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Wangdue Phodrang District (Dzongkhag) is located in the central-western region of Bhutan and is often linked with Punakha, Gangtey, and Trongsa in one trip. The district's administrative center is the town of Wangdue Phodrang, which is famous for the historic Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, a fortress monastery built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. On the opposite of the Dzong, you will find Rinchengang Village, renowned for its traditional stonework and offering spectacular views of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong.
Gangtey is a charming village located in the enchanting Phobjikha Valley, just 60 kilometers away from Wangdue Phodrang town. The Phobjikha Valley is shaped like a bowl and is one of the most important nature and wildlife preserves, particularly for the rare black-necked cranes during winter. In Phobjikha, you'll find Gangtey Monastery on a hilltop, a sacred Nyingmapa monastery that overlooks the expansive Phobjikha valley. The Tsechu and the Black-necked Crane Festival are held annually in the Gangtey Monastery courtyard. The lower part of the valley is a perfect destination for exploration on foot or by mountain bike. Among the many trails, the Gangte Nature Trail stands out as the most popular for a short walk, allowing you to explore the pristine forest and spot wildlife. Additionally, for bird lovers, there is the Black-necked Cranes Information Center where you can study the behavior of the cranes.
How to Plan Wangdue Phodrang / Gangtey Tour?
Wangdue Phodrang is typically the second destination on your journey. You can visit Wangdue Phodrang while traveling to Gangtey or returning from Bumthang. For a 5 or 6-day trip, it's recommended to include Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang/Gangtey in western Bhutan. If you have more than a week, you can extend your itinerary to include Trongsa and Bumthang in Central Bhutan for a more comprehensive exploration of the country
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If you have specific places you wish to visit or activities you want to engage in, feel free to customize your Bhutan tour according to your preferences and interests.
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Explore the captivating landscapes, cultural wonders, and serene valleys of Bhutan with our meticulously crafted Best Bhutan Tours, which include Wangdue Phodrang and Gangtey. Dive into the rich history of Wangdue Phodrang, known for its famous Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and Rinchengang Village, offering breathtaking views of the majestic Dzong. Experience the tranquility of Gangtey, nestled in the beautiful Phobjikha valley. Visit the unique Gangtey Monastery, embark on scenic walking trails, and witness the black-necked cranes during winter. In addtion, our Bhutan Tours seamlessly combine Wangdue Phodrang and Gangtey with other must-see attractions in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Trongsa, and Bumthang, ensuring you experience the best of Bhutan in one unforgettable journey.
Our all-inclusive Bhutan Group Tour Packages make it easy and affordable for you to discover the best destinations of Bhutan. With stable departures in 2024, you can book with confidence and enjoy a Wangdue Phodrang/Gangtey Trip alongside like-minded travelers. The following Bhutan Group Tours offer the perfect balance between sightseeing and comfort, with expert English-speaking guides, comfortable accommodation, and convenient transportation. We take care of all the details, ensuring that you have a stress-free and enjoyable Bhutan Trip. Join us on a journey of discovery and experience the land of happiness with our Bhutan Group Tours. Check All Bhutan Group Tours 2024 >>
When planning your TWangdue Phodrang Tours in Bhutan , it's essential to gather useful articles to enhance your travel experience. Discover insightful information on the best time to visit, recommended attractions, and hidden gems in Wangdue Phodrang/Gangtey. Dive into articles that delve into the region's rich cultural heritage, providing you with a deeper understanding of its sacred temples, monasteries, and festivals. With these valuable resources, you can plan a well-informed itinerary, ensuring that you make the most of your Punakha vacation.View More Bhutan Travel Guides >>
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong: Built in 1639, this strategically located fortress-monastery stands at the confluence of two rivers. It played a pivotal role in unifying Bhutan's western, central, and southern regions during the 17th century.
Rinchengang Village: This charming village is known for its exceptional traditional stonework and the panoramic views of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong.
Phobjikha Valley: Phobjikha Valley is a stunning glacial valley known for its natural beauty and the black-necked cranes that migrate here in winter. The valley also offers scenic hiking trails and opportunities for birdwatching.
Gangtey Nature Trail: This is an easy hike and is one of the most beautiful hikes. The Trail starts from (4km, 1.5-2 hours) from Gangtey Monastery to Khewang Lhakhang. You can see the beautiful view of the Gangtey / Phobjikha valley, marshy wetland and the rare black necked Cranes.
Gangtey Monastery: The only Nyingmapa school in the west of Black mountain and is surrounded by the Gangtey village and offer the panoramic views of the Phobjikha valley.
Black-Necked Crane Information Centre: This center provides information about the cranes' habitats, local culture, and natural history.
The best time to visit is during the black-necked crane migration season (late October to mid-February) if you want to see these rare birds. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to early October) are also great for pleasant weather and natural beauty.
Most travelers fly into Paro International Airport and then drive to Gangtey from Thimphu or Punakha. The road journey offers scenic views.
| Route | Distance (Approx.) | Drive Duration (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Punakha to Gangtey | 60 to 80 kilometers | 2 to 3 hours |
| Thimphu to Gangtey | 140 to 160 kilometers | 4 to 5 hours |
You can see black-necked cranes in Gangtey/Phobjikha Valley during their winter migration season, particularly from late October to mid-February.
Alfred
USA
Communication with Alina Dang was easy and response time fast. Alina is very professional and detail oriented.
Once in Bhutan our Guide Kins and Driver Karma made this 6 days tour to Paro, Thimphu and Punakha an unforgettable experience.
The Hotels selected were all excellent and with a friendly staff.
I hope to return to Bhutan for a longer stay and travel to Eastern Bhutan. Visit Bhutan and you will not be disappointed.
Date of Experience: Oct 19, 2024
Tour Customized by: Alina
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Clive
Britain
We really enjoyed our 19 day tour of Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet tour arranged by Asian Odyessey. Alina helped customize our itinerary, mostly adding a few free rest days, and was very helpful in communication throughout. The tour guides, hotels and transportation were all excellent. I am happy to recommend them and indeed am looking at another tour.
Destination(s): Tibet
Date of Experience: Oct 21, 2024
Tour Customized by: Alina
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Molly Durnas
US
I just graduated college and was planning on solo traveling Asia for 3 months. In the beginning of May, my mother very last minute decided that she would join me for a few weeks starting in the beginning of June. We both were very busy and had to quickly come up with a plan, which is when we found Asia Odyssey. Alina was super prompt in her response and quickly made us an itinerary for Nepal and Bhutan that fit exactly to our needs. After seeing how expertly Alina was able to create this itinerary, we also requested she make us an itinerary for India’s Golden Triangle including Delhi, Agra, and Rajasthan that we would embark on before Nepal/Bhutan.
Altogether we were under the care of Asia Odyssey for about a month, and simply could not have had a better experience. Alina was constantly in contact with us to make sure that everything was going smoothly and that we were having a wonderful time. In Nepal, we very last minute changed our plan to fly instead of drive for two of our locations and Alina was so understanding and helpful in allowing us to change our plans. Alina truly took wonderful care of us from start to finish and she is such a gem. Thank you so much for everything Alina!
Our trip to India felt right out of a magazine. Our driver Satish in India was with us over a week and is one of the kindest, most genuine people I have ever met in my entire life. I’ve been wanting to go to India with my mother for years and the trip was absolutely perfect - every hotel, every restaurant, every sight was absolutely wonderful. I was blown away with the country and the culture, and Asia Odyssey allowed us to experience it in the most comfortable and seamless way.
Our adventures in Nepal and Bhutan were some of the best of my life! The mountains and culture were unlike anything I’d experienced before, and I truly felt that I was able to get a genuine feel for the countries. The mountains and all of the buddhist monasteries and temples were some of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in my life. I absolutely cannot wait to come back - and when I do it will definitely be with Asia Odyssey.
Our guides Prarek, Ganesh, Narendra, Amit, Ghana, and Jigme throughout India, Nepal and Bhutan were all absolutely amazing, as were our drivers Satish, Keshav, and Momlal. Every single person we met was so incredible and made us feel so welcomed.
I cannot speak highly enough of Asia Odyssey and the hospitality shown by all involved in our trip. Thank you so much for the trip of a lifetime, and we hope to return very soon!
Date of Experience: Jun 01, 2024
Tour Customized by: Alina
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