Clean Air Adventure
9 days
Gangtey trekking is a moderate trek to the home of black necked cranes in Bhutan who migrate here for winters. This trek of Phobjikha valley at 3000 meters is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan. It is chosen home of the rare Black-necked cranes who migrate here in winter from Tibetan plateau. Also the valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful places in Bhutan and the Gangtey Gompa monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the black mountains. The moderate trek visits the village of Gogona and Khotokha, passing through meadows and fields, then forests of juniper, magnolia and rhodendrons. It is one of the finest low level treks in Bhutan.
Season: March to June & September to November. Trek Level: Easy
Itinerary Summery (Gangtey Trek-9 days)ITINERARY SUMMERY
Day: 9 days – Night: 8 nights
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Paro to Thimphu
Your journey by flight to Kingdom of Bhutan offers remarkable views of the world highest mountains including Mount Everest, additionally, landing in the heart of Himalaya is like nowhere in the world. On arrival in Paro international airport our representative will receive you and transfer to Thimphu, Capital City around an hour drive. Upon arrival in Thimphu we will check into the hotel, after check in we will visit many monuments and attractions of Thimphu, including Tashicho Dzong, the farmers market, Gaint Buddha Statue, Memorial Chorten, Traditional Art School where 13 different arts are practiced and learnt, Indigenous Hospital, Textile museum, Handicraft workshops and more. Thimphu offers the best opportunity to do your own thing in the evening. It’s relaxed, friendly and pretty informal, and is most rewarding if you can be the same. Overnight in Thimphu. Atltitude 2,400m.
Day 2: Thimphu sightseeing & Hike to Cheri
After your breakfast visit:
Memorial Chorten: This stupa was built in 1974 in the memory of Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Simtokha Dzong: This dzong, built in 1627 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, stands on a low ridge 8 km down the valley from Thimphu. The Institute for Language and Cultural Studies is located here. The most noteworthy artistic feature of this dzong is the series of over 300 finely worked slate carvings behind the prayer wheels in the courtyard.
National Library: The history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts, which are preserved at the National Library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts, the library also has modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.
Institute for Zorig Chusum: Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit, one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school.
The Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim): It is dedicated to connect people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programmes and documentation of rural life. The principal exhibit in the museum is a restored three storey traditional rammed mud and timber house, which dates back to the mid 19th century. The design and form of house is that of an average household in the Wang area during that era. The age of structure demonstrates the durability and performance of the building materials. From ground to top floor, household objects, typical domestic tools and equipments that would have been used by a family during that period are put on display. The museum is also developing some of the native trees and plants that were used for various domestic purposes in the rural households.
Takin Preserve, Motithang: The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan, and looks like a cross between a cow and a goat. Legend has it that the animal was created by the great Buddhist yogi, Drupa Kunley, and it can be found only in Bhutan and nearby areas. Taxonomists place the animal in a category of its own as it is not similar enough to any other animal to fit established categories.
National Textile Museum: With the opening of Textile Museum, under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Sangay Choden, Bhutanese textile have reached new heights as one of the most visible distinct art form. The textile museum has opened its exhibition on six major themes – warp pattern weaves, weft pattern weaves, role of textiles in religion, achievements in textile arts, textiles from indigenous fibers and the royal collection. The crowns of Bhutan’s Kings, namzas (dresses), the first version of Royal Crown and other accessories used by members of Royal family can be found in the museum. The goal of the museum is to gradually become a center for textile studies that will carry out documentation, research and studies on Bhutanese textiles.
Handicrafts Shops: A wide assortment of colorful, hand woven textiles and other craft products is available for purchase at the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and many smaller crafts shops around the town.
Craft Bazzar: On Tuesday and Wednestday in centenary market Framer’s market, under support of Department of cottage & small industry and in collaboration with the department of culture, tourism council and the Department of agriculture, this market offers Bhutanese arts & crafts thus contributing in promotion, protection and preservation of traditional arts.
Cheri Goemba: This monastery was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1620. A silver chorten inside the monastery holds the ashes of Shabdrung’s father. The goemba is situated about half an hour walk from Dodena (alt. 2,600m).
The trail commences by crossing a traditional wooden bridge that spans the Thimphu Chhu, then climbs steeply to the monastery. Being the place where the Shabdrung spent many years in meditation, Cheri today has numerous hermitages and small temples located on its slopes, commanding spectacular views. The one way walk to the monastery is approx 4.5 km, taking about 2 hours. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3 Thimphu to Gangtey
Checkout from hotel and drive us to Phobjikha or Gangtey, valley of black necked crane across spectacular Dochula pass. On a clear day, you will see panoramic views of snowcapped peaks of eastern Himalayan range, including Bhutan’s highest peaks. Phobjikha or Gangtey, is a wide glacial valley with a central stream meandering through the open grassland and thickets of dwarf bamboo. Farmlands occupy the peripheral slopes where potatoes and turnips are grown. The central area is a marsh land protected as habitat for wildlife. At 2900m, this is the highest night halt on your journey. The valley is a protected (Conservation) area and is both scenically and culturally worthwhile. Visit Gangtey Gonpa, walk around the feeder road of Phobjikha valley meeting local and students and more.
Then a walking excursion to Gangtey Nature Trail. This pleasurable walk provides you a nice feel of Phobjikha valley. From the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goemba, you head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village and from here through beautiful forests and into the open valley. The trail ends at local community school after passing a chorten and Khewa Lhakhang (approx. 5.5km, 2 hours walk. Also visit Black Neck Crane Information Centre. Situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley, the black-necked crane information Centre has an observation room equipped with high power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes. The centre also offers display information that outline the natural and cultural history of the area. There is a small gift shop, which sells handicrafts produced by the local people Overnight in Phobjikha. Altitude 2,900m.
Day 4: Gangte to Gogona (Trek starts).
Distance: 14km
Time: 5 – 6 hours. Camp altitude: 3140m.
The first day of the trail begins from Phobjika Valley, through meadows, and then through a mixed forest of rhododendron, bamboo, juniper, and magnolia. You reach Hele La (pass) (3,438 meters) and after crossing some meadows, you will descend to a valley. There will be a short climb to the camp at Gogona. Nearby is a small village where you can drink some homemade arra(spirit). The women in this village are known for the woven blankets they make. Overnight Camp.
Day 5: Gogona to Khothakha
Distance: 15 km
Time: 5 – 6 hours. Camp altitude: 2720m
The trail goes gently uphill. You will notice the daphne plants, from which the Bhutanese make traditional paper (and which you can purchase in Thimphu). After a long, but gradual climb, you will cross Shobju La (pass) at 3,410 meters. The trail is downhill from here. You will pass an old coal mine and a miner’s camp. Eventually you will come to Chorten Karpo, where you will see four ‘chortens’ in honor of the four chief abbots who came from this area. You will then camp nearby Chorten. Overnight Camp.
Day 6 : Khothakha to Tika Zampa ( End of trekking)
A short ascent leads to a pass; then the path descends steeply through a wonderful forest full of birdlife and ever changing vegetation to the bridge in Wangduephodrang. Your car will be waiting there for transfer to the hotel in Punakha: Altitude: 1350 meters above sea level. Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. It is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo(Chief Abbot) and the monk body. It has a temperate climate and its rich fertile valley is fed by Pho(male) Chu and Mo(female) Chu (river).(3 hours drive). Later visit Wangdue Town unique to look around with small huts by the side of the road. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 7: Punakha to Paro
Morning visit Kham Sum Yule Lahkahang, it was built by HRH Azhi (Queen) Tshering Pem Wangchuck for a successful rule during the reign of the present Crown Prince Daso Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, & Punakha Dzong remarkable for its ability to withstand natural disasters – fires and earthquakes have done nothing to diminish its grandeur the Punakha Dzong is rightly famous throughout Bhutan, as well as being one of the most well protected buildings in the country. Later drive back to Paro across spectacular Dochula pass. On a clear day, you will see panoramic views of snowcapped peaks of eastern Himalayan range, including Bhutan’s highest peaks. Arrival in Paro visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. Visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong, a fortress which protected the valley against invaders from north. Visit beautiful 7th century Kichu Lhakhang temple, see many beautiful Buddhist wall paintings and iconography inside Dungtse Lhakhang, built in 1421. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). If you are lucky, you may catch a match in action. Overnight in Paro.
Day 8: (Hike to Taktsang Monastery).
After the leisurely breakfast drive towards the road point to Taktshang. Taktshang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries is perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. Taktshang means “Tiger’s Nest,” so named because Guru Rimpoche reportedly flew to the site of the monastery on the back of a flying tiger in the late centuries of the first millennium. The monastery is perched on a cliff nearly 800 meters above the Paro valley floor. This day hike is not only historically and culturally interesting, but also incredibly scenic! It takes about 1 ½ hours to reach the cafeteria, which gives a breathtaking view of the Tiger’s Nest. If you still feel like hiking then you can take another hour to reach the temple. Then return back to the cafeteria for your lunch and then walk down hill after your lunch. For this hike, you can also hire a riding horse to take you part of the way. Overnight in Paro. Altitude 2,200m. Overnight in Paro.
Day 9: End of your Trekking in Gross National Happiness country, Bhutan.
After breakfast our representative will drop you in Paro airport for departure.
