Samtengang Trek

Samtengang Trek: Complete Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Paro and transfer to Thimphu
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all the mountain flights. The first three gifts you will receive from Bhutan will be cool, clean fresh air you feel as you step out of the plane. The second will be warm welcome you will receive from your Delhi Airport Service Team. The third - the enchanting Paro valley. Received by DELHI AIRPORT SERVICE representative and transfer to the local restaurant in town for lunch. After lunch you will visit the Paro Dzong who now houses the offices of the district administration and the district monk body. Then later transfer to Thimphu. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Thimphu
Morning visit textile museum, folk heritage museum, Memorial Choeten a stupa built in in 1974 to honor the memory of the 3rd King, His Late Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who is known in Bhutan's history as the "Father of Modern Bhutan" since the modern developments began during his reign. Then you will visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, which is also a focus of daily worship for many Thimphu residents. Then you will drive to Sangaygang - the view point. It is also known as "Lover's Point" where young couples come to enjoy the bird's eye view of the Thimphu valley. Next you will visit the Dupthob Lhakhang built by Dupthob Thangthong Gyalpo, also known as "Iron Bridge Builder." It is now a nunnery and it has more than 70 practicing nuns. Lunch in restaurant in town. After lunch you will drive north of Thimphu to visit the Tango Monastery which is now a college for learning higher Buddhist Philosophy. It was founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 12th century. It takes about an hour and the trail takes you through the gradual ascends. The monastery now has about 200 practicing monks. You will have time to enjoy the beautiful paintings inside the temple. and Handicrafts Emporium. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Thimphu - Punakha
After breakfast you will drive to Wangdue/Punakha across the Dochula Pass (3100m). The pass is marked by a large massive Choeten, 108 smaller choetens (Druk Wangyal Choetens) and prayer flags. The pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. Stop at the pass to stretch your legs and time for pictures. Resume your journey to Punakha. Lunch at restaurant in Lobeysa. After lunch you will make an excursion to Chimi Lhakhang - a Buddhist temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenlay who is also known as "Divine Madman" in the west. It is an easy hike through the village of Yuwakha and rice fields. Evening visit a private temple built by Lama Serpo, who is 96 years old and still alive. This temple has three big statues of Buddha - founder of Buddhism (Centre), Guru Rinpoche - Second Buddha who introduced to Buddhism to Bhutan in 8th century (Left) and Tara - Buddha of Protection and Prosperity (Right). You will also enjoy detail paintings on the wall. Unlike state-owned temples and monasteries, here you can take pictures inside the temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Punakha-Limukha (9km, 4-5 hours): TREK BEGINS
You cross the suspension bridge over the river by Punakha Dzong and walk up to Shengana village. Your trek begins from there with a gradual climb up through pine forest, oak and some rhododendron. After 2.5 hr uphill there is a nice clearing for lunch with a big prayer flag and a beautiful over the valley. If lucky you may have magnificent views of Mt. Jhomolhari, Kang Bum and Gangchenta. A choeten (stupa) and some prayer flags on the skyline at 2200m marks the end of today's climb. From the choeten you can see towards Wangdi and Limbukha where our campsite (2220m) is located just behind the village on a beautiful green area. Overnigt at camp.

Day 05: Limukha-Chungsakha (10km, 4-5 hours)
Start your day with climb (150m) up to a small ridge (2370m) through a cold dense forest, from which today's climb is visible. Cross this ridge, and descend steeply into a small side valley where a small stream (2235m) is crossed. Surrounded by beautiful birdsong and oak and rhododendron forest, follow an unclear trail covered by slippery leaves. After about 2 hours of climbing reach a small pass, Dochen La (2645m). Nearby is a spot with many prayer flags from where there is a good view towards Dochu La, Mt. Jhomolhari, Kang Bum, Gangchen Ta, and Talo Monastery and Nobgang Lhakhang down in the valley. After the pass a steep steady descent follows along a forest trail. The forest opens up after reaching Dagegon with a beautiful big old farmhouse. Just before reaching Chungsakha walk next to Dargyel Compa, an old monastery of Drukpa Kuenlay, the 'Divine Madman', whose teaching methods often shocked monks and lay people alike. On the hillside above the monastery are several small meditation huts. The Chungsakha village (1850m) has one temple with a simple but atmospheric chapel on the first floor. It houses a Buddha statue and a big prayer wheel. The campsite is in front of the lhakhang. Overnight at camp.

Day 06: Chungsakha-Samtengang (4km, 2.5 - 3hours)
Descend to the road in 45 min and find a suspension bridge crossing the Baechu at 1500m. The road leads to the slate mines of Tsheshinang at the end of the valley. From the bridge start on a clear moderately steep trail through several villages. The trail goes through small deep eroded gorges, which will be very slippery in the rain. In December daphne flower is already starting to flower. The climb ends for the day when you pass Samtengang High School (established 1952) on your right. Walk through a narrow gorge to the other side at 2000m and look down towards a holy lake, Lutshokha (Tsho Shokha), surrounded with an ugly iron fence. Turn right, walk towards, a huge building, the Basic Health Unit (BHU). From this building a trail goes down straight to Chuzomsa. Camp is on the other side of the lake and another 20 min beyond it. It is a beautiful flat campsite (2050m) in the forest below Samtengang village. Overnight at camp.

Day 07: Samtengang-Wangduephodrang (3km, 1.5 - 2 hours) - TREK ENDS
Today's trail descends steeply through endless agricultural fields, heading into the valley of Dangchu. The road will be reached next to the bridge at Tika Zam (1555m), where you are met by your transport and transfer to hotel. Check in and lunch at hotel. After lunch at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Punakha - Paro
Morning you will visit the Punakha Dzong which is built at the confluence of Phochu and Mochu in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. You will have time to admire the fine Bhutanese architecture. The dzongs were built without even a single iron nail on it. Then you hike the Khamsum Yuelay Namgyal Choeten. The hike will take you through the rice fields and the view of the Punakha valley from the Choeten is stunning. Lunch at reataurant in Khuruthang town. After lunch drive to Paro via Dochula Pass (3100m). Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Paro (Excursion to Taktshang)
Day Excursion to Taktshang Monastery literally known as Tiger's Nest. This is one of Bhutan's most sacred places, and an important pilgrimage destination. You will walk along a trail that slowly rises above the valley, taking you through fields and past four large prayer wheels turned by a stream. Continuing across an open meadow, you hike up a section of trail to a ridge where prayer flags rustle in the wind next to a massive prayer wheel. Just beyond is the Taktshang Cafeteria at 9,200 feet, where you stop to enjoy a hot drink and the striking views of the Monastery across the valley. Depending on your energy level, you may relax in the pleasant atmosphere of the cafeteria until lunch or continue on for a mile of steep climbing to another dramatic viewpoint. You return to the cafeteria for a delicious buffet of typical Bhutanese food. You may want to try Emadatsi (A chili cheese dish), vegetables with cheese sauce and other dishes. On route back to the hotel, you will visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Departure
After breakfast you will drive to the Paro International Airport for your onward destination. Your Delhi Airport Service Team will assist you with check in formalities and bid you farewell.

***IMPORTANT NOTE***

Itineraries are subject to change and are meant as a guideline only. This tour is subject to revision due to weather, road or trail conditions, government restrictions, unforeseen incidents and other reasons beyond our control.