Samtegang Trek | Detailed itinerary
Day 01 | Arrival in Paro – Thimphu (1 Hr)
Flight to Paro has spectacular views of the Everest, Kanchen Junga and other Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Jichu Drakey in Bhutan are awesome. On arrival in Paro our guide will receive you and transfer to Thimphu by car/bus. One can wander on your own to stroll Thimphu streets or relax in your hotel.
Overnight in Thimpu | Altitude: 2300m
Day 02 | Thimphu sightseeing
Morning visit the weekend market (Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday), Handmade paper Mill, School of Arts and crafts where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan, Lunch in town. Drive pass by Memorial Chorten (temple) built in memory of the late 3rd King. Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley, Enclosure where national animal, Takin are kept and Zilukha Nunnery.
Overnight in Thimpu
Day 03 | Thimphu – Punakha (3 Hrs)
Drive through Dochula pass, the second highest road pass in your trip at 3010m. When the weather permits one can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Bhutan at a sight that stretches almost 180 degrees. After a short tea break continue to sub tropical Punakha. Afternoon visit the Souvenir Making Center and the Punakha Dzong (fortress) which houses the most elaborated temple in the country.
Overnight: Punakha | Altitude: 1350m
Day 04 | Punakha/Khuruthang - Limukha
Distance: 9 kms
Walking time: 4hrs
Sleeping altitude: 2220m
Drive till Punakha Dzong. The trek starts upstream from the Dzong, over the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (180m) across the Pho Chhu. Climb gently on the left sude of the Pho Chhu through terraced feilds if mustard and winter wheat. The Punajha valley is low enough to enable two harvest, so there is plenty of activities in the fields in the winter months. The valley also produces fruits like banana and oranges. A stop to visit the village of Dompala can be organised depending on group's choice.
Overnight: Camping
Day 05 | Limukha - Chungsakha
Distance: 10kms
Walking time: 4hrs
Sleeping altitude: 1850m
Today your day start with leaving camp climb steeply (150m) up to a small ridge (2370m) through a cold dense forest from which doay’s climb is visible. Cross this ridge and decend steeply into a small side valley where a small stream is crossed. The trail is surrounded by beautiful bridsong and oak and rhododendron forest follow an unclear trail covered by slippery leaces.
Overnight: Camping
Day 06 | Chungsakha - Samtengang
Distance: 4kms
Walking time: 3hrs
Sleeping altitude: 2050m
The trail now takes you through the village of Sha Wangdi.Sun reaches camp late. Decend to the road in 45min and find a suspension bridge crossing the Bae Chhu at 1500m. The road leads to the slate mines of Tsheshinang at the end of the valley.The trail goes through small deeply eroded gorges which will be very slippery in the rain.December the daphne flower is already starting to flower. Camp at Samtengang at the lake side.
Overnight: Camping
Day 07 | Samtengang – Tika Zam-Bridge (1 Hr) – Phobjikha (2 Hrs)
Distnace: 3kms
Time: 1hrs
The trail starting near camp decends steeply through endless agricultural fields heading into the valley of the Dang Chhu. The road will be reached next to the bridge at Tika Zam (1555m) Drive till Wangdiphodrang and lunch at Tourist lodge. Then continue to drive to Thimphu. Overnight in Hotel.
Overnight: Paro | Altitude:2200m
Day 08 | Phobjikha – Paro (5 ½ Hrs)
Check out from the hotel, take an easy valley hike to the Gompa which take about 2 hrs and called Phobjikha Natural Trail, further drive back to Paro. If time permits, in Paro visit the National Museum, the first of its kind which has a collection from natural history to religious paintings. Visit 17 century Paro Dzong (Fortress) on foot and continue walking through the oldest wooden bridge still in use. Evening stroll old Paro town and peep into some local handicrafts stores. One can also venture to try local restaurant for dinner.
Overnight: Paro | Altitude: 2200m
Day 09 | Paro Sightseeing
Morning hike to Tiger’s Nest, the most revered temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro Valley. Taktsang or the tiger’s nest temple is the most revered temple to the Buddhist. This magical temple clings to a vertical granite cliff 800m above the valley. Legend has it that in the 8th century, Guru Rimpochey, a tantric master flew here on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave around which the temple is built. Afternoon on your way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, one from the 2 oldest Buddhist temples in the country, historic Drukgyal Dzong (Fortress) and Evening at leisure.
Overnight: Paro
Day 10 Departure
Transfer to airport for your departure flight. Our tour staff will bid you farewell at the airport
