Dur Hot Spring Trekking - 17 Days

Dur hot spring trekking starts from Bumthang passing through forests of Cyprus, juniper, spruce, hemlock and maple. Dur Hot spring trekking is a old expedition route to Gangkhar Puensum across several hot spring. This is an old expedition route to Gangkhar Puensum (mountain) through Trongsa, Bumthang. You will come across several hot spring where one can relax and shower in the mineral rich water.

Trek Level: Moderate
Season : March to April and September to November

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Paro:
Fly into Himalayas with Druk Air, Bhutan's National Air Carrier. The green wall of hills known as doors, or gateways into Bhutan from the plains climbs continuously higher as the plane flies north towards the Tibet border. Silver rivers thread the valleys, waterfalls plunge down the forested mountainsides and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up into the sky. As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, look down and you will see the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro Chu(river) with Ta Dzong, watch tower, now the national museum, above it. Your escort from Adventure Bhutan Travel, who accompany you throughout the trip, will be waiting for you at the airport. After completion of airport formalities, you will drive through fascinating valley of Paro to the hotel. Evening visit to Paro marker and take a stroll around towns Main Street. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 2 In Paro:
Full day sightseeing in the Paro Valley. After breakfast drive to the Drugyel Dzong or the Fortress of Victory from where the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The Dzong though in ruins holds great historical importance to the Bhutanese. From there, in fine weather, one can view the majestic Mt. Jhumolhari standing at an altitude of 7329m above the sea. Other places of interest include the National Museum, Paro Rinpong Dzong and the local market. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 3 Paro to Thimphu:
Drive to the capital of the country after breakfast. Enroute you will be able to see the Tachogang Monastery. In Thimphu, visit the National memorial Chorten built in the loving memory of the Late King, His Majesty, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Also visit the National Library, Painting School and the Changangkha Lhakhang. In the evening drive to the Sangay gang viewpoint to see the Thimphu valley in the evening sun. Your guide will be able to take you shopping if you so desire. Overnight in hotel.

Day 4 Thimphu to Trongsa:
The journey to Central Bhutan begins early in the morning with pack lunch on the way. The drive to Trongsa takes about 7 - 8 hours and you will be passing through beautiful forests as well as high passes from where you can have breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Overnight in Hotel

Day 5 Trongsa to Bumthang:
The drive to Bumthang takes about 2 and half hours. Lunch will be served in the hotel. After lunch at leisure. A walk in the valley is recommended for acclimatisation. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 6 Trek Start Bumthang to Gorsum:
Distance : 18 km. Trek Time : 6 - 7 hours. Altitude of camp : 3120m. After breakfast you will be driven to the starting point of the Trek just below the Kurje Lhakhang. The trek route is a gradual climb following the Chamkhar river, a river rich in trout. Camp at Gorsum.

Day 7 Gorsum to Lungsum:
Distance: 12 km. Trek Time : 5 - 6 hours. Altitude of Camp : 3160m. The trail ascends gradually through dense forests of spruce, hemlock, cypress, juniper and maple. An encounter with a deer is not out of the ordinary. Overnight in camp.

Day 8 Lungsum to Tshochenchen:
Distance : 15 km. Trek Time : 6 - 7 hours. Altitude of camp : 3200m. The vegetation remains the same almost through out the day, though towards the end of the day you will be walking above the tree line. Overnight in camp

Day 9 Tshochenchen to Durtshachu:
Distance : 17 km. Trek time : 7 -8 hours. Altitude of camp : 3400m. The trek is uphill till the Julila pass at an altitude of 4700m and then is down hill till the camp. In clear weather, the surrounding mountains can be seen from the Julila pass. Musk deer, herds of blue sheep and the black Himalayan bear can be spotted today. Overnight in camp.

Day 10 Durtshachu to Durtshachu:
A day of rest. After a leisurely breakfast, relax in the hotspring or hike around the surrounding areas. Overnight in camp.

Day 11 Dursthachu to Tshochenchen:
Same as the previous route. Overnight in camp.

Day 12 Tshochenchen to Gorsum:
Same as the previous route but without the Lungsum halt. The whole journey is about nine hours. Overnight in camp

Day 13 Gorsum Trek End Jakar drive Bhumthang
Same as the previous route. The transportation will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Overnight in hotel.

Day 14 In Bhumthang
Bumthang is a land of myth and mysteries. This is probably the holiest of all the valleys in Bhutan. You can begin exploring the valley after a late breakfast. Drive to the Bumthang Jambay Lhakhang, the oldest monastery in the kingdom built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gambo in the 8th century. Drive to the kurjey Lhakhang and the Tamshing Monastery. Visit the Swiss Diary farm. Evening at leisure. Overnight in hotel.

Day 15 Bumthang to Punakha
The drive to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan takes about 8 hours. Catch up on the sights missed on the previous trip to Bumthang. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 16 Punakha to Paro:
After breakfast drive to the Paro valley. Enroute visit the Semtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in the country built by the Zhabdrung Rinpoche in 1627 ad. which now serves as a school for language and literature. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 17 Depart from Paro
Early morning transfer to the airport for departure where your guide will bid you good bye.

Note: Designed itinerary is a sample itinerary intended to give you a general idea of trip to Bhutan. We can create an itinerary to suit as your needs and interest one you give your interest and travel timeframe.

Trekking in Bhutan