Dur Hot Spring Trek in Central Bhutan on this 17-day trip, you spend eight days trekking in Bumthang, which is in the centre of Bhutan. You get to hike over high passes to the hot springs at Dur Tsachu, visiting monasteries and villages along the way.
You need to be fairly fit for this trek, as several days are quite long and you climb over a pass at 4,700m twice. You camp it out on the eight nights of the trek, and stay in comfortable hotels along the way to and from Bumthang.
Especially sensitive to the environment, one of this operator’s success strategies has been in visiting schools and supporting green educational values such as planting of trees, gardening, and maintaining clean and green surroundings, through speeches, games and donations of environment-related teaching materials. Small monetary contributions are provided as rewards to conservation-based clubs.
These treks explore areas least visited by tourists. This allows you to capture a natural, undisturbed essence of the country’s way of life as well as enhance income-generation opportunities and provide employment to the locals. Farmhouses are used for night-halts, and some of the meals are taken in the company of the villagers. Often visitors donate school supplies such as computers, note-books, school uniforms and other basic requirements.
Short Program:
Day 1: Arrival at Paro
Day 2: Paro sightseeing
Day 3: Drive to Thimphu
Day 4: Drive to Bumthang
Day 5: Sightseeing in Bumthang
Day 6: Trek to Gorsum (3,120m)
Day 7: Trek to Lungsum (3,160m)
Day 8: Trek to Tsochenchen (3,100m)
Day 9: Trek to Dur Tsachu via Juli La Pass (4,700m). Camp at 3,400m
Day 10: Rest day at Dur Tsachu hot springs.
Day 11: Trek to Tsochenchen via Juli La Pass (4,700m)
Day 12: Trek to Gorsum (3,160m)
Day 13: Trek to Bumthang
Day 14: Drive to Wangdi
Day 15: Drive to Thimphu
Day 16: Sightseeing in Thimphu
Day 17: Drive to Paro and departure
Especially sensitive to the environment, one of this operator’s success strategies has been in visiting schools and supporting green educational values such as planting of tree, gardening and maintaining clean and green surroundings through speeches, games and donations of environment-related teaching materials. Small monetary contributions are provided as rewards to conservation-based clubs.
These treks explore areas least visited by tourists. This allows you to capture a natural, undisturbed essence of the country’s way of life as well as enhance income-generation opportunities and provide employment to the locals. Farmhouses are used for night-halts, and some of the meals are taken in the company of the villagers. Often visitors donate school supplies such as computers, note-books, school uniforms and other basic requirements.
Trip highs!
- High passes and great views of the Himalayas
- Bumthang Dzong
- Hot springs at Dur Tsachu
- Sightseeing in Paro and Thimphu
Trip watch-outs!
- High passes – you climb to 4,700m at Juli La – twice.
Karma Wangdi comes from Tashi Yangtse, the eastern-most part of the country. Engaged in the tourism industry for over 14 years, he has invaluable knowledge and experience on religion, culture, history, the unique identities and lifestyles of the people, as well as about the flora and fauna of Bhutan.
Keen to share the benefits of tourism, Karma looks to help local people not only in terms of employment, but also through creating awareness on the importance of the environment and conserving the rich natural assets of Bhutan.
Ideal For Whom
You need to be fairly fit for this 8-day trek. Even though you don’t sleep especially high (3,100-3,400m), you climb the Juli La pass (4,700m on the outward as well as the return journey to the hot springs at Dur Tsachu. Apart from the nights spent camping, accommodation is in hotels, which tend to be simpler the further away you move from Paro and Thimphu.
The trip would appeal to anyone who wants to do some trekking, but also see some of the highlights of Bhutan in Paro, Thimphu and Bumthang.
When To Visit
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when the weather is warm, dry and fairly settled. There may be the odd showers in spring, while the skies tend to be clearer in autumn.
Winter is cold, but offers crisp, clear days and it gets quite warm during the day.
Summer is not the best time of the year to visit as this is when monsoon falls – but it usually only rains for a few hours each day.
Things To Bring
Sun hat or cap to use during the day, along with a scarf for covering the neck
Woolen hat or balaclava for evenings
Sunglasses
Water bottle – mineral water is available in plastic bottles, but it’s advisable to carry iodine, a filter or steripen to purify water and reduce plastic waste
Walking boots, clothes for trekking – layers of warm clothes and waterproofs (it can rain any time)
By Air: Flights come into Paro Airport, the only international airport in Bhutan. It’s about a two-hour drive to Thimphu, the capital.
For foreigners other than Indian nationals, entry or exit into Bhutan has to be via a Druk Airways flight into Paro Airport. (Your visa will be arranged for you in advance by your operator). This means that a flight is needed at least one way, to enter or leave Bhutan.
By Land: It is possible for foreigners to enter Bhutan from Phuentsholing and to leave via Samdrup Jongar. There are no restrictions for Indian nationals, who in addition to the option of flying, can use either land border points.
Samdrup Jongar is a three-hour road trip to Guwahati in Assam, from where it is possible to fly to Kolkata, Delhi or Bangkok; or take a train to West Bengal, to Siliguri or Kolkata. This area is politically unstable, so it is wise to check in advance.
Phuentsholing, on the western border of Bhutan, is a few hours from Darjeeling, Sikkim and West Bengal. Siliguri is the main transport hub (169km). Buses leave Siliguri twice a day for Phuentsholing.
Panitanki (Ranigan), in north western Bengal, is opposite the eastern Nepal border town of Kakarbhitta. It is possible to arrange transport with the Bhutanese operator from here to Bhadrapur or Biratnagar for flights to Kathmandu. Panitanka is an hour away from Siliguri (35km) and buses run regularly.