Gangtey Lodge

Himalayan hideaway with sublime views in the heart of Bhutan

A world away from the everyday, Gangtey Lodge is an all-suite outpost overlooking Bhutan’s Gangtey (Phobjikha) Valley. Surrounded by mountains and forests, the Lodge offers guests spectacular views of this unspoiled landscape. And indoors, this boutique hotel stays true to the time-honoured culture and traditions of its home country.

Aptly named ‘Farmhouse Suites’, the rooms at the Gangtey Lodge take farmhouse living to the next level. Think log fires, exposed beams and indulgent slipper baths. Modern amenities, like slate underfloor heating, add a touch of luxury without offsetting the traditional design. And, for a flavour of traditional life here, you even have the opportunity to visit a genuine Bhutanese farmhouse to experience a typical day with the family who live there.

Actively sustainable luxury hotels

Environmentally Conscious

The Gangtey Lodge Family philosophy centres around physically, spiritually, and emotionally connecting with their natural surroundings. This can be seen in the Gangtey approach to sustainability, from annual tree planting as part of their team building to hosting educational evenings at the Black-necked Crane Centre. Recyclable materials are saved and donated to the community to be reused by the local school and monastery, while energy efficient fireplaces can be found in every room, fuelled by sustainably sourced firewood from government managed forests.

Cultural Custodians

Gangtey Lodge fully embraces Bhutan’s concept of Gross National Happiness by pursuing a harmonious balance between respecting nature and promoting cultural preservation, from monthly staff volunteering at the Gangteng Monastery to an annual cleaning of the endangered black-necked crane roosting grounds in the valley’s protected nature reserve. The country’s culinary heritage is honoured on Gangtey’s Bhutanese set menu served in a traditional woodshed, with ingredients foraged from local forests or picked from the next door monastery’s garden.

Community Minded

Sharing Phobjikha Valley with Gangteng Monastery, one of Bhutan’s most impressive ancient Buddhist sites, Gangtey Lodge offers several spiritual experiences for guests to connect on a deeper level with the local community, including blessing and breakfast ceremonies at the monastery, meditation sessions with the monks, butter lamp rituals and prayer flag hoisting behind the local Shedra. Gangtey guests are also invited to visit local farming families to make cheese and butter, help with the harvest and learn about their way of life.

How to Book

For off-the-beaten-track travel, nothing quite compares to Bhutan. Its dramatic snow-capped peaks and deep valleys are far from the tourist trail – and Gangtey Lodge is in the heart of this remarkable, remote region.

To make a reservation, please call our Reservation Team on +44 203 308 9528. Once our Reservation Team makes the reservation for you, they will put you in touch with Gangtey Lodge’s appointed destination specialist who will create your entire travel itinerary and support you at every stage of your trip.

Sustainable Development Fee

As of the first of September 2023, the mandatory Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) has been reduced from US$200 to US$100 per person per day.
The SDF needs to be paid during the visa application process.

Visa processing can take up to 10 working days.

Travelling to Bhutan and Gangtey Lodge

The destination specialist will apply for your Bhutan tourist visa* before you travel.

The application includes creating a complete itinerary for you. So you can expect every detail to be covered – from your Gangtey Lodge reservation and excursions to comfortable transfers throughout your trip. The journey from Paro International Airport to Gangtey Lodge takes around five hours, but you’ll need to take a gently rising route and pause along the way to acclimatise to the altitude– and the destination specialist will suggest our partner hotels and sightseeing stops to suit you.

They’ll be in touch with you directly throughout the process. So you can relax and look forward to an unforgettable adventure in Bhutan.

*The only visa-waiver exception is for guests holding passports for the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Our Hotel

Gangtey Lodge Valley View
Exterior
Exterior
Terrace
Terrace
Terrace
Terrace
Main Lodge
Interior
Interior
Hand Painting
Farm House
Farm House
Bath with Mountain View
In-Room Spa Treatment
Bath House
Bath House
Bath House
Monastery Breakfast
Dining
Dining
Dining
Exterior
Mountain Biking
Archery
Nature Trail
Hiking
Hiking
Shedra Prayers

Spiritual awakening

A strong sense of spirituality runs through the Phobjikha Valley and Bhutan’s mystical mountains beyond. To connect with this soul-stirring destination on a deeper level, Gangtey Lodge has curated a special selection of experiences which not only encourage guests to engage with Buddhism first hand, but also help support the nearby 17th century Gangtey Geonpa (Monastery) and Shedra (Buddhist College). Enrich your spiritual side and delve into centuries-old traditions with an early morning Thrusel self-cleansing ritual, meditate with the monks before an evening session of Buddhist philosophy, or hoist a prayer flag to bring happiness, long life, and prosperity.

The people of the valley

A visit to Gangtey Lodge is a chance to immerse yourself in a remote and ancient way of life, to mingle with the friendly Phobjibs and generous Gangteps who farm the land with the same respect for nature long held by their ancestors. This valley is steeped in unique customs, and its origins shrouded in myths and legends which have been passed down the ages. Gangtey Lodge organises visits to a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse where guests can become part of the community by helping with the harvest or learning to make homemade butter, alongside archery and darts – Bhutan’s national sports.

As nature intended

This untouched corner of the eastern Himalayas lends itself to some of the world’s most spectacular outdoor activities. Hike up ancient trails through blue pine forests or meander past the crane roosting grounds. Hop on one of Gangtey Lodge’s complimentary mountain bikes to visit traditional villages and far-flung monasteries. Learn about the protected Black-Neck crane over drinks with wildlife experts. The options are as varied as the surrounding landscape – and if visiting in June-August, you can join the Gangtey family at the edge of the forest to picnic and plant trees.

Independent Minds: Khin Omar Win & Brett Melzer

High-flying couple Khin Omar Win and Brett Melzer, the former founders of Balloons over Bagan, fell in love with the remote beauty of Bhutan on an exploratory trip in 2003. Setting their sights on the unspoilt wilderness of Gangtey Valley, the idea to build a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse which showcased the region’s rural way of life was born.

Farm House
Farm House
Bath with Mountain View

Farmhouse Suite

Sleeps 3

King

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Ratings

Quality Assured

Mystery Inspected

Global Rating

4.8 /5

4.8

81 reviews

5 /5

379 reviews

SLH Club Reviews

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Gangtey Lodge, Bhutan

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Key Features

Family friendly

Restaurant

24-hour room service

Free Wi-Fi

All Hotel Features and Services

Bell staff/porter
Concierge desk
Currency exchange
Turndown service
Laundry service
Personal trainer
24-hour security
Family friendly
Fire safety compliant

All Hotel Features and Services

Bell staff/porter
Concierge desk
Currency exchange
Turndown service
Laundry service
Personal trainer
24-hour security
Family friendly
Fire safety compliant
Full service housekeeping
Security
Restaurant
Free Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi in public areas
Room service
24-hour room service
Massage services
Pets not allowed

Main Lodge

Served Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner The main lodge is the focal point where guests come to dine and relax in a beautiful communal area overlooking the terrace and views over the valley. Two huge fireplaces and deep leather sofas are the perfect venue for drinks and informal dining More formal private dining spaces are set further back among the painted columns that support the spectacular roof structure drawing on Bhutanese monastic design.

Spa

As well as in-suite spa treatments, Gangtey Lodge offers you the chance to experience a traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath. This one-of-a-kind treatment begins with a foot scrub and de-stress massage for the ultimate relaxation therapy. Then, large river boulders are used to heat the bath and therapists add aromatic herbs from the neighbouring forest. It’s even said that the minerals released from the rocks and herbs have healing powers.