Bhutan Tours & Activities Samtegang Winter trek Tour details
Samtegang Winter trek
A perfect say to Witness the simple rustic life of Bhutanese villages in harmony with nature. The Samtegang Winter trek offers both. The trek is mild and starts from Punakha. This low altitude trek incorporates walk through chir pine forest, rhododendron bushes and myriad of other diverse flora and fauna. This trek is highly recommendable for beginners.
Day 01: Begin trek from Punakha - Limukha
(Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner)
Approximately 12 km about 4 hours trek. 880m ascent.
Drive from the hotel till Punakha Dzong and walk across the foot bridge over the Pho chu to Shengana village. The trek begins with the gradual climb through Chir Pine forests. Along the way, pass and visit Dompala village. Overnight in camp
Day 02: Limukha – Chungsakha
(Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner)
Approximately 14km about 5 hours trek. 430 m decent.
The trail today takes you through rhododendron and oak forested area. En-route pass a famous Drukpa Kuenlay Lhakhang and descend to Chusakha. Overnight in camp.
Day 03: Chungsakha – Samtengang
(Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner)
Approximately 13 km about 5 hours. 650m ascent, 270m descent.Trek down to Pechhu at 1440m and then climb through the village of Sha to Samtengang. Camp at Samtengang at lake side.
Day 04: Samtengang – Chuzomsa -Wangdi/Thimphu
(Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner)
Approximately 15km about 5-6 hours trek. 730m descend.
The trail now drops down through the treeless slope till the motor road at Chuzomsa, where you will be met by Himalayan Dream Destination transport. Drive to Thimphu, which is about 3 ½ hours drive across Dochula pass en-route visit Wangdue. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
Trekking itineraries can be incorporated with cultural tours to provide our potential clients a taste of tradition combined with a tryst with pristine nature in remote areas and experiences with people of the mountains.
Participant Guidelines
Trekking
Anyone who enjoys outdoor life and is physically fit can participate in treks. If you have a heart condition, please check with your doctor to ensure that it is OK to undertake high altitude treks. Allow yourself some days in Bhutan to acclimatize before you undertake any trek. Altitude sickness can be a serious problem at the altitudes in Bhutan. If you feel sick, dizzy or have a worsening headache, stop and drink as much water as possible. If the symptoms persist, return to the base. Guides are trained to look out for altitude sickness and other ailments that can affect trekkers.
Festivals
Festivals are not pageants or entertainment. They are not held as tourist attractions. They are genuine manifestations of a religious tradition from thousands of years. Obtrusive, disrespectful and discourteous behavior should be refrained from. The dance ground is not a place to eat, drink or smoke, talk or laugh loudly at inappropriate times, flash cameras or intrude on the dance space. Common courtesy should rule one’s actions when photographing the dancers or onlookers.
Dos and Don’ts
- Refrain from passing negative comments on religion, royal family and chief abbot
- Locals are very sensitive, you don’t want to sound rude
- Always ask for permission if you are photographing a person
- Dress modestly. Singlet and miniskirts are not well accepted norms
- Enter temples and monasteries only if you have permission. Allow your guide to lead you
- Remove your shoes before entering the temple
- Leave your camera at a safe place, if photography is prohibited
- Refrain from using hats and sunglasses inside religious places
- Use your right hand or both hands to give or receive
- Leaving a donation at the temple is on personal discretion. Normally all Bhutanese do
- Use your palm to show rather than finger, when pointing
- Refrain from pointing your feet at anyone; cross your legs or kneel when sitting in religious places
- Pass clockwise at all chortens and mani walls (elongated chortens inscribed with mantras)
- Don’t wash, swim or throw objects into lakes, many of which are considered sacred
Other Disclosures
What to Pack?
- Trekking or running shoes
- Socks (polypropylene)
- Down or fiber-filled jacket
- Jumper or piled jacket
- Hiking shorts
- Waterproof jackets, poncho or umbrella
- Hiking pants
- Thermal Underwear
- Sun hat
- Rucksack
- Water bottle
- Torch, batteries and bulbs
- Photographic Equipments
- Mountain trekking boots
- Insulated pants
- Nylon windbreaker
- Nylon Wind pants
- Long underwear
- Woolen hat
- Gloves
- Long gaiters
- Toilet articles
- Cigarette lighter
- Small knife
- Towel
- Bandana
Photographic Equipments
- Digital cameras
- Additional Batteries
- Additional memory cards.
- Cables
Medicine
- Motion Sickness
- Head Ache
- Antiseptic cream
- Anti-histamine cream
- Vitamin C
- Food Positioning
- Insect repellent
- Small First Aid Kit
- Contact lenses and solution
- Your prescribed drug, if any.
- Currency
- US Dollar or Euro – Various domination
Photo
4-6 pieces of passport size photographs
Others
- Mini torch lights
- Back pack
- Sun Block
- Moisturizers
- Sunglasses
- Spare glasses
- Washing kit
- Shaving kit
- Small sewing kit
- Safety pins
- lip salve
Children policy
Children are welcomed; however we do not recommend adventure activities such as treks and other adventure activities for children below ten years of age. Such activities may be undertaken provided the parents are comfortable with it. Additionally please also be reminded that no facilities or very limited facilities may be available for children.
Cancellation Policy
Please note due to logistic reason cancellation policies are stringent in Bhutan unlike other destination, as your tour, guide, transportation, accommodation and government tax may have been already pre-paid and pre-booked. Hopefully you may not need to cancel your Bhutan tour; however should you need to cancel a tour; a written cancellation is required prior to 30 day of arrival date to avoid cancellation fee. Cancellation penalties will apply as follows.
• 30 day prior to arrival – No cancellation fee will apply
• 30-15 day prior to arrival – 50% of the total cost of tour will apply
• 15-0 day prior to arrival – 100% of the total cost of tour will apply
• No-show will entail 100% of the total tour cost
Upon arrival to Paro international airport, a car, driver and guide will await to meet you and have you escorted to the hotel. Your itinerary is flexible and picking time for daily tours will depend on what you have communicated to the guide. Most of the time pick up location will be your hotel unless it a trekking tour. In case of tight itinerary, your guide will have the time recommended to you.
Rate per person per night includes following
Accommodation
All Meals
Transportation with a dedicated driver.
Licensed english speaking guide
All site seeing indicated in the itinerary
All government taxes
Route permits and special permits
Entrance fee in monument and museums.
Mineral Water and soft drinks
On Trek the following will be provided
Tents on trek. (Sleeping,Toilet, dining and shower tents are provided)
Ponies (Animals to carry your luggage)
Hot water will be served on trek
Trekking Cook and kitchen equipments
Value Addition
Use of cell phone with local number
Use of internet complimentary where ever possible
Departure Bhutanese Souvenir
One time private cultural dance performance ( For stays of 15 days)
Administrative Service offered
Purchase of Druk air ticket(Can be purchased from website also)
Bhutan visa processing
Other mandatory charges not included in the Tariff
Druk Air Airfare
