Gangtey Gonpa Black Necked Crane Trek

Print Email

Detailed Trip Description

This trek of Phobjikha valley at 3000m is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan. It is the 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 rhododendrons. It is one of the finest low level treks in Bhutan.

Print Email
 

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Paro

 
Arrival at Paro.
Commercial Flight

Fly into Himalayas with Druk Air, Bhutan’s National Air Carrier. The green wall of hills known as dooars, or gateways into Bhutan from the plains climbs continuously higher as the plane flies north towards the Tibet border. Silver rivers thread the valleys, waterfalls plunge down the forested mountainsides, and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up into the sky. As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, look down and you will see the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro Chu (river) with Ta Dzong, watch tower, now the national museum, above it.

Your escort, who will accompany you throughout the trip, will be waiting for you at the airport. After completion of airport formalities, you will drive through fascinating valley of Paro to the hotel.

Sightseeing

Evening visit to Paro marker and take a stroll around town’ s main street.

Hotel

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.


Day 2 - Paro

 
Sightseeing

Full day sightseeing in the Paro Valley. After breakfast drive to the Drugyel Dzong or the Fortress of Victory from where the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The Dzong, though in ruins, holds great historical importance to the Bhutanese. From there, in fine weather, one can view the majestic Mt. Jhumolhari standing at an altitude of 7329m above the sea. Other places of interest include the National Museum, Paro Rinpong Dzong and the local market.

Hotel

Overnight in Hotel.


Day 3 - Thimphu

 
Paro - Thimphu.
Private Car Service

Drive to the capital of the country after breakfast. Enroute you will be able to see the Tachogang Monastery.

Sightseeing

In Thimphu, visit the National memorial Chorten built in the loving memory of the Late King, His Majesty, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Also visit the National Library, Painting School ( week days) and the Changangkha Lhakhang.

Shopping

In the evening drive to the Sangay gang viewpoint to see the Thimphu valley in the evening sun. Your guide will be able to take you shopping if you so desire.

Hotel

Overnight in hotel.


Day 4 - Thimphu

 
Thimphu - Gangtey.
Sightseeing

After breakfast drive towards Punakha and the Wangdi valley through the Dochula pass (3050m) from where you can see the majestic Himalayan mountains on a clear weather. Lunch enroute.

Hotel

Overnight in guest house.


Day 5 - Bhutan

 
Gangtey - Gogona.
Hiking

Distance : 16km. Trek Time : 5 -6 Hours. Altitude of camp : 3000m. Begin the trek with the pack ponies and the trekking staff. The trail winds through the meadows and fields. The gentle climb takes you through mixed forests of jumiper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendron. You will be crossing the Tselela Pass.


Day 6 - Bhutan

 
Gogona - Khotokha.
Hiking

Distance : 16km. Trek time : 6-7hours. Altitude of camp : 3200m A gentle climb leads to the Shobjula Pass (3390m). The descent from the pass leads to a wide valley surrounded by beautiful mountains.


Day 7 - Punakha

 
Khotokha - Chuzomsa - Punakha.
Hiking

Distance : 15 km. Trek Time : 4-5 hours. A short ascent will bring you to the Tashila pass - 2780m. Then the descent is through an ever changing landscape into the drainage of the Dangchhu Stream.

Private Car Service

Your transportation will be waiting for you at the motorable road in Chhuzomsa. Transfer to Punakha.

Hotel

Overnight in Hotel.


Day 8 - Paro

 
Punakha - Paro.
Private Car Service

After breakfast drive to the Punakha Dzong (Entry inside the courtyard of the Dzong is possible only in Summer) and then drive towards Paro through Semtokha.

Hotel

Overnight in Hotel.


Day 9 - Paro

 
Departure.

Depart for onward journey.


Request more info

Not the trip you were looking for?

Click here to find experts to book your trip (it's free!)

Submit Inquiry to Travel Specialist

Trips you may also be interested in

Essence of the Last Sangri-la
This tour will take you deep into the heart of Central Bhutan, till Bumthang valley. You will travel crossing the three high mountains passes: Dochula at 3100m, Pelela at 3300m and Yotongla, the highest at 3400m. Bumthang is the spiritual home of the Bhutanese people and is dotted with some ...
Crystal Water Rafting
Rafting is not so popular in Bhutan. Some of our clients prefer to embark on this adventurous sport as a part of their cultural tour. Water sports in Bhutan is at its infancy stage, we combine rafting as a part of the tour package so that our clients can feel ...
Druk Path Trek
It is a beautiful trek passing through awe-inspiring mountains and vales. You will come across several lakes filled with trouts. This is a short five days trek which leads from paro to Thimphu or vice versa, crossing the chain of mountains that separates the two valleys. Although the route is ...
Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek
Picturesque farmland, alpine pasture, impressive peaks and numerous isolated Dzongs providing a great deal of cultural interests. Spectacular camp site, beneath some of Bhutan’s most impressive peaks, of which the most notable are Jhumolhari and Jichu Drake, are also the features of this trekking route. Numerous isolated Dzongs and scattered ...
Search for travel inspiration