SAMTENGANG WINTER TREK ITINERARY

No Experience Required
No former trekking experience is needed for this trek. To take part in this trek, you should be physically fit, meaning you should be able to walk a full day with a small day pack. Animals will carry the bulk of our loads.

At a glance:
DAY 1 Arrive - Paro by Druk-Air
DAY 2 Paro - Sightseeing
DAY 3 Paro - Thimphu
Day 4 Thimphu - Punakha
Day 5 Trek Day 1 Start of Trek - Punakha Dzong-Limukha
Day 6 Trek Day 2 - Limukha-Chungsakha
Day 7 Trek Day 3 - Chungsakha-Samtengang
Day 8 Trek Day 4 End of Trek - Samtengang-Wangdue
Day 9 Wangdue - Thimphu
Day 10 Thimphu - Paro
Day 11 Farewells and departure.

Day 1 Arrival Paro by Druk Air
On landing at Paro you will be met by our representative. After Customs and Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel.

Day 2 Sightseeing at Paro
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa-Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined Fortress which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasion. This Dzong was built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the spiritual leader of Bhutan. On a clear day one can view Mt. Jumolhari the sacred Mountain. On the way back we visit one of the Typical Bhutanese farm house. After lunch at the hotel, we drive to Ta-Dzong which was once the watch tower for Paro valley, now it houses the National Museum and then walk down hill pass the Paro Dzong and crossing the typical traditional roofed bridge to Paro town.

Day 3 Paro - Thimphu
After breakfast drive to Thimphu the capital. After lunch we visit the National Memorial Chorten, which was built in the memory of the Late king. Here the many worshippers go around the shrine chanting prayers with their prayer beads as they walk.

Day 4 Thimphu - Punakha
After early breakfast, we drive past the Dochula pass at 10,000 ft. to Punakha. Enroute you will see some of the highest peaks in Bhutan including Gangkhar Puensum(7541m), the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. The descent through the temperate forest colored with Rhododendrons and Magnolias takes you to the semi-tropical zone of orange, bananas and cactus and to the valley of Punakha. We visit the town of Punakha and the Dzong.

Day 5 Khuruthang - Limukha
Trek Day 1 : Drive to the trek starting point ie: Punakha Dzong (1250m). Distance 12 km and walking time 4 hours.
It is a gradual climb through chir pine forest and paddy fields, this route is also used to go to the village of Shegana.

Day 6 Limukha - Chungsakha
Trek Day 2 : Distance 14 km and walking time 5 hours.
The trail takes you through Rhododendron and oak forests. Enroute pass via the famous Drukpa Kuenley's temple.

Day 7 Chungsakha - Samtengang
Trek Day 3 : Distance 13 km and walking time 5 hours.
The trail takes you through the villages of Sha, under Wagdue District.

Day 8 Samtengang - Chuzomsa / Wangdue
Trek Day 4 End of Trek : Distance 15 km and walking time 5 hours. The trail is down hill and the trek ends at Chumzomsa. From here it is a 20 minute drive to Wangdue. Afternoon at leisure or explore Wangdue town or Rinchengang village.

Day 9 Wangdue to Thimphu
In the morning we drive to Thimphu. Afternoon you are free to explore Thimphu town. If the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday then a visit to the weekend market and archery ground is a must.

Day 10 Thimphu - Paro
Drive to Paro and sightseeing.

Day 11 Farewells and departure.