Hidden Valleys
For centuries, peaks of more than four thousand meters separated valleys from each other. An exchange of cultural traditions was impossible. Result: every valley has its own unique character to this day. The Paro Valley filled over the years with temples and monasteries, interconnected by vast rice fields. Paro is one of the most fertile part of Bhutan. A valley that you should not miss when it comes to natural beauty is the haa valley , only accessible via the Chele-la pass, at 3988 meters one of the highest passable passes in the world.
In the Phobjikha Valley draws the imposing Gangtey Monastery all the attention. Travelers who cross the valley on foot or by mountain bike can enjoy the view of this impressive structure from a distance. The Gangtey Monastery is also the stage for the annual Blackneck Crane festival . The rare black-necked crane winters in Phobjikha and has an important role in the myths and legends that circulate in the valley.
Nature and culture often meet in the valleys of Bhutan. Even in the pristine bhumtang , a collective name for four valleys: Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura . Rice fields here give way to wooded slopes with rhododendrons and conifers. Ideal for the takin, a rare valley dweller that most closely resembles a cross between a goat and a cow. But in addition to special nature, Bhumtang is also filled with culture. Legends echo among the sheer mountainsides of valleys where residents combine Buddhism with the animistic faith of their ancestors. Gurus meditated here, leaving sacred grounds and creating places of pilgrimage. As a result, the valleys offer a special cocktail of nature and culture that no one can refuse with good decency.
