Gangtey Gogona Trek

7 Day(s)

Overview The Gangtey Gogona Trek is a mesmerizing and adventurous journey through the untouched landscapes of Bhutan, offering a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the country's natural and cultural splendor. This trek is a moderate-level, four-day hike that takes travelers through the pristine Phobjikha Valley, also known as Gangtey Valley, located in the Wangdue Phodrang district of central Bhutan. Starting from the historic Gangtey Monastery, perched on a hilltop with breathtaking views, trekkers venture into the enchanting wilderness. The trail meanders through lush forests of rhododendron, juniper, and bamboo, providing a serene atmosphere and a chance to encounter various…

Overview

The Gangtey Gogona Trek is a mesmerizing and adventurous journey through the untouched landscapes of Bhutan, offering a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the country’s natural and cultural splendor. This trek is a moderate-level, four-day hike that takes travelers through the pristine Phobjikha Valley, also known as Gangtey Valley, located in the Wangdue Phodrang district of central Bhutan.

Starting from the historic Gangtey Monastery, perched on a hilltop with breathtaking views, trekkers venture into the enchanting wilderness. The trail meanders through lush forests of rhododendron, juniper, and bamboo, providing a serene atmosphere and a chance to encounter various wildlife like deer, yaks, and a variety of bird species. The region is especially famous for being the winter nesting grounds of the rare and graceful black-necked cranes, adding an extra layer of magic to the experience.

As the journey continues, trekkers cross picturesque meadows adorned with wildflowers and traditional Bhutanese farmhouses, offering a glimpse into the rural lifestyle of the locals. Warm Bhutanese hospitality also awaits visitors at quaint homestays along the way, providing an authentic cultural experience and an opportunity to savor traditional cuisine.

One of the highlights of the Gangtey Gogona Trek is reaching Gogona village, a charming settlement rich in culture and history. Here, travelers can interact with the friendly villagers and partake in age-old Bhutanese customs and traditions. The final stretch of the trek leads to Khotokha, another serene village showcasing Bhutan’s traditional way of life.

Throughout the journey, the awe-inspiring views of the snow-capped Himalayas and the stunning landscapes of Bhutan create a memorable experience for nature enthusiasts and photography enthusiasts alike.

Conclusion and Summary

The Gangtey Gogona Trek is not only a trekking adventure but also a spiritual and cultural journey that allows participants to connect with Bhutan’s deep-rooted heritage. The combination of breathtaking scenery, traditional hospitality, and the sense of accomplishment from completing the trek makes this journey an unforgettable experience that leaves trekkers with cherished memories of the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Read less

Trip Highlights

The Gangtey Gogona Trek is a popular trekking route in Bhutan, known for its scenic beauty and cultural attractions. Some of the trip highlights include:

Stunning Views: The trek takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Bhutan, including the Phobjikha Valley, where you can see rare Black-necked Cranes in their natural habitat.
Unique Cultural Experience: You will have the opportunity to visit traditional Bhutanese villages and interact with locals, learning about their customs, beliefs, and way of life.
Historic Monasteries: The trek takes you to several ancient monasteries, including the Gangtey Monastery, which is one of the most important religious sites in Bhutan.
Challenging Hike: The trek is moderately challenging, with steep ascents and descents. However, the stunning scenery and cultural experiences make it all worth it.
Camping: You will camp in some of the most picturesque locations in Bhutan, surrounded by mountains and pristine forests.
Wildlife Sightings: The Phobjikha Valley is home to several rare and endangered species, including the Black-necked Crane, Asiatic Black Bear, and Red Panda. You may have the opportunity to spot some of these animals during your trek.
Authentic Bhutanese Cuisine: You will enjoy delicious, traditional Bhutanese food during your trek, including ema datshi (chili and cheese stew) and momos (dumplings).

Overall, the Gangtey Gogona Trek offers a unique combination of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and physical challenges that make it a must-do for any adventurous traveler visiting Bhutan.

Itinerary

After arriving at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide and driver who will take you on a scenic drive to Punakha. En route, you will visit the Dochula Pass which offers panoramic views of the Himalayan range and the 108 stupas that were built to commemorate the victory of Bhutanese soldiers over Indian militants in 2003. You will have lunch at a local restaurant in the town of Lobesa and visit the Punakha Dzong, which is one of the most important and beautiful fortresses in Bhutan After that, you will drive to your hotel in Punakha and spend the night there.

After breakfast, you will drive to the Gangtey Valley which is located at an altitude of 3,000 meters. The drive will take you through dense forests of oak, rhododendron, and magnolia trees, and you will have several opportunities to stop and take in the breathtaking views of the valley. You will arrive in Gangtey in the afternoon and visit the Gangtey Monastery which is one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Bhutan. You will spend the night in a guesthouse or campsite in Gangtey.

Today, you will begin your trek from Gangtey to Gogona, which is a distance of approximately 16 kilometers. The trek will take you through beautiful meadows, forests, and streams, and you will have several opportunities to spot various species of birds and wildlife. You will stop for lunch at a scenic spot along the trail and continue trekking until you reach the village of Gogona. You will spend the night in a guesthouse or campsite in Gogona.

Today’s trek is a distance of approximately 16 kilometers from Gogona to Khotokha. The trail will take you through beautiful rhododendron forests and several small villages where you will have the opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their traditional lifestyle. You will stop for lunch at a scenic spot along the trail and continue trekking until you reach the village of Khotokha. You will spend the night in a guesthouse or campsite in Khotokha.

Today, you will trek from Khotokha to the village of Chuzomsa, which is a distance of approximately 12 kilometers. From Chuzomsa, you will drive to the town of Wangdue Phodrang and visit the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong which is a beautiful fortress built in the 17th century. After that, you will drive back to Paro where you will spend the night in a hotel.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Paro International Airport for your flight back home.

What's Included

Airport/Hotel/Airport pick up and transfer by private car/van.
* 2 nights accommodation in twin bed sharing basis with breakfast at standard hotel in Kathmandu.
* Guide – guide throughout the tour from arrival to departure.
* Sightseeing – all sightseeing and entrance fees including any festival visits.
* Transport – meet on arrival, airport transfers on arrival and departure and all overland transport within Bhutan.
* Accommodation – accommodation in standard hotels.
* Food – full board throughout the trip in Bhutan.
* Office Service charge.
* All Government Tax.

What's Excluded

* Any meals in Kathmandu other than breakfast.
* Travel insurance (if you want us to arrange your travel insurance, we would greatly be happy to assist).
* International air fare to and from Nepal and to and from Bhutan.
* Nepal Tourist Visa fee.
* Visa Fee and Fees for Tourism development Fund (USD 50)
* Items and expenses of personal nature.
* Any kind of alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry, phone call, internet.
* Personal Trekking Equipments like sleeping bags, jackets (can all be hired in KTM)
* Emergency Evacuation (Helicopter Rescue).
* Any costs which arise due to a change of the itinerary, because of landslides, political disturbance, and strikes etc.
* Any other costs whatsoever, that is not mentioned in the cost included.
* Tips for guide, porters, driver…

Trip Information

This trek is to the beautiful Phobjikha valley. Phobjikha valley lies at an altitude of 3000metres in the mountains east of Wangduephodrang and it is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan. This quiet, isolated valley is the chosen winter home of the rare black necked cranes, which migrate here annually from the Tibetan plateau.
The trek is pleasant walking through the villages of Gogona and Khotokha passing through meadows and fields and then coming to the forests of Juniper, Magnolia and Rhododendrons. The trek is of moderate level and is considered one of the finest low level treks in Bhutan.
The best seasons for this trek are March to May, and September to November. The best months are April and early May when the rhododendrons are in full bloom.

GO ON 7 DAYS TRIP FOR