Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

Dur Hot Spring Trek

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Detailed Trip Description

An old expedition route to Gangkhar Puensum across several hot springs. This is an old expedition route to Gangkhar Puensum (mountain) through Trongsa, Bumthang. You will come across several hot springs where you can relax and shower in the mineral-rich-water.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Paro

 
Arrival at Paro.
Commercial Flight

Fly into Himalayas with Druk Air, Bhutan’s National Air Carrier. The green wall of hills known as dooars, or 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.

Airport Transfer

Your escort, who will 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 to the hotel.

Sightseeing

Evening visit to Paro marker and take a stroll around town’s main street.

Hotel

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.


Day 2 - Paro

 
Sightseeing

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 sea level. Other places of interest include the National Museum, Paro Rinpong Dzong and the local market.

Hotel

Overnight in Hotel.


Day 3 - Thimphu

 
Paro - Thimphu.
Private Car Service

Drive to the capital of the country after breakfast. Enroute you will be able to see the Tachogang Monastery.

Sightseeing

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 ( week days) and the Changangkha Lhakhang. In the evening drive to the Sangay gang viewpoint to see the Thimphu valley in the evening sun. Your guide will be able to take you shopping if you so desire.

Hotel

Overnight in hotel.


Day 4 - Thimphu

 
Thimphu - Trongsa.
Private Car Service

The journey to Central Bhutan begins early in the morning with packed 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 with breathtaking views of the Himalayas.

Hotel

Overnight in Hotel.


Day 5 - Bumthang

 
Trongsa - Bumthang.
Private Car Service

The drive to Bumthang takes about 2 and half hours.

Food and Dining

Lunch will be served in the hotel. After lunch you have free time, but a walk in the valley is recommended for acclimatisation.

Hotel

Overnight in Hotel.


Day 6 - Bumthang

 
Bumthang - Gorsum.
Hiking

Distance : 18 km. Trek Time : 6 - 7 hours. Altitude of camp : 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.

Camping

Camp at Gorsum.


Day 7 - Bumthang

 
Gorsum - Lungsum.
Hiking

Distance : 12 km. Trek Time : 5 - 6 hours. Altitude of Camp : 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.

Camping

Overnight in camp.


Day 8 - Bumthang

 
Lungsum - Tshochenchen.
Hiking

Distance : 15 km. Trek Time : 6 - 7 hours. Altitude of camp : 3200m. The vegetation remains the same almost throughout the day, though towards the end of the day you will be walking above the tree line.

Camping

Overnight in camp.


Day 9 - Bumthang

 
Tshochenchen - Durtshachu.
Hiking

Distance : 17 km. Trek time : 7 -8 hours. Altitude of camp : 3400m. The trek is uphill till the Julila pass at an altitude of 4700m. Then we go downhill to 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.

Camping

Overnight in camp.


Day 10 - Bumthang

 
Hiking

A day of rest. After a leisurely breakfast, relax in the hotspring or hike around the surrounding areas.

Camping

Overnight in camp.


Day 11 - Bumthang

 
Dursthachu - Tshochenchen.
Hiking

Same as the previous route.

Camping

Overnight in camp.


Day 12 - Bumthang

 
Tshochenchen - Gorsum.
Hiking

Same as the previous route but without the Lungsum halt. The whole journey is about nine hours.

Camping

Overnight in camp.


Day 13 - Bumthang

 
Gorsum - Jakar.
Hotel

Same as the previous route.

Private Car Service

The transportation will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

Hotel

Overnight in hotel.


Day 14 - Bumthang

 
Sightseeing

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.

Sightseeing

Drive to the kurjey Lhakhang and the Tamshing Monastery. Visit the Swiss Diary farm. Evening at leisure.

Hotel

Overnight in hotel.


Day 15 - Punakha

 
Bumthang - Punakha.
Private Car Service

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.

Hotel

Overnight in Hotel.


Day 16 - Paro

 
Punakha - Paro.
Sightseeing

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.

Hotel

Overnight in Hotel.


Day 17 - Paro

 
Departure.
Airport Transfer

Early morning transfer to the airport for departure where your guide will bid you good bye.


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