Email: bhutanagrotours@gmail.com
Mobile: +97517816047 / 17141867
Po Box: 967 Olakha Lam 4, Chang Jalu, Olakha Thimphu, Bhutan

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Duration: Three days,

Max. Elevation: 3,480m

Highest Camp: 3,330m

Standard: Easy

Best Seasons: September to May

Although the trek is possible throughout the whole winter, the best seasons for the Gangte Trek are March to May and September to November. It is a short and relatively easy trek with beautiful villages and monasteries en route.

 

(The itinerary can be revised in feasible order, to incorporate local events or celebrations depending on your interest. Please revise in consultation with your guide)

Day 1: Paro - Thimphu: Sightseeing (Drive: 1 hour)

Some of the attractions and visits include

  1. National Library; it holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts, modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.
  2. Painting School; famous for traditional thangkha paintings.
  3. Traditional Medicine Institute; the rich herbal medicines abundant in Kingdom is prepared here. The institute also imparts the art of herbal medicines to would be practitioners. Night halt: Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha (drive: 2-3 hours)

  1. Dochula pass (3040 masl) where you will also find the 108 stupas built in 2004 war causalities.
  2. Lamperi Botanical Garden. If you are interested, enjoy sometime walking in the garden.
  3. Chimi Lhakhang- the seat of the divine madman alias Drukpa Kunley. Chimi Lhakhang is renowned for its fertility blessings, it also fulfills the other religious and spiritual needs of the Bhutanese.
  4. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan. And it is still the winter capital or residence of the Central Monastic Body. Punakha dzong (fortress) is strategically located between Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers.
  5. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal chorten – a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and sculptures. : Night halt: Punakha

 

Day 3: Punakha to WangduePhodrang – Phobjikha (drive: 3 hours)

  1. Wangduephodrang. Wangduephodrang dzong:  constructed in 1638 after a boy named Wangdue- which also means bringing power under ones control. This magnificent dzong was gutted down by fire 24th June 2012. It is now in ruins. You may want to walk through the town and also visit the ruins.
  2. Phobjikha (2900 masl) is a beautiful valley. It is winter home for black necked cranes (grus nigricollis).
  3. Gantey Gomba monastery is also the only Nyingmapa monastery (the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Western Bhutan). Enjoy nature – morning or evening walks.

Night halt: Phobjikha

Day 4:Phobjikha – Zasa (Distance 15km, six to seven hours, 610m ascent, 410m descent, camp altitude 3,130m)

The Trek starts near the village of Tabiting. 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 (3430m). From here you descend into the JugeKangkhaChhu valley. Further on, the path leads to Gogona, well know for its “Gogona Cheese” production. The campsite is a bit further on besides a small stream in a yak pasture called Zasa.

Day 5 :Zasa – ChortenKarpo: (Distance 16km,five to seven hours, 450m ascent, 860m descent, camp altitude 3,330m)

A gentle climb leads to Shobe La pass (3,480m). 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 chortens in a forest of blue pine.

Day 6: ChortenKarpo – TikkeZampa (Distance 12km, four to five hours, 120m ascent, 1,340m descent)

From the camp you climb till you reach a forest road. From here it’s an easy walk up to a little ridge at 2,800m. The walk down back into the valley leads you through Bhutan’s best bird watching areas.

Day 7: TikkeZampa – Trongsa:

Start your journey towards Trongsa. As you drive further down, you will be able to check on resemblance of the Kathmandu's Swayambhunath Stupa in Bhutan. It is called ChendbjiChorten- built in 18th century by Lama Shida of Tibet. Enjoy lunch on the way and drive slowly to Trongsa. Before reaching Trongsa, a good viewpoint for your camera to catch majestic shot of Trongsadzong. Night halt: Trongsa

Day 8: Trongsa – Bumthang (Drive: 3 hours)

  1. Trongsa Dzong;  The dzong was built in 1648.
  2. Drive to Bumthang : Night halt: Bumthang

Day 9: Bumthang (daylong in Bumthang)

  1. Trongsa Dzong;  The dzong was built in 1648.
  2. Drive to Bumthang : Night halt: Bumthang

Day 10: Bumthang – Paro(7-8 hours)

Start your journey early. Since you have travelled through the same route, you wold have seen them all. Sightseeing in Paro. Some of the attractions in Paro are 1. National Museum- ancient watch tower, 2.Rinpung Dzong – the fortress of the heap of jewels built in 1646, 3. Kyichu Lhakhang- oldest temple built in 7th century by Tibetan Emperor, 4. Drukgyel Dzong- built in 1649 to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet. If the sky if clear, you can see Mt. Jomolhari, 5. Tachog Lhakhang- built in 14th century by son of the builder of Iron chain bridges in Bhutan; if you visit coincides on weekends, try going around to the Sunday market.

Night halt: Paro

Day 11Paro- day excursion to famous ParoTaksang( Tiger’s Nest) ( 5-6 hours)

Short hike to Paro Taksang- popularly known as Tiger’s Nest. The monastery is perched on a rocky cliff. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche – Popularly regarded as the 2nd Lord Buddha and founder of Mahayana Buddhism, rode on a tigress and meditated in this cave. Night halt: Paro

Day 12: Departure

Drive to the airport for flight to onward destination. Your guide and driver will be through and through till you leave the airport and have bid you farewell with onward journey wishes.

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