Bhutan Druk Path Trek

Arrive in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal – a brief stop on our way to Bhutan. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned today. If time allows, you can explore the buzzing Thamel district nearby.If you wish to explore further before the tour, you can arrange pre–tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

We fly to Paro today. If the skies are clear, we enjoy sweeping views from the left–hand side of the plane across the eastern Himalaya, including Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Chomolhari. After completing visa formalities in Paro, we transfer to our hotel. The Paro Valley is among the most beautiful in Bhutan – blue pine–clad hills and traditional farmhouses amid paddy fields, dominated by a massive dzong.We meet our tour leader and fellow travellers to hear about the journey ahead. This afternoon, we plan to visit Paro Dzong and the national museum above it. Paro Dzong, with its inward–sloping walls, is one of the most impressive fortresses in Bhutan. Built in the 17th century, it once defended the valley against Tibetan incursions and today houses a monastic school and district offices. West of the dzong stands Nyamal Zam, a covered wooden bridge reconstructed after a 1969 flood.Above the dzong is Ta Dzong, the old watchtower, later renovated to house the National Museum. Following earthquake damage in 2011, the museum collection is now displayed in a new building above Ta Dzong, including masks and thangkas. Flight timings can be unpredictable – today’s order may change accordingly.We come together for a welcome dinner this evening.

Today we warm up with a hike to Taktsang Monastery – the famed Tiger’s Nest perched on a cliff high above the Paro Valley. Partly destroyed by fire in 1998, it has been fully restored. We drive a short distance to the trailhead then hike for about 1 hour 30 minutes to a viewpoint with classic views of the monastery. If you feel energetic, you can continue about 45 minutes to the monastery itself. The walk aids acclimatisation – we recommend trekking boots – and includes roughly 100 steps up and down. Returning to Paro, we have time this afternoon to explore the town.

Today we begin our trek. After breakfast, we drive to around 8,595ft (2,620m) above the ancient Ta Dzong watchtower. The first day is not long in hours yet climbs steadily and gains considerable height. From our start point, we ascend gently for about 1 hour 30 minutes on a jeep track to a prayer wall, then continue on a narrower, steeper, rocky path through forest. We stop for lunch in a clearing about an hour further on before walking about another hour to the Jele La (11,645ft/3,550m) and our camp just below the pass and Jele Dzong. If the weather is clear, we can see the Paro Valley below. If you wish to keep walking, you can continue up the ridge from Jele La to a ruined shepherd’s hut with a small Bon shrine.

After breakfast, we walk five minutes back to the main trail and climb for about 30 minutes to Jele Dzong. If it is open, we can go inside this 14th–century dzong. Continuing briefly along the ridge, we look down to the Paro Valley and, on clear days, may glimpse Chomolhari. The trail then undulates through thick rhododendron forest – keep an eye out for colourful monal and blood pheasants. We have lunch in a forest clearing and a short afternoon walk to our camp at Rawna.If other trekking groups are nearby, we may instead camp at Jangchu Lakha (12,140ft/3,700m) or Tsokam (12,300ft/3,750m) – all close by in separate forest clearings.

It is a long day today and likely the toughest walk of the trek. We climb steeply from camp on a narrow trail for about an hour to rejoin the main route, then continue up through rocky terrain dotted with low rhododendron. We reach a col at 13,367ft (4,073m) marked with prayer flags, descend briefly to a cave, then climb again to a ridge at 13,385ft (4,080m) with spectacular views on clear days, including Chomolhari and Jichudrake. We pause for lunch on the ridge before continuing a little higher to 13,520ft (4,120m), then contour and drop steeply on a rocky trail to the shores of Jimi Lang Tscho, known for its trout.

Another long but rewarding day with excellent mountain views. From camp, we climb on a rocky trail to Janye Tscho Lake, then higher to a col at 13,615ft (4,150m) before a short descent to Simthokha Lake (13,420ft/4,090m), the highest lake on this trek. From here, the trail undulates all the way to our camp at Labana.

We climb gradually to the Labana Pass, the highest point of the trek at 13,895ft (4,235m). Views improve with every step and, on a clear day, we can see Gangar Punsum, Table Mountain and much of the Bhutan Himalaya, with the Thimphu Valley far below. From the top, we traverse with superb vistas and descend towards Thimphu – there are a couple of short climbs to cols but the general trend is downhill. From the Phajoding Labsa chorten, we descend steeply to Phajoding Monastery for lunch, home to several temples and a monastic school. We then continue through blue pine forest to finish our trek at Motithang above Thimphu, reaching our hotel by mid–afternoon. This evening is free – you can explore Thimphu at your own pace.

We spend today visiting key sights in and around Thimphu, including the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 to honour the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, and Buddha Point, a large hillside statue overlooking the city. There are several museums and an art school to discover, while the post office, market and the takin preserve above town are also of interest. Your leader will show you as much as possible, subject to opening times.Alternative for festival departures – Thimphu/Dechenphug Tshechu, October and November 2025/2026:We spend the whole day immersed in one of Bhutan’s vibrant festivals. Monks and lay dancers in colourful brocade and silk perform masked dances that retell religious and secular stories through music and movement. Over several days there are masked dances, prayer gatherings and a lively atmosphere as villagers arrive to meet old friends. The Bhutanese wear their finest national dress – the dazzling silks are a highlight. Paro and Thimphu are the most popular festivals, whereas Dechenphug Tshechu is much smaller.For Paro Festival departures (March 2026), our accommodation is Rema Resorts or similar.

After breakfast, we drive about one hour back to Paro, visiting Kyichu Lhakhang en route. Built in the seventh century, it is considered the oldest temple in Bhutan and holds great spiritual significance – legend says it was built in one night on the foot of an ogre by a king. We then continue exploring the city and surrounding area.Alternative for festival departures – Paro Festival, 2 April 2025 and March 2026:We travel to Paro late afternoon on Day 9 to be ready for an early start today to experience the festivities as described on Day 9.

We fly back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free – you can explore the temples and markets, join a sightseeing tour, or wander independently. You might visit the hilltop Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), the largest Hindu temple in Nepal at Pashupatinath, or one of the biggest Buddhist stupas in Asia at Boudhanath. When you are ready for shopping, the colourful markets of Thamel are ideal for souvenirs. For organised sightseeing, you can ask the local representative in Kathmandu.

Our journey ends in Kathmandu after breakfast. If you would like more time to explore, you can speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.