Bhutan: Druk Path Trek — Self-Launched
12 days · Bhutan
Exodus charges £3,450
No-markup version: ~£1,215 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Exodus's 12-day Druk Path Trek, following the ancient high-level trade route from Paro to Thimphu through rhododendron forest, yak-herder country and glacial lakes. You arrange your own Bhutanese visa and Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), hire a licensed local trekking crew directly, and stay in budget guesthouses in Paro, Thimphu and Kathmandu. All costs are approximate and per person in GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal
Land in Kathmandu and settle into a guesthouse in Thamel. No activities planned — wander the buzzy lanes, pick up any last trekking supplies (gas canisters, snack bars, altitude meds) and eat a dal bhat dinner. Confirm tomorrow's Druk Air / Bhutan Airlines flight to Paro has been ticketed before arrival, as seats sell out in peak season.
🚌Arrival transfer or local taxi from Tribhuvan Airport to Thamel (~₹800 / £5)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel (e.g. Hotel Thamel Park or similar, twin/dorm)
- →Thamel street wander
- →Gear and snack shopping
- →Dal bhat dinner
Fly to Paro; Paro Dzong and National Museum
Paro, Bhutan
Fly Kathmandu–Paro (sit on the LEFT side for Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Chomolhari). Complete visa formalities on arrival — your pre-approved e-visa and SDF payment should already be confirmed. Afternoon walk to Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), cross the covered Nyamal Zam bridge, and visit the National Museum in the old Ta Dzong watchtower. Meet your local trekking guide in the evening to check kit and confirm the route.
🚌Kathmandu–Paro flight (~£180–£260 one way, booked direct with Druk Air/Bhutan Airlines); local taxi from Paro airport (~£8)
🛏Guesthouse in Paro town (mid-range simple hotel, e.g. a family-run Bhutanese guesthouse)
- →Scenic flight over the Himalaya
- →Paro Dzong visit
- →National Museum (Ta Dzong)
- →Nyamal Zam wooden bridge
Warm-up hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery
Paro Valley, Bhutan
Acclimatisation day. Hike roughly 1h30 to the viewpoint facing the cliff-clinging Taktsang Monastery, then continue the extra ~45 minutes to the monastery itself if energy allows. About 100 steps up and down, and trekking boots are recommended. Back in Paro by mid-afternoon to explore the town and check your trek food and cash — carry enough ngultrum for the trail as there are no ATMs on the route. Entry to the monastery ~500 BTN.
🚌Local taxi or shared ride to the trailhead (~£6 return)
🛏Guesthouse in Paro town
- →Tiger's Nest Monastery hike (12km)
- →Paro town wander
Trek begins: Paro to Jele Dzong camp
Jele Dzong, Bhutan
Drive to the start above the ancient Ta Dzong watchtower (2,620m). A gentle climb on a jeep track for ~1h30 to a prayer wall, then a narrower, rockier path through forest. Lunch in a clearing, then about an hour to the Jele La (3,550m) and camp just below the pass. Uphill all day, so keep it slow. Optional extra walk up the ridge to a ruined shepherd hut with a small Bon shrine.
🚌Short private car transfer to trailhead (arranged via your local operator, ~£10)
🛏Camp at Jele La (3,530m) — full-service camp with cook, dining tent and sleeping tents
- →Trek to Jele La (7km)
- →Optional ridge walk to Bon shrine
Trek to Jangchulaka / Rawna
Rawna, Bhutan
Walk five minutes back to the main trail and climb ~30 minutes to Jele Dzong (14th century) — worth a look inside if open. The trail undulates through thick rhododendron forest where monal and blood pheasants are often seen. Lunch in a forest clearing, short afternoon walk to camp at Rawna. If the site is busy, your crew may use Jangchu Lakha (3,700m) or Tsokam (3,750m) instead — all are close by.
🚌On foot with porterage
🛏Camp at Rawna (3,860m)
- →Trek to Jele Dzong (12km)
- →Rhododendron forest birdwatching
Ridge traverse to Jimi Lang Tsho
Jimi Lang Tsho, Bhutan
The toughest day. Climb steeply for about an hour to rejoin the main trail, then continue through rocky terrain dotted with rhododendron. Reach a prayer-flag col at 4,073m, drop to a cave, then climb steeply again to a ridge at 4,080m with views of Chomolhari and Jichudrake. Lunch on the ridge, continue to 4,120m, contour round and descend steeply on rock to the shores of Jimi Lang Tsho, a trout lake.
🚌On foot with porterage
🛏Camp by Jimi Lang Tsho (3,885m)
- →Steep ridge ascent to 4,120m
- →Himalayan viewpoint lunch
- →Jimi Lang Tsho lakeside camp
Trek to Labana via Simthokha Lake
Labana, Bhutan
Climb a rocky trail to Janye Tscho Lake, then higher to a col at 4,150m. Short descent to Simthokha Lake (4,090m), the highest lake on the trek, then an undulating trail to camp at Labana. Another long but rewarding day with strong mountain views.
🚌On foot with porterage
🛏Camp at Labana (4,100m)
- →Trek to Labana (8.6km)
- →Janye Tscho and Simthokha lakes
- →Col at 4,150m
Labana Pass, descent to Phajoding, transfer to Thimphu
Thimphu, Bhutan
Climb gradually to Labana Pass (4,235m), the trek's high point, with views of Gangar Punsum, Table Mountain and much of the Bhutan Himalaya. Traverse the hillside and descend via Phajoding Labsa chorten to Phajoding Monastery for lunch, then down through blue pine forest to Motithang above Thimphu. Reach your hotel by mid-afternoon; evening free to explore the capital.
🚌Private car from Motithang to Thimphu hotel (~£6)
🛏Budget hotel in Thimphu (e.g. a simple city guesthouse)
- →Cross Labana Pass (4,235m)
- →Phajoding Monastery visit
- →Descend to Motithang (11.3km)
Thimphu sightseeing (or Tshechu festival)
Thimphu, Bhutan
Visit the Memorial Chorten (1974), Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) overlooking the valley, the Takin Preserve, the post office and the weekend market, and an art school. If you time your trip for the Thimphu/Dechenphug Tshechu (usually Oct–Nov), spend the day at the festival: masked cham dances, prayer meetings and a carnival atmosphere, with locals in their finest national dress. Festival entry via small donation to the monastery.
🚌Shared taxi or local bus around Thimphu (~£5)
🛏Budget hotel in Thimphu
- →Memorial Chorten
- →Buddha Point
- →Takin Preserve
- →Optional Tshechu festival
Thimphu to Paro; Kyichu Lhakhang
Paro, Bhutan
Depart after breakfast for Paro (about one hour) and stop at Kyichu Lhakhang en route — a 7th-century temple said to be the oldest in Bhutan. Afternoon free to explore Paro town, its shops and cafés, or take the riverside walk. If you're on a Paro Festival departure (March/April), shift your schedule to catch the masked dances in the dzong courtyard.
🚌Shared taxi or local bus Thimphu–Paro (~£4)
🛏Guesthouse in Paro town
- →Kyichu Lhakhang temple
- →Paro town wander
- →Optional Paro Tshechu festival
Fly back to Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal
Fly Paro–Kathmandu (again, left-hand side for the Himalaya). The rest of the day is free to explore Kathmandu's temples and markets — Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and the lanes of Thamel. Last chance for momos and a cold drink before you fly home.
🚌Paro–Kathmandu flight (~£180–£260); local taxi from airport (~£5)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel, Kathmandu
- →Paro–Kathmandu flight
- →Boudhanath Stupa
- →Swayambhunath
- →Thamel markets
End Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal
Trip ends after breakfast. Depart Kathmandu or extend with extra nights if you still have the appetite. Allow time at the airport for onward flights.
🚌Airport transfer (~£5)
🛏N/A
- →Departure
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,215 | £3,450 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,235 per person (65%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,215
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Bhutan: Druk Path Trek — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,215 per person for 12 days in Bhutan. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £3,450 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,215 — a saving of roughly £2,235 (65%) per person.
How long is the Bhutan trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 day-by-day stops through Bhutan.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Bhutan, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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