Bhutan Druk Path Trekking

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Recommended by 99% of travelers
Trip Facts
Duration
11 Days
Trip Grade
Moderate
Maximum Altitude
3,870 m./12,695 ft.
Group Size
2
Starts
Kathmandu
Ends
Kathmandu
Activities
Trekking and Tour
Best Time
Autumn and Spring
Wishlist

The Druk Path Trek is the most popular in Bhutan. The trek is possible during the spring and autumn seasons and is suitable for all types of trekkers. This trek lets you explore the amazing natural landscape of Bhutan.

The Bhutan Druk Path Trek is an ancient high-trade route between Paro and Thimphu. The trail passes through dense and pristine forests of blue pine and rhododendrons that come alive with much wildlife. If you are lucky, you can encounter the charismatic Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. En route, you will enjoy great views of lakes (Jimilang and Simokotra) and Himalayan peaks such as Gungkhar Puensum (7570 m./24,8296), the highest mountain in Bhutan, and Mt. Comolhari (7326 m./24029). As part of the program, you will also explore Paro and Punakha, where you will visit monasteries, museums, and art schools. Paro Taktsang Monastery, Punakha Dzong, and Kichu Lakhang are some of the prominent landmarks.

Choosing a Druk Path trek also covers a cultural and heritage tour with the Tiger Nest Monastery in Bhutan. This is an easy and fascinating trip into nature that involves 5 hours of walking a day. The Druk Path trek is recommended in late March to mid-June, and October to November is the best time for trekking.

Highlights

  • Explore Paro and Punakha
  • Visit Kichu Lakhang, Rimpung Dzong, Taktsang Monastery, Punakha Dzong, etc.
  • Trek through amazing landscape of Bhutan, which features pristine pine and rhododendron forests, high mountain terrain and ridges and Mo Chu and Po Chu rivers
  • Explore Jimilang and Simokotra Lakes
  • Cross Dochula pass (3,100 m) and enjoy splendid views of Gungkhar Puensum (7,570 m), Bhutan’s highest mountain.

Bhutan Druk Path Trekking Itinerary Outline

  • Day 01: Arrival at Paro followed by sightseeing
  • Day 02: Acclimatization hike to Taktshang Monastery and explore Paro Valley
  • Day 03: Trek from Ta Dzong to Jele Dzong 5 hrs
  • Day 04: Trek from Jele Dzong to Jangchulakha
  • Day 05: Jangchulakha to Jimilang Tsho Camp (3870m)
  • Day 06: Trek from Jimilang Tsho Camp to Simkotra Tsho
  • Day 07: Trek from Simkotra Tsho to Phajoding
  • Day 08: Trek from Phajoding to Dochula pass (3100m)
  • Day 09: Trek from Dochula pass to Punakha
  • Day 10: Drive from Wangdue to Paro
  • Day 11: Final Departure

Bhutan Druk Path Trekking Itinerary

On your arrival at Paro, GAT staff will receive you at the airport and take you to your hotel where you can relax. Following lunch, Bhutanese tour guide will take you on a guide tour of 17th century Drukgyal Dzong, Rimpung Dzong and 7th century Kichu Lhakhang. Overnight in hotel.

Meals: BLDAccommodation: Hotel

Spend your day today acclimatizing to the climate and altitude by hiking up to the most popular Taktsang Monastery. But to reach there you need to drive to Satsam Choeten and then take a 2 hrs trek from there to the monastery. It was in this monastery that the founder of Buddhism in Tibet, Guru Rimpoche landed on a flying tiger. The monastery is best for views of Mt. Chomolhari and surrounding valley. Later pay a visit to farmhouse where you can interact with local farmers and learn by Bhutanese rural lifestyle. Overnight in hotel

Meals: BLDAccommodation: Hotel

The actual trekking begins today. You will drive from Paro to Ta Dzong or national museum, the starting point of your trek. The destination is Jele Dzong, which is about 5 hrs trek. The trail passes through farm houses before climbing a ridge. Just below this ridge is Jele Dzong but you have to first walk through forests of blue pine and fir to reach there. Overnight in tented camp.

Meals: BLDAccommodation: Tent

Much of the trail ahead is through quite meadows that feature yak sheds. These sheds are used by villages during summer when the temperature drops. The trail slowly ascends through dense forests of rhododendron. Overnight in tented camp.

Meals: BLDAccommodation: Tent

After morning breakfast, you continued on the trail that now moves towards Jimilang Tsho Lake. The ridge ahead gives great views of sprawling valleys below and high mountains on the horizon. Overnight in tented camp

Meals: BLDAccommodation: Tent

The time it takes to reach Simkotra Tsho is about 4 hours. You will hike through the valleys enjoying great mountain views. You will reach Simkotra Tsho, a beautiful lake full of fishes before you know it. Overnight inTent.

Meals: BLDAccommodation: Tent

Enjoy waking through alongside serene Simkotra Tsho following a path covered by rhododendron trees. This is a section where you may encounter yak herder and nomad people of Bhutan. You will be rewarded with spectacular view of Mt Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and if lucky with the sighting Takin, Bhutan’s national animal. The rest of the trail descends to Phajodhing monastery and from there to Thimphu. Overnight in hotel. 

Meals: BLDAccommodation: Hotel

Ahead of Phadoding is a dense pine forests. You will have a pleasant walk through the wilderness interrupted by the occasional chirping of birds. You head towards Dochula Pass, which at 3100m is one of the highest Himalayan passes in Bhutan. Enjoy beautiful panorama of Gungkhar Puensum (7570m), Bhutan’s highest mountain as well as Mt Comolhari (7326m),. Overnight in a tented camp.

Meals: BLDAccommodation: Tent

Today is the last day of your trek. You will hike to Punakha via Lungchotse Lhakhang which takes about 4 hrs. Visit Temple of Fertility and botanical garden once in Punakha. Overnight in hotel  

Meals: BLDAccommodation: Hotel

After breakfast take a tour of 17th century Punakha Dzong located in the confluence of Mo Chu and Pho Chu rivers. Thereafter drive to Paro. Overnight in hotel. 

Meals: BLDAccommodation: Hotel

You will be transferred to Paro international airport for your flight back home.

Bhutan Druk Path Trekking Cost Details

Includes

  • Pick up from and drop off at the hotel and the airport in a tourist car/van.
  • Standard government-approved three-star accommodations (in twin-sharing rooms) for the duration of the tour.
  • Full camping trek as per the itinerary in a full board plan
  • Full-board meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea & snacks - for the duration of your stay.
  • Drinking water for the duration of the tour.
  • Licensed English-speaking Bhutanese tour guides.
  • Private transportation and a designated driver within Bhutan.
  • Monument and museum entrance fees at all sightseeing locations are detailed in the itinerary.
  • Cultural afternoon/evening sessions with traditional masks and folk dances (with beverages). Only for group tours.
  • Bhutan visa fees and processing assistance.
  • Government royalty, known as sustainable fees, go to the country's health and education projects.
  • All route access and monument entry permits and fees.
  • All government taxes, official expenses, and tourist service charges.

Excludes

  • Your travel insurance is mandatory for the trip.
  • Expenses of a personal nature, such as laundry.
  • Alcoholic and cold drinks.
  • Personal clothing and equipment. 
  • Tips for tour guides, porters, drivers, hotel lobby, and restaurants. (Tipping is expected.)
  • Other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section
  • Flight to and back from Paro

Dates & Availability

We do not have scheduled departure dates for the Bhutan Druk Path Trek Tour; any date of the year is available for this trip. Please contact us for the advance process to book the Druk Path trek and tour with your suitable date and number of people.

Hotels: All 3-star hotel accommodations are included in the price; however, there are 4/5-star hotel accommodations available in this tour, so please kindly let us know if you would like to upgrade your hotel accommodation.

The flights to and from Paro are not included in the listed price; however, we can book these flights, so do let us know if you want to include these flights on the tour package.

Essential Information

  • The flights are available from Kathmandu (Nepal), Delhi, Bangkok, and Singapore.
  • Please choose the morning flight if possible
  • Pre-booking is compulsory to get Visa
  • A 6-month valid passport is required at the time of travel.

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