Phobjikha Valley is a U-shaped glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, bordering the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. The valley houses one of the impressive ancient Buddhist monasteries in Bhutan known as Gangteng Monastery, and as a result, some people refer to this entire region as Gangtey. Because of the large flock of black-necked cranes that winters here, it is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country. It offers beautiful trails for hiking and nature walks, allowing visitors to experience its tranquility and natural beauty up close.
This morning, we will have a light hike on Gangtey Nature Trail (4km, 1.5-2 hours) that starts from Gangtey Monastery (3030m) and descends to Khewang Lhakhang (2850m). It is the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. You can immerse yourselves in the beauty of the Phobjikha Valley(2840m) with farmhouses, dense pine forests, rhododendron forests, and bamboo plants on foot and get a glimpse of the rural and pastoral lifestyle. During the winter (between late October and late February), it may be a bonus to see the rare and endangered Black-neck Cranes. Tips: 1. Dress in layers and wear comfortable hiking shoes. The weather can change quickly in the mountains. 2. Respect wildlife and maintain the cleanliness of the trail.
Gangtey Monastery (Gangtey Goemba, Gangtey Gonpa) was first built in 1613 by Pema Thinley, the grandson, and re-embodiment of Pema Lingpa (the reincarnation of Guru Rinpoche, 1450-1521). It is a beautiful temple architecture that stands on the hilltop and is a great spot to view the picturesque Phobjikha Valley. The Monastery's history traces back to the prophecies made by the well-known Terton (treasure finder) Pema Lingpa in the late 15th century that a goemba (monastery) named gang-teng (hilltop) would be built on this site and that his teachings would spread from here. Now the Monastery is one of the main seats of the religious tradition based on Pema Lingpa's revelations and one of the two main centres of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism in the country. It is said that on arrival in the Phobjikha Valley in the last week of October, the black-necked cranes circle the Gangteng Monastery three times and also repeat the process while returning to Tibet. Bhutanese have great respect for these “heavenly birds”. Each year on Nov. 11, the Black-necked Crane Festival with local songs, dramas, and masked dances is held at the courtyard of Gangtey Goemba to celebrate the arrival of the endangered bird migrating from the Tibetan Plateau.
At the end of the trail, you will find Khewang Lhakhang, located on the east side of the Phobjikha valley. This 15th-century temple is one of the oldest in the valley and it showcases three impressive two-storey statues of the past, present, and future Buddhas (dusum sangay).
In the afternoon, we will drive to the Black-necked Cranes Information Center, which has informative displays about the black-necked cranes and the valley environment. You can enter the observation room and use the telescope and spotting scopes to watch the Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis). Every year (Oct. to Feb.), over 300 cranes migrate from Tibet to Bhutan for their winter months in Phobjikha Valley. It has been helpful for the center to protect and conserve the Black-necked crane and its species since 2003. It is a nice place to know more about the cranes and study their behavior.
After that, drive from Gangtey to Trongsa (about 80km, 2 hours). Set your sights eastward towards Trongsa Dzong. Traverse through the dense forests as you make your way to the majestic Pele La Pass, standing at an altitude of 3420 meters, serving as the gateway to Central Bhutan. From this pass, you will enter the expansive and captivating Mangde Chhu Valley, a land of open spaces and natural splendor. Along the journey, you will encounter the Chendebji Chorten, a magnificent white stupa constructed in the 19th century, inspired by Nepal's revered Swayambhunath. Continuing on, follow the winding zigzag road through the valley, treating yourself to a breathtaking view of Trongsa Dzong.
If time allows on this day, pay a visit and marvel at the grandeur of Trongsa Dzong, which boasts the most impressive architecture in Bhutan. It stands on the edge of a gorge, perched at an altitude of 2200 meters, with its narrow and sprawling design gracefully occupying the entire mountainside. Trongsa Dzong is not only strategically located and eye-catching but also steeped in a rich history. It is the birthplace of the current Wangchuck dynasty, with its first structure erected by Ngagi Wangchuck in 1541. The dzong holds close ties to the royal family, as it served as the seat of power for the first and second kings of Bhutan. Even the current fifth king previously held the position of regional governor of Trongsa before ascending to the throne.
Within the massive fortress of Trongsa Dzong, you will find an impressive collection of 23 temples, making it the largest dzong in scale among Bhutan's architectural wonders. Most of these temples are not accessible to the public, creating a labyrinthine maze of corridors, temples, offices, classrooms, and monk residences. Today, Trongsa Dzong serves as a museum, where the history of the Bhutanese royal family and sacred Buddhist artifacts are showcased. The pinnacle of the museum experience lies on the top floor, offering a mesmerizing 360-degree panorama of Trongsa's enchanting scenery. Standing on the circular top floor, you can admire Trongsa Dzong, the neighboring villages, and the majestic surrounding mountains, all captured in a single breathtaking view.
Stay overnight in Trongsa.