DUR HOT SPRING TREK

This trek is an old expedition route to Gangkar Puensum.

Season : The recommended season is March to April and from September to early November.

Day 1 : Arrive Paro by Druk Air
Arrive Paro by Druk air BAe 146-100 series, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by Our members. Afternoon / evening time at leisure.
Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.

Day 2 : Paro
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to the Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fort, which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. In 1951, this dzong which stands on a hill in the midst of the valley was burnt down. The ruins of crushes mud walls, with partly preserved roofs make it easy to imagine its former grandeur and magnificence. From Drukgyel Dzong one can enjoy, in clear weather, a fantastic view of Bhutan's second highest mountain, the snow covered 7314m high Mount Chomolhari, the queen of divined mountains.

Then, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrine of Bhutan. The shrine contains several image of gods, thangkhas, frescos. As part of the prescribed rites, monks and laymen alike circumambulate the temple complex in clockwise direction setting, thereby each of the prater wheels in mountain.

After lunch, visit Ta Szong, the multi - storeyed round tower which was built around 1775 to serve as the watch tower and refuge fortress fort the Rinpung Dzong. The national museum was opened here in 1967 with carefully selected and exhibited collections of utensils, folk arts, weapons, thankhas, statues and postage stamps. After that walk down the trail to visit, Rinpung Dzong, centre of the district administrations and monk body. It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in spring.
Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.

Day 3 : Paro - Thimphu
After breakfast, proceed to Thimphu, the present capital of Bhutan. Just before Thimphu, stands the Simtokha Dzong, built in 1967, it is the first Dzong built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and now houses the School of Dzongkha studies. Afternoon, in Thimphu, visit the great Tashichhodzong, "fortress of the glorious religion" built in 1641 by first Shabdrung and reconstructed in 1961 under the Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Also visit Memorial Chorten, which was erected in 1974, in the honour of His Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4 : Thimphu - Tongsa
Your journey to centre Bhutan begins here. After 45 minutes drive, cross Dochula pass (3100m) that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan. After another two hours drive, arrive at Wangdiphodrang which is also the place for lunch stop. Proceed further across Pele la pass (alt. 3300m) with a short stop at Chendbji Chorten. Evening visit Ta Dzong and town of Tongsa.
Overnight at the lodge in Tongsa.

Day 5 : Tongsa - Jakar (Bumthang)
Morning visit to Tongsa Dzong. The foundations of this Dzong were laid down by the great grand father of Shabdrung in 1543 and the real Dzong was completed in 1648 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. From this Dzong begins the roots of the present dynasty. The first King, Sir Ugyen Wangchuk, was Tongsa Penlop before he was unanimously appointed hereditary monarch of Bhutan on December 17, 1907. Besides its historical significance Tongsa Dzong is also the largest fortress in Bhutan.

After that proceed to Bumthang. Afternoon walking tour and visit some of the holy temples that Bumthang is famous for. The Jambey Lhakhang, built at the same time as Paro Kyichu, dates back to time even before Sindhu Raja's regin in Bumthang. At the Kurje Lhakhang, the bodily marks of Guru Padsambhava remains to this day, impressed on solid rock face.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 6 : Bumthang - Gorsum
After breakfast, Connecting Horizons Adventure transport will reach you up to the trek point just below Kurje Lhakhang. The trek route passes along the Chamkhar Chu, a river known for its richness in trout. Overnight camp at altitude of 3,120m. Distance 18 kms, walking time is 6/7 hours.

Day 7 : Gorsum - Lungsum
Today you will be walking through the dense forests of spruce, hemlock, cypress, juniper and maples. The trail is more or less muddy and ascends gradually till you reach to campsite at altitude 3, 160m. Distance 12 kms, walking time 5 hours.

Day 8 : Lungsum - Tsochenchen
In today's route vegetarian is dense till you reach at Tsochenchen at the altitude of 3,400m. Distance 15 kms, walking time is 6/7 kms.

Day 9 : Tsochenchen - Dur Tshachu
The trek from Tsochenchen is uphill till you reach Julila pass. From here, on a clear day the surrounding mountains can be viewed. After crossing the pass, the trek trail descends till you reach campsite. Musk deer, herds of Blue Sheep and Himalayan bear may be seen enroute. Distance: 17 kms, walking time is 7 hours.

Day 10 : Dur Tshachu Halt
After late breakfast relax in hot spring or hike around the camp area.

Day 11 : Dur Tashachu - Tsochenchen
Start early trek crossing Julila pass enroute. After the pass its gradual descent till you reach the campsite.

Day 12 : Tsochenchen - Gorsum
Today's trek should also be started early as it is long route. Camp at Gorsum.

Day 13 : Gorsum - Bumthang
From Gorsum walk downhill till you cross the Dur village. Then follow the new motor road. After lunch leisure time. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 14 : Bumthang - Wangdiphodrang
Morning explore Bumthang valley visiting Jakar Dzong and Tamshing Lhakhang. Later drive to Wangdiphodrang. Overnight at the hotel n Wangdi.

Day 15 : Wangdiphodrang / Punakha - Thimphu
After breakfast, visit impressive Wangdi Dzong, situated at the junction of Mo Chu and Tang Chu river also take a stroll around market area visiting local shops. After that drive to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. It houses the sacred Punakha Dzong, a superb example of Bhutanese architecture. Fire, earthquake and floods have inflicted their devastating influence on this Dzong, which under the direction of present King has been fully restored. Later drive to Thimphu. Evening take stroll around Thimphu market area. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 16-17 : Thimphu - Paro
Morning in Thimphu, visit to Handicrafts Emporium which holds good collection of beautiful weaves in wool, silk, cotton baskwetware, silver jewellery, thangkhas and other traditional crafts of the Kingdome. Also visit National Library, Painting School and Traditional medicine Institute. After lunch drive to Paro. Afternoon visit to traditional Bhutanese Farm House which offers good insight into lifestyles of local people. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 18 : Paro Depart
After early breakfast, drive to Paro airport for onward journey.