Following the ancient high-level route between Paro and Thimpu, the “Bhutan Trek & Tour” which is also called as Druk Path trek.
We do not have fixed departure date for this trip. This trip can only be organized upon your request. There is an option of private and tailor-made journey best suited for you, your family and friends. We have price discounts according to the group size, the bigger your group, the bigger your group discounts. We allow complete flexibility on your departure date, please choose your preferable date.
Following the ancient high-level route between Paro and Thimpu, the Druk Path trek is an excellent short trek, ideal for those who are in Bhutan only for a short duration.
Throughout the Druk Path trek, you will experience the countryside, mountains, alpine meadows, glacial lakes and monasteries. The first day’s walk leads to the ruined Jeli Dzong which sits on a high ridge above the Paro Valley and commands breathtaking views across to Chomolhari.
During the succeeding 5 days of trekking, we climb above the tree line and cross several passes. En route, we camp beside clear mountain lakes, visit yak herders’ encampments and enjoy splendid panoramas of the peaks on the border with Tibet, including Jitchu Drake and Gangkar Puensum. We visit the ever-impressive Taktsang Monastery in the Paro Valley and to visit the Tashichho dzong at Thimpu.
Arrival at Paro Airport (2,280m). Overnight at a hotel.
Day excursion from Paro to the Taktsang Monastery. Overnight at a hotel.
Trek from Paro to Jele Dzong (3,436m) – Distance: 8 kms – 5 to 6 hours. Overnight at a tented camp.
Trek to Jangchulakha (3,962m) – Distance: 9 kms – 5 to 6 hrs. Overnight at a tented camp.
Trek to Jimilang Tsho (3,880m) – Distance: 10 kms – 6 to 7 hours. Overnight at a tented camp.
Trek to Simkotra (4,090m) – Distance: 7 kms – 4 to 5 hours. Overnight at a tented camp.
Trek to Thimphu via Phazoding – Distance: 14 kms – 7 to 8 hours. Overnight at a hotel.
Drive to Paro and transfer to the airport for final departure.
Guided city tour in Paro by private tourist vehicle.
Standard government-approved accommodation (in twin sharing rooms) for the duration of the tour.
Full-board meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea & snacks – for the duration of your stay.
Tented accommodation and equipment during the camping trek. (We will provide fully water proof two men tents, dining tents, kitchen gear, dining table, chairs, toilet tents, shower tent etc.)
Drinking water for the duration of the tour.
Country presentation and tour Briefing on the evening of Day1 with welcome drinks.
Licensed English-speaking Bhutanese tour guides.
The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage and camping equipment during the trek.
Private transportation and a designated driver within Bhutan. Toyota 4WD luggage vans and light trucks for group travel. Luggage will be hauled by horses, mules or yaks at higher elevations.
Monument and museums entrance fees for all sightseeing locations detailed in the itinerary.
Cultural afternoon/evening sessions with traditional mask and folk dances (with beverages). Only for group tours.
Bhutan visa fees and processing assistance.
Government royalty (35% of $225), which goes to the country’s health and education projects.
All trekking, route and monument access permits and fees.
All government taxes, official expenses and tourist service charges.
International airfare and airport departure tax.
All items of personal nature like drinks, laundry etc.
Druk air flight costs are not included in the trip price. Druk air flights cost are different as per the flights sectors that you are taking. Druk air offer flights from following location. We recommend you to book your flight to Bangkok as they have every day flight to Paro and from Paro as well. Please let us know which route is more convenient to you, the cost of the flights are as below. Please contact us for the up-to-date Druk air flight rate.
Bangkok – Paro – Bangkok = US$890
New Delhi – Paro- New Delhi = US$875
Calcutta – Paro- Calcutta = US$510
Kathmandu – Paro- Kathmandu = US$520
Bangkok – Paro – Kathmandu = US$ 860
Bangkok – Paro – New Delhi = US$ 875
Bangkok – Paro – New Delhi = US$ 875
You can take flight to Paro from Bangkok, New Delhi, Kathmandu, Dhaka etc. We recommend you to fly from Bangkok because Druk air offer everyday flight from Bangkok – Paro – Bangkok whereas Druk air do not operate everyday flights from other sectors.
Our airport representative will welcome you at the airport and transfer to your hotel on a private tourist vehicle. After lunch, we visit the Paro Dzong and the National Museum. The evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district.
We take a day excursion to Taktsang Monastery or the Tiger’s Nest, the most spectacular monastery and probably the most photographed one in Bhutan. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, hence its name. The excursion to monastery’s view point takes about 5 hours for a round trip. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria, followed by a short walk back. We’ll have a leisure evening to take some rest before the trekking starts the following day.
Today is a short trekking day. We start from above the National Museum, gradually ascending up to the camp. If the weather is clear, Paro valley and the surrounding mountains can be seen. The campsite is near the old Jele Dzong which, we can visit in the evening.
The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valley are beautiful. Our camp is close to Lake Jimilangtsho. This lake is known for its giant-sized trout.
The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and passes by the lake of Janetsho. Today you may come across some yak herder’s camp. We camp overnight close to Simkotra lake.
After the lake, the trail is a gradual climb and if the weather permits you will have a majestic view of Mt. Gangker Phuensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan, and other mountain peaks. The trail slowly descends through junipers tress and finally descends down to Phajoding monastery from where Thimphu town is visible at the valley floor. The trek from Phajoding to Thimphu is downhill all the way, passing through a forested area mostly blue pine. With a leisurely pace, you can reach Thimphu in about 2 hours.
After early morning breakfast, our airport representative will drop you at the Paro International Airport for your flight departure from Bhutan.
The following gives you a general idea of the personal items that you can bring for the trek. The personal items are of individual interest, and choice. The most important fact that one should keep on mind is that one should have enough clothes to tackle the cold weather in the Himalayas.
In a supported trek, heavy items are carried by porters or horse/donkeys and personal belongings that you may need for the day like money, water bottle, rain gear, camera, sun cream and toilet paper etc. should be carried by yourself. So you are briefed to pack items in two different bags.
If you are flying from kathmandu, we will supply complimentary water and wind proof duffel bag which you can use on the trek and is carried by porter/s. The duffel bag is yours to keep after the trek.
(Please note our guide will also carry the first aid kit bag during the trek. However we still recommend you to bring your personal first aid kit as well)
This list is only a guide. While you are required to bring everything on this list, there are numerous options, brands, and versions of each piece of equipment. Use your experience and the listed features to find the best gear for you.
Please Note: Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing, such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially to women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer, please pack something to wear on top of them.
Ace has a reputation for successfully leading treks with knowledgeable leaders and staff taking care of all your travel needs. We are a certified sustainable travel company that also endorses the idea of giving back to the community by participating in various philanthropic activities. Here are 17 reasons why you should choose Ace the Himalaya for your next adventure!
Here are some documents that you will need to carry with you:
The best time for this trekking is from March to May, and from September to November.
The weather in the mountains is notoriously difficult to predict. Nights are generally colder (-2°C to -15°C) than the daytime (5°C to 30°C). It is also important to make sure that you stay warm and dry in just about any conditions. Expect the unexpected! depending on season the temperature could range from -10°C to 30°C
We will handle the visa procedures for you. The Govt. will sanction the VISA only after the receipt of full payment in advance. The visa fee is included with our tour price. Actual Bhutan VISA will be stamped in your passport on arrival on Paro airport. Without visa clearance number, tourists cannot board the flight or enter the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs forwards a copy of this visa clearance to the concerned Druk Air stations and other entry points; we also fax a copy of the visa clearance document to our clients for their reference. While the actual visa is stamped on arrival, the initial visa clearance is also required at the time of issuing Druk Air Tickets.
All you need is to carry 2 copies of original passport-sized photographs, which are required on arrival in the country. Please e-mail us the clear color copy of the passport for the visa procedures.
Yes, our airport representative will be there to greet you at the airport. S/he will be displaying a sign board with your name on it at outside the airport terminal. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel by our tourist vehicle.
It depends on your spending habits. Generally, all the foods, accommodation and hot drinks are included in the price. You can allocate USD 10 to USD 15 for chocolates and a few drinks during the trip.
There are just a few ATM’s in Bhutan for credit card (Master card / Maestro) & only few establishments in Bhutan accept credit card payments hence US Dollars (cash or Amex travelers cheques) or Euros Cash is suggested and convenient to cover any personal expenses (eg. beverages , laundry ,phone bills , tipping , shopping etc) that the Pax may make in the Kingdom. 1US$ is equivalent to Nu. 55 & 1 Euro is equivalent to Nu.69 as of today (the day we writing this text). . NU= Ngultrum, the Bhutanese currency
Druk Path trek is suitable for any kind of person, no previous experience is required. To condition yourself for the trek, some physical fitness programs such as walking, running, swimming, and hiking are recommended before you embark on your journey.
Standard government-approved three star hotel accommodation (in twin sharing rooms) for the duration of tour in Paro and Thimpu. In trekking routes we provide the best possible camping service complete with comfortable two-person tents with good mattress. A kitchen, dining, shower, toilet tents and chairs with tables are also provided. Refer to the equipment list for items you will need to bring. You will also get a bucket of hot water each morning in your tent for a quick scrub up.
Most of the restaurants serve Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisine with plenty to choose from. Whiling camping our expert camping cook will prepare Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese and Continental fare. If you have any special dietary requirements please advise us in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
No problem at all because our camping cooks will mostly serve the vegetarian meals. We always recommend our clients to eat vegetarian meals to avoid the food poisoning, eating heavy meals and non- vegetarian meals at the high altitude is not really safe for the stomach.
The trip price included the drinking water for the all Bhutan trip. You don’t need to bring any bring purifying tablets/filter or pay for the water.
Laundry service is difficult to find, except in cities. For other trips, laundry is done by self at the taps.
Yes, we provide you shower facilities during your trek. We erect a shower tent and provide you with Buckets of hot water.
These facilities will not be available on this trekking, but you can definitely in Paro. Remember to bring travel adapters!
Our company insures all our trekking staff members, including guides, cooks, Sherpa, and porters. Please browse through our legal docment page to view insurance details.
No vaccinations are compulsory fro traveling in Nepal, but we do recommend you are covered for diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus.
We also recommend:
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and Ace the Himalaya at the time of your booking.
Notice should be provided 20 days before the trip start date in case of cancellation. The trip can be canceled for justifiable reasons. Once the trip is canceled, a fee of 30% of the trip cost is retained for administrative costs.
However, the trip amount is entirely non-refundable if the cancellation is not made before the 20 days as per our terms and conditions. For submitting a claim to your insurance company after the cancellation, we can assist with documentation such as a receipt of monies paid. Refund will not be provided for unused accommodation in case of trip cancellation caused by personal reasons/sickness/weather.
More information about our cancellation policy can be found here in Terms and Conditions page.
This is a difficult thing to gauge. We have seen everything from USD 20 to USD 1000 per person for guides and porters. Tipping is not required, but a small gesture of thanks to your guides and local porters thanks for their help. The level of the tip should reflect the level of satisfaction from and personal involvement with your guide.
Most hotels have communication services for international calls with fax, but along the camping route they are limited.
You will have many photo opportunities during the trip. Please ask for permission before taking a person’s photo. Photography in, monasteries, shrine rooms of Dzongs and religious institutions is generally not permitted, but outdoor photography is. To be sure when visiting such places, you may consult with your guide just to make sure. Carry plenty of films and batteries. Photo shops in Bhutan do not sell equipment or accessories.
No, because we can’t change your Druk air flight once it is booked.
We cater to all group sizes, while maintaining the field staff ratio to give you the best quality and experience.
Yes, you need to book your own International flights. We are a local agent and it would cost you significantly higher to book through us. Please find more information in the International Flight page.
Druk air is the only airline to and from Bhutan. We can ebook the Druk air flight to and from Bhutan and e-mail you the e-ticket.
Druk air flight cost is not included in the trip price. Druk air flights cost are different as per the flights sectors that you are taking. Druk air offer flights from following location. We recommend you to book your flight to Bangkok as they have every day flight to Paro and from Paro as well.
Please let us know which route is more convenient to you, the cost of the flights are as below. Please contact us for the up-to-date Druk air flight rate.
We use comfortable and reliable Japanese Toyota SUVs, micro-buses and coaches to transport our guests. All our drivers are licensed by the Road surface transport authority (RSTA). Our vehicles are also certified and inspected by the RSTA frequently to comply with the road worthiness and safety standards. The guests will have a vehicle, a guide and a driver at their disposal at all times.
Druing the trekking we use horse, donkeys or yaks to carry the food, luggage and camping equipment from one to another camping spot every day.
Druk Air allows only up to 20 kgs of luggage per person, after which the excess baggage charge is USD 5 per kg.
These full and frank reviews are from travelers who have traveled with Ace the Himalaya previously. The reviews and experiences shown here are from reputable travel websites like TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trust Pilot, etc.