Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH)
- 24/7 emergency
- Stages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Gongphel Lam, Chang Khorlo, Thimphu (P.O. Box 128)
Druk Path Trek · Checked October 2026
Druk Path Trek emergency & health guide: hospitals, rescue, 112 and altitude
How to call for help on the ridge, the nearest hospital for each of the 6 stages, altitude sickness, and the rules: licensed operator and guide, the SDF, designated campsites and waste.
In a medical emergency call 112, the free 24-hour Health Help Centre: it sends ambulances and, with a specialist at the national referral hospital, decides on helicopter evacuation by Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services. For police call 113, for fire 110. On the trek your licensed guide normally makes the call and carries the group's communication equipment, because phone signal on the ridge is patchy. Say which stage you are on, the nearest camp or lake and, if you can, your GPS coordinates. Helicopters fly only in daylight and good visibility.
Emergency numbers
| Number | What it is |
|---|---|
| 112 | Ambulance and the Health Help Centre, free, 24/7. It also decides on and calls helicopter evacuation. |
| 113 | Police: crime, a missing person or a search |
| 110 | Fire service, including forest fires |
| +975 17661974 | Department of Tourism helpline for problems with your operator, guide or permits (2300 from a Bhutanese phone) |
| +975 2 322496 | Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), Thimphu |
Phone signal on the Druk Path ridge is patchy, so agree with your guide how the group will call for help, and keep the operator's office number with you. Helicopter evacuation by Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services is requested through 112 or your operator; it flies only in daylight and good visibility, and the patient pays. Carry travel insurance that covers trekking to about 4,300 m and helicopter rescue, and buy a tourist SIM card at Paro airport.
Rules to know
- No independent trekking: you must book through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, which provides a licensed trekking guide for every group (one guide per seven tourists). The Department of Tourism repeated on 8 April 2026 that a licensed trekking guide is mandatory.
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF): USD 100 per adult per night, including nights in camp, at the reduced rate that runs until 31 August 2027. Children aged 6–11 pay half and under-6s nothing; Indian nationals pay Nu./INR 1,200 per night.
- Visa: apply online before you travel, yourself or through your operator; the one-off fee is USD 40 and applications are reviewed within five working days. Indian visitors need an entry permit instead.
- Camp only at the designated campsites and walk only on the designated trail. Trekking without a permit or the required guide, or camping elsewhere, is fined Nu. 10,000 per person per night.
- Waste: every trekking team must carry out all non-biodegradable rubbish and bury biodegradable waste properly.
- Trekkers aged 18 and under may only trek with a parent or guardian, or with their written permission.
- Altitude: day 1 climbs more than 1,000 m to about 3,500 m and four nights are spent between 3,600 and 4,100 m. Spend at least two nights in Paro first, drink plenty, and go down if a headache, nausea or unusual tiredness gets worse.
- Season: the Department of Tourism lists the trek as open March–June and September–November. From December to March expect snow on the ridge and nights down to about −10 °C; from June to August the monsoon brings rain, mud and leeches.
- Travel insurance has not been compulsory since 23 April 2024, but the Department of Tourism strongly recommends it. Make sure it covers trekking above 4,000 m and helicopter evacuation.
- Monasteries and dzongs: Jele Dzong and Phajoding are active religious sites. Ask your guide before you enter or take photos inside, dress modestly and walk clockwise around chortens and prayer walls.
Nearest hospital for each stage
| # | Stage | Hospital (24/7 emergency) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paro → Jele Dzong | Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) |
| 2 | Jele Dzong → Jangchulakha | Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) |
| 3 | Jangchulakha → Jimilang Tsho | Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) |
| 4 | Jimilang Tsho → Simkota Tsho | Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) |
| 5 | Simkota Tsho → Phajoding | Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) |
| 6 | Phajoding → Thimphu | Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) |
Hospitals
Paro District Hospital
- Stages 1, 2
Carpenters Road, Paro town
Clinics and health centres
There is no clinic or health post on the trek. Motithang Health Centre, about 1 km from the end in Thimphu, deals with minor problems in opening hours; for anything serious go to the national referral hospital (JDWNRH) in Thimphu or call 112.
Motithang Health Centre
- Opening hours only
- Stages 6
Thegchhen Lam, Motithang, Thimphu
Pharmacies, cash and supplies
There is no pharmacy or shop on the trek, and Bhutan publishes no duty-pharmacy rota online. Buy your medicines, altitude and stomach remedies, blister plasters and sun cream in Paro or Thimphu before you start; Thimphu has several pharmacies on and around Norzin Lam. Camps have no power: carry a power bank.
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
Have the nearest help on your map, offline
Outest shows these hospitals, pharmacies, ATMs and stops on the Druk Path Trek map, offline, together with the route, water and places to sleep.