Trekking · Adventure & Hiking · Strenuous
Jomolhari Trek
- Paro
- Sharna Zampa
- Jangothang
- Lingshi
- …
Eight days walking through yak pastures and high passes to the foot of Jomolhari, Bhutan's sacred peak on the Tibetan border.
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Trekking · Adventure & Hiking
The Druk Path Trek
Five days on foot over the ridges between Paro and Thimphu, past alpine lakes and ancient lhakhangs, with views of the high Himalaya.
- Duration
- 9 days · 8 nights
- Route
- Paro → Jele Dzong → Jimilang Tsho → Simkota …
- Activity level
- Moderate · up to 4,210 m (Labana pass)
- Best time
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
- From
- Price on requestQuoted for your dates and style
Overview
The Druk Path is Bhutan’s most popular trek for good reason: in five walking days it crosses the high ridges between Paro and Thimphu, camps beside clear alpine lakes and passes ancient dzongs and monasteries — all without needing to go far into the remote north.
It is a moderate trek, best suited to fit walkers. You carry only a day pack; horses carry the camp, and your cook will have tea ready when you arrive.
- Paro
- Jele Dzong
- Jimilang Tsho
- Simkota
- Phajoding
- Thimphu
Highlights
- Camping beside the high lakes of Jimilang Tsho and Simkota
- Views of Jomolhari and Gangkhar Puensum from the ridges
- The ruins of Jele Dzong and the monastery of Phajoding
- Descending into Thimphu on foot through blue pine forest
- Fully supported: cook, crew and pack animals
Day by day
- Day01
Arrival in Paro Paro
Welcome and an easy afternoon visiting Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum. Trek briefing with your guide in the evening.
- Rinpung Dzong
- National Museum
- Trek briefing
- Day02
Acclimatisation hike to the Tiger's Nest Paro
The hike to Taktsang is the perfect acclimatisation walk before the trek, climbing to just over 3,100 metres.
- Tiger's Nest hike
- Day03
Paro to Jele Dzong National Museum → Jele Dzong
Start walking from above the National Museum, climbing steadily through blue pine and rhododendron to the camp below Jele Dzong, with views back over the Paro valley.
- Trek day 1
- Day04
Jele Dzong to Jangchulakha Jele Dzong → Jangchulakha
A morning visit to Jele Dzong, then a ridge walk through old-growth forest. On clear days Jomolhari appears to the north. Yak herders sometimes camp nearby.
- Trek day 2
- Day05
Jangchulakha to Jimilang Tsho Jangchulakha → Jimilang Tsho
Follow the ridge with views of the Himalaya before descending to Jimilang Tsho, the 'Lake of the Sand Ox', known for its trout.
- Trek day 3
- Day06
Jimilang Tsho to Simkota Jimilang Tsho → Simkota Tsho
Pass the smaller Janetso lake and climb through dwarf rhododendron to camp beside Simkota Tsho, the highest camp of the trek.
- Trek day 4
- Day07
Simkota to Phajoding and Thimphu Simkota → Phajoding → Thimphu
Cross the Labana pass for a final mountain view — on the clearest days, Gangkhar Puensum is visible — then descend to the monastery of Phajoding and down through forest to Thimphu.
- Trek day 5
- Phajoding Monastery
- Day08
Thimphu to Paro Thimphu → Paro
A well-earned slow morning, sightseeing in Thimphu — Buddha Dordenma, the arts school and the market — before returning to Paro.
- Thimphu sightseeing
- Day09
Departure Paro
Transfer to Paro airport.
- Airport transfer
Staying, eating, travelling
- Accommodation
- Hotels in Paro and Thimphu; spacious two-person tents on the trek, with a dining tent, kitchen tent and toilet tent.
- Meals
- All meals included. On the trek, a camp cook prepares fresh, hearty meals three times a day, with tea and snacks.
- Transport
- Private vehicle for road transfers; pack horses or yaks carry camping equipment and luggage on the trek.
- Your guide
- Licensed trekking guide, camp cook and crew. Your guide is trained in first aid and carries a satellite communication device where coverage requires it.
What is included
Included
- Bhutan visa processing and visa fee
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for each night in Bhutan
- Hotels in Paro and Thimphu
- All camping equipment (tents, mattresses, dining and toilet tents)
- All meals in Bhutan
- Trekking guide, cook, crew and pack animals
- Trekking permits and entrance fees
Not included
- International flights
- Travel and trekking insurance with evacuation cover (required)
- Sleeping bag (rental can be arranged)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips for guide and crew
When to go & what you need
Best time to travel
April–June and September–November. Autumn brings the clearest views; spring brings rhododendrons.
- January
- February
- March
- April — recommended
- May — recommended
- June — recommended
- July
- August
- September — recommended
- October — recommended
- November — recommended
- December
Before you travel
- Passport valid for at least six months from arrival
- Insurance covering trekking up to 4,500 m and emergency evacuation
- Good fitness and recent experience of multi-day hiking
- Warm, waterproof clothing and broken-in boots
Along the way
Questions about this journey
Do I need trekking experience?
No technical experience is needed, but you should be comfortable walking 4–7 hours a day for several days. Some days are spent above 3,800 metres.
What about altitude sickness?
The itinerary includes two days around Paro for acclimatisation, and daily ascents are moderate. Your guide monitors everyone closely and will descend if needed.
Places on this route
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- Paro
- Haa
- Thimphu
- Punakha
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