SAMTENGANG TREK
10 days
9 nights
GRADE Easy
None
SAMTENGANG TREK
Seasons: This is a low altitude trek north of Punakha and is open throughout the winter season.
Day 1: Paro
The flight to Paro will offer a life time experience trip-you can see a spectacular sight of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan such as the Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsrim Gang. As plane enters the breathtaking scene of Paro Valley the first sight to greet you is the tiny Paro Airport. Our guide will meet you outside the exit gate and escort you to the hotel for check – in & Lunch.
After lunch, visit National Museum of Bhutan built in 1651 as watchtower for Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) but in 1968 it was converted to National Museum. The museum boasts of quite a collection of ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons, coins, stamps and a small natural history collection. Visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 1646 to defend Paro Valley from the Tibetan invaders. It now is the head quarters of Paro District and Paro’s monastic community. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 2: Paro sightseeing.
Full day of sight seeing in Paro. Drive up to Ramthangkha (10 km from Paro Town) and hike or take a horse ride to the Taktsang Monastery viewpoint. Taktsang meaning “Tiger’s Nest” is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated and clings to a cliff at 3000 feet above the valley floor.
After lunch, visit the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders. It caught fire in 1951 and now preserved as historical site being renovated currently. If time permits, visit one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, Kyichu Lhakhang, built by first Kind of Tibet Songsten Gembo in the 7th century to spread Buddhism in Bhutan. Night halt in Paro.
Day 3: Paro - Thimphu. Distance: 65 KM. Driving: 2 Hours.
Drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take around less than 2 hours. On the way back, pause briefly to admire the oldest fortress in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong (built in 1627). This dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is the oldest in the country. Check in at the hotel. After lunch, visit the National Memorial stupa of the Third King, built in 1974 by the Royal Grandmother. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu, visit Tashichhodzong, (“the fortress of the glorious religion”), houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. In the evening, visit Handicrafts Emporium and see the Bhutanese handicrafts products and if wanted take a stroll around the town. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 4: Thimphu - Punakha. 60 Km. Driving: 3 Hours.
Drive to Punakha (60km) the former capital of Bhutan, after early breakfast. En route cross Dochula pass (3088M), on a clear day one can view the spectacular scene of the eastern Himalayan ranges. Once in Punakha one can see the majestic Punakha Dzong rise between two rivers known as ‘Phochu and Mochu’ meaning Male and Female river. The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and today function as District Administration and also as winter residence of the State Monastic Body and its Chief Abbot. The dzong was damaged over the centuries by fire, earthquake and floods, the dzong has been recently restored to it former stage. Drive to Nyzergang to visit the Khamsum Yuelly Namgyal Temple. Halt at hotel in Punakha.
Day 5: Punakha - Limukha. Distance 12 km, about 4 -5 hours.
Drive to Punakha Dzong and cross the suspension bridge over the river at Punakha Dzong and walk to Shengana. This is where trek starts with the gradual climb through Chirpine forests to Limukha, en route pass by Dompala viallge. A stop to visit the village of Dompo-la can be arranged if the groups are interested. Camp overnight near Limukha village (1800m).
Day 6: Limukha - Chungsakha. 14 km, about 5 -6 hours.
The trail leads you downhill through rhododendron and oak forest. En route visit famous temple used as winter residence by Lama Drupa Kuenley in the 15th century. Camp near Chungsakha village for night halt.
Day 7: Chungsakha - Samtengang. 13 km, about 4- 5 hours.
The trail will takes you across the Pe Chu (river), then uphill to Sha village in the Sha region of Wangdue district. Continue upwards and camp by the lakeside of Samtengang.
Day 8: Samtengang– Wangduephodrang-Thimphu. 10Km. about 1-2 hours.
The trail follows downhill to the main road near Chuzomsa, where your transport awaits you to transfer you to Wangdue. Drive to Wangduephodrang. After lunch, visit Wangdue Dzong and if time permits take a hike to the Divine Mad Man Monastery (Chimi Lhakhang). Drive back to Thimphu. Overnight hotel.
Day 9: Thimphu – Paro.
Full day sightseeing in Thimphu: After breakfast, visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved, visit Zorig Chusum (painting school), visit the nunnery and make a visit to Sanjegang where you can see Thimphu Valley, visit the Takin (National animal of Bhutan). Drive to the Simtokha Dzong (6kms from Thimphu), the oldest Dzong in Bhutan, built in 1629 A.D. The simtokha Dzong houses the largest monastic school in the country. In the evening take a stroll to Thimphu Town or visit some handicraft shop. Late evening drive to Paro.
Day 10: Departure.
Depart early to air port where our guide will bid you farewell.
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