Samtengang Winter Trek - 4 days

On the very first day of our trek, we drive a few kilometers to the suspension bridge which is believed to be the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan where your trek begins. The trail leads you into the valley of Shengana and a gradual climb through the chir pine forest takes you into the valley of Limukha.Enroute, you will visit Dompala village and pass by paddy fields, forest of pines and rhododendron. You will spend overnight at Limukha.

Today your day starts with a steep climb (150m) up to a small ridge (2370m) through a cold dense forest. Cross this ridge and descend steeply into a small side valley where a small stream is crossed. The trail is surrounded by beautiful birdsong and oak and rhododendron forest follow an unclear trail covered by slippery leaches.En route, you will visit an old temple which was used by DrukpaKuenley as his winter residence in 15th century. Chungsakha is a small village of about 10 houses. You will find a holy stone and an impressive Cypress tree here that are reminders of DrukpaKuenley, the “Divine Mad Man”whose teaching methods often shocked monks and lay people.We can observe the life of Bhutanese and we can also visit the farmer’s house.On the hillside above the monastery are several small meditations cells.The village has one Lhakhang with a simple but atmospheric chapel on the first floor. The monastery has a festival every three years with masked dances and singing. The campsite will be in front of Lhakhang.

After breakfast, we continue our trek towards Samtengangand enjoy the fresh wind blowing through the pines. This is a wonderful trail climbing up to Samtengang Village. Samtengang is mentioned again and again in old literature regarding travelling/exploring/plant hunting in Bhutan. It was the old stopping place on the first day out from Wangdue for people travelling east-west (and vice versa). The booklet “The Ballad of PemiTshewangTashi”: A Wind Borne Feather’ by Karma Ura will tell you more about the history of the area. You will walk through a narrow gorge to the other side at 2000meter and look down towards a holy lake, Lutshokha (TshoShokha).Afterwards continue on to the campsite, located on the other side of the lake and other 20min beyond it. It is a beautiful flat campsite (2050m) in the forest below the village of Samtengang.Overnight at Samtengang village.

Today, we will descend to the road and find a suspension bridge crossing the BaeChhu(1500m). The trail from here is clear and moderately steep passing through several villages. The trail goes through small deeply eroded gorges, which will be very slippery in the rain. In December, the Daphne flower will start to flower.The trial now takes you through the village of ShaWangdue District.On this day’s trail we can see the paddy fields, Bhutanese people, farmhouses, village of ShaWangdue, lake and many more.After lunch, drive to Wangdue and visit Wangdue Dzong which was founded by Zhandrung in 1639.It is situated on a hill with a commanding view of the valley. It is believe that protective deity, yeshey Gonpo told Zhabdrug Rimpoche that if he builds a Dzong on the ridge he would be able to bring the whole country under his power. Wangdue means to bring under one’s power, and thendrive towards Thimphu. Overnight at Thimphu.