Trip Facts
Trip Highlights: Trekking/cultural tours
Trip duration: 20 Days/19 Nights
On trek duration: 14 days
Highest Camp: 4,220m
Physical grade: medium to hard
Best time: April to June & Mid September to Mid Nov
Start: Drukgyel Dzong,Paro
Finish: Tashitang , Punakha
Summary
The first part of the Laya Gasa Trek goes along the same route as the Jomolari Trek I till Lingshi. Besides the unforgettable views of Mount Jomolhari, the trek offers spectacular views on Jichu Drake, Gangchhenta (Great Tiger Mountain). Between Jangothang and Laya the trail hardly goes below 4,000m and one has good opportunities to spot blue sheep or even takin. Some beautiful Bhutanese mountain villages, the unique culture and appearance of the Layaps (people of Laya district) and finally a day of relaxation at the Gasa hot springs add to an extremely rewarding trekking experience. All in all, the Laya Gasa Trek is considered to be the most beautiful trek of Bhutan, only to be beaten by the tough Snowman Trek.
What’s Included
Sightseeing seeing as per the itinerary
All meals during the tour
Accommodation in standard tourist class hotels
Transportation
Experience tour executive
Entrance fees to various museums and parks
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 Arrival Paro
Day 2 Tiger Nest hike (for acclimatization)
Day 3 Drgyal Dzong/Shana (trek commences)
Day 4 Shana/Soi Thangthangkha
Day 5 Soi Thangthangkha/Jangothang
Day 6 Rest day at Jangothang
Day 7 Jangothang/Lingshi
Day 8 Lingshi/Chebisa.
Day 9 Chebisa/Shomuthang.
Day 10 Shomuthang/Robluthang
Day 11 Robluthang/Lemithang
Day 12 Lemithang/Laya
Day 13 Rest day at Laya
Day 14 Laya/Chamsa
Day 15 Chamsa/Gasa
Day 16 Gasa/Damji/Punakha (trek ends)
Day 17 Punakha/Thimphu
Day 18 Thimphu sightseeing
Day 19 Thimphu/Paro
Day 20 Exit
Day 1 Arrival Paro: Your local tour executive will escort to the hotel after welcome at paro air port. Proceed for sightseeing at Drugyal Dzong and Kichu Monastery. After the lunch visit to Paro Ringpung Dzong and National museum. Settle in the hotel after dinner.
Day 2 Hike to TigeNest for Acclimatization: Gentle uphill hike to Tiger’s nest will help you accommodate yourself with the mountain altitude of Himalaya. Basically, hike to Tiger Nest is done on the very next day of arrival for acclimatization reason for all the trekkers. On average it is three hours hike.
Day 3 Paro/Shana: Drive to Drukgyal dzong (15km), at the end of the valley from where the trek begins. The path goes upstream of the Paro River, through the villages, gradually ascending to 2,580 meters at Shana camp. Hiking duration, approximately 5too 6 hours.
Day 4 Shana/Soi Thangthangkha: The trail again follows the Pa-chu, ascending and descending through pine, oak, and spruce forests. Hot lunch will be served after crossing the bridge towards the left side of the river. After lunch follow the river, climbing up through rhododendron forests and cross the bridge again. The camp is at an altitude of 3,750 meters. Hiking duration: approximately 9-10 hours.
Day 5 Soi Thangthangkha/Jangothang: Climb slowly for a while as you reach to the army camp. Then follow the river above the tree line with stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch will be served inside yak herder’s camp. A short walk in the valley will reach you to the camp at Jangothang at an altitude of 4,040 meters. The view of Mt. Jhomolhari and Jichu Drakey will take you to the mystic level of experience. Overnight at camp.Hiking duration: approximately 5 hours.
Day 6 Rest day at Jangothang: Relax entire day at camp site to prepare for your next day trek.
Day 7 Jangothang/Lingshi: The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right side. Start the climb up to the first ridge, enjoying the breathtaking view of Mt. Chomolhari, Jichu Drakey and Tsrim Ghang. Then walk towards the valley, almost flat for a while, until the climb to the Nyelela pas at an altitude of 4,700 meters. After the pass it is a gradual descent to the Lingshi camp with a panoramic view of the peaks and Lingshi dzong. Camp altitude is 4,000 meters. Hiking duration: approximately 7-8 hours.
Day 8 Lingshi/Chebisa: Walk past the Lingshi dzong, perched on the hilltop with a commanding view of green hills, the meandering River and magnificent peaks. This is a very easy and a pleasant walk, through villages and yak herders’ camps. Lunch will be at scenic Goyuna village. After lunch, a short walk will reach you to Chebisa village. We camp by the side of stream at an altitude of 3,850 meters.Hiking: duration 5-6 hours.
Day 9: Chebisa/Shomuthang
The day begins with a stiff climb, up the ridge to Gobu La pass lying at an altitude of 4,500 meters, taking nearly 4 hours to the top. After the pass descends to a lunch spot, through rhododendron bushes, afternoon continues along ups and down pat. After crossing the stream, piercing rhododendron forests and across yak herders camps. You may see some herds of Blue Sheep and then arrives at camp site. Altitude 4,250 meters.
Hiking duration, approximately 7-8 hours.
Day 10: Shomuthang/Robluthang
The trek commences with a climb to Jari La pass situated at an altitude of 4,600 meters. Then descend to Tsharijathang valley, the summer residence of the rare Himalayan takin (national animal of Bhutan). From here we have to cross the stream, as most of the time the footbridge is washed away by the river. After crossing the stream, towards the left the trail ascends till you reach to Robluthang camp lying at an altitude of 4400 meters.
Hiking duration 8-9 hours/day.
Day 11 Robluthang/Lemithang: A long climb up to the Shinje La passes (altitude 4900 meters). The views of the mountains from the pass are truly fascinating and takes to the mystic level of your happiness. After the pass descends to Lemithang the path is quite narrow and you have to cross the stream and get wet again. The final part of the trek is very interesting, with the view of Mount Gangchey Ta peak. Then arrives at camp site which is situated at an altitude 4100 meters.
Day 12: Lemithang/Laya
The day breaks with a an overwhelming scene of Gangchey Ta peak in front of your camp site. The walk to Laya is very pleasant with a beautiful views. You will pass through a damp forest filled with mosses and of course the singing birds. Arrives at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country, at an altitude of 3,800 meter.
Walking time: 5-6 hours.
Day 13 Rest day at Laya: Explore around the village. You can go and visit any of the houses around. Traditionally, one can go to any house without any Invitation. A cup of tea or chang (local wine) is always offered. The people in this village are very interesting with a unique dress, language and ornaments. In the evening witness the cultural dances performed by the village girls by the campfire and enjoy the local wine, Ara & Bangchang.
Day 14 Laya/Chams: Descend to army camp and join the Mo Chu (Female river) and follow the river till you cross the bridge. After crossing the bridge the path is undulating once more through juniper and fir forests until you reach the camp at Chamsa situated at an altitude of 3,800 meters. Walking time: 8-9 hrs.
Day 15: Chamsa/Gasa
Walk for half an hour over flat land till the Bele la pass. From here It is downhill all the way to Gasa Tsachu (hot spring). Lunch at Gasa village at the altitude of 2,700 meters. After lunch visit the village and dzong. The dzong was built in 17th century by Zhabdrung to protect the valley against Tibetan invaders. Then descend to Gasa hot spring to halt the night.
Walking time: 5-6 hours.
Day 16 Gasa/Damji/Punakha: In the final day of trekking, the journey continues along Mochu down through heavily forested area till you reach Tashithang at an altitude of 1,620 meters. Our coach will be waiting to drive you to Punakha (15km), following the river all the way.
Overnight stay at the hotel Zangdopelri.
Day17 Punakha/Thimphu: visit Punakha Dzong after the break fast and proceed to Thimphu en route Dochula pass. Lunch at local restaurant in Thimphu and after the lunch visit to local vegetable market in Thimphu meeting local people.
Evening leisure time in the main town of Thimphu and night halt at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 18: Thimphu Sightseeing
Visit Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory to the late king of Bhutan; the Indigenous Hospital where traditional medicine is still practiced; the National Library where ancient texts and manuscripts are stored and the painting school where children learn the traditional technique of painting and arts.
Day 18 Thimphu/Paro: Morning visit the Handicraft Emporium and free shopping time. After lunch drive to Paro.
Day 20Exit: See off at exit terminal to fly back to on ward destination
