The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) has identified 2 additional trekking routes in, Wangduephodrang and Bumthang. The Dhur Tsachu in Bumthang, and Gangtey Trail in Wangduephodrang, TCB said, would give tourists both natural and cultural visiting experience.
The trekking route to Dhur Tsachu, starting from Dhur village, about 30 km from Chamkhar town, would take 3 days to get to the hotspring. The whole area falls under the Wangchuck Centennial Park. The Gangtey Trail starts from Gangtey and covers four villages of Phobjikha, Gogona, Khotakha and Rubisa.
The Dhur Tsachu Trek in Bumthang will benefit Dhur village, while the Gangtey Trail in Wangduephodrang will benefit the people of the 5 villages.
These proper trekking routes will have guesthouses at the campsites, along with basic shower and toilet facilities. The Dhur Trek, besides benefiting the community, would also conserve the hot spring sources.
The treks will be a pilot project for lodge-based treks and the first of its kind, where trekkers do not have to carry camping equipment.
A new trail called the Old Trade Route from Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar is also being surveyed. At present, there are 28 trekking trails in the country.
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