Foothills of Bhutan

Also referred to as Gangtey, after the monastery that overlooks the valley, the Phobjikha Valley is a vast glacial plain, surrounded by forest-clad mountains and peppered with farming hamlets and temples. If you’re there during the season, you may be lucky enough to witness the spectacular display of literally hundreds of monochrome Black Necked Cranes swooping down to roost in the broad valley, circling Gangtey Monastery as they descend. Take time out from your cosy lodge to follow the Gangtey Nature Trail through Phobjikha Valley, passing through pasture, pinewoods, a village and marshlands to the 15th-century Khewang Lhakhang temple – one of the largest in Bhutan – for uninterrupted valley views from its lofty location.

One or two nights on the trekking trail can take your trip to another level. The Druk Path is one of Bhutan’s most famous routes, passing through varied landscapes from thick forests to open valleys; trek along a section of the path which starts near to Thimphu, camping overnight along the way.

Whilst a certain degree of fitness is essential for all hiking, the exact route can be tailored to your needs and preferences, ensuring that you can fully focus on the path ahead. Immerse yourself in the unspoilt purity of Bhutan’s ‘great outdoors’, as the crisp air fills your lungs and the superlative scenery stretches off in every direction.

Picturesque Paro is the jumping-off point for visiting one of Bhutan’s most famous landmarks: the instantly recognisable Tiger’s Nest monastery. Sitting on a riverbank surrounded by rice fields and forest-clad mountains, it’s a town of intriguing streets lined with traditional-style wooden buildings, handicraft shops, restaurants and coffee shops.

The only way to reach the monastery itself is by following steep pilgrim paths through the pine forest, but visiting as the grand finale to your trek allows you to get ahead of the crowds. Rather than joining the constant stream of visitors on the main trail, head straight downhill from your overnight camp as dawn breaks, arriving at the Tiger’s Nest before anyone else, with the scent of incense and the gentle sound of monastic chanting filling the early morning air.