This is a low altitude trek southeast of Punakha. The low elevation makes it possible to walk this trek throughout the off-season in winter, but it’s miserable during summer, when other treks are in commission. This route sees few trekkers.
DAY1: PUNAKHA TO LIMUKHA
12KM/4 HOURS/880M ASCENT
Go past the Paro dzong, and proceed to cross the Pho Chhu on the footbridge,continuing upto shengana. This is the longest bridge in Bhutan. After shengana, the trek begins to climb gradually through aforest of chir pine; of the weather is good, you might be able to catch glimpses of Jhomolhari and Kang Bum in the distance. Finally, the trail reaches the quaint village of Limukha at 1980m. a lovely campsite is located at the far end of the village, under an oak forest.
DAY2: LIMUKHA TO CHHUNGSAKHA
14KM/ 5 HOURS/ 430M DESCENT
Start the day by climbing through a stretch of rhododendron and oak forests. The vegetation is dense, and the branches hang low, thus ruling out the possibility of riding on horses. The trail finally rises to a pass and then winds down to Chhungsakha(1550m), a tiny hamlet with about a dozen houses. A holy stone and a cypress tree in the villagesupposedly date back to the days of Drukpa Kuenley, the divine madman.
DAY3: CHHUNGSAKHA TO SAMTENGANG
13KM/5 HOURS/ 650M ASCENT, 270M DESCENT
Trek down from Chhungsakha to the Pe Chhu, crossing it at 1420m. Hereafter, it’s a brisk ascent through Daphne bushes, past the settlement of Sha to Samtengang village at 1830m; the camp site is located next to a small lake near the village school. Above two hours above the village is the lhakhang you can visit in the afternoon.
DAY4: SAMTENGANG TO CHHUZOMSA
15KM/ 5-6HOURS/730M DESCENT
The trail leads steeply downhill along a treeless slope carpeted with agricultural areas. From here, it’s basically an amble along farm tracks until you reach the road at Chhuzomsa.