Laya-Gasa Trek Bhutan-17days

On your arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be escorted to your Hotel. After resting for a while, you will join our guide for a sightseeing tour. you will visit Visit Rinpung Dzong which means “Heap of Jewels Fortress”.  This has a long history and is interesting. Good wall paintings detailing the Buddhist mythology are located along with the wooden galleries lining the Rinpung Dzong courtyard. Stroll around the city of Paro for the rest of the day. Dinner & overnight stay will be at your Hotel.

Today you will prepare to hike all the way till Taktsang(tiger’s nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery. The tiger’s nest monastery Stands at 3180 m & helps you to acclimatize for the next day’s trek.

Guru Rinpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, is said to have flown back on a tigress to meditate in a cellar where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is situated on a steep hill, approximately 900 meters above Paro Valley. Later you will retrace your steps back to Paro.Overnight hotel in Paro.

Distance: 17Km/10.63miles / Time: 5-6 Hours / Ascent: 300m / Camp

Trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong, a quick downhill walk followed by a gentle ascent through well-maintained rice terraces and millet fields. The road later reaches a forested land and apple orchards.  The valley soon widens, you are at Gunitsawa’s military post( 2.810 m). This is the final stop outside of Tibet. There are some nice camping sites in meadows surrounded by trees, beyond Shana Zampa(2,850m).

Distance: 21Km/13.13miles / Time: 6-7 Hours / Ascent: 900m / Camp

Past Shana, the trail follows towards Pa Chhu (Paro River) ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. Stop by the bridge for lunch & later follow the river which led towards rhododendron forest. On crossing the bridge again, you will reach at campsite(3750m)

Distance: 19Km11.88miles / Time: 4-5 Hours / Ascent: 300m / Camp

For a bit, the route ascends before you enter the Army Base.  Then follow the river over the tree line and enjoy the spectacular view of the surrounding peaks.  Hot lunch is eaten inside the camp of a yak herder.  A short walk into the valley will take you to the camp at Jangothang at an altitude of 4,050m.  From here, the view of Mt. Jumolhari and Jichu Drake are superb.

Today is a day of acclimatization. We can chose a day hikes: a 3-4 hours hike up to a ridge that gives a good view of Jichu Drake; a hike up to the end of the valley, toward Jumolhari; a trek up the main valley toward Jichu Drake’ or a hike to Tsophu, a pair of lakes with a good supply of brown trout. Altitude 4050m.

Distance: 19Km / 11.88miles, Time: 6-7 Hours / Ascent: 800m / Descent: 730m / Camp

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 with a breathtaking view of Jumolhari, Jichu Drake and Tshering Gang.  Then walk towards the valley, almost flat for a while, until the climb to the Nyele La pass at an altitude of 4830m.  After the pass, it’s a gradual descent to the Lingshi camp, enjoying the panoramic view of the peaks and Lingshi Dzong.

Distance: 12Km/7.5miles / Time: 5-6 Hours / Ascent: 100m / Descent: 250m / Camp

Proceed ahead passing Lingshi Dzong, perched on the hilltop with a commanding view of green hills, the winding river and magnificent peaks.  It is an easy day and pleasant walk through villages and yak herders camp.  After lunch, a short walk will take you to Chebisa village.  Camp by the side of the stream at an altitude of 3,850m.

Distance: 17Km10.63miles / Time: 6-7 Hours / Ascent: 570m / Descent: 290m / Camp

Today begins with a stiff climb up a ridge to Gubu La pass at an altitude of 4420m, taking nearly four hours.  After the pass, descend to a lunch stop through rhododendron bushes.  Afternoon continue along the up and down path, after crossing the stream, through rhododendron forests and yak herders camp.  You may see herds of Blue Sheep now and then.  Camp at an altitude of 4130m

Distance: 15Km/9.38miles / Time: 5-6 Hours / Ascent: 620m / Descent: 590m / Camp

The trek starts with a climb to Jerela pass at altitude 4,750m.  Then descend to Tasharijathang valley, the summer residence of rare Himalayan Takins (national animal of Bhutan). From here we may have to cross the stream as most of the time the footbridge is washed away.  After crossing the stream towards the left, the trail ascends till you reach Robluthang camp at an altitude of 4160m.

Distance: 19Km/11.88miles / Time: 7-8 Hours / Ascent: 850m / Descent: 870m / Camp

It is a long climb unto Shingela pass (alt. 5010m).  The view of the mountains from the path is stunning.  After the pass, descend to Lingmithang.  The path is quite narrow and you may have to cross a stream again and get wet.  The last part of the trek is very interesting with the view of Mt. Gangchey Ta. Arrive at the campsite at an altitude of 4140m.

Distance: 10Km/6.25miles/ Time: 3-4 Hours / Camp

In the morning you wake up with a superb view of Gangchey Ta peak in front of you.  The walk to Laya is very pleasant with wonderful views.  You will pass through a damp forest, filled with moss and singing birds.  Arrive at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country, at altitude of 3850m.

Distance: 19Km /12.5miles / Time: 6-7 Hours / Descent: 50m / Camp

Descend to army camp and join the Mo Chhu (Mother River of Punakha).  Follow the river till you cross the bridge.  After the bridge it is up and down several times, through juniper and fir forests until you reach the camp at Koena at an altitude of 3,800m.

Distance: 19Km/12.5miles / Time: 6-7 Hours / Ascent: 300m / Descent: 1200m / Camp

Walk for about half an hour over flat land till the Barila La pass (4100m).  After this it is downhill all the way to Gasa Tshachu.  Lunch will be served at Gasa village. After lunch visit the village. Then descend to Gasa Tshachu (hot spring) for camp at an altitude of 2900m. Enjoy the hot bath at the Hot Spring.

Today you will drive to Punakha on unpaved roads.  The drive is through the high agricultural benches above the Mochu (Chu means River) into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees and creepers. Check into your hotel on arrival. In the afternoon, you can visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Overnight hotel in Thimphu

After breakfast, you will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. On the way, you will stop at Lobesa to hike — through rice paddies and up to the Chimi Lhakhang Temple. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in the 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley, or the “Divine Madman,” who is believed to bless women who seek fertility. Continue to drive to Thimphu via Dochula pass (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. After lunch in Thimphu, you can stroll through Thimphu city. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

In the morning, you will drive to the airport for departure (54 Km, 1 hour).  Our representative will bid farewell.