Duur Hot Spring Trek Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Paro International Airport

During this flight, one will experience breaktaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchan Junga and other Himalayan Peaks including sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport you will be received by a representative of Boonserm Tours & Treks, .who will escort you to the hotel where arrangements have been made for two night’s halt.

Day 2 Paro - Sightseeing

Drive to Drugyel Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16km away from Paro Town). Although in ruins, This Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here , the peak of Chomolhari "Mountain of the Goddess" can be seen on a clear day (Alt. 7,329 m / 24,029 ft.). On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse. After lunch, at the hotel, take a leisurely stroll around the compound. Overnight in Hotel

Day 3 This morning drive along the winding road along the Paro Chu (Chu means water or river) down stream to the confluence with the Wang Chu then turn upstream and travel along the Wang Chu to Thimphu, the Capital. Lunch will be served at the Hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the Late Third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 4 Thimphu - Tongsa

The journey to central Bhutan begins today. The drive to Tongsa takes about 7 - 8 hours from Thimphu. Packed lunch will be arranged. Lunch stop at Chendeji Chorten. Overnight at Hotel in Tongsa.

Day 5 Tongsa - Jaker (Bumthang)

Drive to Jaker which takes about 2 1/2 hours from Tongsa is a pleasant drive through scenic forests and country side. You also cross one of the highest passes named Thrumsingla (Alt. 17,000 ft.) along the East - West Highway on this drive. Bumthang (the "Plain of Ghosts") is a land of mysteries and mystics and tales of the great Guru Padmasambhava who performed formidable feats and miracles in historical time in this place still hold sway.

A beautiful sighting of Jaker Dzong, "Castle of the White Bird," can be had from View Point. Lunch will be served in Hotel. Afternoon, a hike up to Lame Gompa, a temple built by the First King of Bhutan for his two nun sisters. Outside Lame Gompa one can see a workshop for traditional Bhutanese paper-making. Overnight halt in Hotel.

Day 6 Bumthang - Gorsum Distance 18km, About 6-7 hours journey, Altitude: 3120m

After breakfast transport will reach the group to the trek starting point just below Kurjey Lhakhang, the famous holy temple. The trek route follows the Chamkhar Chu, a river known for its wild trout. The trail from Bumthang to Gorsum is gradual climb. Overnight halt in camp.

Day 7 Gorsum - Lungsum Distance 12kms, About 5 hours journey, Altitude of Lungsum 3160m.

The trail leads through dense forest of Spruce, Hemlock, Cypress, Juniper and Maple. The trail ascends gradually till the camp site. Overnight halt in camp.

Day 8 Lungsum - Tsochenchen Distance 15km, About 6 - 7 hours, Altitude 3100 m.

The vegetation along the trekking route is similar to that in places crossed the previous day. Near the camp site the vegetation thins out and camp is made above tree line. Halt in camp.

Day 9 Tsochenchen - Dur Tsachu Distance 17kms, About 7 hours journey, Altitude: 3400 m.

The trek from Tsochenchen is uphill all the way till Julila Pass is reached which is about 4700m. From the pass, if the day is clear, surrounding mountains can be seen. After crossing the pass, the trail descends till the camp site. Musk deer, herds of blue sheep and Himalayan bear is sometimes seen along the route. Halt in camp.

Day 10 Halt at Dur Tsachu ( Hot Spring)

After a late breakfast, relax in the hot spring or hike the surrounding areas. Overnight in camp.

Day 11 Dur Tsachu - Tsochenchen Distance - 17 Kms. About 7 hours journey.

The route from Dur Tsachu is uphill till the Julila Pass followed by descent to Tsochenchen. Overnight halt in camp.

Day 12 Tsochenchen - Gorsum Distance - 27 Kms. About 9 hours journey.

The trek must start early because the distance is longer than usual. The trail leads gradually down hill.

Day 13 Gorsum - Bumthang

From Gorsum the trail descends gradually till the bridge near Dur village. Here the motor road is reached and transport will pick you up to take you to the Bumthang Tourist Lodge.

Day 14 Bumthang - Wangdi

The drive to Wangdi takes about 7 hours. Picnic lunch will be arranged along the way. Halt in Wangdi in Lodge.

Day 15 Wangdi - Thimphu

Visit Punakha Dzong enroute. Punakha used to be the Winter Capital of Bhutan until 1966. It is a place of great historical significance. The mortal remains of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal is kept in a shrine in the Dzong. Punakha is also the winter residence of the Je Khempo (Head Abbot) and the Central Monk body. Drive to Thimphu. Halt overnight in Hotel.

Day 16 Thimphu - Sightseeing

Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main Government Secretariat building, where the government ministries, the Office of His Majesty the King and the Throne Room , and the offices and living quarters of the monk body and the Chief Abbot are housed.

Wander in the town, visit shops and the Choki Handicrafts & Emporium, where Bhutanese textiles and other handicrafts are available. Visit the workshop where the handicrafts are made. Visit the painting and woodcrafts schools where traditional painting and other arts are kept alive.

Visit the National Library and see the ancient manuscripts preserved there.

Visit the Simtokha Dzong (6 Kms. from Thimphu), the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1629 A..D. The Simtokha Dzong houses the largest monastic school in the country.

Day 17 Thimphu - Paro International Airport

Drive to Paro International Airport. Seen off by representatives of Boonserm Tours & Travels.

Climate (general) Days are normally warm. Nights can at times be very cool and in winter even below the freezing point. Monsoon showers in summer (heaviest July & August) and sometimes even in Spring and Autumn.
WHAT TO BRING Personal Clothing: Strong comfortable (clothing according to season). Preferably cotton even for summer. Wollen clothing for evenings and winter.
For Trekking: Strong comfortable trekking boots, sun glasses, headgear, raincoat & warm clothing for the evenings. A sleeping Bag is a must. Medium to heavy is advised. A torch light will also be very handy.

Note For trekking a load of 25 kg is allowed.

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