18 Days Laya Gasa Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Paro 2280 meters.
The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. Your Bhutanese escort from Bhutan Wondertand team will greet you on arrival, and then drive you the short distance to the Hotel.
After lunch, visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the center of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). If we are lucky, we may catch a match in action.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography. Dinner and over night in Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort or Similar.
Day 02: Paro : Excursion to Taktsang Monastery – Shana:
A very special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery – After breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten. On the way, visit Kichu Lhakhang that was built in 659 by the Tibetan King Srongsen Gampo.
In the evening, drive to Drukgyal Dzong, 16 km away from the town.
Day 03: Shana – Thangthangka (Start of Laya Gasa Trek).
The trail follows the river through a heavily forested area with a few isolated farmhouses. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. We pass a junction en-route, where another path leads north over the Tremo La to Tibet. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter.
Altitude: 3610 m; Distance 22 Km; Time 7 – 8 hours, Ascent: 770 meters, Descent: 10 meters.
Day 04: Thangthangka – Jangothang:
In the morning, after passing a small army post, the trail slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs into a beautiful valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home of yak herdsmen. Lunch will be served in one of these huts. Lots of yaks will be seen today before we arrive at the Jhomolhari base camp (4,115 m). High mountains overlook the camp and visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Dinner and overnight in camp.
Altitude: 4080 m; Distance 19 Km; Time 5 – 6 hours, 480 meters Ascent
Day 05: Jangothang:
Rest day at Jangothang, enjoy the superb view all around.
For Day hikes, you have 3 options on this day at Jangothang.
- Hike to Jumolhari Glacier which is around 4 ½ hours (Back and forth)
- Hike to Jichu Drake Glacier which is around 3 hours (Back and Forth).
- Walk up the mountain between Jumolhari and Jichu Drake, the summit is at 5200 meters with a great view of both the mountains. This is 8 hours (Back and forth).
Day 06: Jangothang – Lingshi:
A good day’s walk today with spectacular views of the Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and the Tserim Gang. We start climbing straight away and after some 3 to 4 hours reach the Nyelela pass (4,700 m). After the pass we descend to a circular hut just below Lingshi, where we camp. Coming down from Lingshi we obtain our first views of the truly mystical Dzong atop a high hill. Dinner and overnight in camp.
Altitude 4000 m; Distance 17 km; Time 6 – 7 hours.
Day 07: Lingshi – Chebisa:
This is a magical day. After we leave Lingshi, we gently climb gently to reach another delightful village, Gom Yu, which is set right below a 300 m cliff. Another hour walk brings us to a lovely little valley with a huge waterfall at one end of the Shangri La village of Chebisa, where we camp by the side of the river. The walk is an easy one. Dinner and overnight in camp.
Camp site at an altitude of 3880 m; Distance 10 km; Time 5 – 6 hours, Ascent: 280 meters, Descent: 410 meters.
Day 08: Chebisa – Shomuthang:
We start with quite a stiff climb through high pastures up the Gokula pass (4,320 m) before we drop through forests of dwarf rhododendron. We climb gradually and head down to the camp near a riverbed.
Camp at Altitude 4220 m; Distance 17 km; Time 6-7 hours, Ascent 890 meters, Descent 540 meters.
Day 09: Shomuthang – Robluthang:
A long haul over the Jarela pass at 4,640 m where we once again get stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains above us. We drop steeply down a forest trail to the Tsarigathang valley, where herds of Takin roam, then cross a knee deep river before climbing up Robluthang where we camp.
Camp at Altitude: 4,160 m; Distance 18 km; Time 6 – 7 hours, Ascent 700 meters, Descent 760 meters.
Day 10: Robluthang – Lemithang:
This is one of the hardest days of the trek. We climb slowly up to Shinchela pass at 4,870 m. and are rewarded with stunning views of mountains, including the spectacular Gang Chen Ta at the head of the valley. On a clear day practically all the mountains on the northern border are visible. Eagles, griffin vultures, blue sheep and yaks abound in this area. We descend down to camp on a lovely spot by the riverbank.
Camp at Altitude 4,140 meters; Distance: 19 km; Time 6-7 hours. Ascent 850 meters, Descent 870 meters.
Day 11: Lemithang – Laya:
We walk along the river, one of the tributaries of the Mochu and through a forest of rhododendron and silver fir and then enter the village of Laya. The people of Laya are famous for their vertical stripe yak hair clothing and their strange conical bamboo hats. The women wear their hair long and with great deal of turquoise and jade jewelry.
The features of the people are even more Tibetan/ Mongolian than the Bhutanese who live in the central valleys The rest of the day is spent at leisure or visiting village houses and mixing with the villagers. Good views of the Masagang and the other peaks.
Camp at Altitude 3840 m; Distance 10 km; Time 4-5 hours, Ascent 60 meters, Descent 340 meters.
Day 12: Laya (Halt):
We have a rest day at Laya and an opportunity to meet the local people.
Day 13: Laya – Koena:
The trail winds along the river valley offers breathtaking views of the crashing river, feeder streams and waterfalls. Dinner and over night in camp.
Camp at Altitude 3050 meters; Distance 19 km; Time 6-7 hours, 260 meters Ascent, Descent 1070 meters.
Day 14: Koena – Gasa Tsachu (End of Laya Gasa Trek):
We gradually climb up to Balela pass at 3,740 m and then descend to Gasa village. The first sight of the Gasa Dzong perched on the hillside over the village is one of the sights of the trip. We then drop steeply down to the river for an hour and camp near the Hot Spring a chance for a good hot bath!
Camp at Altitude: 2,638 m; Distance 14 km; Time: 6-7 hours, Ascent 900 meters, Descent 1710 meters.
Day 15: Gasa Tsachu – Punakha (47 km):
After the breakfast, drive to Punakha. On the way, hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery (short hike 45 minutes).
- Drive to Yabesa village and hike to through rice fields and up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions.
After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river).
Day 16: Punakha –Thimphu (72 Km):
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. On the way, visit Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Popularly known as “The Divine Madman”, in the year 1499. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
We then visit the Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi.
After lunch, Lungchutse hike (Short hike – 3 hours): This is one of the most rejuvenating and picturesque hikes in the Thimphu region. At Lungchutse one can enjoy 360° view of the Himalayan mountain range. You will start your hike from the large chorten in the middle of Dochula, the pass between Thimphu and Punakha at 3140 meters. From here the trail slowly climbs a ridge through a forest of hemlock, birch and rhododendrons until reaching an open meadow.
You vehicle will pick you up at Hongtsho and drive to Thimphu. In the evening, free to stroll in the town.
Day 17: Thimphu sightseeing:
The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls).
After lunch, visit to the Tallest Statue of Buddha in the world, witness Archery Match. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). The Tashichho Dzong is open to visitors only in winter when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body move to Punakha the ancient winter capital of Bhutan and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu.
Day 18: Thimphu-Paro: Departure:
Early Morning, drive to the airport and farewell.
4.8 / 5.0