Day Hikes in Punakha/Wangdue Valley

Khamsumyuley Namgyel Chhorten
The hike is about 1 hour up steep climb, and visit the Kamsum Yule Namgyel Chorten, which is a temple inside. This temple showcases one of the finest Bhutanese architects. The temple took almost 10 years to build and is built by the Queen Mother in dedication to the King.

Gangtey Natural Trail. (Gangtey)
This is one of the easy and relaxed excursion in the beautiful valley of Gangtey. This hike is especially for birding tours and nature tours. The trail hike starts from the mani (like Chhorten) stone wall to the north of the Ganagtey Gonpa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang. The hike takes about 1hr 30minutes through the pine forest and small bamboo plants. You can also visit the Gangtey Gemba which was built in 16th century.

Chhimi Lhakhang Hike. (Wangdue Phodrang)
Chhimi Lhakhang, also known as the ‘temple of fertility’, is located at a small hilltop. The hike is about 30mitues across the farm fields through the village of Sopspkha. Ngawang Chogyel brother of Drukpa Kuenley (divine Madman) built the temple in 15th century after his brother Drukpa Kuenlay built a small chorten there. This place is famous for childless couple as this temple is known for its fertility blessing.

Lampelri Botanical Garden (In between Thimphu & Wangdue Phodrang)
Lampelri Botanical Garden is located between Dochula pass and Wangdiphodrang and this is where the Rhododendron festival also takes place every year. It is about 30km from Thimphu towards Wangdiphodrang. A Rhododendron garden with 46 species of the plant is one of the themes of a 125 acre botanical garden in Lamperi. From the 46 species, around 28 species can be seen here. We can walk around the Baritsho Lake, a canteen, viewpoints and camping space for visitors. The Lamperi area was declared a botanical park because of its rich ecosystem diversity. It has cool broad leaf forests, mixed conifer forests, fir and sub-alpine forests and the temperate rain forest with hundreds of species of fauna.