Laya Gasa Trek

Flying to Bhutan is one of the most scenic and joyous with the Himalayan view. Moreover, trekking to Laya Gasa is above tree-line with a team. Lingzhe and Laya are one of the most remote village in the country located in the glaciers depending on the yak’s product as their source of income. Trekking in the most preserved area, you can see varieties of flora and fauna.

Inclusions

Hotel, transportation, guide, tea and snacks, visa fee, permits, entrance fee, mineral water (bottled), government tax and 3 meals daily.

Accommodation

3-star hotel (Bhutanese type), there is possibility of upgradation.

Exclusions

Flight ticket, insurance, tips, drinks and beverages, laundry, cellphone, internet and other personal expenditure or bills.

Insurance

We highly recommend you to obtain separate coverage of insurance from your home country since your package does not include any insurance.

Day 1: Paro

On your arrival, you will be greeted by our representative and you will be transferred to your hotel. After refreshment, you will visit Rimpong Dzong, built in 1646. You will cross the traditional wooden bridge. Visit to the oldest temple in the country, Kitchu lhakhang built among one of the 108 temples in a night by Tibetan King. In the evening, you will stroll down the street in Paro. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Acclimatization Hike to Taktsang- Shana (16km, 2hrs, campsite altitude: 2800m)

 In the morning take a hike to visit Taktsang monastery also known as tiger nest. Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which stands at 3100m clings on the cliff.  In 8^th century spiritual master known as Guru Rimpoche has flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang monastery now stands. After lunch you will drive to Shana, starting point of trek. Overnight in camp.

Day 3: Shana-Thangthangka (Distance: 22km, Trekking time: 7-8hrs, Camp altitude 3610m)

After breakfast drive from your hotel to Drukgyel Dzong, from here drive through unpaved road to Army camp from where trek starts. The trail continues along Paro river gradually becomes narrower and closes in after some distance. The winding trail with frequent climb and descend leads us to our camp site in a meadow with stone shelter at 3,610m.

Dinner and overnight in camp at Thangthangkha

Day 04: Thangthangkha – Jangothang (Distance: 19km, Trekking time:5-6hrs (Camp altitude :4080 m))
After breakfast continue the trail along the Paro river and the valley opens again after crossing a small army outpost. Trekking through the open valley affords view of high ridges and the snow-capped mountains with yaks and Yak herder’s camp on the valley floor. The camp is at the base of mt. Jhomolhari where you can have closer vision to the snowcapped mountain. Overnight in camp at Jangothang

Day 05: Jomolhari Base Camp (Rest Day)
Today is a halt and you will get a special time for meditation or yoga in a secret peaceful place. Your Bhutanese team will provide you a tent, and the schedule depends on you. It’s not compulsory but depends on your interest.

There are yak herders (nomadic people who move with yaks), villages and trout filled lakes to visit on your rest day at Jangothang, Jhomolhari base camp. You may also hike towards glaciers of mt. Jhomolhari or towards the twin’s lake for magnificent views or explore the nomads’ houses /villages.

Dinner and overnight in camp at Jangothang.

Day 06: Jangothang – Lingshi (Distance: 19 kms, trekking time:5-6hrs, Campsite altitude: 4150m)
Climb gradually toward the pass through a wide pastureland. On your way, depending on the season you will find some yak herder’s in their camps, marmots, blue sheep etc. descending from the pass to Lingshi, you will have a beautiful view of Lingshi Dzong in the Tserim Gang (mt. Tserim Gang) and its glaciers. Overnight in camp at Lingshi.

Day 7: Lingzhi-Chebisa (12km, 5hrs, campsite altitude: 3800m) 

Trekking by the Lingzhe Dzong on the hilltop. You will walk pleasantly in the villages with the marvelous view of snowcapped peaks and other ranges. Walking above tree-line you will camp in nearby Chebisa village by the stream side. Throughout the trek, it is the only trekking trail which is short and the most pleasant day.

Day 8: Chebisa-Shamu Thang (14km, 6hrs, campsite altitude: 4100)

  The trail begins climbing the steep ridge more than 3hrs passing Gugu la, reaching the top of ridge. You will descend in the bush in a narrow valley for the lunch stop. The trail continues in a gentle slope to reach the camp in a deep valley next to Zhake Pasa. The rhododendron bush and short willow tree surrounds your campsite in the meadow by the river side.

Day 9: Shamu Thang-Roblung Thang (17km, 6hrs, 4200m)

Today, the trail ascends in the bush around 2hrs crossing a ridge above the campsite (Shamu Thang). On reaching to the ridge (Jarila pass, 4750m), you will see the trail running on the ridges with threadlike lines in a windy stand forward trail and backward. You can also see the yaks and nomads’ herder scattered in their pastureland. During summer Robluthang valley is a grazing place for the national animal of Bhutan (Takin) to live in, and the main attraction was the natural running salt water in the valley.

Day 10: Roblung Thang-Limithang (19km, 8hrs, 4100m campsite: 4100m)

The trekking trail begins ascending towards Shingchenla pass 5100m, nearly 3hrs passing by the yak herders camp. It is the highest point that the travelers climb in the Laya Gasa trek and the trail is most used by the local people. Since it is above tree-line you can see vultures flying overhead, looking for dead animals. During June and July, you can see the nomads collecting cordyceps and camping everywhere on then ridges. You will descend with the view of Tiger Mountain (Gangchen Tag) in a steep downhill. The camp in the meadow near the riverside that contributes to Mochu (female river). 

Day 11: Limithang-Laya (10km, 5hrs, campsite altitude: 3850m)

You will be greeted by the sensational view of Gangchen Tag in the morning. After your breakfast, you will trek along the riverside for few hours entering the dense forest, preserved area for Himalayan black bear in the juniper tree and hemlock tree. With ascends and descends crossing the streams and river you will reach to Laya. The very first view to Laya is you can see the Laya temple. You will stay in the farmhouse overnight experiencing the living style of nomads above tree-line.

Day 12: Laya Halt

After trekking for many days, today you will take a rest. The entire day program depends on you. You will be served lunch by your trekking cooks specialty, and in the evening, you will take a walk around the village to interact with the villagers and their livings. Visiting the houses will be very different culture, you will be welcomed by the local people and offers local alcohol to you. The culture is that, whoever the new person comes in their house, they serve local alcohol or tea.

Day 13: Laya-Gasa via Koina (26km, 7hrs, campsite: 2900m)

Descend to army camp nearly 1hr and the trail follows the Mochu (female river) hereafter. After crossing the same river for many 3 times, you will reach to Koina with a little ascend behind Koina ridge. In the past days, you will camp at Koina near the Rablung Thang river, but now due to road access your driver will directly drive you to Gasa hot spring. Driving in the uneven newly constructed road you might feel exhausted, so your guide will escort you to hot spring bath in the evening just to relief the aches.

Day 14: Gasa-Punakha

After leaving your trekking team, you will drive towards Punakha with your guide. Driving in the dense forest, sometimes you can also see the national animal of Bhutan. You will drive through the villages of Gasa and reach down to the mochu river (female river). You will drive along the mochu river until you reach to your hotel in Punakha. In the afternoon, you will visit Punakha Dzong (1637) the former capital of Bhutan.

Day 15: Punakha-Thimphu.

Your day starts with visiting to Chimilhakhang, the divine madman’s temple famously known for the fertility. One can receive febrility blessing form that temple. Further, driving on the scenic hillside, stop at Dochula Pass (3140m), in the clear sky you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the upraised ground by Queen Mother of Bhutan. Then you will continue your drive to Thimphu (Capital of Bhutan) in a closed valley until Semtokha. Before seeing the capital city, you will spot the largest buddha statue on the ridge. Check-in to hotel in Thimphu.

Day 16: Thimphu

Sightseeing includes visiting memorial chorten (stupa built to commemorate late 3^rd king of Bhutan), Buddha point (largest buddha statue in the world), school of arts and craft (painting school), zoo (preserved area for the national animal of Bhutan, Takin).

In the evening, visit to Trashi Choedzong (fortress of glorious religion), it serves as the central administrative purpose and residence of central monk body. Overnight hotel in Thimhu.

Day 17: Thimphu-Paro

After breakfast, drive to Paro airport for about an hour and see you off at the Paro airport for your flight to your onward destinations. Safe journey, Hope to see you again.