Dur Hot spring trek is one of the most beautiful treks in Bhutan. It is the oldest route to Majestic Mt. Gangkar Puensum through several Hot springs that locals use to visit. This is 16 days Bhutan Trip combined with a cultural tour. Duer hot spring route is through a forest of Cyprus, juniper, spruce, hemlock, and maple. Along this part of the trail between Tsochrnchen to Duer Tsa chu
Paro International Airport.
Starts from Bumthang and ends at Bumthang.
Moderate
3400 meters.
62 km from the starting point to the end Point.
The best time to trek Dur Hot Spring Trek in Bhutan is from March to April and September to early November. It is the best season for the Dur hot spring trekking. The average temperature ranges from 10 to 15 degrees at the highest point during the trek.
The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. Your Bhutanese escort from our company will greet you on arrival, and then drive you the short distance to the Hotel. After lunch, visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the center of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). If we are lucky, we may catch a match in action. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pachu to the Drugyal dzong, recently restored, which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasions. Mount Jhomolhari, the sacred summit, reaches skyward beyond the Dzong. This can be viewed on a clear day. On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse. Later excursion to Taktsang monastery viewpoint.
This morning follow the winding road beside the Pachu (chu means river or water) downstream to its confluence with the Wangchu, then up the valley to Thimphu, the capital. Lunch at the hotel. After lunch visit the largest standing Budha overlooking Thimphu valley. The statue has around 108 small statues inside the temple. You could see many locals circumambulating the temple during the auspicious day. In the evening stroll around Thimphu town.
After breakfast, Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass which is the highlight of today’s drive. The pass offers a view of beautiful snow-capped mountains.
After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). The first King of Bhutan was crowned here in 1907 when the monarch system of Government began in bhutan.
Visit Bajo town 20 minutes drive from Punakha Dzong. Walk around the street and get the feeling of locals. Overnight in Hotel.
We start early today. After breakfast drive to Bumthang. On the way, stop for a while to view Chime Lhakhang, which Lama Drukpa Kuenley built. He subdued the demons with his “ Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
Lunch at Trongsa. After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and the first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Then Visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal and drive to Bumthang. Overnight in Hotel.
After breakfast, visit Jakar Dzong, which literally means “The Castle of White Bird”.
Visit Jambay Lhakhang said to have been built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro.
In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here. After lunch, Visit Chakhar (Iron Castle) Lhakhang, it is the site of the palace of the Indian King, the Sindhu Raja who invited Guru Rimpoche to Bumthang. The Original palace was made of Iron and hence the name Chakhar. The saint Dorji Lingpa built the Current building in the 14th century. Its correct name is Dechen Phodrang. We then visit Kurjey Lhakhang which is named after the body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and is the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom.
Distance: 18Km
Time Taken: 6-7 Hours
After breakfast, the transport will reach you up to the trek point just below Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most renowned temples. The Trek route leads you along the Chamkhar Chu, a river known for its richness in Trout. The Trek trail for Bumthang to Gorsum is rather gradual. Overnight in Camp.
Distance: 12 Km.
Time Taken: 5 hrs.
Max Alt. 3160 Meters.
Today you will be walking through dense forests of Spruce, hemlock, Cypress, Juniper, and Maples. The Trail is more or less muddy and ascends gradually till you reach your campsite. Overnight in Camp.
Total Distance: 15 Km,
Time Taken to complete: 6-7 hrs.
Max Altitude: 3100 m.
The vegetation is dense from Tshochenchen all the way uphill to the Julila Pass, which is about 4700 m. The vegetation from Lungsun to Tshochenchen is more or less the same till you reach near to your campsite. The camp will be above the tree line. Overnight in camp.
Distance: 17 Km.
Time Taken to walk: 7 hrs.
Max Altitude: 3400 m.
The Trek from Tshochenchen is uphill till you reach the Julila Pass at about 3400 m. From here if the weather is clear, the 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 Beers may be seen en route. Overnight in camp.
After a late breakfast, relax in the hot spring or hike in and around the camp. Dur Tshachu is located in Wangchuck Centennial Park & seven hot springs are in this region. The average temperature of the hot springs varies from 38 to 52 degrees and is beleived to have many advantages healthwise.
Overnight in Camp.
Distance: 17 km
Time Taken: 7 hrs.
Max Alt. 3100 M.
The Trek trail from Dur Tsachu is uphill till Julila. After crossing the pass the trail descends till you reach the campsite. Over night in Camp.
Distance: 17 km.
Time Taken: 9 hrs.
Max Alt.3120 m.
Today the trek begins early, as the trail is long. The trail drops gradually down for about 2 hrs till you reach the campsite. Overnight in Camp.
From Gorsum, descend downhill till you cross the Dur Village bridge then follow the new motor road till you meet up with transport. After lunch, Leisure time. Overnight at the Hotel.
Paro Tour: After breakfast, drive to Batpathang airport and take a short flight to Paro airport. The flight takes about 25 minutes. Upon arrival, our team will receive you and take you around the farm house, Paro city. Evening at your own. Over night at Hotel.
Your trekking in Bhutan ends here today. Dur Hot spring trek is one of the beautiful and most amazing treks in Bhutan. You have taken the right trek to take back great memories. Our team will see you off from the airport.
