Dhur Tshachu, also known as Dur hot spring, is a hot spring revealed by Guru Menlha renowned for its medicinal value to cure many diseases. The hot spring is located in the Dhur village within the jurisdiction of Wangchuck Centennial Park in the north of Bumthang Dzongkhag at more than 3500 meters.
Dur Tshachu has 7 hot springs with 14 pools and the average temperature of the hot springs varies from 38 to 52 degrees Celsius. The seven Tshachus in the Dhur Tshachu area are Chenrezig Tshachu, Zekham Tshachu, Dangwa Mochu Tshachu, Dangwa Phochu Tshachu, Gunay Tshachu, Guru Tshachu, and Beken Menchu Tshachu.
The most popular hot springs in Bhutan are the Chubu and Koma hot springs in Punakha; the Duenmang hot spring in Zhemgang; the Khempajong Nye hot spring in Lhuntse; the Gasa hot spring in Gasa; and Gelephu hot spring in Sarpang.
Also Read: Hot Springs in Bhutan: Bhutanese Beliefs and Benefits
How to Reach Dhur Tshachu
Dur Tshachu is located in Wangchuck Centennial Park in Bumthang. Two different routes lead to it: one from Dhur village in Bumthang and the other from Sephu Gewog in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag.
If you travel from Bumthang Chamkhar town, drive 12 kilometers upstream on a farm road to Dur Menchugang village. It’s about half an hour’s drive through the beautiful blue pine forest from Chamkhar town to Dhur village. From there it is a three-day Journey to reach the hot spring.
Trek Route of Dhur Tshachu
- Start from Chamkhar town, Bumthang;
- Chamkhar town to Dhur village: 45 minutes drive;
- Dur Menchungang to Dur Hot Spring: 3 days Dhur Hot Spring trek.
Dur Hot Spring Trek: It’s a three-day trek from Bumthang famous for Dhur hot springs. Porters and ponies can be arranged at the starting point of the hike. The first two days of hiking consist of moderate slopes, initially through the blue pine forest and then through the broadleaf forest along muddy tracks. The last day of the trip is a light and adventurous one. Hikers have to climb uphill and then downhill to reach the hot spring site. The journey promises spectacular scenery, with two giant lakes along the way. Blue Sheep are commonly spotted in the area.
Although there are many suitable places for camping, Chokchormi and Ngondong are the most recommended sites for night halts due to their beautiful natural scenery.
The Origin of Dhur Tshachu
It is said that Guru Rinpoche visited and blessed spring and many small pools to benefit those who suffered from the disease. The biography of Sindhu Raja called “The Clear Mirror” states: Guru Rinpoche arrived at the upper end of Dur in the form of Guru Menlha “Medicine Guru Rinpoche”. He revealed 108 hot springs to liberate sentient beings from deadly diseases and bound all the local deities and treasure protectors by an oath to protect the hot springs. The hot springs were named Tshachu Deged Nyomden.
Also Read: The Origin of Chubu Tshachu in Punakha
Description of Dur Tshachu
The Dhur hot springs are located at 3390 meters above sea level between Mandge River on the right and a stream that originates from Chatsinang Lake on the left. Dhur Tshachu has the largest number of pools in a single Tshachu complex. There are around 14 pools at Dur, seven of which are formally examined and tested by the Institute of Traditional Medicine. They are:
- Guru Tshachu
- Drangwa Mo Tshachu (female hot spring)
- Drangwa Pho Tshachu (male hot spring)
- Zerkham Tshachu
- Gunay Tshachu
- Khandro Tshachu (Dakini hot spring)
- Chenrezig Tshachu (Avalokiteshvara hot spring).
The tubs are natural stone, not man-made. Wangchuck Centennial National Park has renovated all the pools. Today, Dhur Tshachu is considered one of Bhutan’s most hygienic and properly managed Tshachu.
Also Read: Description of Gelephu Tshachu
Therapeutic Values or Ethnopharmacological Benefits of Dhur Tshachu
believed to have healing properties for diseases such as rheumatism, gastritis, hypertension, diabetes, stomach pain, and arthritis.
Each Tshachu is believed to possess different healing properties. The Therapeutic benefits of each pond are:
- Chenrezig—vision defects
- Zekham—tetanus
- Dangwa Mochu—sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea. As indicated by the name Mo (female), only females benefit.
- Dangwa Phochu—provides similar benefits as Dangwa Mochu, but only for males. Pho means ‘male’.
- Gunay—chronic and acute headaches
- Guru—a general pond with healing properties for all kinds of diseases
- Beken—tuberculosis
Also Read: Therapeutic Values or Ethnopharmacological Benefits of Duenmang Tshachu
Accommodation at Dhur Tshachu
Wangchuck Centennial National Park has built guest houses that can accommodate up to 60 visitors.
Best Time to Visit Dur Tshachu
Bhutanese recommend visiting hot springs between winter and spring months, as these times allow for maximum therapeutic benefits due to minimal disturbance in cosmo-physical components. The best season for Dur Tshachu trek is March to April and September to October. You can visit the major hot springs of Bhutan with the Bhutan Pilgrimage Package.
