Druk Trail Fastpacking Traverse
A lightweight, fast-moving traverse of the Druk Path's high ground.
The Druk Path's route, covered fast and light instead of on a full trekking schedule - minimal-support camps, small daily packs, and long running/hiking days between Paro and Thimphu for those who'd rather move quickly than camp for a week.
- Fast & light
- High passes
- Minimal-support camps
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 5 days
- Max altitude
- 4,210 m (Phume La)
Why this trip works
- Best Attractions
Where this trip takes you
- 01Phume La at speed
The same high pass as Druk Path Trek, covered in a fraction of the days.
- 02Alpine lake camps
Minimal-support overnight stops beside the route's high lakes.
- 01Phume La at speed
- See the gallery
- Things To Do
- Cover the Druk Path route in five fast, light days instead of ten
- Carry a minimal daily pack with lightweight camp support
- Cross Phume La and the trail's other high passes at pace
- Finish descending into Thimphu on the final day
- Hotels
- Trekking CampLightweight Trail Camp
- Best Season
- Autumn · Sep - Nov
Firm, dry trail underfoot and the longest weather window above the treeline.
The route
Hover or tap a dzongkhag for what this trip does there - shown in visiting order, west to east.
See the ground before you book
Footage shot on the same trails, passes, and valleys Druk Trail Fastpacking Traverse travels through - filmed by us, not stock.
The Druk Path in Six Hours
The whole Paro-to-Thimphu route, ridge to ridge, in one continuous push - the trail our trek walks over six days.
The Druk Path Trek in One Day
An earlier single-day crossing of the same route, filmed end to end.
Running the Druk Path, Paro to Thimphu
The high ground between the two valleys, moving fast and light rather than camping.
A closer look
Other journeys
A few more starting points - every trip is customizable around your dates and pace.
5 daysModerateTrail Running & FastpackingBumthang Owl Trek Trail Run
A forested fastpacking route through Bumthang's Tang Valley.
3,300 mForest singletrackFarmhouse support campsLow-altitude routeView trip
7 daysEasyCultural ToursCultural Bhutan
The classic west-to-central loop through dzongs and valleys.
3,140 m (Taktsang viewpoint)Paro & ThimphuPunakha DzongTiger's Nest hikeView trip
10 daysChallengingTrekkingDruk Path Trek
A high-altitude trek between Paro and Thimphu, lake to lake.
4,210 m (Phume La)Alpine lakes4,200m passesCamp under the starsView trip
This is just the starting point
Every trip here is a template, not a fixed package - tell us your dates, pace, and interests and we'll customize Druk Trail Fastpacking Traverse (or build something new) around exactly what you want.