Adventure · Dentam
Walk the old trail towards Varsey
Follow part of the rhododendron trek route that the district administration lists between Dentam and the Barsey (Varsey) ridge, through farmland and forest that flowers red and pink in spring, with a local guide who knows the way.
Photo: Indranil banerjee · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Gyalshing district administration lists a rhododendron trek that runs from Hilley or Soreng over the Barsey ridge, at about 3,000 m, down to Dentam and on to Pemayangtse, best from March to May. Dentam is the low end of that route, so the trail from here is a long, steady climb through farmland and then forest.
With a local guide you can walk a day section up into the forest and back, or arrange a two-day crossing to Barsey and Hilley with a car waiting on the far side. The upper forest is part of the Varsey (Barsey) Rhododendron Sanctuary, now on the Soreng district side, where sanctuary entry fees apply.
These trails are steep, less used than the Hilley track and easy to lose in cloud. Go only with a guide who knows them, start early, carry water, food and rain gear, and tell your host your plan. Check current status of sanctuary rules and fees before you travel.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Can I trek from Dentam to Varsey?
Yes, with a local guide. The district administration lists a rhododendron trek between Hilley or Soreng, the Barsey ridge, Dentam and Pemayangtse. From Dentam it is a long climb of more than 1,500 m to the ridge, best done over two days. Sanctuary fees apply at Varsey. Check current status before you travel.
When do rhododendrons bloom on the Varsey trail?
Usually from late March to early May, starting lower and moving up the ridge as spring advances. April is often the peak around the Barsey ridge. Timing shifts with the weather each year, so ask us or a local guide close to your dates before you set out.
Is the Dentam–Varsey trail suitable for beginners?
Only for fit walkers. The day sections are steep and the full crossing is long, with few people on the trail and no shops. A beginner can enjoy a shorter half-day walk up into the forest with a guide. For an easier rhododendron walk, the 4 km track from Hilley to Barsey is gentler.
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