Gangtey Valley Trek

Trip Facts:

Trip Name: Gangtey Valley Trek
Trip Id: TIB1415
Trip Duration: 10 Days
Max. Altitude: 3,120m/10,240 ft (The Tiger Nest Monastery)
Best Season: March to May and September to November
Meal: Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodation: Government approved 3 stars and Above
Transportation: Private car, van or bus (Depends on group size)
Trip Type: Private Tour

Trip Overview:

Gangtey Valley Trek is one of the low-altitude treks in Bhutan and also the easiest. The trek goes to the wide green lush and glacial valley of Phobjikha at an altitude of 3000 meters. The valley is also winter home of the black necked cranes migrating from Tibetan plateau. Ultimately the trek starts from Phobjikha Valley and ends at Tiki Zampa en-route passing over villages of Gogona and Khotoka. The trekking trail comes across mixed forests of juniper, magnolia and rhododendron and remote hamlets and farmlands. After crossing over the pass is the great Gangtey monastery established in the 17th century. The village of Phobjikha lies in a few kilometers down from the monastery on the valley floor. Besides the program goes to the colorful Paro, the tiny capital – Thimphu and the old capital- Punakha. Visits to many historical and religious sites like Punakha Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, Chimi Lhakhang are also on the list plus the most interesting hike to the Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ perched in a vertical cliff.

Trip Highlights:

• Witness spectacular bird’s eye view of the Himalayas while flying in/out from Paro. 
• Explore the tiny town of Paro exploding with colors and tradition. 
• Discover the tiny capital Thimphu. 
• Trekking into the beautiful Phobjikha Valley 
• Visit Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’- one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful monastery in Bhutan. 
• Hike to Chime Lhakhang- the divine madman’s temple. 
• Explore alluring Gangtey Valley. 
• Experience Bhutanese culture, tradition and lifestyles. 

Day to Day Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival Paro (2,250m)
Arrive Paro by the Bhutanese National Carrier flying over the world’s highest mountains and finally landing at the lush green Paro valley. A cool and clean fresh air greets the visitor as stepping down from the plane, the first gift of Bhutan. After clearing customs and visa formalities, meet the representatives and the Bhutanese guide, and a short tour brief by the guide then transfer to Paro town for lunch. After lunch visit Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan; the Dzong continues its age-old function as the seat of the district administration, district court and the monastic body. The southern approach to the Dzong has a traditional roofed cantilever bridge called Nemi Zam. Overnight at Hotel.(Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 02: Paro – Thimphu (2.350m)
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu (1 hour) following Pa Chhu downstream. In Thimphu, drive on to the Buddha Terrance for a stunning view of the valley and take a drive to visit Takin Preserve to see Takin, Bhutan’s national animal – a strange looking beast which some say resembles a beestung moose! Take a view of the majestic Tashichoe Dzong, the seat of the government before circumventing the Memorial Chorten – a monument erected in memory of Bhutan’s third king H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Visit Centenary Farmers Market, the new authentic craft bazaar, National Institute of Traditional Medicine that still dispenses traditional herbal medicines to the locals, the Folk Heritage Museum – a 300 year old traditional house converted into a museum. Overnight at Hotel (Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 03: Thimphu – Gangtey Gompa (2,900m) 
Today’s drive will be 6-7 hours. The first half of the drive is about 3 hour’s leisurely drive over the Dochula pass (3,150m) to Wangdue. En-route spot some of the highest peaks in Bhutan including Gangkhar Puensum (7541m), the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. The descend through the temperate forest colored with Rhododendrons and Magnolias will enter the semi-tropical zone of orange, bananas and cactus and to the valley of Wangdue. Visit the town of Wangdue, after lunch drive towards Gangtey Gompa for another 3 hours. Accommodation will be in a farm house at Tabiting (2830m) converted into a small guest house or camp if rooms are not available. Overnight at Lodge/Camp.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 04: Trek to Gogona (3,100m)
Start the trek from Tabiting at 2830m towards Gogona. Today is a moderate trek passing through meadows and fields then ascends the Tselela pass at 3440m through mixed forest of Juniper, bamboos, Rhododendrons and Magnolias. After crossing Tselela, the trail crosses several meadows, and descends through forest to Gangak (3020m) – a beautiful hilltop overlooking a long valley. Gogona us reached upon a short climb. Gogona is a small village with an outstanding monastery under the care of Gangtey Gompa. En-route come across people who speak different dialect called Bjop-kha (language spoken by nomads in Bhutan). Because of their isolation they continue using their own dialect and a life of their own. Overnight in Camp. Walking Duration: 6-7 hrs.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 05: Trek to Khotokha (2,790m)
The trial gently goes up from Gogona village and climbs into a forest of fir, oak, spruce, dwarf rhododendron, miniature azaleas, cypress and juniper. Then a long but gradual climb leads to Shobju La pass (3410m). The trail down from the pass is rocky and muddy, weaving through the forest and criss- crossing a small stream. Eventually, at about 3000m, the trail meets a rough trail used by tractors to collect wood from the forest. Follow the road, with a few short cuts through the woods, to sawmill and woodcutters camp at Dolonaga (2830m). Still heading down, the trail overlooks the broad Khothangkha valley and eventually reaches a clearing, Chorten Karpo, where four Chortens are located dedicated to the four Je Khenpos who came from this area. Set camp in this clearing at 2,790 m beside a forest of a large blue pines overlooking the valley and the village of Khothangkha. Overnight camp. Walking Duration: 6-7 hrs.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 06: Trek to Tikke Zampa & drive to Punakha (1,310m)
A short climb will reach the Tashila pass at 2800m. Then the trail does down through a beautiful forest changing from rhododendrons to magnolia to ferns and dwarf bamboos. This stretch of trail is one of the finest bird-watching areas in Bhutan where species like laughing thrush, shrike, magpie and woodpecker can be spotted. The trail then plunges down past steep terraced wheat fields to a cluster of houses at Whachay. The trail eventually meets the road near Tikke Zampa at 1500m. Drive from Tikke Zampa to Punakha which is around 30 minutes drive. Overnight at Hotel. Walking Duration: 5 hrs.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 07: Punakha – Thimphu (2,350m) 
In the morning, visit Punakha Dzong located at the confluence of the Pho-chu (male-river) and Mo-chu (female-river), the Punakha Dzong is arguably the most impressive dzong in the country. Take a short hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimmi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favorite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as “the Divine Madman”. The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Afterwards, drive to Thimphu which is about 3 hours drive. Overnight at Hotel.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 08: Thimphu – Day excursion to Haa Valley (2740m) – Paro
After breakfast, drive over the Chelela pass (3899 m). From the pass, good view of the Himalayan Ranges and the valley beyond can be spotted. Then continue the drive towards Haa. Haa is made up of five counties and was closed to outside world until 2002. There is a military camp by the Indian Army. In Haa valley, visit Wangchucklo Dzong dating back to 1915 and Lhakhang Nakpo (Black temple) is said to have been built by pigeon emanation of King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and Lhakhang Karpo (white temple). After the visit drive to Paro. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 09: In Paro – Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3,120m) 
After breakfast drive towards the base camp of Taktsang for the hike up to the Taktsang Monastery-Tiger’s Nest. It’s about two hours hike up the cafeteria. From this point, enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in 8th century. Then visit the Taktsang Monastery and hike back to the road point then drive to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Afterwards, back to hotel. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Day 10: Paro depart 
After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport in time to catch the onward flight. Bid farewell to the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again behind its guardian mountains.(Breakfast only included)

Cost Details:

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Cost Includes:
• Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
• 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium).
• Bhutan visa fee – including all necessary processing
• Route Permit
• Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
• A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
• All land transportation by private vehicle
• Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
• Sightseeing as per itinerary
• Monuments entrance fees where applicable
• Drinking water
• All internal taxes and charges
• A sustainable development fee of $65. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.)

Cost Excludes:
• Airfare & Travel Insurance
• Expenses of personal nature, Tips to guides and drivers
• Expenses occurred due to unavoidable events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.

Note: 
• On the day of departure, the ‘local agents’ host obligation shall be limited to providing breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on a usage basis.