The Druk Path is currently the most popular trek in Bhutan. The trek is possible from late February to May and from September to December, although snow sometimes closes the route in late autumn and early spring. Afternoon showers are common in April and May. Days are normally warm, but nights can be very cold and you should always be prepared for snow. Avoid the monsoon season of July and August.
Day 1: NATIONAL MUSEUM TO JILI DZONG
10KM/3.5-5 HOURS/ 1115M AASCENT, 40M DESCENT
Most groups start from a trailhead outside Paro’s National Museum at 2470m. The route follows a dirt road for 30 minutes and passes by the beauty of Kuenga Choeling. A further hour’s climb takes you to the stone houses and apple orchards of Damchena (2880m), 10 minutes before a Mani (carved stone) wall and campsite in a clearing known as Damche Gom (2985m)
Climbing through forests of golden moss to a herders’ camp just before Jili La (3540m). Cross the pass (marked by cairn and broken chorten) and drop to an excellent camping place in a meadow surrounded by rhododendron forests just below Jili Dzong.
Day 2: JILI DZONG TO RABANA
10KM/3-4 HOURS/425M ASCENT, 50M DESCENT
The descends through rhododendrons to a saddle at 3550m, before climbing for 40 minutes to great views of Paro and the Bemang Rong Valley. If the weather is clear, look for Jhomolhari and the other snow-capped peaks in the distance.
The trail crosses to the east side of the ridge offering views down to the Gimena. Climb again and traverse around the west side of a cone-shaped hill to a saddle (3750m) and two clearings, the latter below some prayer flags. Five minutes’ further is Jangchhu Lakha, a yak pasture at 3760m. From here a lower trail continues 10 minutes to an often-boggy camping spot at Tshokam (3770m).
DAY 3 : RABANA TO JIMILANG TSHO
11KM/4 HOURS/375M DESCENT, 370M ASCENT
Most groups take the high trail because it offers better views, including (in good weather) Jhomolhari and 6989m Jichu Drakye, the peak representing the protective deity of Paro. From Rabana a horse trail ascends the ridge diagonally to a viewpoint marked by a lone prayer flag at 3960m. The rocky descent is hard on the feet, passing a small herders’ shelter by an overhanging rock, and then climbing 80m to a pass for fine views of Jhomolhari. Far below in the Do Chhu valley you can see the yellow roof of Chumpu Ney, Five minutes later you see isolated Jimilang Tsho far below you. Descend to a saddle for lunch and then climb and angle around the ridge to a chorten at 4180m for a final view of Jhomolhari. A steep 30-minute descent leads to the shore of Jimilang Tsho, with pleasant camping five minutes’ further at the far end of the latke (3885m).
Day4 : Jimilang Tsho to Simkotra Tsho
11KM/ 4 HOURS/820M ASCENT, 400M DESCENT
Maneuvering through yellow rhododendron to a ridge at 4010m, traverses the ridge, and then descends to a single stone shelter. Following the ridge, you crest at some prayer flags overlooking Janye Tsho. Descend to a yak herders’ camp near the lake at 3880m before climbing again, veering eventually to the right, to a ridge at 4150m and views of overlooking Simkotra Tsho. Descend to some stone ruins and camp at 4100m.
Day 5 : Simkotra Tsho to Phajoding
10KM/3-4 HOURS/ 130M ASCENT, 680M DESCENT
It’s a long climb past three false summits, before the trail descends to Labana camping place at 4110m, near a stone hut beside an almost dry-lake. There’s a final longish climb to a group of cairns atop Labana La at 4235m. The hill above the trail marks a seldom-used sky burial site. The trail descends gently to crest a minor pass at 4210m. There are views of Dochu La and Jhomolhari along this stretch.
From here the trail descends to a final 4090m pass marled by a chorten. Below sprawls the entire Thimphu Valley. Weather permitting, there are views of Gangkhar Puensum and other Himalayan peaks. The main trail descends northeast towards Phajoding below but after 10 minutes it’s worth taking the side trail for 20 minutes southeast down to Thuji Drak.A descent on a maze of eroded trails through juniper and rhododendron leads to a campsite beside the main Jampa Lhakhang at 3640m
Day 6: Phajoding to Mothithang
4-5KM/2.5HOURS/1130DESCENT
This day’s trek is all downhill through forest so tie your laces tight and keep your trekking poles handy. A wide trail passes a chorten at 3440m, 40 minutes after which there is a trail junction. The left branch descends via Chhokhortse Goemba to the BTC telecom tower at Sangaygang, offering an interesting alternative end to the trek.
The normal route branches right and descends more steeply towards Mothithang. Pass another chorten at 3070m and descend steeply to a stream, crossing it at 2820m. Climb to a rough a road and follow it down to your waiting vehicle.