Bhutan Dur Hot Spring Trek

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 telling their prayer beads as they walk.

Days 1: Kathmandu, 1360m
You arrive in Katmandu and are transferred to the hotel. A pre-trek briefing will be scheduled to discuss the trekking program and co-ordinate any last-minute arrangements.

Days 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing
Today we explore Katmandu on an organized sightseeing tour. This will include a visit to the Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world. We also visit Pashupatinath, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River and home to the most famous Hindu temple in the country. Here we will see Hindu holy men (saddhus) and pilgrims performing ritual bathing, and occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the Ghats.

The early afternoon will be free to relax in the hotel garden or visit Thamel for last minute shopping. You will be supplied with your trek departure information in the afternoon.

Days 3: Arrival at Paro:
Fly into Himalayas. The green wall of hills known as 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 and overnight in hotel.

Days 4: 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.

Days 5: 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. Overnight in hotel.

Days 6: 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.

Days 7: 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 acclimatization. Overnight in Hotel.

Days 8: Bumthang to Gorsum (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. 7 hours walk. Camp at Gorsum.

Days 9: Gorsum to Lungsum (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. 6 hours walk. Overnight in camp.

Days 10: Lungsum to Tshochenchen (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. 7 hours walk and Overnight in camp.

Days 11: Tshochenchen to Durtshachu (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.8 hours walk and Overnight in camp.

Days 12: Durtshachu to Durtshachu:
A day of rest. After a leisurely breakfast, relax in the hotspring or hike around the surrounding areas

Days 13: Dursthachu to Tshochenchen: Same as the previous route. Overnight in camp.

Days 14: Tshochenchen to Gorsum:
Same as the previous route but without the Lungsum halt. The whole journey is about nine hours. Overnight in camp.

Days 15: Gorsum to Jakar:
Same as the previous route. The transportation will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Overnight in hotel.

Days 16: 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.

Days 17: 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.

Days 18: 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.

Days 19: Paro to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to hotel.

Days 20 : Kathmandu Departure