Haa Valley & Gangtey Explorer
Two of Bhutan's quietest valleys, rarely paired on one itinerary.
A trip built around two valleys most itineraries skip entirely: Haa, opened to tourism only in 2002 and still one of the least-visited corners of the country, and Gangtey's glacial Phobjikha bowl, wintering ground for black-necked cranes. Slower-paced, farmhouse-heavy, and light on driving.
- Haa Valley
- Gangtey Monastery
- Black-necked cranes
- Black-Necked Crane FestivalPhobjikha Valley · Mid-November (11 Nov)
A single-day village festival celebrating the cranes that winter in the valley, timed to their arrival.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 7 days
- Max altitude
- 3,100 m (Chele La (Haa approach))
Why this trip works
- Best Attractions
Where this trip takes you
- 01Haa Valley temples
Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo, the White and Black Temples, in one of Bhutan's least-visited valleys.
- 02Gangtey Monastery
Overlooking the glacial Phobjikha valley below.
- 03Phobjikha crane roosting grounds
Wintering habitat for the valley's black-necked cranes.
- 01Haa Valley temples
- See the gallery
- Things To Do
- Visit Haa Valley's White and Black Temples
- Walk the rim of the Phobjikha glacial valley
- Watch for wintering black-necked cranes from a viewing hide
- Stay a night on a farmhouse in each valley
- Hotels
- HomestayHaa Valley Farmhouse
- ComfortPhobjikha Valley Lodge
- Best Season
- Autumn · Sep - Nov
- Winter · Dec - Feb
Gangtey's cranes winter from November, and Haa's own Tshechu falls after the September rains.
The route
Hover or tap a dzongkhag for what this trip does there - shown in visiting order, west to east.
See the ground before you book
Footage shot on the same trails, passes, and valleys Haa Valley & Gangtey Explorer travels through - filmed by us, not stock.
The Meriphuentsum Trail, Haa
Haa's own hiking trail, in a valley that only opened to visitors in 2002.
Nub Tshonapata in One Day
The lake basin high above Haa, reached and returned in a day.
Haa to Paro to Thimphu on the Trans Bhutan Trail
The ancient highway that links the three western valleys, walked and run in a day.
A closer look
Other journeys
A few more starting points - every trip is customizable around your dates and pace.
7 daysEasyCultural ToursCultural Bhutan
The classic west-to-central loop through dzongs and valleys.
3,140 m (Taktsang viewpoint)Paro & ThimphuPunakha DzongTiger's Nest hikeView trip
5 daysEasyCultural ToursPunakha Escape
Discover Punakha's rivers, rice fields, monasteries, and magnificent dzong.
1,350 mPunakha DzongKhamsum ChortenMo Chhu raftingView trip
9 daysEasyCultural ToursBumthang Heartland
Central Bhutan's sacred valleys, monasteries, and honey farms.
2,800 m (Jakar)Jambay LhakhangValley farmstaysLocal honey & cheeseView trip
This is just the starting point
Every trip here is a template, not a fixed package - tell us your dates, pace, and interests and we'll customize Haa Valley & Gangtey Explorer (or build something new) around exactly what you want.