Dur Hot Spring Trek -17 Days - JJ - June-November


During this trek you will see spectacular mountain scenery, remote and dramatic monasteries and pristine Himalayan culture. You might encounter Musk Deers, herds of Blue sheep and the Himalayan Black Bear. Last but not the least, a dip in the Dur Hot Spring will surely br rewarding. The Hot spring trek takes you along the pass, and mountains, this trek does not demand much energy as it is a gradual walk of about 6 hours a day. You will be walking through the forest, with hemlock, cypress and maples. You can also relax and go out for fishing trout in Chamkar river on the way.

Day
01 Arrive -Paro
02 Paro -Sightseeing
03 Paro -Thimphu
04 Thimphu -Tongsa
05 Tongsa -Bumthang
06 Bumthang -Gorsum
07 Gorsum -Lungsum
08 Lungsum -Tsochenchen
09 Tsochenchen -Dur Tsachu
10 Dur Tsachu -Halt
11 Dur Tsachu -Tsochenchen
12 Tsochenchen -Gorsum
13 Gorsum -Bumthang
14 Bumthang -Wagdi
15 Wangdi -Thimphu
16 Thimphu -Sightseeing
17 Thimphu -Paro Airport

Day 01 Arrive Paro by Druk Air Flight
On this flight, one will see Mount Everest, Kanchan Junga and other Himalayan Peaks including our sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On landing at Paro International Airport you will be welcomed by a representative of Baeyul Tours & Treks. Drive to Hotel through the Paro valley, where agriculture is the main occupation of the people, so rice fields are in plenty. After lunch a trip to the museum called Ta-Dzong, this was originally built as a watch-tower over the Rinpung Dzong below. Ta means to look (over or aftere), dzong is fortress. Overnight at Paro.

Day 02 Paro - Sightseeing
Drive northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyel Dzong, the ruined Fort, which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasion. This fortress, now a burned shell, was a strategic point in Bhutan's defense against the Tibetan invasion. Mount Chomolhari, 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 farm house. After lunch walk up the hill just above Olathang Hotel to stretch your legs for the excursion to Taktsang view point.

Day 03 Paro - Thimphu
This morning follow the winding road beside the Pa Chu (Chu means river or water) down stream to its confluence with the Wangchu then up-valley to Thimphu, the capital. Afternoon lunch at the Hotel. After lunch visit the Memorial Chorten, here the faithful circumambulate the shrine dedicated to the Late King saying their prayer beads as they walk. Overnight in hotel.

Day 04 Paro - Tongsa
The journey to Central Bhutan begins today. The drive to Tongsa takes approximately 7 to 8 hours. Packed lunch will be provided at the Hotel. Lunch stop at Chendeje Chorten. Overnight at Tongsa Tourist Lodge.

Day 05 Tongsa - Bumthang

explore Tongsa town, Ta Dzong, Tongsa Dzong, Yotongla
 

Day 06 Bumthang Sightseeing

Ura Valley (village and temple), Seythangla Pass, Namkhay Nyingpo's Dratshang (monastery)
 

Day 07 Bumthang - Gorsum

Trek starts from Dur bridge along the trout filled Chamkar chu river, trail is gradual. Alt. 3180m. distance: 9 kms. Time – 3/4 hours
 

Day 08 Gorsum - Tsochenchen

Walk through a dense forest of spruce, hemlock, cypress, juniper and maples. Alt. 3510m distance – 14km, time- 5/6 hours

Day 09 Tsochenchen-Dur Tsachu
Distance -17 Kms about 7 hours. Alt. 3400m. The trek from Tsochenchen is all the way up hill till you reach the pass called Julila which is about 3400m. 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 may be seen enroute. Overnight in camp.

Day 10 Dur Tsachu-Halt
After a late breakfast relax in the hot spring or hike in and around the camp. Overnight in camp.

Day 11 Dur Tsachu-Tsochenchen
Distance 17 Kms about 7 hrs. Alt. 3100m. The trek trail from Dur Tsachu is all the way up hill till you reach Julila. After crossing the pass the trek trail descends till you reach the campsite. Overnight in camp.

Day 12 Tsochenchen-Gorsum
.Distance 17 Kms about 9 hours. Alt. 3120 m. Today you start a little earlier as the trek is quite long. The trek trail descends till you reach the camp site. Overnight in camp.

Day 13 Gorsum-Bumthang
From Gorsum descends down hill till you cross a bridge of Dur village. Then follow the new motor road till you meet transport. Drive to Bumthang Touris Lodge. After lunch you have the afternoon to yourself.

Day 14 Bumthang-Wangdi
Drive to Wangdi takes about 7 hours. Picnic lunch will be provided at the Lodge. Lunch stop on the way. Overnight in Wangdi Guest House/camp.

Day 15 Wangdi-Thmphu
Drive to Punakha Dzong. Visit Punakha Dzong when the monks are in Thimphu. The remains of Shabdrung, the saint who unified Bhutan in the 17th century are interred here. The Je-Khenpo, the head abbot of the religion in the country resides here with the monk body from Thimphu during the winter because in is warmer at this lower altitude. Then drive back to Thimphu over Dochula pass. Overnight in hotel.

Day 16 Thimphu - Sightseeing
A full day of sightseeing and shopping in Thimphu. Wander in the town, visit the handicrafts emporium. Visit the workshop where all the crafts are produced if you like. Afternoon visit the Tashichho-Dzong. Then drive out for Motithang Hotel, take a walk up the hill behind the Hotel and visit the Takin penned up there. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 17 Thimphu - Paro Airport
Drive to international Airport at Paro for onward flight.