Immersion in nature is proven to be emotionally and physically beneficial to our wellbeing. Our pristine valley boasts an array of paths and ancient trails that meander through dense pine forests, open meadows, traditional villages and crane roosting grounds. Our nature experiences cater to all fitness levels and age groups.
Immersive Experiences
Our 5 Keys to Wellbeing
At Gangtey Lodge we focus on the 5 keys to wellbeing by immersing you in the culture and natural environment of the Gangtey Valley. From spiritual blessings and community engagement to physical and mental rejuvenation, our authentic experiences enable you to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones.
- Overview
- NATURE
- Wellness
- Spiritual
- DINING
- CULTURE
RELAXING
WELLNESS
After a day of immersion in our beautiful Gangtey Valley, unwind with a relaxing in-suite fireside massage.
Finish the day with a traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath or our selection of bath and spa treatments.
Enlightening
SPIRITUAL
Our Spiritual Experiences help support the 17th century Gangtey Geonpa (Monastary) and Shedra (Buddhist College), both a short walk away.Through these venerable institutions find spiritual enrichment and delve into ancient traditions, which are an integral part of the local community.
Learn about our Gastronomy
DINING
From intimate Bhutanese dinners in our cosy Woodshed to outdoor picnics with dramatic backdrops, our dining experiences promise to introduce you to the exotic flavours of Bhutan as part of your cultural immersion into Gangtey Valley.
Enriching
CULTURE
Phobjikha (Gangtey) Valley is rich in culture and customs, its origins shrouded in myths and legends passed down through the ages in the oral tradition. Today, the people of the valley predominantly farm potatoes, plus wheat, buckwheat, and barley. Visit the Phobjibs, who speak Nyenkha, an ancient language, and the Gangteps, who reside in the valley below the monastery and served the lamas in ancient times. Hike to a traditional farmhouse where you will be able to immerse yourself in the local community and learn more about their culture.
TREE PLANTING AND PICNIC
Environmental conservation is one of Bhutan’s Four Pillars of our Gross National Happiness manifest. Every year on the 2nd June, to celebrate the coronation of His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck, our Lodge Family strive to plant more than 100 trees. Join us by planting trees next to ours in a nearby meadow at the edge of the forest from June to August. Celebrate the event with an afternoon tea picnic in this beautiful spot before returning to the Lodge at your leisure.
USD 40++ per person
GANGTEY VALLEY HIKES
Gangtey Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Bhutan for hiking. Immerse yourself in the pristine surroundings of our Valley by hiking ancient trails through blue pine forests or meander past the crane roosting grounds on the valley floor to visit our neighbours.
There are numerous trails and more strenuous hikes, suitable for all age groups and fitness levels.
GANGTEY VALLEY MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDES
Take one of our 8 complimentary mountain bikes to visit traditional villages and far-flung monasteries throughout the valley. There are numerous village roads and tracks for mountain bike riding, which range from easy to strenuous, including the lung-busting climb to the top of the Lawa Pass for the more adventurous.
AN EVENING WITH THE BLACK-NECK CRANE CENTRE STAFF
Phobjikha Valley is a protected nature reserve under the auspices of the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN). The valley is the winter roosting grounds of the endangered Black Necked Cranes, more than 600 migrating from the Tibetan Plateau and arriving in late October and staying until mid-March each year. They are said to circle the monastery three times on arrival and departure, and much revered by the local community.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Nature’s Black-necked Crane centre performs invaluable work in ensuring the protection of their roosting areas, educating the locals and tourists of the importance of the cranes to the valley. If you would like to learn more about the Black-necked Crane, we will happily invite the staff up for evening drinks and further discussion. This experience is subject to the availability of the RSPN staff so please book on reservation so that we may arrange this for you.
HOT-STONE BATH
Experience our famous Hot Stone Bath. Hot Stone Baths are an ancient Bhutanese tradition and a popular form of therapeutic practice. The bath itself is made of local pinewood, and the rocks used to heat the water are large boulders collected from a river nearby. It is believed that the heat from the water, the minerals released from the rock, and herbs foraged from the forest all combine to produce an array of medicinal benefits.
From USD 200 ++ per person
Please book at least 3 hours in advance for us to prepare the hot stones Kindly note that Hot Stone Bath and Signature Massage Experience are subject to 100% cancellation charges should they be pre-booked/prepaid and cancelled less than 6 hours in advance. If cancelled before 6 hours, no cancellation charges will be applied.
IN-SUITE BATH EXPERIENCES
Drift away while soaking in your own in-suite, deep rolltop bathtubs and take in the splendid views of the valley. Our bath experiences help to replenish the skin with rich minerals that nourish and care naturally. Special treats complimenting the bath experience are served for you to savour. Choose from 3 bath experiences: Herbal, Relax & Refresh.
USD 30++ per bath
GANGTEY LODGE IN-SUITE SPA
Enjoy a range of holistic massage treatments in the luxury of your suite. After a long day in the valley, unwind with a relaxing, restorative massage, using therapeutic properties of pure, plant-based essential oils. Gangtey Lodge Spa only uses natural products, the best that Mother Nature has to offer.
Prices per Spa menu
SPIRITUAL CLEANSING (THRUSEL)
Join the monks at the Shedra for an early morning Thrusel ritual, for self-cleansing of all bad spirits surrounding us and for good luck. Buddhist fumigation is a ritual practiced by the Bhutanese every morning and during special pujas (religious ceremonies). Selected herbs are burnt and holy water (thrue-chhu) is poured over one’s head for purification. It is a common belief that every place has its local protective deity or spirit and the fumigation is to please the spirit and keep the spirit happy.
USD 70++ per ceremony
Gangtey Lodge donates USD 35 to the Monastery. All donations to the Shedra are very welcome. The ceremony is normally arranged between 07:30-08:00 and lasts around 30 minutes.
MORNING & EVENING PRAYERS AT THE SHEDRA
Experience morning or evening prayers at the Gangtey Shedra (Buddhist College), a 5-minute walk behind Gangtey Lodge where approximately 300 monks study. The Morning Prayers are referred to as the Tara Prayers. Prayers are offered in the early morning as Buddhists consider the body and mind to be most pure at this time of day. After the prayer session, you may be invited to accompany one of the lamas (teachers of Dharma) in their morning or evening rounds, with opportunities to converse with the student monks. The Evening Prayer takes place every evening from 18:30-19:30 (except Saturdays). It is possible to combine the 17:30 meditation class with the evening prayer. After the prayer session, you are invited to discuss any topics you wish with the monks.
Both the morning and evening prayers are offered as complimentary experiences.
HOISTING OF PRAYER FLAGS (LUNG DHAR)
Hoist some prayer flags for happiness, long life, prosperity, luck and merit and to offer karmic merit to all sentient beings. For centuries, prayer flags have been a significant part of Bhutanese tradition. Prayer flags are raised outside homes, hung on hilltops, bridges and places of spiritual importance. Gangtey Lodge has a special area behind the local Shedra where the ceremony is performed.
A complimentary experience
EVENING MEDITATION CLASS AT THE SHEDRA
The Shedra is an institute where the monks learn about Buddhist philosophy, poetry, logic, meditation and debate. In addition to the regular academic practice and classes for monks, the Shedra provides a meditation class and discussion for our guests, mainly on compassion and shamata (tranquility and calm abiding meditation) by highly qualified lamas, with English or Hindi translations. This meditation practice will help you overcome stress, develop a peaceful mind and to generate kindness.
Meditation sessions are chargeable at USD $ 25 per person
DONATE A ROBE FOR A MONK
The Gangtey Shedra plays a significant spiritual and social role for the community of Gangtey Valley. Approximately 300 monks reside in the Gangtey Shedra Monastic School. The Shedra does not receive any official financial aid and solely relies on the sponsorship and support from the Gangtey Trulku Rimpoche, the 9th body reincarnate of Pema Lingpa. Purchasing and donating new robes from Gangtey Lodge will allow the Shedra or Monastery to re-allocate funds to other needs for the students.
USD 35 ++ per robe
Gangtey Lodge stocks new robes for our guests to purchase and donate to the monks while visiting the Shedra or Goenpa.
BUTTERLAMP (KHAR-MA) CEREMONY AT THE GANGTEY GOENPA
Take part in a Butterlamp (Khar-ma) Ceremony at the 17th Century Gangtey Geonpa. The lighting of butter lamps accompanied by prayers has a special significance in Buddhism. Lighting butter lamps represents relief from suffering and provides you with a guiding light to find enlightenment.
USD 50++ per ceremony
Kindly advise us at the time of booking so that we can arrange this for you. Gangtey Lodge donates USD 25 to the Gangtey Monastery.
DONATE A MEAL TO THE MONKS
Offering a meal to the monastic community of Gangtey Valley is a generous and rewarding gesture. It supports the Gangtey Trulku Rimpoche and over 33 Goenpas, Shedras and Dubdras, with the aim to preserve Bhutanese tradition and provide religious education and retreat facilities. By donating a meal to the monks of Gangtey, the monks will offer special prayers and blessings to the generous donors, and you are welcomed to participate.
USD 250 donation
This donation will feed all the monks at the Shedra for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
KUMBU LHAKHANG
In the nearby village of Kumbu, located approximately two kilometers to the northeast of The Lodge, the small and almost forgotten temple Kumbu Lhakang can be found. The history of this quaint temple goes back far in time and was built by Tibetan Lama Tshenden Dawa in the 17th Century.It is a relatively easy and pleasant hike up the hill to Kumbu Lhakang Temple; alternatively, it is also possible to bike along the trail located just besides Gangtey Lodge.
USD 15 ++ per person
Kindly advise us at time of booking so we can make arrangements with the caretaker of the temple. Water and snacks included. All donations are very welcome.
* The Gangtey Shedra and Monastery are working institutions and we are their honored guests. As such, all our spiritual experiences are subject to availability and the seasonal & daily schedule of the Shedra and Monastery. The monks at the Shedra and the Monastery are away for their winter break from December to February.
BREAKFAST/LUNCH AND BLESSING AT THE 17TH CENTURY GANGTEY GOENPA (MONASTERY)
Celebrate a special occasion with a Tshewang prayer at the 17th century Gangtey Geonpa. Your experience starts when you are escorted from the lodge to the Monastery to participate with the monks and lamas in the Thsewang Prayer, for personal empowerment, wish fulfillment and a healthy life. This 30 minute prayer includes the lighting of butter lamps and concludes with a personal blessing from the Tulku, (a reincarnated Master) as well as an exclusive tour of the Monastery. Afterwards, enjoy an exceptional private breakfast or lunch experience within the monastery.
USD 115++ per breakfast & blessing (for two people)
USD 155 ++per lunch & blessing (for two people)
Gangtey Lodge donates USD 80 to the Monastery for all breakfast or lunch and blessing experiences. Kindly advise us at the time of booking, so we may arrange this for you.
GANGTEY 360 HIKE & PICNIC
Take the breathtaking “Gangtey 360°”, a 30-40 that begins a 15-minute drive from the lodge. Hike up towards the meditation cliff at 3,400m through towering bushes of jade-hued bamboo. When you reach the top, be rewarded with unobstructed views of Gangtey Valley far below and Himalayan peaks to the North. Celebrate with a breakfast or lunch with spectacular views before taking a gentle hour-long walk back down to the lodge.
USD 220++ per breakfast/lunch setup (for two people)
Kindly advise us on booking so we may coordinate this special event for you.
COOKING CLASS
At Gangtey Lodge, food has always been key to a greater understanding of the history, customs, and traditions. Join us in exploring and preparing a culinary journey of Bhutan. Perfect to combine with other experiences, and collect ingredients such as homemade cheese and butter from a visit to a village house. Finally, dine in our Woodshed and enjoy your creations.
USD 35 ++ per person
Kindly advise us on booking so we may coordinate this special event for you.
WOODSHED DINING EXPERIENCE
For an intimate and highly personalized dining experience, our cosy and traditional Woodshed is a step below our main lodge, with sweeping views over the valley. Allow us to arrange a lazy late morning brunch or an atmospheric candlelit dinner by the warm Bukhari to reignite the romance in your life as you gaze upon the star-studded sky.
USD 65++ per person – Brunch
USD 110++ per person – Dinner
Kindly advise us at the time of booking, so we may arrange this for you. Kindly note that the Woodshed Brunch Experience is subject to a 100% cancellation charge should they be pre-booked/prepaid and cancelled on the event day. If cancelled by 8.00 pm on the day preceding the event, no cancellation fee will be applied. Kindly note that the Woodshed Dining Experience is subject to a 50% cancellation charge should they be pre-booked/prepaid and cancelled by 12.00 noon on event day. They are subject to a 100% cancellation charge should they be pre-booked/prepaid and cancelled after 12.00, noon on the event day.
FARMHOUSE VISIT
Phobjikha Valley is rich in culture and traditions and is home to two main ethnic groups – the Phobjibs and the Gangteps. Today, the people of the valley predominantly farm potatoes, plus wheat, buckwheat, and barley. Visit a traditional farmhouse, immerse yourself in the local community and learn more about their culture and daily lives. Join the family and experience how they make homemade traditional butter and cheese, or help them harvest potatoes and turnips, depending on the season.
USD 30 ++ per person
Kindly advise us at the time of booking, so we may arrange this for you. For our farmhouse visits Gangtey Lodge pays a fee to the family to help supplement their income.
ARCHERY AND DARTS
Try your hand at Bhutan’s national sport Dha (archery), which, together with Khuru (darts), are the most popular sports for the Bhutanese. We have several traditional bows and sets of darts available and some very accomplished archers within our team, who are happy to teach you the basics.
A complimentary experience
BHUTANESE DRESS
One of the most distinctive aspects of the Bhutanese is the traditional dress. Men wear the “Gho”, a knee-length robe that is tied at the waist by a traditional belt known as a “Kera”. Women wear the “Kira”, a long, ankle-length dress accompanied by a light outer jacket known as a “Tego”. Wearing a Bhutanese Kira or Gho is a wonderful way to dress up for dinner or to visit the monastery.
A complimentary experience
IMMERSE YOURSELF WITH OUR AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES
ESCAPES
Our carefully curated three-night escapes allow you to deeply appreciate and connect with the beauty and spirituality of the valley we call home.
EXPERIENCES FAQs
Do you have any child friendly experiences?
At Gangtey Lodge, we aim to disconnect children from their phones and reconnect them with the world around them. Children are naturally curious, and both our Lodge and our valley offer a wealth of authentic experiences. From milking cows and making cheese at a farmhouse to exploring the ancient trails that meander through ancient pine forests past crane roosting grounds, experiences in Gangtey offer opportunities for children to learn and grow. Our young guests love to learn how to shoot an arrow in our archery lessons or make momos in our cookery class. End the day recounting adventures with homemade hot chocolate and marshmallows by the fireplace.
Is Gangtey suitable for older guests or people who are not so fit?
Gangtey is suitable for older guests who are still mobile and able to enjoy moderate walking, nature and culture.
Which popular attractions are close to Gangtey Lodge?
Gangtey Lodge is ideally located to all the attractions in Gangtey. The 16th century Gangtey Goenpa (Monastery) and Gangtey Village are 10 minute walk from the Lodge; a 5-minute walk up behind the Lodge is the Gangtey Shedra (Buddhist College). The beginning of the famous Gangtey Nature Trail is just below the Lodge, leading to many of the walks and mountain bike routes.
Absolutely Amazing
I have travelled all over the world and thought the experience was top of the list. From the welcome song, the hot stone baths, the blessings and mediations ...Gangtey is authentic and wonderful. It’s a must see Lodge.
Unforgettable Experience
The hotel is in a fantastic location with an easy walk to the monastery and there are numerous beautiful, interesting walks in the vicinity.
Simply Beautiful
Total tranquility royalty and complete Bhutanese culture in one place… the view is spectacular. The place has more to offer than said in words… surrounded between hills the place is a completed holiday. The food is WOW… complete detailing to all is taken care.
START YOUR JOURNEY
EMBARK ON A UNIQUE FAMILY ADVENTURE, A REJUVENATING PERSONAL ESCAPE OR RECONNECT WITH FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES.