Laya-Gasa Trek, Bhutan

On arrival at Paro International Airport, the representative of Somify Destination Tours – Gateway to your Unforgettable Bhutan Experience: Will warmly welcome & greet you. After the welcome, we will drive to the Hotel. Lunch will be at one of the restaurants in Paro town. After lunch, visit Ta-Dzong, built in the year 1649 by Lha Ngenpa Tenzin Drugdra the first governor of Paro and it was converted to National Museum in the year 1968. Then visit Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in this region, built in 1646 by the great unifier of Bhutan Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Paro.

Today after having breakfast, we will make a hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery, the most famous and sacred monastery in Bhutan. Taktshang means “Tiger`s Nest” named after Guru Rinpoche reportedly flew to this site riding on the back of a flying tigress in the 8th century. We have to walk about 2-3 hours up steep from the road end. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Lunch will be served at the Taktshang cafeteria. Today is the best hike to acclimatization of your body. If time permits, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, it is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Dinner & Overnight stay at Paro, Hotel.

Today, we will drive up to Drugyel Dzong or Gunitsawa village at an altitude of 2750m, through the ruins of Drugyel Dzong, built in 1649 to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invasion. The drive will take 1 hour and 30 minutes. Once we reach Drugyel Dzong then we will drive through the feeder road almost for 1 hour. On reaching Gunitsawa village, there is an Army Check Post, where your trekking permit will be checked and endorsed.

Distance 5-9 kms, 4-5 hrs/ 50 – 60mins, 80 m descent and camp altitude 2,750 m.

Our trek begins from the Army Check Post (Gunitsawa Village ). Today, we will only trek/walk around for 1 - 2 hours. Once we reach Shana Zampa, we will meet with our crew members and have dinner at the campsite, located opposite the river.

Distance 22 km, 8-9 hours, 770 m ascent, 10 m descent and camp altitude 3,560 m.

On this long day, the trail continues with many small ups and downs. After going uphill through the river valley the valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path which descends to a meadow where a camp will be set up. From here, if weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mt. Jomolhari.

Distance 19 km, 5-6 hours, 480 m ascent and camp altitude 4,080 m.

If you did not see Mt. Jomolhari the previous evening, you will still have a chance to get a great view early this morning. This morning the trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow. You will cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. In this area, yaks and their herder’s homes become a regular landscape feature. Passing the villages of Soe, Takethang and Dangochang is another asset on this day. After reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari.

A day halt in Jangothang provides many possibilities for day hikes with great views of lakes and snow-capped mountains such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. There are good chances to spot some blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley. Jangothang is a perfect environment for your acclimatization. You can also trek up to Tshophu or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Jomolhari and its subsidiary mountain chains lay directly west, Jichu Drake to the north and there are several unclimbed peaks to the east.

Distance 18 km, 6-7 hours, 840 m ascent, 870 m descent, camp altitude 4,010 m.

This is one of the longest days of the trek. A short distance from the camp the trail begins climbing rapidly for about half an hour and then becomes a gradual ascent to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m. While on the climb enjoy the surroundings. You might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes of the mountains. From the pass, you will have spectacular views of Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsherimgang, all above 7,000m. It’s a gradual descent to the camp where you will pass by some of the yak herder’s tents, made from yak wool. The herders use these tents while travelling to various pastures for their yaks. As you descend into the Lingshi basin, a beautiful U-shaped valley, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on clear days. Tserimgang and its glaciers rise at the north end of the valley. The campsite is next to a stone hut you reach just before Lingshi.

Distance 10 km, 5-6 hours, 280 m ascent, 410 m descent, camp altitude 3,880 m.

Today is the shortest walking day, and you can take it easy. Shortly after starting you will reach a chorten below Lingshi Dzong. Here, you have the choice of staying on the main trail or taking a detour up to the Lingshi Dzong (4,220m), which sits right atop a high ridge. This Dzong is under reconstruction after a 2011 earthquake which damaged its central building. In addition to an atmosphere of mystic tranquillity, Lingshi Dzong provides a great view over the valley. After Lingshi Dzong you will be passing the villages of Lingshi and Goyul. In Goyul, the stone houses are clustered together to form small and compact villages, which is unusual in Bhutan where settlements are usually scattered. On reaching the campsite at Chebisa you will have plenty of time to visit the village houses if you feel like experiencing it. There is also a beautiful waterfall behind the village that is worth visiting.

Distance 17 km, 6-7 hours, 890 m ascent, 540 m descent, camp altitude 4,220 m.

The morning starts with a long ascent behind Chebisa Village (2-3 hours) through a wide pastureland towards Gobu La (pass). On the way, you will see a few people herding yaks. There is also a great chance to spot large herds of blue sheep above the trail. After crossing Gobu La (4,410m), you descend into the valley, then climb again a little bit, before descending again to Shakshepasa (3,980), a large U-shaped valley. Climbing from here you will finally reach the campsite at Shomuthang, above a river, which is a tributary of the Nochu River.

Distance 18 km, 6-7 hours, 700 m ascent, 760 m descent, camp altitude 4,160 m.

You begin by climbing up the valley to view Kang Bum (6,526 m) and some edelweiss. After two hours of climbing you will reach Jhari La (4,750m), from where you catch the first glimpse of Sinche La, the pass you will have to cross the day after. The big snow peak in the north is Gangchhenta 6,840 m, also known as the Great Tiger Mountain. If the weather is clear, Tserim Kang and the top of Jomolhari will be visible. The camp by the river is called Tsheri Jathang located in a beautiful wide and remote valley. Herds of takin, the Bhutanese National Animal, migrate to this valley in summer and remain for about four months. The valley has been declared a takin sanctuary, and climb up a little bit and you will reach the campsite at Robluthang in a rocky meadow.

Distance 19 km, 6-7 hours, 850 m ascent, 870 m descent, camp altitude 4,140 m.

The trek starts with an initial 40-60mins ascent before gradually raising for another 1.5 hours through a boulder field. It is then 1-hour steep ascent before reaching Sinche La (5,005m) – the final and highest pass on the trek if you don’t intend to continue the Snowman trek from Laya onwards. As you descend the far side of the pass you will see an impressive terminal moraine and a glacial lake at the foot of the valley. You can see classic examples of lateral moraines where the glacier has pushed rocks up both sides of the valley. Below the moraine, you cross the Kango Chhu and soon reach the Limithang campsite. The peak of Gangchhenta towers over the campsite even though it’s quite a distance away.

Distance 10 km, 4-5 hours, 60 m ascent, 340 m descent, camp altitude 3,840 m.

Today, you will hike downhill along a narrow, winding river valley. After a long time, the trail takes you through densely forested regions. The trail leads you to the west side of Laya village. From the west of the village, you will have spectacular views of Mt. Gangchhenta and catch Mt. Masagang. In the village centre, there is a community school and a basic health unit with a telephone connection. The campsite is located below the school.

Distance 19 km, 6-7 hours, 260 m ascent, 1,070 m descent, camp altitude 3,050 m.

The trail winds up and down along the river valley of Mo Chhu avoiding natural obstacles and affording breath-taking views of the raging river, feeder streams and waterfalls. Many ups and downs will lead you to Kohi Lapcha at 3.300 m. The trek then drops down to the large stream of Koina Chhu, where you will find the campsite of Koina.

Distance 14 km, 6-7 hours, 740 m ascent, 1,500 m descent, camp altitude 2,240 m.

Today you will have the last major climb of the Laya Gasa Trek. You will cross Bari La (3,740m), after which the trail descends until you reach Gasa village (2,770m), where you will find the first restaurants since you started from Drukgyel Dzong. There is also a campsite close to Gasa Dzong. However, you have to decide whether you want to stay in Gasa village or descend for another hour to the Gasa Tsachu (hot springs) and relax in the rejuvenating mineral waters. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan.

Today, after breakfast, you will drive to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 4 hours. Once we reach the Punakha, you will visit Punakha Dzong. The Dzong was built under the command of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 17th century, the great unifier of Bhutan. Lunch will be at one of the restaurants in Punakha. After lunch, hike to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple built in the 15th century by the Devine Madman Drukpa Kuenley. Dinner & Overnight stay at Punakha, Hotel.

After breakfast, you will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take 3 hours through chir pine, blue pine forest and rhododendron trees. Once you reach Lumitsawa, you will ascend to Dochula Pass, 3150 m. On arrival at Dochula if weather permits there will be a beautiful view of the Himalayas, including the highest mountain of Bhutan, Gangkar Puensum. Then, you will descend till you reach Semtokha, out here you will come across the oldest dzong of Bhutan. Lunch will be at one of the restaurants in Thimphu town. After Lunch, you will visit Memorial Chorten, Buddha Point and then scroll in Thimphu city. Evening you will visit Trashichho Dzong, the centre for administration and head of religion.

After breakfast, visit Changgangkha Lhakhang, Takin mini-zoo and hike to Sangye Gang Cross hiking. The hike will take 1 hour and 40 minutes. The hike will be through the blue pine forest and you will have a beautiful view of Trashichhoe Dzong and the Supreme Court of Bhutan. Lunch will be at one of the restaurants in Thimphu City. After lunch, you will visit the weaving centre in Thimphu, then drive to Paro. Dinner & Overnight stay at Paro, Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Airport for your onward flight. Our guide and driver will bid you farewell here at the airport. We wish you a very safe and pleasant flight for your onward destinations.