Exclusive Bhutan Journey: Your journey to the land of happiness
A ridge trail with prayer flags and Himalayan peaks beyond

Trekking Tours

Druk Path Trekking Tour

  • 11 Days / 10 Nights
  • Paro · Thimphu
  • Moderate difficulty

Bhutan's classic ridge-top trek from Paro to Thimphu, passing ancient monasteries, high lakes and rhododendron forest.

Day-by-day itinerary

Every journey is private and can be adjusted to your pace, interests and travel dates.

Day1Arrival at Paro International Airport

You will be received by the representative of Exclusive Bhutan Journey who will be your guide throughout your tour.

  • Visit the Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century as a watchtower for the Paro Dzong. This Dzong was converted into the National museum in 1967 and is filled with antique thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor.
  • Drive to see the Paro Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now use as an administration center and school for monks.

Overnight at hotel Paro

Day2Paro – Hike Taktsang (Tiger Nest)

After breakfast morning hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest).

  • The climb up to the view point will take around three hours. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambava landed on the back of a tiger in the 8th century, and mediated for three months. Lunch will be arranged in the cafeteria and after lunch in the cafe, walk back to the road point and drive back to the hotel.
  • Drive to Drukgyal Dzong (fortress) now in ruins, which was built in 1646 by Shabdrung to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders, led by Mongolian Warlord, Gushri Khan. Overnight at hotel Paro.
Day3Paro – Jele Dzong Trekking

After breakfast start with trekking distance 7 km time cover 2 hours. Today is a short trekking day. The trail is rather gradual till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with its snow capped mountain backdrop.

Overnight Camp Jele Dzong.

Day4Jele Dzong – Jangchu Lhakha

After breakfast continue trekking distance 10 km and time cover 3 hours. You begin with about an hour and half’s climb then ascends gradually up. The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and rhododendrons. You may see yak herders around your campsite.

Overnight Camp at Jangchu Lkakha

Day5Jangchu Lhakha – Jimilangtsho

After breakfast keep trekking distance 11 km and time cover 5 hours. The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valley are beautiful. Camp is close to the lake of Jimilangtso.

Overnight camp at Near Lake

Day6Jimilangtsho – Simkota

After breakfast trekking begins for day distance 13 km and time cover 6 hours. The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and bypasses the lake of Janetso. Today you may come across some yak herder’s camps and get an idea of how these people live. Camp is close to Simkota Lake.

Overnight camp at Simkota

Day7Simkota – Phajoding

After breakfast keep trekking distance 10 km and time cover 4 hours. Today you begin with a gradual climb and if the weather permits you will enjoy a majestic view of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest in Bhutan, and other peaks from the Dochula pass. The trail slowly descends till you reach the Phajoding cafeteria.

Overnight in cafeteria or camp

Day8Phajoding to Thimphu (Trekking)

After breakfast do for short trekking distance 8 km and time cover 3 hours. The trek to Thimphu is all the way down through a forested area of mostly blue pine. Taking a leisurely pace you reach Thimphu in about 3 hours.

Drive to Thimphu Town and Free evening to relax Town in Hotstone Bath.

Overnight at Thimphu

Day9Explore tour around Thimphu city (Cultural Sightseeing)

After breakfast Explore around Thimphu visiting site:

  • Buddha Statue, facing Thimphu valley down below is the worlds’ largest and tallest Buddha statue.
  • Textile museum, near National library at Chubachu, it was established in the year 2001, the museum contains Bhutanese textiles, arts, crafts.
  • View Tashichho Dzong, just near bank of the Wangchu River.
  • Simply Bhutan, Get to see Culture and Traditional of Bhutan.
  • Memorial Chorten, it was built in 1974 by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Phuntsho Choden in memory of her son, Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
  • Visit Bhutan Museum
  • Royal Takin Reserve (Endanger Animal)
  • Craft Bazaar
  • Kaja Throm local market visit
  • Bhutan Postal Museum visit

Leisure time at Thimphu Town

Day10Drive from Thimphu to Punakha Days Excursion

After breakfast drive towards Punakha via Dochula pass.

  • Dochula Pass, an hour's drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3140 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day with a powerful binocular telescope. Visit the beautiful 108 chortens.
  • Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility), famously known for its fertility shrine, where couples unable to concieve come here for blessing.
  • Punakha Dzong, the dzong is situated on a stretch of a land where two rivers – Phochu and Mochu – meet. The dzong was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in and the first monarch, King Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned there and it served as the capital of the country until 1955.
  • Suspension Bridge

Evening drive to back to Thimphu

Overnight at Thimphu

Day11Final Departure from Paro International Airport

After breakfast your guide and driver will drive to Paro airport for your onward flight to your next destination.

Tour cost for international guests

Cost includes

  • Gov’t Rated Premium 3 * Accommodation in twin sharing (Can upgrade to 4* and 5* with additional payment)
  • Transportation comfortable Toyota Hiace bus/ Hyundai H1
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
  • All tourists taxes
  • Tea and snack during Tour time
  • Pick and drop till Airport
  • All sightseeing tour as per itinerary
  • Experience English speaking Tour guide
  • Bhutan E-visa fee once time of $40
  • Government SDF fee $100 per night per person included (Child up to 6-12yrs, $50 per night SDF fee)
  • Daily mineral water during tour
  • Travel Insurance for during your stay in Bhutan
  • Last night Bhutanese Cultural show in Group Tour
  • All monuments fee included
  • Get to Wear Bhutanese Cultural Dress during your tour to Bhutan
  • 100% Tourist Visa Guarantee

Cost excluded

  • Beverages
  • Tips
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Flight

Places on this route

Good to know

  • Private tours: your own guide, driver and vehicle throughout.
  • Pay by credit or debit card or by international wire transfer, see how to pay.
  • Payment terms and the cancellation policy are set out on our payment terms page.

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Prayer flags glowing in the setting sun

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Tell us when you would like to travel and who is coming. We will reply within 24 hours with a private, tailor-made plan.