Gangtey Goenpa Monastery
Gangtey Goenpa Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan. The Gangtey Monastery is located on a hill ridge overlooking the vast and beautiful Phobjikha valley. There is even a trail that starts down from the valley up to the Gangtey Gompa. The monastery was built in the 17th century and is considered the largest Nyingma monastery in Bhutan.
Geography of gangtey Monastery
The Gangteng Monastery, also spelt Gantey Gonpa, is bounded on the west side by the Black Mountains (Bhutan) (range above 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) elevation) and is located on a spur amidst the Gantey village, overlooking the vast U-shaped glacial Phobjikha Valley, which is at an elevation of about 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) and which has marshy land. The Nake Chuu river runs through this valley. The monastery commands striking views of the Phubjika Valley below.The Black Mountain Region is inhabited by nomadic shepherds and yak herders.
Wangdue Phodrang, the district headquarters, is 45 kilometres (28 mi) from the Nobding village in the Phobjikha Valley on the Trongsa road from where a short diversion road leads to the Gonpa. It is 75 kilometres (47 mi) from Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The Gonpa lies on the popular trekking route of the ‘Gangte trail’ which starts from the bottom of the Phobjika valley, passes through the Gangteng Valley, then climbs up to the Gangteng Gonpa, then goes through the Kumbu village on the east of the Gangteng Gonpa, passes through Gedachen, Khebaythang, the Kilkhorthang villages and finally touches the Kungathang Lhakhang
Gangtey Festival starts from 27th to 29th October 2023
Gangtey also celebrates festival every year. The festival is fixed from 27th to 29th October 2023 and 28th to 29th October 2024.
Gangtey Festival Tour Highlight
- Enjoy the Unique Culture of Phobjikha Valley
- Witness the dance performed by a monk.
- Visit 400 years old monastery.
- Meet local people.
7 Days Gangtey Festival Tour Over View
- Day 01: Arrival Paro for Gangtye Festival Tour.
- Day 02: Thimphu City Tour
- Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha.
- Day 04: Punakha to Gangtey and witness Gangtye Festival.
- Day 05: Gangtey to Paro
- Day 06: Paro Tiger Nest Hike
- Day 07: Paro Airport
7 Days Gangtey Festival Tour Detail Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival at Paro International Airport
Arrive at Paro Airport and drive to Thimphu. Visit the beautiful Thimphu city bustling with people. In the afternoon visit Tashichhodzong the office of the 5th King of Bhutan. In the evening leisure time.
Day 02 Thimphu City Tour
Visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts.
After lunch, we drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). We finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Over night in Hotel.
Day 03 Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, visit Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. He subdued the demons with his “ Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
In Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952.
Day 04 Punakha to Gangtey and witness Festival
After breakfast drive to Gangtey. Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang includes a visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside) built-in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered an auspicious sign, representing the spread of Buddhist religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Drive further to Gangtey. While in Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth reincarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikha Valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. After lunch, Explore the valley. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 05 Gangtey to Paro
After breakfast, drive to Gangtey. Explore phobjikha valley one of the habitats for black-necked cranes. Visit Gangtey Goenpa. Over night at Dewachen Hotel.
Day 06 Paro Tiger Nest Hike
A very special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery – After breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, and from there a 2-hour horse ride to the viewpoint point of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort.
After Lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in 1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. In the evening, drive to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 07 Paro Airport Drop
Gangtey Festival Tour ends here with our guide and driver seeing you off to the airport.