Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Dewachen Hotel & Spa
After breakfast, hike to the picturesque Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten on a peaceful hilltop and after lunch transfer to Phobjikha valley and then venture out on Gangtey Nature Hike through the pristine valley.
Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten is located on a serene hilltop overlooking the fertile Punakha valley with glacial-fed Mochu river meandering through the valley. The hike leads through the terraced rice fields and takes about 2.5-hours round trip for most visitors.
Retrace your footstep back to the road head and drive back to the town for lunch.
After lunch, transfer to Phobjikha valley, a vast U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 3,000m/9,840ft and a winter home for endangered Black Necked Crane from November to March and migrates back to Tibetan Plateau by the beginning of spring season. As part of the conservation effort, Phobjikha valley has been declared as a protected area.
Distance from Punakha - Phobjikha 80km, Driving time 3-hours, Phobjikha valley altitude 3,000m
Upon arrival in Phobjikha valley, check into the hotel and settle for hot tea and snacks. Then you will go on an exciting Gangtey Nature Hike. The trail is about 5km and takes approximately 3 hours through the woods surrounded by splendid nature all around, wonderful meadows, beautiful traditional village houses, farmlands and crystalline streams. This short nature trail gives you a great feeling of the valley and an understanding of the livelihood of the people living there. Lots of opportunities to take beautiful pictures!
Note: If there is not enough time, you can do the hike tomorrow morning.
Overnight at Dewachen Hotel & Spa or Yue-Loki Guest House