Gangtey Trek

Total Duration: 9 Days – 8 Nights | Trek Days : 3 Days – 2 Nights

Difficulty: Easy

Highest Altitude: 3330 Meters

Best Seasons: March – May and September – November

Although the trek is possible throughout the winter, the best time for the Gangtey Trek is between March-May and September-November. It is a short and relatively easy trek with several beautiful villages and monasteries en route.

The trail winds through forests of juniper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendrons and over small streams of cold, clear mountain water. This trek is an excellent choice for those visitors not accustomed to trekking in the mountains as it offers beautiful views of the country with mostly gentle, forested slopes.

Day 1: Arrival in Paro Airport.

Our representative will be there to greet you at the Airport and transfer you to the hotel. After lunch visit :

• Drukgyel Dzong (now under reconstruction). You can catch a glimpse of the Mt Jomolhari from Drukgyel. If you have not been able to see it from your Flight while landing in Paro valley, now is a good opportunity to view this magnificent peak.
• Visit Paro Ta Dzong and Rinpung Dzong towards the evening.

Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro to Thimphu.

• After breakfast, hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s nest).
• After lunch drive towards Thimphu.
• Dinner and overnight halt in a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu sightseeing.

After breakfast, visit

• KuenselPhodrang, where the largest statue of sitting Buddha is located overlooking the capital city of Thimphu. It will give you a panoramic view of the entire stretch of the city.
• Visit the Takin preservation center in Motithang, on the way to Motithang visit Changgangkha Lhakhang.

After lunch, visit

• Thimphu memorial Chorten and Centenary Park.

Check into the hotel and rest for the day. Before dinner you are also welcome to explore some of the most famous tourist cafes and the Perfect places to hang out in Thimphu

Day 4: Thimphu to Phobjikha via Punakha

After an early breakfast,

• drive towards Punakha, on the way to Punakha, halt in Dochula pass for photography. Dochula Pass offers the best view of the Himalayas.
• Visit Punakha Dzong upon arrival in Punakha.

After lunch drive towards Phobjikha. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Phobjikha.

Day 5: Phobjikha to Zasa – Trek Day 1.

After breakfast, your transportation will drop you off to the village of Tabiting where the Trek starts.

• The trail winds through meadows and fields and the climb takes you through a mixed forest of juniper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendron to Tsele La situated at 3430 m. From here you descend into the Juge Kangkha Chhu valley.
• Further on, the path leads to Gogona, well known for its “Gogona Cheese” production. The campsite is a bit further on besides a small stream in a yak pasture called Zasa at an altitude of 3,130 m.

Lunch will be served on the way. Dinner and overnight halt in the campsite.

Day 6 : Zasa to Chorten karpo – Trek Day 2.

After breakfast,

• begin the trek with a gentle climb which leads to Shobe La pass at an altitude of 3,480 m. The descent from the pass leads to a wide valley, surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges. Below the route one can see Khothokha, a village with about 60 houses. You finally reach the campsite by climbing gently up till you see four Chorten in a forest of blue pine located at an altitude of 3,330 m. The total duration of the trek is 16 kilometres expected to cover in 5-7 hrs.

Lunch will be served on the way. Dinner and overnight halt in the campsite.

Day 7: Chorten Karpo two ticking Zampa – Trek Day 3 .

After breakfast,

• begin the trek by climbing upwards from the campsite till you reach a forest road. From here it’s an easy walk up to a little ridge at 2,800 m. The walk down back into the valley leads you through Bhutan’s best bird watching areas. The total duration of the trek is 12 kilometres expected to cover in 4-5 hrs.

Lunch will be served on the way. Dinner and overnight halt in hotel in Phobjikha. Your trip comes to an end when you arrive at Tikke Zampa. From here your transportation will be awaiting you to transfer you to the hotel. You can retreat and take the day off to relax.

Day 8: Phobjikha to Paro.

After an early breakfast, drive towards Paro.

• Free to take a stroll around the Paro town and local markets.

Dinner and overnight halt in hotel in Paro.

Day 9:  Departures from Paro.

After breakfast, drive towards Airport and we bid you farewell.