My favourite hike in Bhutan – Longtey Hike to Phobjikha Valley

By Ee Cheng Teo

This is a hike not for the faint hearted – by my standards! It takes you up from 3000 m to about 4000 m when you cross the pass into Phobjibka Valley. But it has to be the most beautiful , especially in Autumn when its dry or Spring when all the Rhododendrons are out and in full bloom. One part of the hike you go through a canopy of rhododendron trees and when in bloom its an amazing sight to behold.

You start off driving up to Pele pass and crossing over. Pulling over to the side of the road , with the full view of the valley of dwarf bamboo before you, you descend towards some farms – through dense dwarf bamboo growing all around you.

After passing some farms, where you will see the local farmers busy at work and the women weaving outside their homes, you cross a small stream and climb upwards through more dwarf bamboo .

After this the hard part starts …clambering and balancing over river rocks as we work our way beneath the canopy of rhododendron trees . We come across a farmer looking for his lost cow.

 Lunch can be had at a small meditaiton hut with the most gorgeous views.

Its downhill all the way from here, but the dwarf bamboo makes it hard for you to balance properly as you wade through them. The views continue to overwhelm you and its a treat to be the only people on the mountain.

The last part of the hike you can see Gangtey Goemba in a distance, its a great sight and the village around the goemba  is nestled around it, what a welcome .

Find our more here – Our Path to Phobjikha in Bhuta