Wangditse Goenpa Hike
You will drive to the road end till Sangaygang, where local network telecom tower stands. It’s an easy one hour walk offering stunning views of Thimphu Tashichodzong, Buddha statue and the Thimphu valley. Your trail leads you through the forest of blue pine, oak and rhododendrons until you reach wangditse Monastery. You can either switch back towards telecom tower or it can be ended from Dechenphodrang Monastery below Wangditse Goenpa but its steep descend through narrow trail with gravels.
Wangditse Goenpa was founded in 1750 by the attendants of Bhutan’s eighth desi, Druk Rabgye and renovated in 2001. The lhakhang houses the statues of the guardian deities Yeshey Goenpo (Mahakala), Palden Lhamo (Mahakali) and Tsheringma (Goddess of longevity).
Phajoding Goenpa Hike
A three-hour moderate hike to Phajoding monastery is one of the most rewarding hike tourists can engage in while in Thimphu. The 5km uphill hike from the youth center in Motithang to Phajoding Goenba (3640m), takes tourists through the blue pine forest. While the climb can be physically challenging, tourists can enjoy the serenity of being in the woods throughout the journey. Closer to the destination, tourists will finally clear the tree line and can get an amazing view of the Thimphu city and on a clear weather day, the vantage point also offers a spectacular view of the eastern Himalayas. Upon arrival, travelers can explore the 13th-century monastery which consists of 10 Lhakhangs (temples) and 15 meditation retreats also extended as residences. Most of the architectures were built in 1748 by the ninth Je Khenpo(head of religious body), Shakya Rinchen. The name of the monastery is directly derived from its founder Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, a yogi from Kham, Tibet.
lungchutse Hike
The hike starts from Dochula pass which sits at 3100m above sea level with 108 victorious stupas, druk wangyel temple and spectacular views of Himalayan ranges on clear weather. The pass is between Thimphu city and Punakha district about 40 minutes drive from Thimphu via immigration checkpoint and about 1 ½ hours drive to Punakha. The trial gradually ascends through the forest of hemlock, juniper, birch and rhododendrons until you reach Lungchutse temple. Before reaching the temple you will see the trail to the right which goes to Tashigang Goenpa and if you further descend you will reach to the village and the road point but we will take left trail about 20 minutes to the Lungchutse temple. Once you reach the temple, you will have 360 degree views of Himalayan ranges including Gangkar Puensum (7564m), Bhutans highest and unclimbed mountain in the world.
While returning back from the temple, you can either follow the same trail and end from dochula pass or take left trail with steep descend to the village and road point via Tashigang Goenpa.
Tashigang Goenpa was built in 1786 by the 12th Je Khenpo Kunga Gyatso. It is an important pilgrimage and meditation centre. The temple houses the statues of several Je Khenpos who meditated here.
Lungchutse temple (3600m).
Changsel Nature Hike
The Buddha Dordenma is located atop hill in Kuenselphodrang nature park and overlooks southern entrance to Thimphu valley. The statue fulfills an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th century which was later discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa (Religious treasure discoverer) and is said to bring peace and prosperity to the entire world. It is a massive statue of Buddha Shakyamuni which measures 51.5m, making it one of the largest statue of Buddha in the world. The statue is made up of bronze and gilded in gold. Inside the Buddha statue it houses 125,000 smaller statues; 100,000 smaller statues of 8th inches and 25,000 statues of 12 inches. This 125,000 smaller statues are all made up of bronze and gold gilded.
After you are done exploring here start walking towards the park which ascends gradually through colorful prayer flags. Here you can come across a canopy where most people come here to enjoy the amazing views of Thimphu valley. After walking for 1 ½ to 2 hours with few ascends and descends through the forest of pines, oaks and rhododendrons, we will end our hike from Changangkha temple.
Hike info
Standard: Easy to moderate Time: 2 hours walking time Distance: 7 to 8km
Tango Monastery
This sacred monastery is located about 30 minutes drive North of Thimphu. After getting off at Dodena (2600m), we hike uphill for about an hour. As you walk up it will be shaded with pink, white, and mostly red rhododendron shrubs in late spring. Once you get there you will be greeted with a sight of a beautiful white structure. The surrounding buildings and the three-storied central tower which stands proud to these days was build in the 18th Century by Druk Desi Tenzin Rabgye.
Tango monastery was once the abode Pajo Drujom Zhipo and his descendants, however many influential and important lamas graced the place on later dates. One of them was Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, who meditated in the nearby caves in the 17th century. It was during the time when Bhutan was frequently invaded by the Tibetans. A legend has it that Zhabdrung’s meditation ensured their defeat and the temple was then offered to him. He carved a statue of Chenrezig (avalokiteshvara) out of sandal wood and installed it as the main relic.
Note: Phojo drugom Zhipo is one of the founding fathers of Drukpa Kagyud in Bhutan. He took a consort from Wang Simo in Thimphu, called Sonam Pelden a reincarnation of Machig Lhabdron. They had 4 sons together who went to other parts of western Bhutan to spread Buddhism.
Cheri Monastery
On the adjacent side of the hill is Cheri Monastery. Compared to the winding and gentle climb towards Tango, one has to be a little sure footed while hiking to Cheri. It takes between 45 minutes to an hour depending on the pace of individuals. After crossing a small cantilever bridge over the Wang Chhu it’s a steady climb up hill. It is believed that Zhabdrung spend 3 years in retreat at Cheri. Even to these days Cheri is one of the most popular destinations of monks going into retreat. The surrounding area of both Tango and Cheri is home to many hermitages.
Cheri is often counted among one of the sacred places of Bhutan as it houses the remains of Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s father Tempa Nyima. The inner walls of the sanctum are covered with beautiful frescoes of Buddhist saints. As the temple standing atop a hill, it boasts a spectacular view of the surrounding forest and river. If you’re lucky there are chances of spotting a goral or two grazing by the rocky slope.
Tango, Cheri, and the whole of Dodena village have many places of religious connotation if one gets into the depth of it. After being done with both the hikes a picnic lunch by the river awaits for later that day. The tranquility and cleanness of the place is ideal for people seeking to escape the humdrum life.