Bhutan Gangtey Trek
Tour Duration : 08Days 07Nights
Trekking in Bhutan
Trekking in Bhutan is unlike anywhere else in the Himalayas. The kingdom is home to some of the most challenging high-altitude treks in the world. Perched on the eastern edge of the Himalayas — make excellent terrain for trekking enthusiasts. There is no shortage of treks in Bhutan, ranging from the relatively easy and scenic Druk Path, to one of the world’s hardest treks, the Snowman Trek.
So whether you’re going on a short hike in the lowlands or challenging yourself to an epic high-altitude trek, you need to prepare yourself for the raw wilderness and harsh conditions that any traveller to Bhutan faces.
Detailed Itinerary
Trek Introduction
This trek is to the beautiful Phobjikha valley (3,000m), one of the few glacial valleys inBhutan, which lies in the mountains east of Wangduephodrang. After crossing over the pass you soon come to the great monastery of Gangtey, established in the 17th century. The village of Phobjikha lies a few kilometers down from the monastery, on the valley floor. This quiet, remote valley is the chosen winter home of the rare black necked cranes, who migrate here annually from the Tibetan plateau. This moderate trek visits the villages of Gogona and Khotokha, passing through meadows and fields, then forests of juniper, magnolia and rhododendrons in full bloom in April. It is one of the finest low level treks in Bhutan.
Day 01 : Arrive Paro – Thimphu
On arrival at Paro airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Thimphu. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 : Thimphu – Gangtey
After breakfast, morning tour of Thimphu, visiting National Memorial Chorten, Tashichhodzong, National Ubrary and Institute for Zorig Chusum (generally known as the Painting School), where students learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. After lunch drive for about 5 hours to Gangtey. En route cross Dochu-la pass (3,088m) Overnight at camp/farm house.
Day 03 : Gangtey Gompa – Gogona 15km, 6-7 hours
Trek commences today. The trail winds gradually upwards through meadows and fields, ascending to Tsele-la pass (3 ,400m) where we stop for lunch. The trail then descends gradually for some time through forests of junipers, bamboo, magnolias and rhododendrons. After a last short climb, we reach Gogona village. The people of Gogona were originally nomads and they speak a language called Bjopkha (language of nomads).
Overnight camp.
Day 04 : Gogona – Khotokha, 16 km, 6 / 7 hours 16km, 6-7 hours
The trail winds up gently above Gogona village, climbing into a forest of firs, oak, spruce, rhododendron, cypress and junipers. A long and gradual climb takes us up to Shobju-la pass (3,400m). The path leads down to the wide valley of Khotokha, where the people of Sha (a region of ngduephodrang district) come in summer to graze their animals. Overnight camp.
Day 05 : Khotokha – Chazam/Punakha 12km, 5 hours
A short ascent takes us to a pass, from which the path descends steeply through ever- changing vegetation till finally reaching the bridge at Wangduephodrang. The trek ends here. After visiting the Wangdue Dzong, drive towards Punakha where we will have an overnight stay. Overnight at the hotel .
Day 06 : Punakha – Paro
After exploring the attractive Punakha valley and the Dzong, we drive to Paro. Afternoon sightseeing in Paro visit the Ta Dzong (National Museum), Rinpung Dzong, and Kyichu Lhakhang. Excursiondrive to Chelela. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 : Paro
Drive to Drukgyel Dzong and visit the ruined Fort with an impressive Mt.Chomulhari in the back ground. Afternoon excursion to Taktsang. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 : Paro Depart
After early breakfast drive to Paro airport for flight to onward destination, enjoying superb mountain views from the aircraft as you fly out of the valley. Soon you leave Bhutan shrouded in mist and surrounded by her guardian peaks.
