflatable mattress. After a long day, you just want some good sleep. One that can be packed away inside your duffle bag or secured on the outside with the straps (easier for us to stow away and load it onto the horses). We will provide a footprint foam mat.
DAY PACK: Just like your boots, a backpack is something you wear almost throughout the day and the entirety of your trek. So take a pack that you are comfortable with. A 20-30 L pack is ideal, depending on the gear you carrying.
CLOTHING: Apart from the clothes you are comfortable with, a rain jacket or a poncho that can double up as a windbreaker, is indispensable. Micro climates in the mountains are an enigma. So its always nice to be prepared, that way the rain doesn’t feel so bad and you can slog on with a grin on your face. Another essential is a down jacket, to throw over yourself while at camp after the sun goes down.
MEDICATION: Please don’t forget you personal medication. Also a small personal first aid kit. You may never need them, but it can prove to be crucial for your wellbeing incase you do while on the trail. We will also have a common first aid with only the essential medicine and kit.
HEADLAMPS/TORCH:
GLOVES & BEANIES
SUNSCREEN, SUN GLASSES AND HAT
WATER BOTTLES
A PACKABLE PILLOW
