Gangtey Festival Tour: Experience the cultural extravaganza

Q: What is the Gangtey Festival?

The Gangtey Festival, also known as Tshechu, is a religious celebration held annually at Gangtey Monastery in Phobjikha Valley. It features mask dances, cultural performances, and rituals to honor Guru Rinpoche.

Q: When is the Gangtey Festival celebrated?

The festival typically occurs in October or November, depending on the lunar calendar. Dates may vary each year but for 2025 the festival is scheduled from 5th to 7th October.

Q: Do I need tickets for the Gangtey Festival?

No, the festival is free to attend. However, arriving early is recommended to secure a good viewing spot.

Q: What should I wear to the Gangtey Festival?

Dress conservatively, with long sleeves and modest attire. Bhutanese people often wear their traditional Gho and Kira for such events. You can also hire Gho and Kira to wear them. It will be a new experience for you in traditional attire.

Q: What else can I do in Phobjikha Valley?

Phobjikha Valley is known for its stunning scenery and the black-necked cranes that migrate here during winter. Visitors can also explore Gangtey Monastery and enjoy nature hikes. On 11th November there is black-necked Crane festival also.

The Gangtey festival is very important for people living in Phobjikha and is a highlight of any Gangtey Festival Tour. This three-day annual festival is held with the performance of various sacred mask dances that are based on Peling tradition and some unique to Gangtey Valley. The festival concludes with ngedup Langwa (receiving of spiritual wisdom) which is a special blessing ritual for the people.

Gangtey Goenpa Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, and it is a key destination in any well-planned Gangtey Festival Tour. 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.

Gangtye Festival Tour Cost

Solo traveler: Cost USD 2140.00
2 Pax Group Tour Cost: USD 1840 Per Person
3 to 4 Pax Group Cost USD 1660 Per Person

All our tour cost covers daily SDF, one-time Visa Fees, meals, a Guide, Transport, and accommodation. So, consider enrolling in a Gangtey Festival Tour for an unforgettable experience.

Overview

Itinerary

Inclusion / Exclusion

FAQs

Hotels

Gangtey Festival Tour Overview

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 24th to 26th Sept 2026

Gangtey also celebrates a festival every year. The festival is fixed in September this year. You can also check festival dates for this year and next year, 2026

7 Days Gangtey Festival Tour Overview

The tour program also includes the nature hike of Gangtye, the most beautiful in Wangdi

Day 01: Arrive at Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu |Distance 60KM | Driving Time 1 Hour | Altitude 2400.
Day 02: Thimphu City Tour | Altitude 2400M.
Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha | Distance 72.8 KM | Driving Time 2 Hours 8Minutes | Altitude 1200M
Day 04: Punakha to Gangtey and witness Gangtey Festival. Distance 72.8 KM| Driving time 2 Hours 16 Minutes| Altitude ranges from 2900-3200 meters above sea level.
Day 05: Gangtey to Paro. Distance 165.9 | Driving Time 4 Hours 25mins | Altitude ranges from 2300.
Day 06: Paro Tiger Nest Hike. Distance 15 km | Walking Time 4 Hours.
Day 07: Departure from Paro Airport. Altitude 2300M.

Apart from the Festival tour, you can also explore Bhutan for cultural, Adventure and Nature tours. We have carefully crafted the best things to do in Bhutan for the interested individual. This website will be your travel guide to Bhutan.

Similar Tours and Sights

Gangtye Festival Tour Highlights for 2026

Enjoy the Unique Culture of Phobjikha Valley
Witness the dance performed by a monk.
Visit 400 years old monastery.
Meet local people.

Day 1 :

Arrival at Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu |Distance 60KM | Driving Time 1 Hour | Altitude 2400M.

Arrive at Paro Airport and drive to Thimphu. A short stop on the way to view Tamchog lhakhang. This monastery was built in the 15th century by Thang Tong Gyalpo, popularly known as “The Iron bridge builder”. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, of which 8 were built in Bhutan.

After lunch, visit to: – National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of the third King, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Drive to the tallest statue of a sitting Buddha in the world (51.5 meters) at Kuensel Phodrang.

In the evening, visit Tashichho dzong, the seat of the national government and the central monastic body. Dinner and overnight in the Hotel.

Day 2 :

Thimphu City Tour | Altitude 2400M

In the morning, visit to Changangkha lhakhang, the oldest temple in Thimphu, built in the 12th century by Phajo Drugom Shigpo, Takin preserve centre (A weird-looking animal believed to be a mix of goat and a cow and has baffled the zoologists) and Simply Bhutan, where you can enjoy Ara (Local alcohol), witness folk dances and many more.

After lunch, visit the National Postal Museum, where you can print your photos on the official Bhutanese stamps. In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography. Dinner and overnight in the Hotel.

Day 3 :

Thimphu to Punakha | Distance 72.8 KM | Driving Time 2 Hours 8Minutes | Altitude 1200M

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 4 :

Punakha to Gangtey and witness Festival. Distance 72.8 KM| Driving time 2 Hours 16 Minutes| Altitude ranges from 2900-3200 meters above sea level.

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey. En route sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang includes a visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside), built in 1638.

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 reincarnation, built the temple.

Explore Phobjikha Valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. After lunch, explore the valley—dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 5 :

Gangtey to Paro | Distance 165.9KM | Driving Time 4 Hours 25mins | Altitude ranges from 2300M.

After breakfast, drive to Paro. Enroute take a short stop at Dochula pass.On arrival at Paro, visit Ta dzong built in 1649, an ancient watch tower which now houses the national museum of Bhutan followed by Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The dzong presently functions as the administrative centre of Paro district. If time permit, visit airport views where most of the people spend their time and do shopping at town. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 6 :

Paro Tiger Nest Hike | Distance 15KM | Walking Time 4 Hours | Altitude 3120M.

A very special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery – After breakfast take a drive till the base and from there the hike begin. 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 Drugyal dzong built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It served as a defense post against the Tibetan forces in the ancient days and then visit Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo. He built 108 temples in a single day to pin the ogress to the earth forever. Six of these temples lie in Bhutan. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 7 :

Paro Airport Drop. Altitude 2300M.

Gangtey Festival Tour ends here with our guide and driver seeing you off to the airport.

FAQs

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What is the tour cancellation policy?

90% refund for the tour cancelled 45 days prior to arrival date, payment transfer charges will be charged 75% refund for the tour cancelled between 30 to 45 days prior to arrival date No refund for the tour cancelled less than 30 days of arrival date and for the change of itinerary Booking made for 4 star and 5 star hotels have to follow individual hotel’s cancellation policies.

What is the flight cancellation policy?

70% refund for cancellation made before 30 days prior to arrival date (Documentation charge USD 25 applicable) 30% refund for cancellation made between 15 to 30 days of travel date NO refund for cancellation made less than 15 days of travel date Documentation charge applicable for the change of dates, sectors etc (issued tickets only, USD30/ticket)

What is the Gangtey Festival?

The Gangtey Festival, also known as Tshechu, is a religious celebration held annually at Gangtey Monastery in Phobjikha Valley. It features mask dances, cultural performances, and rituals to honor Guru Rinpoche.

When is the Gangtey Festival celebrated?

The festival typically occurs in October or November, depending on the lunar calendar. Dates may vary each year but for 2025 the festival is scheduled from 5th to 7th October.

Do I need tickets for the Gangtey Festival?

No, the festival is free to attend. However, arriving early is recommended to secure a good viewing spot.

What should I wear to the Gangtey Festival?

Dress conservatively, with long sleeves and modest attire. Bhutanese people often wear their traditional Gho and Kira for such events. You can also hire Gho and Kira to wear them. It will be a new experience for you in traditional attire.

What else can I do in Phobjikha Valley?

Phobjikha Valley is known for its stunning scenery and the black-necked cranes that migrate here during winter. Visitors can also explore Gangtey Monastery and enjoy nature hikes. On 11th November there is black-necked Crane festival also.