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Bumthang : Mongar : Paro : Phobjikha : Phuentsholing : Punakha
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Thimphu : Trashigang : Trongsa : Wangdiphodrang
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Thimphu : Trashigang : Trongsa : Wangdiphodrang
130kms and 5 hours drive from Thimphu lies, Phobjikha valley at an elevation of 9,500 feet. On the drive into the valley you can encounter the historic Gangtey Gompa monastery built in the 17th century. Situated on a prominent hilltop, this Monastery that is the home of the Gangtey Tulku, a highly respected reincarnate lama, dominates the scenery. Pema Lingpa predicted that a Goemba would be built on a hilltop that would spread his teachings. As predicted, Gangtey (meaning hilltop) Goemba was founded in 1613 by Gyalse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa. This is the largest Nyingmapa Monastery in Bhutan. It was extended by, Tenzin Legpe Dhondrup, the second incarnation of Pema Lingpa, who then built a Dzong around it.
Phobjikha is a wide, beautiful alpine wetland valley; where the hillside vegetation comprises mainly pine forests, interspersed with Rhododendron trees, with thick brush-like bamboo carpeting the floor. A flock of 200-300 rare and endangered Black necked cranes fly down from Tibet to spend the winter in this valley. These majestic birds are some of the only 5000 left in the world today.
A Nature Study centre was established at Khebethang in 1996. This is a project of the Royal Government of Bhutan, who has received the assistance of the WWF. This area is a habitat for many different species of wildlife and birds. It conducts research to determine conservation needs and is the site of various workshops for farmers and students.
