5 days Gangtey trek in Bhutan will explore the glacial valley of Phobjikha Valley at an elevation of 3000 m. Phubjikha is also the home of rare black-necked cranes in Bhutan. The cranes migrate here in Bhutan during winter (starts from the end of October from the Siberian and Tibetan region). The bigger group when they migrate they land up in the valley after flying three times on the top of Gangtey Gompa before they settle down in the glacial valley of Phubjikha. Beauty is again the cranes’ circle three times before they migrate to Tibet and Siberia by the end of February. Before Phubjikha you can see the oldest monastery of the Nyingmapa monastery.
Gangtey trek asses the village of Gogona and Khotokha. The beauty of the villages is meadows and fields. You can see the forest of juniper, magnolia, and rhododendrons.
Gangtey trek takes you a total of 11 days including a cultural tour. The tour of Bhutan will take you from western Bhutan.
Representatives from Bhutan Himalayan Holidays will be there at Paro international Airport to receive you. You will be greeted with “Tashi Khada”. From Airport transfer to the hotel. After lunch, you will visit Ta Dzong an ancient watchtower built in 1656. Now it is converted into the National Museum of Bhutan. Below the museum is the fortress of Paro. it is called “Rimpung Dzong“, which means “Heap of Jewels”. It was built in the year 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is the center of the civil and religious administration center of Paro District. After sightseeing, you can walk from the Paro fortress to the base of the fortress. You can see the traditional cantilever bridge before you reach the main road. Dinner in Hotel and overnight in Paro(3 stars).
After early breakfast, drive to Sartsam Chorten and hike to Taktsang Monastery(Tigers Nest). a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, from there it takes you a 2-hour walk till the viewpoint point of the monastery. The trekking trail to Taksang takes you through a thick pine forest, gushing the sound of streams, festooned with Spanish moss on pine trees, and can hear fluttering prayer flags. You can stop at the Taktsang cafeteria and take refreshments with tea and snacks. From there walk uphill and downhill to reach the Taksang Monastery. Visit Monastery and again climb downhill to the same point to drive you for lunch.
After lunch, drive to Drukgyal Dzong(ruined fortress). It is under construction/ renovation. It is 16 km from Paro Town but it is just 5-7 km from Sarstam Chorten. The fortress was built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The fortress was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins. Driving back to Paro Town you can visit Kichu Lhakhang that was built in 659 by the Tibetan King Srongsen Gampo. In the evening, drive to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight in Thimphu. You will stay overnight in the 3-star category of Hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast in Thimphu, the day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten. It was built in the year 1974 in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Visit Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library. You can see the ancient Buddhist manuscripts. Visit Painting School where traditional art and crafts are still kept alive.
After lunch, drive to Buddha Dhoredena to see the tallest Statue of Buddha in the world measuring 169feet. Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin Preserve Center, and the Sangaygang View Point. In the evening, visit the Thimphu Fortress (Tashichho Dzong) seat of the government and the Central Monastic Body. This also includes the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). The final visit will be Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu in a 3-star category.
Note: It takes 3 hours car drive and it is 76km
After breakfast, drive to Punakha en-route Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas snowcapped mountains. On the way visit Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in the 15th century. He subdued the demon dog with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as the “Fertility Temple”.
Visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is situated between Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. For many years it was the capital of Bhutan.
Note: it takes 3 hours of car drive and it is 67 km.
After breakfast, drive to Phubjikha Enroute Gangtey. on the way visit Wangdiphodrang fortress(under construction/renovation). The fortress was razed by fire in 2012. It was built in 1638.
While in Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613. After lunch, explore Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the Rare Black-necked Cranes. Visit the Crane Information center. Dinner and overnight in Phubjikha. Bhutanese farmhouse or 3-star hotel.
After breakfast in the hotel start the trek from Tshikopang at an elevation of 2900 meters. Lunch will be served at “Yaklam”. The campsite will be at Suibikha at an elevation of 3860m. The total time taken for 1st day of the trek will be around 5-6 hrs. The first day of the trek will be moderate with a gradual ascend. The best part of the trek for 1st Day is the beautiful landscape, flora, and fauna sightings (rhododendrons, pheasants, etc.)
After breakfast at the campsite. The starting point will be the Suibikha pass with an elevation of 3860m. The lunch will be served at Pangeymo. The campsite is at Gogona at an elevation of 2950m. The total time taken will be 4-5 hours. The trek of the day is moderate and gradual descend. The attractions of the day are beautiful landscape, flora, and fauna sightings. Visit the Gogona cheese factory. Possibility for the traditional hot stone bath.
After breakfast at the campsite, the starting point for the trek will be Gogona Village. The lunch spot will be at Khotokha with an elevation of 2600m. The total time taken will be around 5 hrs. The difficulty level of the trek is moderate. The central attractions will be scenic beauty (view of Jumolhari can be sighted from Shoblaa pass, for example), Khotokha Valley, Black-necked cranes during season, potential day hike destinations (valley surrounded by many monasteries and temples).
After breakfast at the campsite and starting point will be at Khotokha. Lunch will be at the campsite Rubisa/ Wangdue Phodrang. The total time taken will be around 5-6 hrs. The difficulty level is moderate. The main attractions will be the beautiful valley of Wangdue and parts of Punakha can be sighted from almost all parts of the trail, with the magnificent view of Jumolhari, Gangkar Puensum, and other snow-capped mountain ranges. The end of Gangtey Trek.
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu, which will take 2-3 hours of car drive. After lunch, hike to Tango Monastery.
In the evening, free for shopping. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Thimphu. Dinner in the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel drive to Paro international airport for departure for the outbound journey.