Laya Gasa Trek
(22 Days)
DAY 01 Arrival by Druk Air - Paro
DAY 02 Paro - Sightseeing
DAY 03 Paro - Excursion to Taktsang
DAY 04 Paro - Shana
DAY 05 Shana - Soi Thangthangkha
DAY 06 Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang
DAY 07 Jangothang - Lingshi
DAY 08 Lingshi - Chebisa
DAY 09 Chebisa - Shomuthang
DAY 10 Shomuthang - Robluthang
DAY 11 Robluthang - Lemithang
DAY 12 Laem Thang - Laya
DAY 13 Laya - Halt
DAY 14 Laya - Koena
DAY 15 Koena - Gasa
DAY 16 Gasa - Gasa Tsachu
DAY 17 Gasa Tsachu - Goen Damji
DAY 18 Goen Damji - Tashithang
DAY 19 Tashithang - Khuruthang
DAY 20 Khuruthang - Thimphu
DAY 21 Thimphu - Paro
DAY 22 Paro/Departure by Druk Air
Day 01 Arrival by Druk-air – Paro
During this flight if one is flying in from Katmandu one will enjoy the view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan Mountains including the sacred Mt. Jhomolhari & Mt. Jichu Drakey in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro Airport the representative of Bhutan Takin Trails will receive you and transfer you to a hotel for the overnight halt.
Day 02 Paro – Sightseeing
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyel Dzong, the ruined Fort (destroyed by fire in 1951.) which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasion. From here one can have the view of sacred Mt. Jhomolhari on clear days. On the way back make a visit to a typical Bhutanese farmhouse. After lunch drive to Ta Dzong, former Watch Tower which now houses the National Museum and then walk down passing close by the Paro Dzong, crossing the typical Bhutanese wooden roofed bridge to Paro town. After a short stroll in town drive back to hotel for the night halt.
Day 03 Paro - Excursion to Taktsang
Spend a full day hiking to Taktsang till the viewpoint, the Tiger’s nest. This magical monastery which was destroyed by fire used to cling to the vertical granite cliff of 3,000' above the valley floor. It is believed that Guru meditated here in the 8th century. The disciples of Guru built the temple, which was later enlarged by Zhabdrung in the 17th century. After lunch, hike back to the hotel. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 04 Paro - Shana
Drive up to Drugyel Dzong where the motor-able road ends and the trek to Shana begins which is about 5 to 6 hours walk with gradual climb following the Paro river through the agricultural valley and villages. The campsite is opposite the army check post in the meadows, near the river at an altitude of 2,800m.
Day 05 Shana - Soi Thangthangkha
The trail is a gradual ascend following the Paro River through the conifer forest and Rhododendron scrubs. The path narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. Camp is on the meadow with stone shelter built for trekkers, surrounded by conifer and birch forest and on clear days one can have a magnificent view of Mt. Jhomolhari through the clouds. Camp at Alt. 3,860m and trek about 6 to 7 hours.
Day 06 Thangthangka –Jangothang
The trail leads bypassing the army post and the valley begins to widen as you come by the winter house of yak herder where hot lunch will be served by the river side. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jhomolhari, Alt. 4,040 m and trek about 5 to 6 hours.
Day 07 Jangothang- Lingshi
After your breakfast you start ascending up the mountainside towards Nyelila pass (Alt. 4,680 m). During the ascend you will be seeing the Mt. Jhomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drakey and Tsherim Gang till Nyelila. At the pass you will be seen off by the former two mountains. There after you will be seeing only Tsherim Gang. From Nyelila pass the trail leads you all the way down to the camp at an Alt. Of 3,950-m distance 19 km and 5 to 6 hours walk.
Day 08 Lingshi – Shomuthang
The walk is through Gongyuel village and if you are lucky you might see the Raven bird and the sight of herds of blue sheep is no miss. Then you get to a small village called Chebisa, winter house of yak herders, thereafter the walk gets tougher as you ascend the steep hillside till Gobula, Alt. 14,268 ft. From Gobula pass the walk is a very gradual descend till you get to the tree line which is the campsite by the riverside, Alt. 4,260 m.
Day 09 Shomuthang – Robluta
The walk starts a little early and we head towards Karela pass, Alt. 15,088ft. From here you drop to Tsharijathang, the valleys where herds of Takin are usually seen grazing in the meadows. Overnight halt in camp, Alt. 14,400ft/4,250 m. Distance is about 18 km and 6 to 7 hours walk.
Day 10 Robluta – Lemithang
You will be passing over the highest point on this trek, Shingela Pass at 16,072ft/4,870 m. The walk is tough till the top, and from there you start descending towards Lemithang. You trek through the valley till Lemithang, which is under Laya District. Here you will see kids in funny hats. Camp at Laem Thangi; beneath Gang Chen Ta, Great Tiger Mountain. If time permits it is worthwhile to spend a day of exploration here. Overnight in camp, Alt. 13,567ft/4,090 m. Distance is 19 km and is about 6 to 7 hours.
Day 11 Laem Thang– Laya
The walk for the day is all the way down hill along a winding river. As you walk down, the path splits in two, one going down in the direction of the river to the campsite which is also used by the army, and the other maintains almost the same height and leads you to the west side of Laya village. You can camp on this flat bench sort of landscape above the East End of Laya village. Overnight in camp, Alt. 12,680ft/3.820 m. Distance is 10 km about 4 to 5 hours.
Day 12 Laya - Halt
Visit Laya village houses or hike above the camp.
Day 13 Laya – Koena
The trail winds up and down along the river valley, avoiding natural obstacles and affording breathing views of the crashing river, feeder streams and waterfalls. Overnight at a camp, Alt. 11,582ft/3,510 m. Distance - 19 km, about 7 hours
Day 14 Koena – Gasa
The trail leads en route Balela pass at Alt. 12,342ft/3,740 m, after which it is all the way down hill till the camp, which is near Gasa Dzong. Overnight at camp, Alt. 9,250ft/2900 m. Distance - 14 km about 6 to 7 hours.
Day 15 Gasa - Gasa Tsachu
After breakfast trek down to Gasa Tsachu (Tsachu means hot spring). After lunch relax in the hot spring. Camp overnight
Day 16 Gasa Tsachu - Geon Damji
After the climb from the Gasa Tsachu the trail winds through hillsides with vistas of fields, villages and oak and pine forests. Gasa Dzong will be visible behind you, glued to the valley wall, seeming to float in space. Camp overnight Alt. 2,280 m distance 18 km , about 6 hours.
Day 17 Geon Damji – Tashithang
The trail descends from the high agricultural terraces above the Mooch into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees, creepers. Camp in Tashithang, Alt. 5,600ft/1,696 m. Distance - 17 Km about 5 to 6 hours.
Day 18 Tashithang – Khuruthang
Drive down the Punakha valley pass the King’s golf course (accessible only by raft) and stop for a while to take some photographs of Punakha Dzong from the outside. Punakha Dzong was the ancient capital until 1966. The remains of the Zhabdrung, the saint who unified Bhutan in the 17th century are interred here. The Je Khenpo, head abbot of the monk body of Bhutan, resides here with the monk body from Thimphu during the winter because it is warmer at this altitude. Camp in Punakha. Alt. 1,364 m. Distance - 35 km.
Day 19 Khuruthang – Thimphu
The drive to Thimphu will take about 3 hours. Across Dochula pass Alt. 10,000ft. (Approximate) from the pass if the weather is clear you will have beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains. Overnight in hotel at Thimphu.
Day 20 Thimphu – Paro
After breakfast sightseeing of the Thimphu valley – visit Handicraft Emporium, Memorial Chorten, National Library, and Indigenous Hospital and make the last day of shopping before driving off to Paro. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 21 Thimphu- Paro for departure.
Departure by Druk-air .for onward journey home
Season : Mid April – June & September – October.
Group condition : Minimum of three people but two persons is also acceptable on payment of surcharges.
Climate : Days are normally warm but nights can be cold in winter with temperatures falling below freezing level. Monsoon showers in summer (heaviest in July, August) and sometimes even in spring and autumn.
What to bring : Strong, comfortable trekking boots, sun-glasses, lots of spare vests and socks/stockings, headgear and a raincoat. Warm clothing will be required for the evenings and a down jacket is a must. For those going to Laya, a sleeping bag is also a must and it is advisable to have a medium to a heavy one. (Note: for trekking a load of 25 kg will be allowed.)
Recommendation : This trekking is relatively difficult. Fitness is required and physical fitness check up is advised.