Duer Hot Spring Trek

Summary:

Duer Hot Springs are said to be the most beautiful natural hot springs in the Himalayas. The Duer Hot Spring Trek is a demanding nine day trek along the same route as the finishing of the Snowman Trek. Some long days and steep and long ascents (e.g. the day before reaching the hotsprings) ranks it among the more demanding treks in Bhutan.  A mule trail is being built from Trongsa up to Duer Hot Springs. As soon as this new route is ready the trek will be a stunningly beautiful round trip, Bumthang – Duer Hot Springs – Trongsa.

Day 1: Duer – Gorsum (Distance 18 km, six to seven hours, 380m ascent, camp altitude 3,120m). The trek route follows the Yoleng Chhu, a river known for its abundance of trout. The trail from Bumthang to Gorsum is a gradual climb.

Day 2: Gorsum – Lungsum (Distance 12 km, five hours, 40m ascent, camp altitude 3,160m). The trail leads through a dense forest of Spruce, Hemlock, Cypress, Juniper and Maple. The trail ascends gradually to the campsite.

Day 3: Lungsum – Tsochenchen (Distance 15 km, -six to seven hours, 620 m ascent camp altitude 3,780m). The vegetation along the trekking route is similar to places crossed the previous day. Near the campsite the vegetation thins out and the camp is made above tree line.

Day 4: Tsochenchen – Duer Tsachu (Distance 18 km, eight to nine hours, 1,340m ascent, 1,530m descent, camp altitude 3,590m). The trek from Tsochenchen is uphill all the way till Juli La (4,700m). If the day is clear, you will have a great view of the surrounding mountains from the pass. After crossing the pass, the trail descends to a lake at 4,220m, then climbs again to Gokthong La (4,640m). From here it is a steep way down till the campsite. Musk deer, herds of blue sheep and Himalayan bear is sometimes seen along the route.

Day 5: Halt at Duer Tsachu. After a late breakfast, relax in the hot spring or hike the surrounding areas.

Day 6: Duer Tsachu – Tsochenchen (Distance 18km, eight to nine hours, 1,530m ascent, 1,340m descent, camp altitude 3,780m). Return on the route taken on day 4. The day is even tougher than on the way up as there is slightly more climbing than descending.

Day 7: Tsochenchen – Lungsum (Distance 15 km, five hours, 620 m descent, camp altitude 3,160m). Return on the route taken on day 3.

Day 8: Lungsum – Gorsum  (Distance 12 km, four hours, 40m descent, camp altitude 3,120m). The trail descends gradually from the campsite. The trail leads through dense forest of Spruce, Hemlock, Cypress, Juniper and Maple.

Day 9: Gorsum – Duer Village (Distance 18km, six hours, 380m descent). From Gorsum the trail descends gradually till the bridge near Duer village, where you reach the road head.