Trekking tour · 18 days, 17 nights

18 Day Dhur Hot Spring Trek: To the Wild Hot Springs of Bumthang

A demanding nine-day wilderness trek from Bumthang over passes of 4,700 metres to the remote hot springs of Dhur Tsachu, with views of Gangkhar Puensum, the world’s highest unclimbed mountain.

4,700 m

Djule La, about

126 km

Total trekking distance, about

7,570 m

Gangkhar Puensum, about

Hard

Grade

Trip overview

Hot springs at the end of a long trail

Dhur Tsachu is a group of natural hot springs in the wild upper valleys north of Bumthang, inside Wangchuck Centennial National Park, the largest protected area in Bhutan. For centuries, people from Bumthang have walked here to bathe, believing the waters heal aches, skin problems and other illnesses. The springs are said to have been blessed by Guru Rinpoche, and different pools are believed to help different ailments.

Reaching them takes effort. The trek starts near Dhur village, a short drive from Jakar, and follows the Dhur Chhu valley north through forest and yak pastures for three days. On the fourth day you cross Djule La, at about 4,700 metres, pass the lake of Djule Tsho and cross Gokthong La, at about 4,640 metres, before dropping to the springs at about 3,590 metres. You rest a full day at Dhur Tsachu, then return the same way. From Djule La, on a clear day, you can see Gangkhar Puensum, at about 7,570 metres the highest mountain in the world that has never been climbed.

This is a hard trek, with long days of 15 to 18 km and big climbs, and it is best for experienced trekkers who are comfortable at altitude. In return you walk through some of the most remote country in Bhutan, where you are more likely to meet yak herders, musk deer or blue sheep than other trekkers. Before the trek you see Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang; after it you fly back from Bumthang to Paro.

Highlights

Highlights of the trek

Dhur Tsachu

Natural hot springs at the end of a wild trail.

Gangkhar Puensum

The world's highest unclimbed peak, seen from Djule La.

Djule Tsho

A high lake between two passes.

Wildlife

Blue sheep, musk deer and the chance of rarer animals.

Wangchuck Centennial Park

Bhutan's largest national park.

Bumthang

Bhutan's oldest temples before and after the trek.

Itinerary at a glance

Eighteen days at a glance

Distances and times follow the standard route. The trek returns the way it came.

Day 1: Arrive in Paro

Land in Paro, easy afternoon.

Day 2: Tiger's Nest

Acclimatisation hike to Paro Taktsang.

Day 3: To Thimphu

Drive to the capital, sightseeing.

Day 4: To Punakha

Over Dochula to Punakha Dzong.

Day 5: To Bumthang

Over Pele La and Yotong La.

Day 6: Bumthang

Temples and preparation.

Day 7: Dhur to Gorsum

Start the trek up the Dhur valley.

Day 8: Gorsum to Lungsum

Through forest along the river.

Day 9: Lungsum to Tshochenchen

Up to the tree line.

Day 10: Over Djule La to Dhur Tsachu

The big day over two passes.

Day 11: Rest at the hot springs

A full day at Dhur Tsachu.

Day 12: Back over the passes

Return over Gokthong La and Djule La.

Day 13: Tshochenchen to Lungsum

Down to the forest.

Day 14: Lungsum to Gorsum

An easy day along the river.

Day 15: Gorsum to Dhur, to Bumthang

Out to the road and back to Bumthang.

Day 16: Fly to Paro

Domestic flight from Bumthang.

Day 17: Spare day in Paro

A buffer day for weather or flights.

Day 18: Depart

Transfer to Paro airport.

Day 1

Arrive in Paro

Your trekking guide meets you at Paro airport and drives you to your hotel. After lunch you visit Rinpung Dzong and walk across the cantilever bridge below it. In the evening your guide goes through the trek plan with you and checks your gear. Keep the first day light so your body can adjust to the altitude of about 2,200 metres.

Day 2

Acclimatise on the Tiger's Nest trail

The hike to the Tiger’s Nest, at about 3,120 metres, is the best warm-up for any trek in western Bhutan. It takes five to six hours return through blue pine forest, and gaining height slowly today helps your body cope with the higher camps later. Your guide watches how you walk and adjusts the pace for the trek.

Day 3

A day in Thimphu

You drive to Thimphu and visit the Memorial Chorten, the Buddha Dordenma, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum and Tashichho Dzong.

Day 4

Dochula and Punakha

You cross Dochula and visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.

Day 5

Across the passes to Bumthang

A long day over Pele La and Yotong La, with a stop at Trongsa Dzong, to Bumthang.

Day 6

A day in Bumthang

You visit Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong, and your crew checks the supplies for the trek. Bumthang sits at about 2,600 to 2,800 metres, which helps your acclimatisation.

Day 7

Trek day 1: Dhur to Gorsum

You drive a short way to Dhur village and start walking north along the Dhur Chhu through blue pine and spruce forest. Camp is at Gorsum, at about 3,120 metres.

Day 8

Trek day 2: Gorsum to Lungsum

A gentle day through old forest of fir and birch, following the river, with little gain in height. Camp is at Lungsum, at about 3,160 metres.

Day 9

Trek day 3: Lungsum to Tshochenchen

The trail climbs out of the forest into open yak pastures. Camp is at Tshochenchen, at about 3,780 metres, below the high passes.

Day 10

Trek day 4: over Djule La

The hardest day of the trek. You climb to Djule La, at about 4,700 metres, where on a clear morning Gangkhar Puensum and the peaks of the Bhutan-Tibet border fill the northern horizon. You pass the lake of Djule Tsho and climb again to Gokthong La, at about 4,640 metres, then drop steeply to the hot springs at Dhur Tsachu, at about 3,590 metres.

Day 11

Trek day 5: the hot springs

A full rest day. The springs are a series of simple pools, some sheltered by stone or wooden walls, with water at different temperatures. Bhutanese pilgrims often stay several days and move between pools for different ailments. Follow your guide’s lead on which pools to use and keep soap out of the water.

Day 12

Trek day 6: back over the passes

You climb back over Gokthong La and Djule La, a long and tiring day but with a second chance to see the mountains, and drop to camp at Tshochenchen.

Day 13

Trek day 7: down to Lungsum

You walk down through the pastures and back into the forest to Lungsum.

Day 14

Trek day 8: Lungsum to Gorsum

A short, easy day along the river to Gorsum.

Day 15

Trek day 9: out to the road

The last walk follows the Dhur Chhu down to the road head, where the car meets you for the short drive back to your hotel in Bumthang.

Day 16

Fly back to Paro

You fly from Bumthang to Paro, about 30 minutes, and spend a relaxed afternoon in Paro. A hot stone bath is a good way to rest your legs.

Day 17

A spare day

We keep this day free in case weather or snow delays the trek. If it is not needed, you can visit Kyichu Lhakhang, Drukgyel Dzong or Paro’s farm villages.

Day 18

Fly home

After breakfast your guide drives you to Paro airport for your flight home.

Where you stay

Hotels before and after the trek, and tented camps on the trail.

Nights	Place	Where you stay	Why we chose it
1, 2, 16 and 17	Paro	3-star or 4-star hotel	Near the airport
3	Thimphu	3-star or 4-star hotel	Central
4	Punakha	3-star hotel	Valley views
5, 6 and 15	Bumthang	3-star or 4-star hotel	Chamkhar valley
7 to 14	Trek	Tented camp	Gorsum, Lungsum, Tshochenchen, Dhur Tsachu

We supply tents, mattresses, a dining tent and a toilet tent. Pack animals carry the loads.

What the price covers

Included and not included

Included

Bhutan visa (USD 40) and the Sustainable Development Fee for every night
Hotels as listed, 3-star as standard, with 4-star and luxury upgrades on request
All meals in hotels and on the trek, cooked by our trek cook
A licensed trekking guide, plus a cook and camp crew
Pack animals for the luggage, tents, mattresses, dining and toilet tents
Trekking and park permits
Private car with driver for the road sections
Domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro

Not included

International flights into and out of Paro (we can book them for you)
Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend
Sleeping bag and personal trekking gear (we can rent a sleeping bag)
Emergency evacuation costs, which your insurance should cover
Tips for the trek crew, guide and driver

Price on request

Tell us your budget and we will send our best price

We don’t publish one fixed price, because hotels, season and group size change the total a lot. Tell us your dates, who is travelling and the budget you have in mind. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this Dhur Hot Spring trek.

How we price

What decides the cost of this trip

Government fees

The SDF is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, plus a USD 40 visa. These are fixed by the Government of Bhutan and paid through us.

Hotels you choose

Group size, hotel style and the domestic flight change the total most. Trek crew and permits are included.

Season and dates

Spring and autumn are peak season. Winter and summer dates are often easier to price well.

Group size

Guide and car costs are shared, so the price per person drops for two, three or four travellers.

We send a written, itemised quote before you pay anything. No booking fees.

Good to know

Planning your Dhur Hot Spring trek

How hard is it?

The Dhur Hot Spring trek is hard. Trekking days are 12 to 18 km, two of them with more than 1,300 metres of ascent, and you cross two passes above 4,600 metres twice. The route is remote, with no villages or road access after the first day. It suits experienced trekkers who have walked at altitude before. We ask about your trekking history before we confirm the booking.

Best time to go

The best months are March to April and late September to early November. Autumn gives the clearest views of Gangkhar Puensum. Snow can close Djule La from December to February, and the monsoon makes the trail wet and the views poor.

About Gangkhar Puensum

Gangkhar Puensum, at about 7,570 metres, is the highest mountain in the world that has never been climbed. A few attempts were made in the 1980s, but Bhutan has banned climbing mountains above 6,000 metres out of respect for local beliefs that the peaks are home to protective deities. Seeing it from Djule La is one of the rewards of this trek.

Wangchuck Centennial National Park

The park was created in 2008 to mark a century of the Wangchuck monarchy, and it is the largest protected area in Bhutan. It covers the high northern country between Bumthang and the Tibetan border, with glaciers, alpine meadows and old forest. It is home to snow leopards, blue sheep, takin and musk deer, though larger animals are shy and rarely seen.

Permits, guides and the trek crew

All visitors to Bhutan travel with a licensed guide, and on a trek you also need a licensed trekking guide and the route and park permits, which we arrange. Your crew includes a cook, camp staff and horsemen with pack ponies or yaks, depending on the altitude. They set up the tents before you arrive, serve hot drinks in the morning and cook three meals a day. Trekking fees and permits are included in our price, along with the SDF for every night.

Food and water on trek

Our trek cook prepares fresh meals every day: porridge or eggs and toast for breakfast, a hot packed lunch, and soup, rice, curries, vegetables and often a dessert for dinner. We can cook vegetarian, gluten-free or other diets if you tell us in advance. Drinking water is boiled and filtered at camp. Bring a refillable bottle and a few snacks you like from home.

Fitness and safety on trek

You walk six to eight hours on most trek days, often above 4,000 metres. Regular hiking in the months before makes a real difference. Your guide carries a first aid kit and watches for altitude sickness; the only cure for serious symptoms is to go down, and we always plan an escape route. Tell us about any heart, lung or knee problems when you book, and make sure your insurance covers trekking at altitude and evacuation.

What to bring on trek

Broken-in waterproof boots, a down jacket, thermal layers, a waterproof shell, a warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, trekking poles and a four-season sleeping bag (we can rent one). Our crew carries tents, mattresses, the kitchen and all food. See our packing list for the basics.

Visa, SDF and guide rules

Every visitor except Indian nationals needs a visa, which costs USD 40 and is issued online before you fly. The Sustainable Development Fee is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, with half rates for children aged 6 to 11. A Department of Tourism notice from April 2026 confirms that visitors travel with a licensed guide. We file the visa and pay the SDF for you. Read more in our Bhutan visa guide and SDF guide.

Dhur Hot Spring trek: questions

How much does the Dhur Hot Spring trek cost?

It depends on your hotels, group size and dates. Tell us your budget and we will reply within 24 hours with our best price, including the SDF, visa, hotels, meals, guide and car.

How long is the Dhur Hot Spring trek?

Nine trekking days and about 126 km, including a rest day at the springs.

What is the highest point?

Djule La, at about 4,700 metres.

Can I bathe in the hot springs?

Yes. You spend a full day at Dhur Tsachu.

How fit do I need to be?

Very fit, with previous trekking experience at altitude.

Will I see Gangkhar Puensum?

On a clear day, from Djule La. Views are best in October and November.

When is the best season?

March to April and late September to early November.