Dur Hot Spring Trek (17 Days)

Day 01: Arrive at Paro – Halt

The flight into Bhutan is a breathtaking one with views of Mt. Everest. Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks including sacred Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro Airport you will be received by a representative of Taktsang Tours/Travels & Treks. Check in at Hotel. After lunch you will be taken for a visit to Ta-Dzong Museum. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02 : Paro – Sightseeing

Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyel Dzong, which was destroyed by fire. Once strategic in Bhutan’s defense against Tibetan invasion, the Dzong is being restored. On a clear day you can view the sacred summit of Mt. Jhomolhari, which reaches skyward beyond the Dzong. On the way back visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouses. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 03 : Paro – Thimphu

This morning follow the winding road beside the Pa Chu (chu means water or river) downstream to its confluence with the Wangchu then up valley to Thimpu the capital. Lunch at hotel Taktsang. Afternoon visit the Memorial Chorten (stupa), here the faithful circumambulate the shrine dedicated to the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, telling their prayer beads as they walk. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 04 : Thimphu – Trongsa

The journey to Central Bhutan begins today. The drive to Tongsa takes approximately 7 to 8 hrs. Packed lunch will be provided. Lunch stop at Chendebji Chorten. Overnight at Tongsa.

Day 05 : Trongsa – Bumthang

Drive to Jakar takes approx. 2 1/2 hrs. Tales of the great teacher Guru PadmaSambhava dominates this holy valley. From the viewpoint you can see Jakar Dzong “Castle of the White Bird”. Lunch at Tourist lodge. Afternoon hike up to Lame Gompa, a place built by the 1st king for his two nun sisters, outside of Lame Gompa one can see old style of Bhutanese paper making. Overnight at Bumthang.

Day 06 : Bumthang – Gorsum

Distance – 18kms about 6/7 hrs. Alt. 3120m. After breakfast the transport will reach you up to the trek point below Kurjey Lhakhang, the holy temple that Bumthang is famous for. The trek route takes you along the Chamkhar chu, a river known for it’s richness in trout. The trek trail for Bumthang to Gorsum is rather gradual. Overnight at camp.

Day 07 : Grosum – Lungsum

Distance 12kms about 5hrs. Alt 31600m. Today you will be walking through dense forests of spruce, hammock, cypress, juniper & maples. The trail is more or less muddy and ascends gradually till you reach your campsite. Overnight at camp.

Day 08 : Lungsum – Tsochenchen

Distance 15kms about 6/7 hrs. Alt. 3100m. The vegetation from Lungsum to Tsochenchen is more or less the same till you reach the campsite. The camp will be above tree line. Overnight at camp.

Day 09 : Tsonchenchen – Dur Tshachu

Distance 17kms about 7hrs. Alt. 3400m. The trek from Tsochenchen is uphill till you reach the pass called Julila, which is about 4700m. From here if the weather is clear surrounding mountains can be viewed. After crossing the pass the trek trail descends till you reach the campsite. Musk deer, herds of blue sheep and Himalayan bear seen enroute. Overnight at camp.

Day 10 : Dur Tshachu – Halt (Tshachu means Hotspring)

After a late breakfast relax in the hot spring or hike in and around the camp. Overnight at camp.

Day 11 : Dur Tshachu – Tsochenchen

Distance 17kms about 7hrs. Alt. 3100m. The trek is all the way earlier as the trek is quite long. The trek trail is all the way gradual down for about 7hrs along the Dur Chu. Then ascends for about 2hrs till you reach camp. Overnight at camp.

Day 12: Tsochenchen – Gorsum

Dist. 27kms about 9 hrs. Alt. 3120m. Today we start a little earlier as the trek is quite long. The trek trail is all the way gradual down for about 7hrs along the Dur Chu. Then ascends for about 2hrs till you reach camp. Overnight at camp

DAY 13: Gorsum – Bumthang

From Gorsum descend downhill till you cross a bridge near Dur village. Then follow the new motor road till you meet your transport. Drive to Bumthang. After lunch at leisure.

DAY 14 : Bumthang – Wangdue

Drive to Wangdi takes about 7hrs. Picnic lunch will be provided. Lunch stop on the way. Overnight at Wangdi.

DAY 15 : Wangdue – Thimphu

Drive to Punakha Dzong which was the Nation’s capital until 1966. Visit the Punakha Dzong when the monks are in Thimphu. The remains of Shabdrung, the saint who unified Bhutan in the 17th century are interred here. It is also the winter residence of the Je Khenpo, head abbott of the country, and the monk body from Thimphu. Then drive to Thimphu over Dochula pass. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 16: Thimphu – Sightseeing

A full day of sightseeing and shopping in Thimphu. Wander in town; visit shops and the handicrafts emporium. Afternoon drive north up the valley to Dechenchholing (residence of the Queen Mother) to get a wonderful down valley view of Thimphu and Tashichhodzong. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 17 : Paro / Exit

Drive to Paro Airport for onward flight