The Samtengang Winter Trek is a short trek that offers the opportunity to experience the culture and traditional lifestyle of people of Sha (Wangdue Phodrang). The trek goes through idyllic villages and terraced paddy fields. Although the trek is possible throughout winter, the ideal season is from March to April and October to November.
After you touch down at the Paro International Airport, your local tour executive will welcome and escort you to the hotel. Thereafter, you will be taken for a tour to the historic ruins of Drukgyel Dzong followed by the visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the country. After lunch, your guide will take you to Rinpung dzong and the Ta Dzong, the National Museum. We call it a day after dinner.
You will be taken for a hike to Taktshang or Tiger’s Nest, an uphill walk of about three hours. This hike is basically done to accustom trekkers to the mountain altitude of the Himalaya. The Tiger nest, precariously perched on a cliff, will also offer a spectacular view of the Paro valley besides visiting the inner sanctum of one of the most religious sites of the country.
The journey between Paro and Thimphu takes a little more than an hour. It is a smooth drive along the Parochhu and later the Thimphuchhu after crossing Chuzom. Along the road, you will be able to see village settlements, farmlands, temples and chortens. On the way, you will visit Tagcho Lhakhang (temple) on the other side of the river. In Thimphu, you will be taken for a cultural tour to Changangkha Lhakhang, Folk heritage museum, National Memorial Chorten, and Kuenselphodrang or popularly known as Buddha point.
You will leave early to Punakha and experience the sun rise at Dochula with a cup of tea or coffee at the cafeteria. When you reach Lobesa, you will walk a few minutes through a village to Chimmi Lhakhang perched on a hillock. This is the famous temple of fertility. After lunch, you will hike to Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Chorten in the north of Punakha.
Distance: 12km
Time: four hours
Ascent: 880m
Camp altitude: 1,980m
After passing the spectacular Punakha Dzong you cross the footbridge over the Pho Chhu and walk up to Shengana. You will climb uphill gradually before reaching Limukha. The trail is dry so trekkers are advised to carry enough drinking water. You will halt for the night at Limukha.
Distance 14km
Time: Five hours
Descent 430m
Camp altitude: 1,550m
You will continue the trek that will take you through a vegetation of rhododendron and oak trees until you reach the village of Chhungsakha. Ten houses compromise this small village. In the village, there is a holy stone and a cypress tree that was left by the divine madman, Lam Drukpa Kuenley.
Distance: 13km
Time: five hours
Ascent: 650m
Descent: 270m
Camp altitude: 1,830m
The trail descends till Pe Chhu. After crossing this river, you will climb uphill and pass the village of Sha on the way to Samtengang. Along the way, you will be able to see beautiful villages and paddy fields, and a rustic way of life. Samtengang is a beautiful place on top of a hill. There is a small lake near the school. You will camp for the night near the lake.
Distance: 15km
Time: five to six hurs
Descent: 730m
The trail to Chuzomsa is a steep downhill till you reach the road head. The car will pick you and drive you back to Thimphu. On the way back, you will visit Wangduephodrang dzong.
You will be driven to north of Thimphu, the uphill hike to Cheri that takes around two hours. Cheri Monastery was the seat of Zhabdrung from where he started the first monastic body. After you visit to Cheri, you will walk down till the road head and will be driven toward Tango, on the opposite ridge. You will be served lunch by the riverside. The uphill hike to Tango is a gentle one and takes around roughly two hours. Tango is the leading Buddhist University in the country.
Your tour guide will see you off at the airport.