Title:

Hot Spring Tour and Trek

Duration:

16 Nights / 17 Days

Best Season:

March to May, October to November

Altitude:

3400 M

Itinery:

Arrive Paro International Airport. During the journey to Paro, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of our tour operator, who will escort you to the hotel where arrangements have been made for a two night halt.

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.

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.

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.

Tongsa - Jaker (Bumthang). Drive to Jaker, which takes about 2 1/2 hours from Tongsa, is a pleasant drive through scenic forests and countryside. 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 papermaking. Overnight halt in Hotel.

Bumthang - Gorsum Distance 18km, About 6-7 hours journey, Altitude: 3120 M. 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.

Gorsum - Lungsum Distance 12kms, About 5 hours journey, Altitude of Lungsum 3160 M.
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.

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.

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 4700 M. From the pass, if the day is clear, surrounding mountains can be seen. After crossing the pass, the trail descends till the campsite. Musk deer, herds of blue sheep and Himalayan bear is sometimes seen along the route. Halt in camp.

Halt at Dur Tsachu (Hot Spring). After a late breakfast, relax in the hot spring or hike the surrounding areas. Overnight in campsite.

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 campsite.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

Evening : Relax at Thimphu's modern health club and beauty parlor where sauna, steam and gymnasium facilities are available as well as full beauty treatment, including hair dressing, skin care (with pure herbal products) and body massage services. For our guests, the Health Club facilities are free and beauty services will be at concessional rates.

Thimphu - Paro International Airport. Drive to Paro International Airport.

All further information on request.

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