Name of Trek |
SAMTENGANG WINTER TREK |
Duration |
10 days – 4 days trek |
Accommodation on trek |
Tents (Camping) |
Trek hours per day |
4 – 8 hours |
Best group size |
2 – 10 Pax |
Trek grade |
Easy Trek |
Trek begin |
Khuruthang |
Trek ends |
Samtengang - Punakha |
Best season |
Feb – May and Sept - Nov |
Bhutan Visa, & Permits |
Bigfoot Adventure Trekkers (Tours) will take care for you. |
Max. altitude |
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Price |
Check out for group size discount. |
| Day 01 ARRIVE PARO | During the journey, the traveler will experience from the left side of the plane a spectacular view of Mt. Everest, and other famous Himalayan Mountains including the sacred Mt. Jhomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport you will be received by your Bhutanese friend from Bigfoot Adventure Trekkers. Lunch at the Hotel. Discuss the Tour Programme with the Tour Guide.
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| Day 02 PARO – A DAY EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG | Drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 km from Paro town) and from there walk up to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest ". The Monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan meditated on this spot where the Monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress.
Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round hike takes about 4 Hr.
After lunch visit Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress), 16 kilometers away from Paro town. Although it has been in ruin but this Dzong has its great historical importance for the people of Bhutan. It was a place where the Bhutanese finally defeated the Tibetan invasion and drove them back. On a clear day one can view the sacred Mt. Jhomolhari (Mountain of Goddess). Its altitude is 7,329m.Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means temple). Which was built in 659 AD by the King Songtsen Gompo of Tibet as one of the 108 such monasteries he built in various places to spread Buddhism. It is located between Paro Town and Drugyal Dzong. It is one of the holiest place in the country, as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country. Visit National Museum which used to be a watch tower for Paro Rimpong Dzong (Fortress). It was converted into Museum in 1968. Visit Paro Rimpong Dzong, the Dzong was built in 1646 AD, and walk down to town one the way you can see the traditional wood bridge of ancient style. Visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse and sightseeing trip to the Paro town.
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| Day 03 PARO THIMPHU | Drive along the winding road along the Paro Chu (Chu means water or river) down stream to the confluence with the Wang Chu then turn upstream and travel along the Wang Chu to Thimphu, the Capital. Lunch will be served at the Hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the Late Third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
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| Day 04 THIMPHU - PUNAKHA | Drive to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3150m). On the way stop for a photo stop at Dochula Pass which is 26km away from Thimphu valley, and for Tea and snacks and to enjoy the most spectacular view of eastern Himalayan snow capped Mountains and also the great view of Gasa Dzong at a distance (If weather is clear).
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| Day 05 KHURUTHANG – LIMUKHA (Trek starts) | Drive till Punakha. The trek begins with the gradual climb through Chir Pine forests. On the way, visit a village called, Dompala.
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| Day 06 LIMUKHA – CHUNGSAKHA | Distance 14 Km. about 5/6 hours walk.
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| Day 07 CHUNGSAKHA – SAMTENGANG | Distance 13 Km about 5 hours.
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| Day 08 SAMTENGANG – WANGDUE /THIMPHU (Trek ends) | The trail now drops down till the motor road. Drive till Wangduephodrang and lunch at the Guest House.
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| Day 09 THIMPHU SIGHT SEEING | A day begins with a visit the Memorial Chorten (a great stupa) built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972,this stupa was built in 1974. Visit the mini Zoo where the national animals were kept and drive to Sangeygang where you can have a spectacular view of Thimphu valley. Visit nunnery in Zulikha the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. Visit the Wood Craft and Painting school where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive through the instructions of painting and curving. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Visit the National Library where ancient Buddhist manuscripts are preserved. Lunch in hotel in Thimphu.
Afternoon visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the senior monks. Visit Simtokha Dzong on the way. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 AD. It houses the largest monastic schools in the country. In the evening drive to Paro.
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| Day 10 PARO PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT for departure | Early morning drive to Paro International Airport and your Bhutanese friends from Bigfoot Adventure Trekkers will accompany you to bid farewell as you embark on your onward journey to back home. |
Reminder:
Season:
February – November
Climate:
Days are normally warm. Nights can at times be (general) very cool and in winter even below the freezing point. Monsoon showers in summer (heaviest in July, August) and sometimes even in spring and autumn.
WHAT TO BRING:
Personal Clothing: Practical and comfortable clothes are appropriate (according to season). Preferably cotton for summer. Woolen clothing for the evenings and winter.
For Trekking:
Warm sleeping bag (down, -0-5 degree Celsius), strong comfortable trekking boots – water resistant for the rainy season (June – August), several pairs of socks and vests, warm clothing (especially a down jacket for higher altitudes) for the evenings, rain coat or umbrella, torch (flashlight), water flask, a hat or head scarf, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, disinfectant tablets for water, insect repellent, antibiotic ointment and antihistamine cream for insect bites (summer), Aspirin – incase of altitude sickness, pillow case, wet packed tissue paper.
NOTE: For trekking a load of 25 kilos is allowed.

Our trip to bhutan through Bhutan BigFoot Trekkers was wonderful. Bhutan is a unique place of culture and traditions that are worth seeing for yourself.
Frank & Rosa Pardue
USA, Travel: May 2008
Bigfoot Adventure Trekkers
Zomlha Complex, Room No. 128, 2nd floor.
Below Druk PNB Bank, Wogzin Lam (Rd)
Post Box: 1155, Thimphu, Kingdom of Bhutan
Tel: +975 2 335958 / 335959
Mobile: +975 17111881. Fax: +975 2 335960
Email: bhutanbigfoot@druknet.bt
Email: bigfoottravels@gmail.com