Gewogs & Dzongkhags
A gewog is a group of villages and a Dzongkhag is one of 20 local districts in Bhutan. Much like a township and a county.
The Trans Bhutan Trail crosses 12 mountain passes and a rich mosaic of 27 Gewogs running through nine dzongkhags and covering 403 kilometres (250 miles) from Haa in the west to Trashigang in the east.
Katsho (Haa)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 250 m (821 ft)
Population: 1,500
This is one of the smallest gewogs in Haa with 11 villages. People of Katsho grow cereals, fruits, and vegetables to supplement their income, and rear yaks and cattle for their livelihood.
Lamgong (Paro)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 2,165 m (7,103 ft)
Population: 5,000
Close to four square kilometres (1.5 square miles) of this gewog are under forest cover. The main cash crop in Lamgong is apples, and the community is also known for its red rice and aromatic small grain rice varieties.
Dopshari (Paro)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 2,165 m (7,103 ft)
Population: 3,180
Agriculture is the major economic activity of this gewog, including wheat, potato, apple, and dairy farming. Dungtse Lhakhang, a small three storied temple located in Jangsa village, is one of the most visited religious places in the gewog.
Chang (Thimphu)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,720 m (5,643 ft)
Population: 6,000
Located within the capital city of Thimphu, this is one of the most developed gewogs in the country. People in Chang earn their living through a combination of agriculture and business.
Mewang (Thimphu)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,958 m (6,424 ft)
Population: 7,806
With 44 separate villages, Mewang is the largest gewog in Thimphu Dzongkhag. It is home to people from diverse cultural backgrounds, including people from across Bhutan and some Tibetans. Agriculture is the main source of income in this gewog, which is the largest producer of asparagus in the country.
Toeb (Punakha)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,491 m (4,892 ft)
Population: 1,300
Toeb sits alongside the national highway and is the smallest gewog in Punakha. People from Toeb rely on rice paddies for their livelihood, and many also sell fruits and vegetables along the highway.
Talog (Punakha)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,300 m (4,265 ft)
Population: <500
This gewog is one of the smallest but most culturally diverse in Punakha with inhabitants from all across Bhutan. This is also the ancestral village of the Queen Mother, Ashi Dori Wangmo Wangchuck.
Dzomi (Punakha)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,200 m (3,937 ft)
Population: 2,000
Like many gewogs in the area, the people of Dzomi depend largely on agriculture and crop cultivation. Dzomi is particularly celebrated for its high quality breeds of livestock.
Guma (Punakha)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 156 m (512 ft)
Population: 4,200
Guma is one of the most densely populated gewogs, and has the highest number of villages in the Punakha Dzongkhag. Most people in Guma depend on agriculture. It is one of the main producers of chillies in the country, and, thanks to its favourable climate, Guma can grow all nine cereals and a variety of fruits.
Lingmukha (Punakha)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,800 m (5,906 ft)
Population: 600
One of Punakha’s oldest gewogs, around 75% of Lingmukha is under forest cover. Enjoying subtropical climates, there is high potential for paddy, wheat, mustard, maize and horticulture in Lingmukha.
Phangyul (Wangdi Phodrang)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,800 m (5,906 ft)
Population: 1,900
While paddy and wheat make up a large part of the local economy, Phangyul is also known for its delicious oranges and persimmon. Being relatively dry, this gewog relies heavily on monsoon rain to cultivate these crops.
Nyisho (Wangdi Phodrang)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 106 m (348 ft)
Population: 2,850
Agriculture is the primary source of income in Nyisho, and around 82% of its total area is under forest cover. The gewog is home to a 600-year-old monastery, Chitokha Lhakhang.
Sephu (Wangdi Phodrang)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 900 m (2,953 ft)
Population: 1,505
As in Dangchu, cordyceps are the primary source of income for the inhabitants of Sephu. Potatoes and cabbages are also grown here. Sephu is the largest gewog in Wangdi Phodrang.
Dangchu (Wangdi Phodrang)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 2,580 m (8,465 ft)
Population: 1,300
Cordyceps (fungus that lives on certain caterpillars) are the main source of income for the people of Dangchu, although they also grow cash crops such as potatoes, chilli, garlic, wheat, and barley. Dangchu is known for its two holy rivers, Phochhu and Mochhu, which are said to have the power to heal eye sores and other diseases. The water in the rivers is believed to be the holy water of Guru Rinphoche.
Tangsibjee (Trongsa)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 987 m (3,238 ft)
Population: 2,300
This gewog is home to the famous 18th century Chendebji Chorten (stupa), which is modelled on the famous Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Nubee (Trongsa)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,500 m (4,921 ft)
Population: 5,000
Nubee is the largest gewog in the area. It is home to the magnificent Trongsa Dzong, the largest fortress in Bhutan, and Taa Dzong, a state-of-the art museum.
Chhumey (Bumthang)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 2,285 m (7,497 ft)
Population: 3,500
The Chhumey Valley is known for its yathra, a thick, hand-woven wool textile with a floral design and multi-coloured stripes. It is also home to Domkhar Tashichholing Dzong, which was the summer residence of the second King Jigme Wangchuck.
Chhokhor (Bumthang)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 3,200 m (10,499 ft)
Population: 9,000
Chhokhor is the largest gewog in Bumthang, and is home to the Bathpalathang domestic airport. This gewog famously produces Bumthang honey and has an active beekeepers’ association.
Tang (Bumthang)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 2,200 m (7,218 ft)
Population: 2,000
Tang is home to Mebartsho or the Burning Lake, a popular tourist and pilgrimage destination. This gewog produces wheat, barley, buckwheat and sweet buckwheat.
Ura (Bumthang)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 2,200 m (7,218 ft)
Population: 2,500
Over 81% of Ura is covered in forests. The gewog is known for its mushrooms, including the coveted Matsutake mushroom, and the gewog hosts an annual mushroom festival to celebrate the rich variety of edible fungi in the area.
Saling (Mongar)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 2,400 m (7,874 ft)
Population: 3,500
Saling is home to the beautiful Zhongar Dzong, a large medieval ruin overlooking the valley. Cash crops in this gewog include oranges, mangos, bananas, jackfruits, and papaya.
Mongar (Mongar)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 2,400 m (7,874 ft)
Population: 8,000
This gewog is home to a number of poultry and dairy farms, as well as a hazelnut plantation. Mongar is also known for its lemongrass, a plant that can be used to produce an essential oil.
Ngatshang (Mongar)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 2,130 m (6,988 ft)
Population: 3,265
Alongside more traditional agricultural activities, dairy farming has also become one of the most lucrative farming activities for this gewog. Ngatshang is often hit by strong windstorms, especially during the spring and summer seasons.
Drametse (Mongar)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,500 m (4,921 ft)
Population: 3,700
Drametse is home to the famous Drametse Monastery, founded in the 16th century by the granddaughter of Terton Pema Lingpa, Ani Choeten Zangmo. The monastery is where the Drametse Nga Cham, or the famous mask dance of the drums, originated. This mask dance is recognized by UNESCO in its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
Narang (Mongar)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,200 m (3,937 ft)
Population: 2,272
The name of this gewog is believed to be derived from the Eastern dialect of Tshangla. It was named by Ani Choeten Zangmo, the great granddaughter of the famous treasure discoverer, Terton Pema Lingpa. When Ani was meditating on the other side of the gewog, she noticed a long queue on the hill and thus named it Narang which literally translates as “a long queue”.
Yangnyer (Trashigang)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,200 m (3,937 ft)
Population: 3,700
Forest covers 85% of this gewog, which is also home to steep-sloped mountainous terrain. Less than 5% of Yangnyer’s land is arable, as most of its soil is acidic.
Samkhar (Trashigang)
Elevation Change along the Trail: 1,600 m (5,249 ft)
Population: 6,300
Samkhar is home to Bhutan’s first commercial dairy production company, Koufuku, a joint venture between Druk Holding Investments (DHI) and Koufuku, a Japanese company.
