Cardamom country along the southwestern border, as far from the tourist trail as Bhutan gets.
Samtse grows things: cardamom, areca, ginger and oranges, in a warm green corner of the kingdom that travellers almost never reach.
It is one of Bhutan’s most culturally varied districts, its villages a weave of communities and languages along the foothill belt. There are no famous dzongs here and no crowds to avoid; there are river valleys, plantations, and the daily life of the Bhutan that feeds the rest.
We include it for travellers who want to see the whole kingdom, not only the famous valleys. Thunphel Hotel is here, if you would like to stay with us.
Samtse's temples hold their own village scale tshechus each winter. Ask us for this year's dates.
Tell us when you would like to come and what matters to you. Our team in Thimphu will shape the route around it.
Plan your private journey