Bhutan Himalayan Trek: The Druk Path & Western Valleys

Today you acclimatise and explore the beautiful Paro valley, preparing your body for the trek ahead. You visit the imposing Rinpung Dzong, the 'fortress on a heap of jewels', crossing its traditional covered wooden bridge, and climb briefly to the ancient watchtower above that houses the National Museum, with its beautiful thangkas, masks and artefacts. To aid acclimatisation, you take a gentle walk in the hills, perhaps up towards a viewpoint of the Tiger's Nest across the valley, or along the river through farmland and villages. Your guide reviews the Druk Path route, gear and pace, and you meet the trek crew. As the afternoon light gilds the rice fields, you savour the calm of the valley. This evening, enjoy a nourishing dinner and an early night. Rest well, ready to begin the classic Druk Path trek into the high mountains tomorrow.

Today your Druk Path trek begins, climbing out of the Paro valley into the high country. From the trailhead above Paro you ascend steadily through blue-pine and apple orchards, then into cool forest of oak and rhododendron, gaining height as the valley falls away beneath you and the great peaks begin to reveal themselves. After several hours of rewarding climbing you reach your first camp near the ancient Jele Dzong, perched on a ridge at around 3,400 metres, its old walls wrapped in mist and prayer flags. Your crew has the camp and a warm meal ready, and as evening falls the clouds may part to reveal Paro far below and, on a clear day, the snows of Jomolhari on the horizon. The silence and mountain air are exhilarating. You sleep under a blaze of stars. Rest well at your first high camp on the Druk Path.

Today you trek deeper into the high country along beautiful open ridges. Leaving Jele Dzong, you follow the trail through thinning forest and across grassy ridgelines strung with prayer flags, with wide views opening on both sides to forested valleys and, on clear mornings, the snow peaks of the Himalaya. You may pass yak herders with their grazing animals and their simple stone shelters, and hear monal pheasants calling in the woods. Dwarf rhododendron carpets the slopes, brilliant with blooms in spring. After a rewarding day's walking you reach your camp at Jangchulakha, around 3,700 metres, set on a high meadow. Your crew prepares a warm meal as mist drifts through the ridges and the temperature drops. As night falls, the stars blaze overhead in the thin, clear air. The sense of wilderness and freedom is profound. Rest well at your high mountain camp.

Today you trek to one of the most beautiful camps on the Druk Path, beside a crystal glacial lake. You continue along the high ridges, the trail rising and falling through juniper and dwarf rhododendron, with sweeping Himalayan panoramas on clear days and yak pastures all around. The walking is exhilarating in the thin, pure mountain air. In the afternoon you descend a little to the shore of Jimilang Tsho, a beautiful glacial lake at around 3,900 metres, famous for its giant trout and cradled by grassy slopes. Your crew sets up camp beside the water, and you have time to rest, take in the serene reflections and perhaps spot birds along the shore. As the sun sets the lake turns to gold and then silver beneath a sky ablaze with stars. The peace and beauty are magical. Rest well beside the glacial lake, high in the mountains of Bhutan.

Today you trek onward through the high lake country of the Druk Path. Leaving Jimilang Tsho, you climb over a ridge and follow the trail past a second beautiful lake, Janetso, and through stands of dwarf rhododendron, with grand mountain views unfolding on clear days. You may meet the occasional yak herder or pass an isolated shrine hung with prayer flags. The route stays high, crossing open country far from any road, with a wonderful sense of remoteness and freedom. In the afternoon you reach your camp beside Simkota Tsho, another lovely glacial lake at around 4,100 metres, where trout ripple the surface and the slopes glow in the evening light. Your crew has camp and a warm meal ready. As night falls, the stars fill the sky and the cold, clear air rings with silence. The wilderness is profound. Rest well beside the high lake, ready for the pass tomorrow.

Today you complete the Druk Path with its highest and most spectacular stretch, then descend to the capital. You climb from Simkota Tsho to the trek's high point near the Phume La pass at around 4,200 metres, strung with prayer flags, where on a clear day a breathtaking panorama of the eastern Himalaya, including Gangkar Puensum, the world's highest unclimbed peak, spreads along the horizon. You then descend to the atmospheric monastery of Phajoding, clinging to the mountainside high above Thimphu, before continuing down through beautiful blue-pine forest, the lights of the capital gradually appearing below. At the trailhead your vehicle meets you, and you transfer to your hotel in Thimphu for a hot shower and a real bed, tired and elated. This evening, celebrate the completion of your trek with a warming dinner. Rest well, savouring your Himalayan achievement in the gentle capital.

Today you rest your legs and explore Thimphu, the world's only capital without a traffic light, a gentle contrast to the wild high country. You climb to the vast golden Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest seated Buddhas anywhere, gazing serenely over the valley you descended into, and visit the National Memorial Chorten, circled all day by pilgrims spinning prayer wheels. You meet the curious takin, the national animal, at its forest preserve, browse the fascinating textile and folk-heritage museums, and, if it is a weekend, wander the lively market piled with red rice, chillies and cheese. As evening falls you tour the majestic Tashichho Dzong, glowing gold and home to the throne room and central monk body. After days on the trail, the comforts and colour of the capital are a delight. Return to your hotel to rest. Rest well, ready to cross the Dochula Pass to Punakha tomorrow.

Today you journey to the warm, fertile valley of Punakha, climbing first to the beautiful Dochula Pass at over 3,000 metres, where 108 white memorial chortens rise in tiers on a hilltop strung with prayer flags. On a clear morning a breathtaking wall of snow-capped Himalayan peaks, some of which you have just walked among, fills the horizon; you pause for butter tea and photographs. Descending through lush forests of rhododendron and fern, you reach the far warmer Punakha valley and visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, widely held to be the loveliest fortress-monastery in Bhutan, set where the father and mother rivers meet, with its vast courtyards, exquisite painting and golden assembly hall. You may also cross a long suspension bridge swaying above the river amid prayer flags. Settle into your riverside hotel as the valley glows. This evening, savour a warming dinner by the river. Rest well amid the beauty of Punakha.

This morning you may take a gentle walk through the Punakha valley, perhaps to the hillside Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple through terraced rice paddies, or simply enjoy the warm, green surroundings. You then make the scenic drive back west, recrossing the Dochula Pass with a final chance at the Himalayan panorama, and continuing through Thimphu to the broad, beautiful Paro valley, arriving by mid-afternoon. You settle into your hotel and enjoy a restful evening, perhaps soothing your trekking muscles in a traditional hot-stone bath, a beloved Bhutanese ritual. Your guide helps you prepare for tomorrow's climb to the Tiger's Nest, the finale of your journey. As the light fades over the rice fields and the great dzong, you reflect on the mountains you have crossed. This evening, enjoy a relaxed dinner. Rest well, gathering your strength for the pilgrimage to Taktsang.

On your final day you make the iconic pilgrimage to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest, a fitting finale to your Himalayan journey. Fresh from the trek, you climb the beautiful forest trail of blue pine and fluttering prayer flags with ease; at a teahouse viewpoint the golden-roofed temples appear across a deep chasm, clinging impossibly to a sheer granite cliff 900 metres above the valley, where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated. The final stone steps deliver you to its shrines, fragrant with butter lamps and profoundly peaceful. You descend, elated, and after time to freshen up are transferred to Paro airport for your onward departure, taking off amid the peaks. You leave having walked the high Druk Path, camped beside glacial lakes, seen the snow giants of the Himalaya, and explored the great dzongs and monasteries of the kingdom, all warmed by gentle hospitality. Bhutan's wild beauty and deep calm stay with you long after you land.