Gangtey Gompa Trek – 7 Days

When you arrive in Paro airport, you will be met by our Bhutanese representative and guide who will escort you to the hotel after the custom formalities at Paro airport. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Welcome Dinner

We drive to Gangtey which is 90 kilometer from Thimpu. On the way, halt at Dochula pass for tea and snacks. On a clear day, the most spectacular view of the eastern Himalayan mountain ranges can be seen. We can visit Punakha (60 kms) the former capital of Bhutan . The Punakha Dzong lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means male and female River. Gangtey is a beautiful place of rolling hills and green meadows surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It is situated at an altitude of 3000 meters. From Gangtey, we can closely view the picturesque Black Mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley. Gangtey Gompa (Gangtey Monastery) is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. The Monastery is surrounded by a large village inhabited mainly by the families of the 140 Gomehens (Lay Monks). The Gangtey Gompa is the only Nyingmapa Monastery on the western side of the Black Mountains and is also the biggest of its kind. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin the Gangtey Trek. Riding ponies can be provided if required. The trail from Gangtey to Gogona winds through meadows and fields and the climb takes us through a mixed forest of juniper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendron to Tselela pass (3320 mtrs) The approximate distance is 16 km, and time taken is 5-6 hrs. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trail winds up gently above Gogona village, climbing into a forest of fir, oak, spruce, rhododendron, cypress and juniper. A long and gradual climb leads to Shobju-la pass (3,400m/11,155ft). Later the path leads down to a wide valley of Khotokha, where the people of Sha (under Wangduephodrang district) come in summer to graze their animals. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short ascent takes us to a pass, from where the path descends steeply through ever-changing vegetation till finally reaching the bridge at Wangduephodrang. From here it is a 30minute drive to Punakha. The trek ends here Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After exploring the attractive Wangduephodrang and Punakha valleys, we head to Thimpu. The different places to visit in Thimpu include Folk Heritage and National Textile Museums, Handicrafts Emporium, Papermaking Factory, and the market. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After early breakfast, we drive to airport for departure. Druk Air generally departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner