Druk Path Trek

The six-day trek is one of the most popular trek in Bhutan as it passes through a gorgeous natural landscape of blue pine forests, high ridges and pristine lakes while at the same time offering the opportunity to visit some ancient lhakhangs, dzongs and villages.

The Druk Path Trek is is one of the easy hike to undertake as the distances between rest camps is fairly short. The trail takes you through forests of fir, blue pine and dwarf rhododendrons at altitudes ranging between 2400-4200 m. On the third day hikers will arrive at Jimiling Lake, whose crystal-clear waters are home to gigantic trout.

This trek also offers hikers stunning views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest unscaled peak in the world. The best times to embark on the Druk Path Trek are between March-June or September-November.

Day 1 (Paro – Jili Dzong)

Hiking Distance 7kms (4-5 Hours hike)

Ascent – 1090 m

Camp Altitude – 3480 m

This day will be the toughest since it will involve climbing more than 1,000m. You will start from near the Ta Dzong (National Musuem) in Paro. You will follow a gravel road through a small village for about 30 minutes and then climb up a steep ridge before heading into blue pine and fir forests which leads to Damche Gom.Once you reach the ridge below Jili Dzong you descend about 100 m to the campsite below the dzong.

Day 2 (Jili Dzong-Jangchulakha)

Hiking Distance 10 kms (4-5 Hours hike)

Ascent – 3100 m, Descent – 50m

Camp Altitude – 3770 m

You have to do a short steep climb for about an hour and after that the slope becomes more gradual. The trail goes through thick alpine forest and dwarf rhododendron trees.As you walk through the trail you may come across Nomads and their yaks.

Day 3 (Jangchulakha- Jigmelang Tsho)

Hiking Distance 11 kms (4-5 Hours hike)

Ascent – 330 m

Camp Altitude – 3870 m

The hike on this day will be along a ridge and on a clear day you will get stunning view of the mountains and valleys. The camp site is close to a lake called Jigmelang Tsho(lake), which is well known for its big trouts.

Day 4 (Jigmelang Tsho – Simkorta tsho)

Hiking Distance 11 kms (4-5 Hours hike)

Ascent – 820 m

Camp Altitude – 4,110 m

This day you will hike through rhododendron trees and past another lake called Janetso Lake.Along the trail you may come across yak herder camps and get a chance to see the Nomadic life style. The camp site will be near the Simkorta lake.

Day 5 (Simkorta tsho – Phadjoding Monastery)

Hiking Distance 10 kms (3-4 Hours hike)

Ascent – 130 m

Camp Altitude – 3,750 m

The day begins with a gradual climb. If the weather permits, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and several other Himalayan peaks. From this pass, the trek takes you downhill towards Phajodhing where you will halt for the night. The camp is located just above Phadjoding Monastery.

Day 6 (Phadjoding Monastery – Mothitang)

Hiking Distance- 4-5 kms (3 Hours hike)

Descent – 1,130 m

You will visit the Phajoding monastery and After passing Phadjoding monastery, you will trek down to Thimphu (Mothitang) through a forested area of mostly blue pine. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours. Then you will reach the road head near the Bhutan Broadcast Service (BBS) Telecommunication Tower from where you can get a great view of the city of Thimphu. From here your car will be waiting for you and this brings an end to the trek.