Gangtey-Gogona Trek
This trek is to the beautiful Phobjikha valley (3,000m), one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan, which lies the mountains east of Wangduephodrang. After crossing over the pass you soon come to the great monastery of Gangtey, established in the 17th century. This quiet, remote valley is the chosen winter home of the rare black necked cranes, which migrate here annually from the Tibetan plateau. This moderate trek visits a village and rhododendrons are full bloom in April. It is one of the finest low level treks in Bhutan.
Season: the best time for this trek is March to May, and September to November. The best month is April and early May when the rhododendrons are in full bloom.
Arrive Paro
Day1. on arrival at Paro Airport, you will be meet by you Bhutan Men-Lha Adventures and Travelers representative, and transfer to Thimphu n completion of arrival formalities. O/N hotel in Thimphu.
Thimphu-Gangtey
Day2. After breakfast, morning tour in Thimphu, visiting Memorial Choten, Traditional Hospital, Painting School, Folk Heritage Museum, National Library. After lunch drive to Gangtey, for an about 5hours. En route cross Dochula Pass (3140m) and drive by WangduePhodrang Dzong. O/N Farm house or camp, Gangtey.
Gangtey Gompa-Gogona
Day3. Trek commences today. The trails wind 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 Namads). O/N in Camp.
Walking Distance: 16kms
Timing: 6-7hours
Gogona-Khotokha
Day4. Once again the trail wind up gently above Gogona village, climbing into a forest of Firs, Oak, Spruce, Rhododendron and Cypress. A long and gradually climb takes us up to Shobju-La Pass(3,400m). the path leads down to the wide vallt of Khotokha, where the people of Sha (a region of Wangduephodrang district) come in summer to graze their animals. O/N camp.
Walking distance: 17kms
Timing: 7hours
Khotokha-Chazam/Wangduephodrang.
Day5. A short ascent takes us to a pass, from which the path descends steeply through ever-changing vegetation till finally reaching the bridgeat wangduephodrang. The trek ends here. O/N at the hotel in Wangduephodrang.
Walking distance: 13kms
Timing: 5hours
WangduePhodrang and Punakha Sightseeing.
Day6. Morning after the leisure breakfast drive to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, consider as second oldest dzong in the country. It is built in between two rivers, Female River and Male River. Visit Chimi lhakhang (fertility Temple) built in 1649 by the Lama Ngawang Chogyal. The temple is founded by the divine Madman after subduing the demon dragged from the Dochula pass.
Lunch in the hotel and evening visit Wangduephodrang Dzong built in 1637. It is built on the cliff of two valleys. O/N at hotel in Wangduephodrang.
Wangduephodrang to Paro.
Day7. morning after breakfast drive to Paro via Thimphu the capital city of the Country. Lunch in Thimphu and continue your drive to Paro. O/N at hotel in Paro.
Paro Sightseeing.
Day8. morning visit National Museum, Paro Dzong and Dungtse Lhakhang and lunch in town and continue your sightseeing drive to the north to visit the ruin Drugyal Dzong, en route back visit Kyichu Lhakhang built in 659AD by Tibetan King. O/N Hotel in Paro.
Paro Departure.
Day9. Early breakfast drive to Paro Air Port for flight to onwards destination, enjoying superb mountain views from the Air Bus as you fly out of the valley.
