Mysterious Bhutan Tours & Adventures

Samtengang trek is ideal for beginners and it takes 4 days and 3 nights to cover about 36 kilometers. The elevation does not go higher than 6,500 ft. It begins at Wangdue and ends in the valley of Punakha.

Best months: throughout the winter

Day 01: Arrive Paro

On arrival at Paro Airport, you will be met by your Mysterious Bhutan representative, and transferred to the hotel in Paro. Afternoon free for sightseeing or leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 02: Paro

Full day sightseeing in the Paro valley. After breakfast, we drive up to Drugyal Dzong, built in 1646. Although largely destroyed by fire in 1951, the towering outer walls and ruins within are still an imposing sight. On a clear day, there is a fine view on Mt. Jomolhari from the approach road to Drugyal Dzong. On the way back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7^th century and one of the two oldest and most sacred shrines in the country.

After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower to protect Rinpung Dzong, and in 1968 inaugurated as the National Museum. Also visit Rinpung Dzong (‘fortress of the heap of jewels’), the center of district administration and home of the local monk body. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 03: Paro – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to Thimphu, the present day capital of Bhutan. Shortly before reaching Thimphu, you will have a good view of Simtokha Dzong standing sentinel on a hillock above the road. Built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1627, this Dzong  is the oldest in the country.

In the afternoon we will visit Tashichhodzong, the impressive fortress/monastery first built in 1641 by  Zhabdrung and reconstructed in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king. Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. We will also visit the National Memorial Chorten. Completed in 1974 after the untimely death of Bhutan’s third king, it is both a memorial to the Late King and monument to world peace.

In the evening, we visit the Handicrafts Emporium, which displays a wide range of handmade products, including the splendid thangkha paintings and exquisitely woven textiles for which Bhutan is famous. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 04: Thimphu – Punakha

After breakfastwe drive to Bhutan’s former capital Punakha, stopping briefly en route at Dochu-la pass (3,088m) to enjoy a panoramic view (weather permitting) of snowcapped, eastern Himalayan peaks. Punakha Dzong, dramatically situated at the confluence of two rivers, is a superb example of Bhutanese architecture. Built in 1637 and damaged over the centuries by fire, earthquake and floods, the Dzong has in recent years been superbly restored. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.