Trip Facts
Trip Highlights: Trekking/cultural tours
Trip duration: 9 Days/ 8Nights
On trek duration: 4 days
Max. Elevation: 1,980m
Highest Camp: 1,500m
Physical grade: easy
Best time: April and September to October
Start: Punakha
Finish: Chhuzomsa
Summary
The best time for Samtengang Winter Trek might be March to April and October to November, but as the name suggests, it is possible throughout the whole winter. This is a short trek passing through some villages of Punakha valley.
What’s Included
Sightseeing seeing as per the itinerary
All meals during the tour
Accommodation in standard tourist class hotels
Transportation
Experience tour executive
Entrance fees to various museums and parks
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 Arrival Paro
Day 2 Tiger nest Hike
Day 3 Paro/Thimphu
Day 4 Thimphu/Punakha
Day 5 Punakha/Limukha
Day 6 Limukha/Chhungsakha
Day 7 Chhungsakha/Samtengang
Day 8 Samtengang /Chhuzomsa/Thimphu
Day 9 Thimphu sightseeing
Day 10: Exit
Detail Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Paro: Arrival Paro by Druk air. Hotel check in and visit to Ta Dzong and Paro Dzong. After the lunch visit Kichu temple and Drugyal Dzong.
Day 2 Tiger nest Hike: Acclamatization hike to Taktshang. Surrounding description and brief history of tiger nest
Day 3 Paro/Thimphu: Drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. On way sightseeing at Tagcho temple and walk over suspension bridge. Stop over at chuzomsa to view the three different stupas. Cultural sightseeing description of Thimphu
Day 4 Thimphu/Punakha: Early depart to Punakha. Perhaps catch up sunrise at Dochula pass with coffee break at cafeteria. hike to Chhimilhakhang. After the lunch visit to fort and hike to Khamsum stupa.
Day 5 Punakha/Limukha: (Distance 12km, four hours, 880m ascent, camp altitude 1,980m). After passing the spectacular Punakha Dzong you cross the footbridge over the Pho Chhu and walk up to Shengana. The bridge to cross is the longest bridge in Bhutan. Climbing gradually through the forest you reach Limukha. Make sure you are carrying enough water as you won’t find any on the way to Limukha.
Day 6 Limukha/Chhungsakha: Distance 14km, five hours, 430m descent, camp altitude 1,550m)The path leads through rhododendron and oak forests to Chhungsakha. Chungsakha is a small village with about 10 houses. A holy stone and an impressive Cyprus tree are reminders of Drukpa Kuenley, the “divine madman”.
Day 7 Chhungsakha/Samtengang: (Distance 13km, five hours, 650m ascent, 270m descent, camp altitude 1,830m. You walk downhill till you cross Pe Chhu. Climbing again you will pass the village of Sha on your way to Samtengang. Near the school in Samtengang you will see a small lake and your campsite is right next to it.
Day 8 Samtengang /Chhuzomsa/Thimphu: (Distance 15km, five to six hours, 730m descent). The trail leads steeply downhill on a treeless slope to the road head at Chhuzomsa. Pick up at the river confluence and drive to Thimphu after visiting Wangdue Dzong.
Day 9 Thimphu Hike: Hike to Tango and Cheri monasteries
Day 10: Exit
