Bhutan: Druk Path Trek
Bhutan: Druk Path Trek
Bhutan: Druk Path Trek
12 Days Starting and ending in Kathmandu
Visiting: Bhutan, Nepal
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TBC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
The Druk Path is one of Bhutan's classic treks and follows an ancient, high-level trade route from Paro to Thimpu in a country visited by only a lucky few. Trek through splendid rhododendron forests, past yak herder settlements, across several passes and camp beside clear, blue, mountain lakes with spectacular views of the peaks which border Tibet. Experience Bhutan’s fascinating culture and on specific departures, its colourful festivals with masked dances and general joviality. Note that different departures follow different itineraries - see 'is this trip for you' for more details.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Kathmandu
The adventure begins in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The evening is free to relax. If you have time, you may wish to explore the nearby buzzy Thamel district.
Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 : Fly To Paro; Visit Paro Dzong And Museum
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We fly to Paro today. If the weather is clear, we should get a fantastic view (from the left-hand side of the plane) of much of the eastern half of the Himalaya, including Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Chomolhari (Jhomolhari). After completing visa formalities in Paro, we transfer to our hotel. The Paro Valley is considered one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with blue pine-covered hills and attractive farmhouses among paddy fields – all dominated by the massive dzong (fort).
This afternoon, we aim to visit Paro Dzong and the national museum above it. Paro Dzong is one of the most impressive in Bhutan, and the finest example of Bhutanese architecture you will see. The inward-sloping walls form a massive structure that towers over the town. Built in the 17th century, it was one of the strongest and most important fortresses in Bhutan and was used on several occasions to defend the Paro Valley from invasions by Tibet. Formally the meeting hall for the national assembly, the dzong now houses a monastic school and district government offices. West of the dzong is a covered wooden bridge named Nyamal Zam, a reconstruction of the original bridge, which was washed away in a flood in 1969.
At the top of the hill, above the dzong, is the old watchtower known locally as Ta Dzong. Originally built in 1656, it was renovated in 1968 by King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk to house the National Museum. Damaged by the earthquake in 2011, the museum is now in a new building above the Ta Dzong. Inside the museum, there are collections of masks and thangkas (Tibetan Buddhist paintings).
Please note, the itinerary above could change subject to flight timings, which are generally unpredictable.
Accommodation: Rema Resorts
Day 3 : Warm-Up Hike To Taktsang Monastery
Today we have a warm-up hike to Taktsang Monastery. Also known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, it is perched on the ledge of a cliff high above the Paro Valley. Partly destroyed by fire in 1998, it has now been completely restored to its former magnificence. We drive a short distance from the hotel and then hike up for about 1hr 30min to a viewpoint for classic views of the monastic buildings that cling impossibly to the cliff wall opposite. If you’re feeling energetic, walk another 45 minutes to the actual monastery. The walk is good for acclimatisation and we recommend you wear trekking boots. Please note, there about 100 steps up and down. Returning to the hotel, we have time in the afternoon to explore Paro town.
Accommodation: Rema Resorts (or similar)
Day 4 : Trek To Jele Dzong
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we start our trek. After breakfast, we have a short drive to about 8,595ft (2,620m), just above the ancient Ta Dzong watchtower. The first day’s trekking is not long in terms of hours but it’s uphill all the way and we gain quite a lot of height. From our start point, it is a gentle climb for about 1hr 30min on a jeep track to a prayer wall. The trail then narrows and we continue climbing on a rocky path (a little steeper now) through the forest. We have lunch in a clearing about an hour further on and then it’s about an hour’s walk in the afternoon 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’re still keen to walk, trek further up the ridge from the Jele La to a ruined shepherd hut with a small Bon shrine inside.
Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 11,580ft/3,530m)
Day 5 : Trek To Jangchulaka
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we walk five minutes back up to the main trail and continue climbing for about 30 minutes to Jele Dzong. If it is open, we can go inside the 14th-century dzong. Continuing up the ridge for a short way, we can see the Paro Valley way below and, if the weather is clear, we may even spot the peak of Chomolhari in the distance. The trail undulates through thick rhododendron forests this morning – keep your eyes peeled for colourful monal and blood pheasants. Lunch is in a forest clearing and we have a short walk in the afternoon to our camp at Rawna.
Please note, if there are other trekking groups around, we may have to camp at Jangchu Lakha (12,140ft/3,700m) or Tsokam (12,300ft/3,750m). All three campsites are close by, each in different forest clearings.
Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 12,665ft/3,860m)
Day 6 : Follow The Ridge With Spectacular Views Of Jichdrake To Reach Jimi Lang Tsho
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It’s a long day today and probably the hardest walk of the trek. We climb steeply from camp on a narrow trail for about an hour to rejoin the main trail. We continue climbing through a rocky landscape littered with small rhododendron bushes. We reach a col at 13,367ft (4,073m) marked with prayer flags and then drop down a short way to a cave. The trail then climbs again quite steeply to a ridge at 13,385ft (4,080m), where we get spectacular mountain views on a clear day, including Chomolhari and Jichudrake. We have lunch on the ridge while enjoying the views and then continue a little further up the ridge to 13,520ft (4,120m). From here, we contour round a little and then drop steeply on a rocky trail to the shores of Jimi Lang Tscho, well known for its trout.
Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 12,746ft/3,885m)
Day 7 : Trek To Labana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have another long but great day’s walk with good mountain views. The trail climbs from camp along a rocky trail up to Janye Tscho Lake. Climbing even higher to a col at 13,615ft (4,150m), we then have a short descent to Simthokha Lake (13,420ft/4,090m), the highest lake on our trek. From here, the trail undulates all the way to our camp at Labana.
Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 13,450ft/4,100m)
Day 8 : Cross The Labana Pass And Descend To Phajoding; Transfer To Thimphu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail climbs gradually up to the Labana Pass, the highest point of this trek at 13,895ft (4,235m). The views get better and better and, on a clear day, we can see Gangar Punsum, Table Mountain and much of the Bhutan Himalaya. Way below is the Thimphu Valley. From the top, we traverse the hillside with great mountain views and descend towards Thimphu. There are a couple of small climbs to cols but the general direction is downhill. From the Phajoding Labsa chorten (shrine), we descend quite steeply to Phajoding Monastery for lunch. There are several temples here and a monastic school and the place is visited by many Bhutanese. We descend even further through forests of blue pine to the end of our trek at Motithang, just above Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. We should reach our hotel by mid-afternoon. The evening is free to explore Thimphu.
Accommodation: Hotel Pedling (or similar)
Day 9 : Thimphu Sightseeing. Festival Departures: Spend The Day At Thimphu/Dechenphug Tshechu Festival
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We spend the day visiting the most important sites in and around Thimphu, including the Memorial Chorten (built in 1974 to honour the memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk) and Buddha Point (a large Buddha statue on the hillside overlooking Thimphu). There are several museums in Thimphu and an art school, while the post office and market are also interesting. Above the town is a takin preserve. Your leader aims to show you as much as possible in the time available depending on opening times. In the late afternoon, we drive to Paro (one-hour drive).
Alternative itinerary for festival departures: Thimphu/Dechenphug Tshechu Festival - September & October 2024 and October & November 2025.
We spend the whole day experiencing one of the many vibrant festivals in Bhutan. During the festivals, the Bhutanese gather to see the monks and lay dancers dressed in colourful brocade and silk costumes, wearing painted masks re-enacting the stories of the religious and lay history of Bhutan through music and dance. For several days, there are masked dances, prayer meetings, and a carnival atmosphere as many villagers arrive to meet old friends. The Bhutanese all wear their finest national dress for the festival and one of the highlights is the magnificently colourful silks on display. Paro and Thimphu are the most popular festivals in Bhutan whereas Dechenphug Tshechu is much smaller.
Accommodation: Rema Resorts (or similar)
Day 10 : Paro Sightseeing. Festival Departures: Spend The Day At Paro Festival
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We start today but visiting Kyichu Lhakhang. Built in the seventh century, it is said to be the oldest temple in Bhutan and therefore holds great spiritual significance to the country. Legend says it was built on the foot of ogre by a king in one night.
After this, we continue to explore the city and surrounding area.
Alternative itinerary for festival departures: Paro Festival - 14 March 2024 & 02 April 2025
See day 9 for description.
Accommodation: Rema Resorts
Day 11 : Fly To Kathmandu
Meals Included: Breakfast
We fly back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free to explore the temples and markets of the Nepalese capital or go shopping. There are several sightseeing tours available (ask the Exodus representative in Kathmandu) or you may want to explore on your own. You could visit the monkey temple at Swayambhunath, the largest Hindu temple in Nepal at Pashupatinath, or one of the largest Buddhist stupas in Asia at Boudhanath. Once you’ve had your fill of culture, the colourful markets of Thamel are great for souvenir hunting.
Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)
Day 12 : End Kathmandu
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our trip ends in Kathmandu after breakfast. If you’d like more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Sometimes, due to opening times, holidays or festivals, we have to change the timings of the sightseeing around. We endeavour to show you all the sights in the time available. In case it is not possible to visit any of the sights described in the notes above an alternative will be provided.
What's Included
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Meals
10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners
* All accommodation
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
* Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
* Bhutanese visa
What's Not Included
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Nepalese visa or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request - limited availability)
Food
Breakfast is included throughout the trip plus 9 lunches and 9 dinners whilst
in Bhutan.
The hotel
estaurant meals in Bhutan are usually buffet style and include
Bhutanese and Western food. Bhutanese food can sometimes be considered a
little bland - this is generally because chillies are frequently used in
traditional dishes, and these are often omitted to adapt to foreigners'
tastes. However, you will find an assortment of meat, vegetable, rice and
potato dishes and many examples of the infamous 'Ema Datshi' (chillies and
cheese) so there will be plenty of nutrients for your day ahead!
Whilst camping, the staff will bring a hot drink (usually tea) to your tent
each morning. When you reach camp in the afternoon tea and biscuits will be
served. At breakfast, dinner and in the afternoons, there is a choice of hot
drinks. Breakfasts typically include cereal and/or porridge plus toast and
eggs. Lunch on trek is usually served as a picnic en route (except on shorter
days when it is in camp). Lunch and dinner typically include soup to start,
followed by a variety of hot dishes (both local and western) such as
potatoes/chips, vegetables, curry, pasta, rice, dhal and vegetables. At
dinner time a dessert such as fresh or tinned fruit, fritters or cake is also
served. Please note that although some meals will include meat, it is not as
readily available whilst camping.
Please allow approximately £20-25 ($25-35) per day for other main meals in
Kathmandu.
Accommodation
We spend seven nights in hotels and four nights in full-service camps. The hotels we use in Bhutan are simple but comfortable.
The camping is in spacious two-person tents. We also provide dining and toilet tents, chairs, tables, cooking and kitchen gear and there is a team of support staff. All groups are accompanied by a local leader, who is supported by a cook, assistant guides and yakmen. On trek, you are woken with a cup of hot tea, and we also provide a small bowl of warm washing water in the mornings.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.