Trekking

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Difficulty Rating: Easy

Maximum Elevation: 2,645 m

Preferred Season: April-June, September-November

Day 1: Punakha - Limbukha

Distance: 9 kms

Time: 4 hours

Camp Altitude: 2,220 m

The trek starts upstream from the Punakha Dzong, over the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (180m) across the Pho Chhu. Climb gently on the left side of the Po Chhu through terraced field of mustard and winter wheat. The Punakha valley is low enough to enable two harvests, so there is plenty of activity in the field in the winter months. The valley also produces fruits such as bananas and oranges.

After about a 2.5 hour hike uphill through pine forest, fern, oak and some rhododendron, there is a nice clearing for lunch with a big prayer flag and a beautiful view over the valley. In the far distance the huge chorten, Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal, can be seen. Looking to the west the road to Dochu La can be partly traced, and if lucky some snowy peaks may be visible: Jumolhari, Kang Bum and Tiger mountain. 
A chorten and some prayer flags on the skyline at 2200 m indicate the end of today’s climb. From the chorten you can see towards Wangdi and Limbukha where our campsite (2220 m) is located just behind the village on a beautiful green area (1.5hr).

Limbukha has several large old houses. Some people say that this place, at the upper end of a watershed, used to be a lake. The inhabitants perform a special annual ceremony in connection with the lake, when they begin to irrigate the fields. In former times a king lived here.

Day 2: Limbukha - Chungsakha

Distance: 10 km

Time: 3-4 hours

Highest Altitude: 1,850 m

Leaving camp climbs steeply (150m) up to a small ridge (2,370 m) through a cold dense forest, from which today’s climb is visible. Cross this ridge, and descend steeply into a small side valley where a small stream (2235m) is crossed. Surrounded by beautiful birdsong and oak and rhododendrons forest, follow an unclear trail covered by slippery leaves.

After about 2 hours of climbing reach a small pass, Dochen La (2645m) littered with prayer flags and possibly a good view towards Dochu La, Jumolhari, Kang Bum, Tiger Mountain, as well as Talo Lhakhang and Nobgang Lhakhang down in the valley. After the pass a steep steady descent follows along a forest trail. The forest opens up after reaching Dagegon with a beautiful big old farmhouse. In the distance a ridge with Samtengang village and Chhuni Gompa can be seen. Walk alongside Dargyel Gompa, an old monastery of Drukpa Kinley, the` Divine Mad Madman’, whose teaching methods often shocked monks and lay people. On the hillside above the monastery are several small meditations cells.

At 1,850 m Chungsakha is reached. The village has one lhakhang with a simple but atmospheric chapel on the first floor. The monastery has a festival with mask dances every three years. The campsite is in front of the Lhakhang.

Day 3: Chhungsakha - Samtengang

Distance: 13 km

Time: 4-5 hours

Camp Altitude: 2050 m

A gradual descent of around 45 minutes leads to the road shortly after which a suspension bridge leads on across the Bae Chhu. 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 is already starting to flower.

The climb is finished for the day when you pass Samtengang High School (established 1952). Walk through a narrow gorge to the other side at 2000m and look down towards a holy lake, Lutshokha (Tsho Shokha). 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.

After lunch there will be plenty of time either to visit Samtengang or stay in camp and enjoy the fresh wind blowing through the pines. There is a wonderful trail climbing up to Samtengang Village. The local Lhakhang is Gonjo Lhakhang.

Samtengang is mentioned time and again in old literature regarding traveling, exploring and plant hunting in Bhutan. It was the old stopping place on the first day out from Wangdi for people travelling east-west (and vice versa).

Day 4: Samtengang- Tika Zam/Chhuzomsa

Distance: 15 kms

Time: 5-6 hours

Starting near camp, the trail today is steep and challenging. It passes through endless agricultural fields, heading into the valley of the Dang Chhu. The road will be reached next to the bridge at Tika Zam (5100ft/1555m). Overnight at a hotel in Wangdue.