Journal · Wangdue Phodrang
Gangtey Goenpa
A monastery founded in 1613 on a knoll above the Phobjikha valley, home of the Gangtey Trulku.
The story
Gyalse Pema Thinley, a grandson of the saint Pema Lingpa, founded it in 1613. It belongs to the Nyingma school, and its line of reincarnate lamas, the Gangtey Trulkus, still lives here. It was restored from about 2002 and consecrated again on 10 October 2008.
Look for
The carved woodwork in the courtyard, and the long view down the valley to the marsh where the cranes feed.
Before you go
On 11 November the courtyard hosts the Black-necked Crane Festival. The easy Gangtey Nature Trail starts just below the monastery.
Sources
Checked October 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so or leave the detail out. Opening times and rules change, so your guide confirms on the day.