Overview
Gangtey Valley Trek is a short trek in the valley of Gangtey of five days along with the remaining days spent on cultural sightseeing in Thimphu and Paro in the majestic Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan.
This short trek, called Gangtey Valley Treks place mainly in the valley known as Gangtey valley which has for subsections to it. Once you get to it, you will hike to various places and back of the note. Gangtey Valley is a cultural diverse valley, which has many Shrines, Temples better known as Lhakhang in Bhutanese language, Monasteries made in a number of styles and designs suited for the natural landscape and fortresses better known as Dzongs in the language dot the landscape, which was previously used for defense of the country. When the hiking part of the trip is over, then you will have road excursions to various places especially in the two major cities of the country, Thimphu, which is the capital of the country and Paro, a lush green valley city nearby. There again you will visit shrines, temples, fortresses, farmhouses, the centenary market and much, bring out the cultural aspect of the country and the people of Bhutan in this tour cum hike.
Why should you take a trek of this kind to Bhutan? The simple reason for this is that Bhutan has some of the living memories of the past still intact in the way they are kept, all come forth from the way it follows and the philosophies which it does. Bhutan is a country, which exists in the Himalayan region in the east of it. It is surrounded by India on three sides to the west, south and east and the autonomous region of Tibet to the North. Plus, Bhutan happens to be the only country with a negative carbon rating due to its large coverage of forest which is over sixty percent of the total landmass. In addition to this, it also follows what is known as gross domestic happiness in contrast to gross domestic products of other countries. This stems from its Buddhist philosophical trend. Thus taking this Gangtey Valley trek or any other trek in the country like Druk Path Trek Laya Gasa Trek Bumdra Trek, or a Cultural Tour in the country would naturally highlight the difference of this destination.
Some of the significant aspects of this trek which you will get to taste and give you a lasting memory of it is, even before you do the trek, you will reach this Himalayan Nation aboard its National Carrier called Druk Air over some of the most stunning terrains that the earth has to offer. The Himalayan mountains will showcase their height with their peaks covered with snow to the north and just below them which you will fly over to land are the lush green hills with villages atop them and valleys with fast flowing rivers where some of them have cut gorges. For all of these rivers come from the foot of the glaciers of the High Himalayan Mountains. Then you go on tour Monasteries, Shrines, Temples, Dzongs and see the landscape with each having some natural story to line them in keeping to the difference which you might have seen elsewhere, both while touring and trekking. Then the terrain in which you do the trek, while also have a repercussion on your mental aptitude as they have their unique diversity, so different from what you might see elsewhere. Not forgetting to mention the Taktsang Monastery, which becomes a must as being built not only nearly 3000 meters high above sea level but has tales and architecture to make it seem true. For it is built against a vertical cliff as if hanging onto it. It is believed the Guru Rinpoche, supposedly came flying here to meditate on the back of a tigress for three months. Getting to the temple of the Divine Madman who is so-called affectionately for it was his strange spiritual ways the blessed childless couples with children. The Dzongs in the tour and on the hike that you will come across have their own stories to tell with the splendour of their architecture and so well integrated into the natural landscape. They were used in times of the past as fortresses but now use as administrative, religious block and at times cultural assets. So much so, when you have completed this hike, you will return home with vivid memories of them.
What kind of trek is this?
It is both a daily hike to various places in Gangtey as well as cultural sightseeing while in the major cities of the country. Basically, it can be termed as a cultural hike and tour.
Outline Trekking Itinerary for Gangtey Valley Trek
Day 1: Arrival Paro (2,250m)
Day 2: Paro – Thimphu (2,350m)
Day 3: Thimphu – Gangtey Gompa (2,900m)
Day 4: Trek to Gogona (3,100m)
Day 5: Trek to Khotokha (2,790m)
Day 6: Trek to Tikke Zampa and drive to Punakha (1,310m)
Day 7: Punakha – Thimphu (2,350m)
Day 8: Thimphu – Day excursion to Haa Valley (2,740) – Paro
Day 9: In Paro – Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3,120m)
Day 10: Depart Bhutan
Trip Highlights
- Witness majestic panorama of the world’s high Himalayas while flying in/out from Paro.
- Discover the tiny town of Paro exploding with colors.
- Visit the tiny capital of Thimphu.
- Trek into the beautiful glacial Phobijikha Valley.
- Hike to the Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’- one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan.
- Visit Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful monastery in Bhutan.
- Commence short hike to Chime Lakhang- the divine madman’s temple.
- Explore the Gangtey Valley & the great 17th century Gangtey Monastery
- Witness the Bhutanese culture, tradition and lifestyles.
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