SamtenGang Trek

Upon arrival at Paro Airport our team from Tour Bhutan will receive you and assist you for sightseeing. Paro situated in the north western part of the country, paro is beautiful valley rich in culture, scenic beauty and abounds in myths and legends. The district is home to many of Bhutans oldest temples and monasteries and Countrys only airport.

Visit Paro Dungtse Lhakhang just minutes drive from Paro city. It is 15th century temple built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. In the evening visit Paro Dzong also known as Fortress on a heap of Jewels built in 1646 AD. Evening at Hotel.

After Tea, drive to the Drukgyal Dzong, built-in 1647 by the Great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate but restored recently. On a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m).

On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built-in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighboring countries. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Thimphu has been capital since 1955. It is a seat of government, religion and commerce. Thimphu is home to Royal family and civil servants. With altitude ranging from 1200M to 7160M the distrcict is one of the most populous in the Country. In thimphu you can visit largest standing Bhudha statue over looking thimphu valley.

Distance: 72Km
Walking Time Taken: 3 Hours

Altitude: 1220M

Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. It continues to be the winter residence of the central monastic body. It has an area of 1107 sq.Km ranging from 1200M to 5050m. Blessed with 2 rivers and a temperate climate Punakha is another fertile valley in Bhutan.

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, stop for a while to view Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in the 15 century. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.

After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha.

It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche.

From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Overnight in Hotel.

Note: Newly built Luxury Pema Ko Hotel in Punakha offers the best experience and we have a great deal for the property

Distance: 12 Km
Walking Time: 4 Hours

Ascent: 880m
Camping Altitude: 1980M

After passing majestic Punakha Dzong you cross a footbridge over the Pho Chhu and walk up to Shengana. This is the longest bridge in Bhutan. You then climb gradually through the forest until you reach Limukha. Make sure you are carrying enough water as you won’t find any on the way to Limukha.

Distance: 14Km
Time: 5 Hours

Ascent: 430M
Camping Altitude: 1550M

The second day of the Trek. The path leads through rhododendron and oak forests to Chhungsakha. Chungsakha is a small village of about 10 houses. You’ll find a holy stone and an impressive Cyprus tree here that are reminders of Drukpa Kuenley, the “divine madman”.

Distance: 13Km
Time: 5 Hours

Ascent: 650 m, Ascent 270m
Camping Altitude: 1830M

Last day of the trek. You walk downhill until you cross Pe Chhu before climbing again through 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.

The Trek takes about 2 hours from smatengang to road point. Our team will be waiting at the road point and drive you to Thimphu. If time permit visit Trashi Chhodzong and simply Bhutan museam. The museam depicts the daily life of Bhutanese locals . Over night at Hotel.

After breakfast, a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, the trail climbs through a beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach,

Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort.

Your Winter trek of Bhutan ends here today. Our team will assist you to the airport and see you off.