Druk Path Trek hiking guide: route map, stages & where to stay

The Druk Path Trek is the classic short trek of Bhutan: an old mule route over the mountains between the country's two main valleys, from Paro to the capital, Thimphu. It starts at the National Museum (Ta Dzong) above Paro at about 2,400 m, climbs to the ruined fortress of Jele Dzong, follows a high ridge of rhododendron forest and yak pastures past a chain of alpine lakes, crosses Phume La (about 4,210 m) and drops past the hilltop monastery of Phajoding to the edge of Thimphu. Tour operators quote 49 to 55 km; the line in this guide, mapped on OpenStreetMap, is about 46 km. Most groups take 5 or 6 days and sleep in tents at fixed campsites. There are no lodges, shops or villages on the way.

This guide splits the trek into 6 stages, about 7.7 km each, following the standard six-day itinerary: Jele Dzong, Jangchulakha, Jimilang Tsho, Simkota Tsho and Phajoding. Many operators run it in five days by walking from Simkota Tsho over Phume La and down to Thimphu in one long day.

Highlights

• Jele Dzong: a small fortress and temple on a pass at about 3,490 m, with views over the Paro valley and, on clear mornings, Jomolhari (7,326 m)
• The ridge walk: dense rhododendron and fir forest that flowers from April to early June, with yak herders' camps in summer
• Jimilang Tsho: "Sand Ox Lake" at about 3,870 m, known for its large trout, and the smaller Janye Tsho and Simkota Tsho above it
• Phume La: the highest point of the trek, with prayer flags and, in clear weather, a long view of the eastern Himalaya
• Phajoding: a monastic complex of about ten temples founded in the late 13th century by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, with Thimphu spread out below

When to go

The Department of Tourism lists the Druk Path as open from March to June and from September to November. October and November usually bring the clearest skies and the best mountain views, with cold nights and frost at the higher camps. April and May are warmer and the rhododendrons are in flower, but haze and afternoon showers are more common. From June to August the monsoon brings rain, cloud, mud and leeches. From December to March some operators still run the trek, but expect snow on the ridge, icy paths and night temperatures down to about −10 °C.

How hard is it?

The trek is graded moderate by most operators. Daily walking is 3 to 6 hours on good but rough paths, with roots, rocks and mud. The hardest part is the altitude: day 1 climbs more than 1,000 m to about 3,500 m, and the next four nights are spent between 3,600 and 4,100 m. Spend at least two nights in Paro first; most itineraries include the steep hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) as acclimatisation. Know the signs of altitude sickness: headache, nausea, loss of appetite and unusual tiredness. If they get worse, go down.

Permits, guides and booking

Bhutan does not allow independent trekking. You must book through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, which provides a licensed trekking guide (one for every seven tourists), the tents, a cook and the pack animals or porters. Camping is allowed only at designated campsites. The operator also arranges your visa and collects the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). In 2026 the SDF is USD 100 per adult per night (half for children aged 6 to 11), a reduced rate that runs until 31 August 2027; Indian nationals pay Nu./INR 1,200 per night. The visa costs a one-off USD 40. Find licensed operators on the Department of Tourism's services portal and compare full prices, which cover the guide, crew, food, transport and hotels.

Getting there and away

Paro International Airport is Bhutan's only international airport, with flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore and other hubs on Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. The overland entry from India is at Phuentsholing, about 5 to 6 hours by road from Paro. Your operator drives you from your Paro hotel to the National Museum on the first morning, and a vehicle meets you at the roadhead above the Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu at the end. Thimphu is about 1 to 1.5 hours by road from Paro airport. A farm road now reaches Jele Dzong, and some groups use it to shorten day 1.

Money and phone signal

The currency is the ngultrum (Nu.), pegged to the Indian rupee. ATMs in Paro and Thimphu accept Visa and Mastercard, and US dollars and Indian rupees in cash are widely accepted. There is nothing to buy on the trek, but carry cash for tips for your guide, cook and horsemen. Buy a tourist SIM card at the visitor information centre at Paro airport. Phone signal on the ridge is patchy, so do not rely on it; your guide must carry the group's safety and communication equipment.

What to pack

• A warm sleeping bag (comfort rating about −10 °C in spring and autumn) and a sleeping mat; most operators supply tents and a thin mattress
• Waterproof jacket and trousers, a warm down or synthetic jacket, hat and gloves
• Broken-in walking boots, trekking poles and gaiters for mud or snow
• Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream: the sun is strong above 3,500 m
• Headtorch, a power bank, water bottles and water purification tablets
• Personal medicines, an altitude and stomach kit and blister plasters

Safety

In an emergency your guide will call 112, the free 24-hour Health Help Centre, which sends ambulances and decides on helicopter evacuation; for police call 113. Helicopters fly only in daylight and good visibility, and the patient pays, so carry travel insurance that covers trekking to about 4,300 m and helicopter rescue. Travel insurance has not been compulsory since April 2024, but the Department of Tourism strongly recommends it. The nearest hospitals are in Paro and the national referral hospital (JDWNRH) in Thimphu. Weather on the ridge changes fast: wait out storms, stay on the trail and never camp away from the designated sites.