GANGTEY TREK ITINERARY

No Experience Required
No former trekking experience is needed for this trek. To take part in this trek, you should be physically fit, meaning you should be able to walk a full day with a small day pack. Animals will carry the bulk of our loads.

At a glance:
DAY 1 Arrive - Paro by Druk-Air
DAY 2 Paro - Thimphu
DAY 3 Thimphu - Gangtey Gompa
Day 4 Trek Day 1 Start of Trek - Gangtey Gompa-Gogona
Day 5 Trek Day 2 - Gogana-Khotokha
Day 6 Trek Day 3 End of Trek - Khotokha-Tikke Zampa/Punakha
Day 7 Punakha - Thimphu
Day 8 Thimphu - Sightseeing
Day 9 Thimphu - Paro
Day 10 Farewells and departure.

Day 1 Arrival Paro by Druk Air
On landing at Paro you will be met by our representative. After Customs and Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel.

Day 2 Sightseeing at Paro and drive to Thimpu
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa-Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined Fortress which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasion. This Dzong was built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the spiritual leader of Bhutan.

On a clear day one can view Mt. Jumolhari the sacred Mountain. On the way back we stop at Takshang view point for a look at the fabolus Takshang Temple. We also visit one of the Typical Bhutanese farm house. After lunch at the hotel, we drive to Ta-Dzong which was once the watch tower for Paro valley, now it houses the National Museum and then walk down hill pass the Paro Dzong and crossing the typical traditional roofed bridge to Paro town. In the evening we drive to Thimpu.

Day 3 Thimphu - Gangtey Gompa
The first half of the day is spent is a leisurely drive over the Dochula pass at 10,000 ft. going to Wangdue. Enroute you will see some of the highest peaks in Bhutan including Gangkhar Puensum(7541m), the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. The descent through the temperate forest colored with Rhododendrons and Magnolias takes you to the semi-tropical zone of orange, bananas and cactus and to the valley of Wangdue. We visit the town of Wangdue.

After lunch drive to Gangtey Gompa and you will be lodged up in a farm house converted into a small guest house or camp if rooms are not available.

Day 4 Gangtey Gompa - Gogona
Trek Day 1 : Distance 15 km and walking time 6-7 hours.
The trek starts at Tabiting (2830m) and takes you through meadows and fields then ascends the Tselela pass at 3440m through mixed forest of Juniper, bamboos, Rhododendrons and Magnolias.

On this trek you will meet people who speak different dialect called Bjop-kha (language spoken by nomads in Bhutan ). Because of their isolation they continue using their own dialect and a life of their own. Gogona is a small village with an outstanding monastery under the care of Gangtey Gompa.

Day 5 Gogona - Khotokha
Trek Day 2 : Distance 16 km and about 6-7 hours walking time.
Starting at Gogona, a gradual climb today takes you to Shobjula pass at 3410m. On descending you will reach a wide valley with clear view of the mountains around you.

Day 6 Khotokha - Tikke Zampa/Punakha
Trek Day 3 End of Trek : Distance 12 km and walking time 5 hours.
A short climb takes you to the Tashila pass at 2800m. As you walk down you will notice the changes in the vegetation and finally reach the motorable road at Tikke Zampa where you will be received by our tour bus. From here it is a 30minute drive to Punakha

Day 7 Punakha - Thimphu
Morning at leisure or take a hike to Chhimi Lhakhang (temple of the divine madman) It will be a 2 hour roundtrip hike. After lunch drive to Thimphu (3 hours)

Day 8 Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the late King. Also visit the Handicraft Emporium/Chokey handicraft and the National Painting School. After lunch visit the traditional gold smiths and a stroll in Thimphu market. If the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday then a visit to the weekend market and archery ground is a must.

Day 9 Thimphu - Paro
Drive to Paro and sightseeing.

Day 10 Farewells and departure.