Samtengang Winter Trek

Day 01: Bangkok/Kathmandu – Paro – Thimphu Sightseeing (1 hr drive, 55 kms)
Your flight to Paro will be a breathtaking experience as you will see many Himalayan peaks of Bhutan including the highest Mt. Everest in Nepal. Upon arrival you will be received by your tour guide. After checking-in at your hotel, take a short rest and have lunch. And then visit the Buddha Point, to see the world’s largest Sykhamuni Buddha Statue. Also on the way visit the Memorial Stupa quite nearby the Thimphu city. And then take rest in the evening to acclimatize with Bhutan’s altitude. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu – Dochula Festival – Punakha (70 km, 2 hrs drive)
After your breakfast drive 30 minutes toward Dochula Pass (3100 meters) to witness the Druk Wangyel festival with the local folks along with views of the greater Himalayas. And then afternoon drive to Punakha takes little over an hour. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 03: Punakha sightseeing
After your break fast drive to see Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). After that you will be hiking to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel stupa (Chorten) for about 2 hours hike to and fro. This stupa has a unique design in the world and the construction was completed in the year 2000. From the stupa you could also have a stunning view of the Punakha valley with its beautiful rice terraces. Have lunch in the town or picnic lunch by the river side. In the afternoon you will visit the home of the local farming family to learn of their daily life, see their traditions and enjoy conversation, local wine (Ara), local snacks and tea. This village will be the ideal place for enjoying and witnessing our Bhutanese way of life as you will not find other visitors doing the same thing as you. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 04: Punakha – Limukha (trek)
From the dzong walk across the longest suspension bridge and then begin with the gradual climb through Chirpine forests. Distance 12 km, about 4 -5 hours to Limukha camp site. You will have pack lunch on the way. A trek passes through the village of Dompo-la where you will have a short stop. Overnight stay in the Camp at an altitude: 7280/2220m.

Day 05: Limukha – Chungsakha (trek)
Distance -14 km, about 5 -6 hours walk to Chungsakha. Altitude: 6070ft/1850m. The trail today takes you through rhododendron and oak forested areas with lunch stop on the way. En route pass the famous Drukpa Kunley Lhakhang. Overnight stay at the Camp.

Day 06: Chungsakha – Samtengang – Wangdi
Distance – Approx. 20 km, about 6 ½ hours walk via Samtengang to Wangdi. Altitude1350m. The trail now takes you through the village of Sha Samtengang lakeside. From Samtengang the trail now drops down to the main road until you reach the hotel in Wangdi. You will spend your night at the hotel in Wangdi.

Day 07: Wangdue – Paro
You will have little early drive for about 4 hours to Paro for your lunch. After your quick lunch you will hike to Tiger’s Nest cafe view point only. You will be served tea and coffee at the cafeteria and walk back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Paro.

Day 08: Paro – Tiger’s Nest hike
The hike will take about 5 hours for a round trip with lunch stop. It’s an up hill hike. Taktsang monastery is perched on the face of a cliff 800 Mts, above the Paro valley. It is a memorable spiritual journey. It was here that the great Tantric master, Guru Padmasambhava flew in from Tibet on the back of a flying tigress to propagate his teachings in Bhutan. Lunch at the cafeteria or you will be served catering lunch from a restaurant. Walk back down hill to your hotel. Take rest or drive to the town for your last minute shopping.

Day 09: Paro – Bangkok departure
Our guide and driver will take you to the airport and bid you good bye for your departure to Bangkok.

Tashi Delek and have a pleasant flight back home