Bhutan Trekking - The Druk Path (Self-Launched)

Fly into Paro on Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines (book directly on their sites; flights from Bangkok, Kathmandu, Delhi or Kolkata are cheapest via Kolkata). Your visa letter and SDF payment must be arranged through your local Bhutanese operator at least 3-4 weeks ahead. Take a shared hotel taxi or the free hotel shuttle into town rather than a private transfer, then do a self-guided orientation loop: Paro town's single main street, the Rinpung Dzong viewpoint from the bridge, and the archery ground where locals practise in the late afternoon. Pick up a local SIM (TashiCell or B-Mobile) in town for ~£3.

🚌Druk Air/Bhutan Airlines flight to Paro; shared taxi from airport (approx. £4)

🛏Family-run guesthouse in Paro town (e.g. simple 2-star guesthouse, twin room)

• →Self-guided walk of Paro town
• →Rinpung Dzong exterior and Nyamai Zam bridge
• →Archery ground visit

Hire a local taxi for the day (share the cost with other travellers via your guesthouse) and drive the 2-hour switchback road up to Chelela Pass (3,988m) — one of Bhutan's highest road passes, with |Jomolhari views on clear days. From the pass walk the 45-minute descent to Kila Goempa, a cliff-hugging nunnery home to around 60 nuns. Bring a windproof layer; it's cold at the top year-round. Stop at a farmhouse on the way down for lunch if your driver suggests one — usually £5-7 for a set meal.

🚌Shared local taxi for the day (approx. £45-55 per vehicle, split between 3-4 people, so ~£14 pp)

🛏Family-run guesthouse in Paro

• →Drive to Chelela Pass
• →Hike to Kila Goempa nunnery

Start the trek today with your licensed trekking guide and cook crew (booked through a small Paro-based operator — this is a legal requirement for camping in Bhutan's parks). The morning is a gradual climb from the National Museum/Ta Dzong trailhead through blue pine and fir forest to Jele Dzong (3,490m), a ruined hilltop fortress-monastery with sweeping views back over the Paro valley and, on clear afternoons, Jomolhari (7,314m). Camp is pitched for you at Jele Dzong; porters carry your duffel.

🚌Walking; short taxi to trailhead (included with trek package)

🛏Alpine camp at Jele Dzong (tents, mattresses, cook crew)

• →Druk Path trek day 1 (approx. 4-5 hrs)
• →Jele Dzong monastery ruins

A beautiful ridge day with rhododendron and dwarf bamboo either side of the trail, Himalayan views opening up on both flanks. You'll pass yak herders' camps — ask your guide to translate and to buy some local dried cheese or butter tea if offered. Camp near the shores of Jimilangtsho (3,870m), one of the Druk Path's signature alpine lakes, with trout in the water and a good chance of seeing monal pheasants.

🚌Walking

🛏Alpine camp near Jimilangtsho

• →Druk Path trek day 2 (approx. 5-6 hrs)
• →Yak herder camp visit
• →Jimilangtsho lake

The trail undulates over minor passes and past more small lakes — Janetso and Simkotra — through open alpine meadow at around 4,000m. Short day, so plenty of time for photos and for your cook's lunch spread. Camp at Simkotra (4,040m); tonight will be the coldest of the trek, so bring a four-season sleeping bag or hire one from your operator for ~£15.

🚌Walking

🛏Alpine camp at Simkotra

• →Druk Path trek day 3 (approx. 4-5 hrs)
• →Simkotra and Janetso lakes

Trek high to Phume La (4,210m), the highest point of the route, with panoramic views of the Bhutan Himalaya on a clear day — then a long descent through forest down to Motithang on the edge of Thimphu. Detour 10 minutes to the Motithang Takin Preserve to see Bhutan's odd-looking national animal. Say goodbye to your trek crew and check into a budget hotel in Thimphu's Changlam area.

🚌Walking; taxi from Motithang to hotel (approx. £3)

🛏Budget hotel in Thimphu (central, twin room)

• →Druk Path trek day 4 (approx. 6-7 hrs)
• →Phume La pass
• →Motithang Takin Preserve

Thimphu is Bhutan's only capital without traffic lights and is easily walkable. Hit the highlights yourself in a loop: the Institute of Traditional Medicine Services (free, watch herbal remedies being made), Folk Heritage Museum (small entry fee, ~£2), the Institute for Zorig Chusum (the 'painting school' where students learn the 13 traditional arts — free), Kuenselphodrang hill for the giant Buddha Dordenma, and the Memorial Chorten at dusk when locals do their evening kora (circumambulation). Lunch at a local Bhutanese eatery in town for £4-6.

🚌Walking; occasional local taxi (£2-3)

🛏Budget hotel in Thimphu

• →Institute of Traditional Medicine Services
• →Folk Heritage Museum
• →Institute for Zorig Chusum
• →Buddha Dordenma at Kuenselphodrang
• →Memorial Chorten evening kora

Take a shared/local bus or share a taxi down the Dochu La pass (3,100m) to Punakha — Bhutan's low, warm winter capital. The local bus from Thimphu's bus terminal takes roughly 3 hours and costs a couple of pounds; a shared taxi is faster at ~£40 per vehicle split between 3-4. Walk the 20 minutes across rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang, the 'Divine Madman' temple with its fertility blessings and phallus-painted houses, then visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Stay in a riverside guesthouse in Khuruthang/Punakha.

🚌Thimphu-Punakha shared bus or shared taxi (~£3-10 pp)

🛏Riverside guesthouse in Punakha/Khuruthang

• →Chimi Lhakhang hike
• →Punakha Dzong visit
• →Dochu La 108 chortens photo stop

Return over the pass to Paro (shared taxi or local bus, 4-5 hours with stops). Afternoon sightseeing in the Paro valley: visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's two oldest temples (7th century, built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo), then stop at the town archery ground to watch a local match — the national sport, played in full traditional dress with bamboo bows. Overnight in Paro.

🚌Punakha-Paro shared bus or shared taxi (~£3-10 pp)

🛏Family-run guesthouse in Paro

• →Kyichu Lhakhang temple visit
• →Local archery ground visit
• →Paro valley walk

Morning stop at Drugyel Dzong, the ruined fortress that repelled Tibetan invasions in the 17th century and frames Jomolhari in the distance. Then tackle the classic Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) hike — 2-3 hours up to a monastery clinging to a 900m cliff face, where Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown in on a tigress. No guide needed; the trail is obvious and cafes halfway up sell tea. Start early (7-8am) to beat the clouds and tour groups. Finish with a hot stone bath in a local farmhouse (~£12) or dinner in Paro town.

🚌Shared taxi to trailhead (~£4 pp), walking

🛏Family-run guesthouse in Paro

• →Drugyel Dzong ruins
• →Tiger's Nest (Taktsang) hike
• →Optional hot stone bath

Fly out of Paro — note Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines often only have a handful of weekly services, so book early and allow a buffer day if you're connecting onward. If your flight leaves in the afternoon, squeeze in one last local lunch in town. Change any leftover ngultrum before security — it's worthless outside Bhutan.

🚌Shared taxi to Paro airport (~£4); international flight not included

🛏N/A

• →Departure from Paro International Airport