Highlights
About this tour
The Samtengang Trek from Punakha to Wangdi is a short three-night, four-day low-altitude trek that can be done during the winter months. Enjoy beautiful warm weather at altitudes around 1,200 metres. Each day’s walk is only 4 – 5 km so there is time for taking plenty of pictures in the villages and enjoying a leisurely picnic and camp experience amidst the beauty of nature.
The follows old walking trails that connected villages and crosses mountains and valleys. The route has been superseded in places by rough farm roads giving villagers access by car but the hike is still a pleasant one with few vehicles to disturb the peace. You will hike through several villages with large farm houses and your campsites are on the outskirts of the villages. The scenery is varied as you pass through rice-terraces and farms as well as forested areas. En route visit the temple of the famous Drukpa Kuenley and receive a blessing.
Spend your evenings relaxing over multi-course suppers cooked by our experienced trekking chefs. We supply everything to make your trek a comfortable experience: 2-person sleeping tents, mattresses, dining tent, toilet tents and tables and chairs, as well as an experienced team of helpers from guide to cooks and assistants. You carry nothing but your day-pack. We load your rucksack onto a vehicle and our team goes ahead by car to ensure that your camp and refreshments are awaiting you on arrival after an enjoyable day’s trekking.
At the end of the trek we will take you on a tour of the sights of Thimphu, the capital, and Paro & Punakha. Visit impressive monasteries and temples where Tibetan Buddhism flourishes and red-robed boy-monks chant their prayers. The huge Dzongs are the uniquely Bhutanese feature of every town. Enjoy watching traditional craftsmen and women at work on wooden items, statues and complicated textile weavings. Relax, unwind, chat with the locals, take photos and browse in the shops.
Day 1 Arrive Paro Arrive Paro. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing in Paro valley. Visit the impressive Rinpung Dzong and then descend on foot to the bridge and walk into town. O/N Paro Day 2 Drive to Punakha (3½hrs). On the way stop at Dochula pass. Then descend to 1,200m and visit Chimi Lhakhang. Continue towards Punakha Dzong, which was the old capital of Bhutan. O/N Punakha Day 3 Trek starts from Punakha-Limukha. (distance 6 km). The trek begins with a gradual climb through chir-pine forest and follows a quiet farm road. Pass thorough thinly forested areas and several villages, climbing gradually until you come to Dompala village and, finally, Limukha, with its vast rice-terraces and large farm houses. O/N Camp Limukha Day 4 Trek Limukha –Chungsakha. (5-6 km). Today the trail leads through a forest of rhododendron, oak, bamboo and many other species. After reaching the pass, the trail continues through the forest and you may see signs of wild boar and deer. Coming out of the forest, you will emerge high above the village of Chugsakha and descend towards the camp which is on the village green. You may get a chance to visit the temple and some of the large houses and learn the story of the visit of the Divine Madman to this village. O/N Camp Chungsakha Day 5 Trek Chungsakha-Samtengang. The trail starts with a descent before passing through the village of Sha, in Wangdi district. You will come to the Samtengang lake where you will camp for the night. O/N Camp Samtengang Day 6 Samtengang-Wangdi/Thimphu. The trail is downward till it reaches the main road. At the end of your trek stop for a picnic lunch before driving to Thimphu (3 hrs). O/N Thimphu Day 7 Sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit the Chang-gangkha temple, takin reserve, Buddha Point and the impressive Thimphu Dzong (Trashichodzong). Evening dining at a Restaurant in town. O/N Thimphu Day 8 Sightseeing in and around Thimphu. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, Institute for the 13 Traditional Arts (Zorig Chusum), Institute of Traditional Medicine and the Textile Museum. Finally, circumambulate the Memorial Chorten with the locals. Drive to Paro O/N Paro Day 9 Early morning hike to Taktsang Temple. (3,000m). This is a highlight of the tour. In the afternoon, drive along country roads towards the ruined fortress Drugyel Dzong and visit Kichu Lakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. O/N Paro Day 10 Check-in at Paro Airport for flight departure from Paro.
The Cost Includes English-speaking local guide.
Airport Transfers.
Private vehicle & driver for duration of tour.
Accommodation and all meals included:
One mineral water bottle per person per day.
All government royalties and taxes.
Important: Download our packing list for suggestions on what to pack.
The Cost Does Not Includes Visa Fee: payable at the time of booking your tour ($ 40).
Flights: your flight costs are itemized separately.
Upgrades to a higher category hotel accommodation on request.
Drinks and other expenses of a personal nature (laundry, telephone etc.)
Tips for guide and driver at client's discretion.
Travel & Health Insurance: we strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical expenses, baggage loss, and trip cancellation.
All extra expenses incurred due to forces of nature or unforeseen events.9N/10D Tour Prices
High Season: March, April, May, September, October, and November
1 person 2 person 3 person & above
High Season USD $2,938 USD $2,488 USD $2,218
Low Season USD $2,578 USD $2,128 USD $1,858
Visa Fee USD $40
Flight Please see separate tab for flight options and prices.
Low Season: January, February, June, July, August, and December
Return flight prices to Paro
Sector Economy Business
Delhi USD $606 USD $765
Bangkok USD $646 USD $780
Kathmandu USD $379 USD $469
Kolkata USD $406 USD $489
Singapore USD $818 USD $1,478
Bagdogra USD $208 USD $352
Gaya USD $390 USD $694