Brief Background on Trekking Route

The Phobjika Valley lies at 3000 metres (9840ft). Amid, lies a lively and uplifting Gantay valley, which is one of the most tourists visited place for it is one of the beautiful places and home to the rare black-necked crane which migrates from the far-flung area of the Tibet. Gangtey Goempa, an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, is one of the main seats of the religious tradition based on Pema Lingpa’s revelations. During this modest trek, common places visited are the villages of Gogona and Khotokha. The trek trails begin from the Phobjikha Valley at 3000m.

Trekking Season: March-June & September-November

Day 1: Arrive Paro & Travel to Thimphu (2Hours-55Km)

On arrival at Paro International airport and after completing your immigration formalities, you will be warmly welcomed by the representative of Advent Bhutan Tours who will be your Bhutan tour guide throughout your entire travel in Bhutan.

Then you will travel to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, an hourly drive journey.The road runs down through the Paro valley, characterised by the narrow-gauged with high, rocky cliffs on the left. You can stop on the way to visit the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Then passage through  Chuzom, is the entrance to the Thimphu valley,  the Confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers. The road passes along the Simtokha Dzong, (Dzong means ‘castle-monastery’) – It is the oldest Dzong built in 1629 by Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyal (who unified Bhutan). The Dzong functions as a monastic and as well as administrative centre. Today, it is one of the pre-eminent Dzongkha language (National Language) learning institutes.

On arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel. After brief rest and refreshment, your sightseeing includes a visit to the following places:

The Kuenselphodrang (commonly known as Buddha Point) – The Great Buddha Dordenma is sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the thirteenth Desi Druk, facing towards the Southern approach to Thimphu. It is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, at 169 feet (52 m) and contains 100,000 8-inch-tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall gilded bronze Buddhas.

The National Textile Museum is located near the National Library of Bhutan. It was established in 2001 and operated by the National Commission for Cultural Affairs. Ever since its establishment, the museum has gained national and international recognition and has generated a important collection of antique textile artifacts

The Centenary Farmers’ market – Thimphu weekend market is one of the largest domestic markets for Bhutanese farmers. Farmers sell their own produced vegetables, flour, rice, roasted rice, rice flakes, spices, fruits and livestock products (cheese and butter). And also sell wild ferns or bamboo shoots which are collected from forests. People from villages from different cities as well as from town come to this weekend market.

The Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal, Takin (The national animal of Bhutan). The reason for declaring Takin as the national animal is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation (goat’s head and cattle’s body) in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kunley. Drive further to Sangaygang to get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Thimphu Valley.

The Tashichhodzong– It is a Buddhist monastery and fortress of the glorious religion on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu, built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It was rebuilt into the present structure by the late King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

The National Memorial Chorten (stupa) –  Also known as the Thimphu Chorten, was built in 1974 to honour the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), who is regarded as The Father of Modern Bhutan.   Buddhist calls the monument “The mind of the Buddha”. It is an honoured landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells, widely known as “the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan”. You will see elderly people walking around the stupa several times chanting prayers.

The Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops aligned neatly below Norzin Lam, opposite to Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre, to witness Bhutanese fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, and other eye-catching items made from local materials.

Dinner & overnight in Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu-Punakha-Wangdue (3Hours -76Km)

In the morning, travel to Punakha via the Dochula pass. The Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft) is a mountain pass, with the breathtaking view of 108 memorial stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens”  built under the initiative of Royal Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk( the eldest Queen Mother), built in honour of the fourth Druk Gyalpo (head of the state of Bhutan), Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Journey to Punakha, it used to be the capital of Bhutan in the early days but presently the winter residence of the central monk body. It is also known as Pungtang Dewa chhenbi Phodrang (meaning “the palace of great happiness or bliss). It is the second oldest and largest dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (Unifier of Bhutan) to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. Visit the Punakha Dzong, majestically sprawl between the Pho Chu (Male River) and the Mo Chu (Female River).

After lunch, drive to Metshina Village and take 15 minutes walk through the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where it is believed, one can receive special fertility blessings.

Afterwards, a drive to Wangdue (25 Minutes journey from Punakha). Visit Wangdue Dzong. It was founded by the Zhabdrung in 1638. In the 17th century, Wangdue played a critical role in unifying Shar Chog Khorlo Tsebgay (the western, central and southern regions of the country). It is one of the largest dzongkhags (districts) in the country covering 4,308 sq km and ranges from 800-5800 m in altitude. On 24 June 2012, the dzong caught fire and was burnt down.The renovation is still ongoing and is expected to continue until 2021.

In the evening you may visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendup Lhakhang Nunnery and enjoy the beautiful view of Punakha and Wangdue valleys.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.

Day 03: Punakha-Phobjikha-Punakha( 2Hours30Minutes-64Km)

After breakfast drive to Phobjikha valley via Gantey village where you see the Gangtey  Monastery and visit the monastery. Gangtey Gompa, an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, is one of the main seats of the religious tradition based on Pema Lingpa’s revelations.It is the most tourists visited place during the winter season to see the magnificent black-necked cranes that migrate from far-flung remote parts of Tibet. The spectacular ambience surrounded by hills and mountains are home to wandering shepherds and yak-herders. The view is breathtaking.

You will have refreshment and lunch at a resort/restaurant in this valley. Afternoon you can visit the Black Necked Crane Center and enjoy the fascinating sight of these birds in this beautiful scenic valley.

Overnight in camp at Phobjikha.

Day 04: Phobjikha-Zasa (7Hours-15Km-3130m)

The beginning of the trek starts from the village of Tabiting. The trek trail leads you through a pastureland gradually ascending via a changing ambience of juniper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendron to Tsele La (3430m). Then, slowly descend to Juge Kangkha Chhu valley. Following, the path leads to Gogona, popularly known for its “Gogona Cheese” production. The campsite is based about twenty minutes walk from the Gogona besides a small stream in a yak pasture called Zasa.

Day 05: Zasa-Chorten Karpo (7Hours-16Km-3330m)

A gradual climb aloft leads to Shobe La pass (3,480m).  Descending from the pass leads to a broad valley with beautiful mountain ranges encompassed. Beneath, you will see Khothokha village where sixty houses are based.

A gradual climb from there, you reach the campsite near four chortens ( stupa) in a blue pine forest.

Camp in Chorten Karpo.

Day 06: Chorten Karpo –Tikke Zampa (5Hours-12Km-1340m)

The trek trails is a gradual climb till you reach the road. you will feel at ease from here till the little ridge at 2,800m. Then, the downward climb will lead you back into the valley through Bhutan’s best bird watching areas.

Overnight at a hotel in Wangdue.

Day 07: Wangdue-Paro(4Hours-124Km)

After breakfast, travel to Paro. Check into the hotel.After lunch, visit the following places:

Visit the Rinpung Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress which houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture.  It was built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. From the Dzong, march further down to Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge which lies below the sheer walls of  Rinpung Dzong. Stroll through Rimpung Bridge (The oldest bridge in Bhutan).

Then visit the Dzongdrakha temple: After a short walk for about 15 minutes lies the Dzongdrakha temple. An impressive masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture built on the cliffs above Bondey village, With massive well-preserved paintings and a colorful mural depicting Wheel of Life and scenes from the life of Buddha. You will observe monks chanting and performing their daily chores.

Make a visit to a farmhouse which gives an insight of authentic lifestyle of a Bhutanese farming family.

In the evening, stroll around the Paro Town.

Dinner & overnight in Paro.

Day 08:Paro Excursion to Taktsang (3hours 30 minutes Walk)

Drive to Satsam Chorten and then hike to the Taktshang, the Tiger’s Nest. Normally it takes about three and half hours to complete the hike but might take longer depending on your fitness.  Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, is an important  Buddhist sacred site which clings to the rock face, 900 metres above the valley floor.To the rear of the Taktsang lies Senge Samdup cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century. Today, Paro Taktsang is popularly known for the thirteen Taktsang or “tiger lair” caves in which he meditated..it is believed that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew to Taktshang from Tibet on the back of a tigress from Khenpajong. This place was consecrated to tame the Tiger demon.

Refreshment will be served at View Point Cafeteria en route.After visiting the monastery, descend back to viewpoint cafeteria for lunch and then further descend downhill to the base. Then drive back to the hotel.

On the way back visit the Kichu temple– It is one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. To overcome a giant demon who prevented the spread of Buddhism, laid on the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas, King Songtsen Gampo build 108 temples placed on all the points of her body. In the evening you may relax in the traditional hot stone bath.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 09: Paro – Departure

Advent Bhutan Tours & Travels (your local Bhutan travel agent) will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your onward destinations.

End of the Tour

Note: It’s an easy trek. These kind of treks are usually known as cultural treks. It’s about walking along the villages and not beyond the tree lines. The height wont be more than 3000 Meters. Anyone with normal fitness can enjoy this trekking.