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BHUTAN
ITINERARY
TREKKING
ALTITUDE
2024 & 2025
A unique trek through the pristine and unspoilt Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. This 13-day varied challenge includes 6 trekking days and visits to the most special sites of this incredible, remote and pristine country. See the mighty peaks of the Eastern Himalayas, experience the incredible Buddhist culture, and finish with a chance to explore the capital Thimpu and enjoy a traditional Bhutanese celebration meal.
The Challenge
The Druk Path follows a varied and beautiful route within a network of Bhutan’s original mule trails. We trek from Paro to Thimphu, through the mountains, and surrounded by some of the finest natural sights in the world.
The challenge, though short, is extremely varied. We pass through rhododendron forest, across open yak pastures and along glorious high ridges. Highlights along the way include serene sacred lakes teeming with trout, meeting nomadic yak herders, and visiting a haunted monastery. In good weather, you will be stopped in your tracks by the wonderful views of the snow-capped eastern Himalaya.
During our six trekking days, we visit many of the must see cultural highlights of Bhutan including the fabulous Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
The Experience
On an Action Challenge trip you’ll be part of a team which takes on an adventure together – and that’s what makes the experience so special. Getting to know others, supporting each other when the going gets tough, laughing together, and sharing those special moments & the new friendships that will stay with you for many years. Led by a UK Mountain Leader and supported by a Medic overseeing the group’s wellbeing – you’ll be in safe hands, and our expert local logistics team & guides will ensure it all runs like clockwork. These are ‘fully inclusive’ trips – leaving you to focus on your challenge, and to enjoy it!
An Action Challenge trip is much more than a holiday! It brings like-minded people together in fantastic landscapes, provides the best support & great hospitality, and enables the group to take on a tough & unforgettable challenge which forges new friendships, broaden horizons, and leaves you wanting more of life’s adventures!
The blueprint for Action Challenge trip is based on delivering a high quality enjoyable experience – and doing it all safely. An experienced UK Mountain Leader ensures that all aspects of the challenge run to plan – and one of our UK Medics with an expedition med kit is on-hand to look after the group’s wellbeing – enabling everyone to have the best chance of successfully competing their challenge.
We go to great lengths to ensure that we only use the best local organisations to supply the all-important ground logistics and the on-challenge support, catering, and hospitality teams – with experienced guides leading the way on the trails with their deep local knowledge and authentic style.
Like minded people with a similar sense of adventure – but often from very different backgrounds, and with a wide range of experience, ages, levels of fitness, and personal ambitions. Our trips are perfect for individuals, couples, and small groups of friends to join – and then to take on a unique challenge as part of a larger group which shapes & bonds as the adventure unfolds!
Whether its’s the hotels, restaurants & transfers before & after the main challenge – or the challenge accommodation & meals whilst out on the trails – our all inclusive packages mean that you will get a top quality experience at a great value price! Flights are generally included, but there’s a ‘land only’ option if you’d prefer to book your own – and single supplement accommodation upgrades are available.
The group comes together – takes on a tough challenge together – and then celebrates its achievements in style on the final night of the trip in a local restaurant or hotel, with medals, awards, and a maybe a bit of a party! Many of our participants make new special friends on our trips – and quite a few come back together for another challenge in the following years!
A successful challenge starts with good preparation. The better prepared you are the more confident you’ll be, and the more you’ll enjoy it! Our ‘Challenge App’ will have all the info & details of what to expect on your challenge – and how to prepare for it – and we have optional training walks, training weekends , and a place on one of our UK Ultra Challenge events to get out on the tails and test your fitness, kit, & equipment.
Itinerary & Route
Please note that some details of the itinerary may change, you will be provided with a detailed itinerary once you are signed up to the challenge.
We will meet our group and Action Challenge staff at the airport and check in together before boarding our flight to Bhutan.
We land in Kathmandu and stay overnight on day 2, with the opportunity for some exploring and a welcome meal to get to know our group and team leader and medic.
On day 3 we switch to a smaller plane for the quick hop to Bhutan, flying low through the Bhutanese foothills and on arrival in Paro we transfer to our Hotel. In the afternoon we will take a short drive out from Paro for a walk up to the cliff temples at Dzong Drakha, a beautiful cluster of 16th century cliff temples set above the small village of Bondhey, overlooking the Paro Valley. This outing involves a couple of hours walking, it’s great to stretch your legs after the long journey. In the evening we have a welcome meal and relax before our departure on the challenge of a lifetime.
Meals: B,L,D starting day 2 Accom: Hotel days 2 & 3
In the morning we set off for our walk up to the famous Tiger’s Nest, Taktsang Monastery, perhaps the most iconic religious sight of Bhutan. It’s a steep uphill walk through woods to reach a tea house which offers the best view of the Monastery. It is perched precariously some 600m up on a cliff overlooking the valley, from where we trek to other stunning viewpoints. After taking in the sights and learning a little about the history we start our descent back to the valley floor and then drive back to Paro.
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
The Druk Path is part of a network of mule tracks that link the Thimpu Valley with the Paro Valley. It was the primary trading route between Bhutan and the Indian border. There is no more exciting way to reach the capital, Thimpu, than to walk from Paro! This full service camping trek takes us through spectacular terrain, through mountain forests, past sacred lakes, yak pastures and high mountain passes. The highlight is perhaps the glorious high mountain country and the crossing of the Simkota La mountain pass, our highest pass of the trip at 4,210m!
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Camping
We awaken early on day 9, from our last night under canvas. We have views of the highest mountain in Bhutan, Gangkar Punsum, now the world’s highest unclimbed mountain. We start the last of the trekking, it only takes two or three hours from camp to reach the road. Our vehicle will meet you at the road head for the short transfer to your hotel in town. This afternoon there’s time to explore a little of Thimphu.
The first part of day 10 is spent further exploring the sights of Thimpu, Bhutan’s capital. Sights include the School or Traditional Painting and the Hospital of Traditional Medicine, allowing us further insight in the history, culture and traditions of Bhutan. The afternoon is spent transferring to Punakha where we spend the night. En route there is the chance to explore the Chimi Lhakhang temple by completing a short circular walk.
Day 11 sees us visiting Punakha Dzong, the main monastery fortress and seat of power for the old system of rule in Bhutan. The afternoon is spent transferring to Paro, weather permitting the high road pass of Dochu La will offer us our last panoramic views over the Eastern Himalaya. Here we will enjoy a celebration meal together!
Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel
Today we bid farewell to Paro and fly to Kathmandu. Depending on flight times, we may transfer straight onto our Katmandu flight home to the UK, or have some time to explore Kathmandu before an overnight flight home.
We land in the UK on day 13 and head onwards to family and friends with great memories and stories to share!
Meals: B day 12
Costs & Fundraising
You can cover the trip costs yourself or pay a portion and fundraise the rest to support a charity of your choice.
Sign up with a £595 online deposit & balance payment due 12 weeks before, with no fundraising target.
The Challenge brochure details the full itinerary, inclusions, and more- download for a full run down of the challenge details.
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It’s like paying for an all-inclusive holiday.
You pay the registration deposit. The final balance for the trip cost will be due no later than 10 weeks before your departure date
If you want to fundraise for charity, you may still do this separately – either on or offline. All fundraising will be a direct donation to your chosen charity. Please contact them for more information.