Dur Hotspring Trek (15N/16D)

Drive the winding road northwest up the Pachu to the Drugyal dzong, the ruined fort, which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasions. Mount Jhomolhari, 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 farmhouse. Later excursion to Taktsang monastery viewpoint.

This morning follow the winding road beside the Pachu [chu means river or water] down stream to its confluence with the Wangchu, then up valley to Thimphu, the capital. Lunch at the hotel. After lunch visit the memorial chhorten. Here the faithful circumambulate the shrine dedicated to the late King. Overnight in hotel.

After breakfast, Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. Lunch at Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952.Overnight in Hotel.

We start early today. After breakfast drive to Bumthang. On the way, stop a while to view Chime Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. He subdued the demons with his “ Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”. Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang, it includes: visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside) built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Lunch at Trongsa. After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Then Visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal and drive to Bumthang. Over night in Hotel.

After breakfast, visit Jakar Dzong, which literally means “The Castle of White Bird”. The current structure was built in 1667 and is said to be the largest Dzong in Bhutan and then visit Lamey Goemba, a large palace and monastery built in 18th century by Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi. Visit Jambay Lhakhang said to have been built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang and was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rimpoche restored his life force. Under the temple is said to be a lake in which Guru Rimpoche hid several Terma. In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here. After lunch, Visit Chakhar (Iron Castle) Lhakhang, it is the site of the palace of the Indian King, the Sindhu Raja who invited Guru Rimpoche to Bumthang. The Original palace was made of Iron and hence the name Chakhar. The saint Dorji Lingpa built the Current building in 14th century. Its correct name is Dechen Phodrang. We then visit Kurjey Lhakhang that is named after body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and is the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom.

(Distance 18 Km, about 6- 7 Hrs) After breakfast, the transport will reach you up to the trek point just below Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most renowned temples. The Trek route leads you along the Chamkhar Chu, a river known for its richness in Trout. The Trek trail for Bumthang to Gorsum is rather gradual. Over night in Camp.

Distance 12 Km, about 5 hrs. Alt. 3160 Meters. Today you will be walking through dense forests of Spruce, hemlock, Cypress, Juniper and Maples. The Trail is more or less muddy and ascends gradually till you reach to your campsite. Over night in Camp.

Distance 15 Km, 6-7 hrs. Alt. 3100 m. The vegetation is dense from Tshochenchen all the way up hill to the Julila Pass, which is about 4700 m. The vegetation from Lungsun to Tshochenchen is more or less the same till you reach near to your campsite. The camp will be above tree line. Over night in camp.

Distance 17 Km. About 7 hrs. Alt. 3400 m. The Trek from Tshochenchen is uphill till you reach the Julila Pass at about 3400 m. 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 Beers may be seen enroute. Over night in camp.

After a late breakfast, relax in the hot spring or hike in and around the camp. Over night in Camp.

Distance 17 km, about 7 hrs. Alt. 3100 M. The Trek trail from Dur Tsachu is uphill till Julila. After crossing the pass the trail descends till you reach the campsite. Over night in Camp.

Distance 17 km. about 9 hrs. Alt.3120 m. Today the trek begins early, as the trail is long. The trail drops gradually down for about 2 hrs till you reach campsite. Over night in Camp.

From Gorsum, descend down hill till you cross the Dur Village bridge then follow the new motor road till you meet up with transport. After lunch, Leisure time. Over night at the Lodge.

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu (7 ½ hrs.)

Early Morning, drive to Paro airport and farewell.