Gangtey Valley Tour
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be greeted by our staff who will escort you to the Hotel, where our Sherpa guide or the office staff will give you a brief orientation about the hotel, Kathmandu itself, trekking, and the do’s and don’ts of the area. Also, they will go over any other related information that you might require while in Nepal. Evening complementary well come dinner in one of the finest traditional Nepalese restaurant in Kathmandu with necessary transfer and overnight at Hotel.
Day 02: Valley sightseeing tour
After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your full day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. After your breakfast proceed for your full day sightseeing tour to Kathmandu Durbar square visiting, ancient palace, living goddess temple Kumari temple, Hanuman Dhoka and Kastamandap temple. Transfer to Swoyambhunath stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, further transfer to Pashupatinath temple the holiest shrine of the Hindu people and Boudhnath stupa of Buddhist pilgrimage center and back to hotel, evening briefing about the trek with guide introduction. Be ready this evening for tomorrow leaving to trek and overnight at Hotel.
Day 03: Fly to Paro
Arrive by Druk air A 319, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountain and landscape. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by our agent. Afternoon / evening time at leisure. Overnight Kichu Resort or similar.
Day 04: Paro Sightseeing
Visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. It was housed into the National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. A short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Stroll around the market and return to Kichu Resort.
Day 05: Drive to Thimphu and Sightseeing
It will take 2 hours and will be a pleasant one mainly due to the well maintained road through out Bhutan. Upon arrival check into Hotel Druk or River view or similar. PM sightseeing – Visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare “Takin” national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market.
Day 06: Thimpu sightseeing and drive to Wangduephodrang
AM visit the Painting school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. PM drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong from outside and the market area. Overnight at Wangdi Kichu Resort or similar.
Day 07: Gangtey Excursion
Day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa valley at an altitude of 2800 meters. The only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located here. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measure to ensure the safety of the Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley for 4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to make loud noises or fish in the river that runs through the valley. Explore the fascinating glacier valley and return to the Resort.
Day 08: Drive to Thimpu via Punakha Sightseeing
AM drive 45 minutes to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Drive 3 hours to Thimphu for lunch and proceed 2 hours to Paro via visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university. Overnight Kichu Resort or similar.
Day 09: Taktsang Hike in Paro
Day hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra payment. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the paro valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to Resort. Evening at leisure.
Day 10: Fly to Kathmandu
You will be transferred to Paro airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our tour officer and taken to your hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 11: Final Departure
Today keep in mind your international flight time; so make sure to keep your confirmed air ticket, and your passport handy. Our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from our amazing country, Nepal.