Laya Gasa Trek

The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the
awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to the hotel. After lunch, visit Rinpung Dzong meaning “fortress of the heap of jewels”. It has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the courtyard of the Rinpung Dzong are fine wall paintings illustrating
Buddhist lore. You will walk downhill till the road point crossing the wooden bridge. Your
vehicle will be waiting here to take you to Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. In the evening, you can stroll through Paro town. Walking through the market and meeting with the people will be an enjoyable experience. Overnight hotel in Paro

After breakfast hike to Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery,
which stands at 3180m gives you acclimatization for the next day’s trek. The 8th century
Spiritual Master, Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a
cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about
900 meters above Paro Valley. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about
halfway up on the mountain. Explore the Monastery hike back to Paro. Overnight hotel in Paro.

The trek starts from Drukgyal Dzong at 2300m with a short downhill walk on a wide trail. The trail climbs gently traversing through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. The route later enters an area of apple orchards and forests. Soon the valley widens and you reach
the army post of Gunitsawa at 2,810m. This is the last stop before Tibet. At 2,850m, just beyond Shana Zampa, there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees. Overnight in Camp at Shana.

The trail again follows Pa Chhu (Paro River) ascending and descending through pine, oak and
spruce forests. Hot lunch will be served after crossing the bridge towards the left side of the
river. After lunch follow the river climbing up through rhododendron forests and finally crossing
the bridge again, reaching to the campsite at the altitude of 3,750m. Overnight at Camp in Soi
Thangthangkha

The path ascends for a while till you reach the army camp. Then follow the river above the tree line enjoying the stunning view of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch will be served inside a yak
herder’s camp. 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. Overnight
at Camp in Jongothang.

Today is a day of acclimatization. You may choose from four 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. Overnight at Camp in Jongothang base 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 camp at Chashi Thang
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(4010m) enjoying the panoramic view of the peaks and Lingshi Dzong. Overnight at Camp in Lingshi

Visit the Lingshi Dzong, perched on the hilltop with a commanding view of green hills, the
winding river and magnificent peaks. For centuries, Lingzhi Dzong was a way station for weary
Buddhist pilgrims and defense fort against Tibetan and Mongol invaders. It is an easy day and
pleasant walk through villages and yak herders camp. After lunch, a short walk will take you to
Chebisa, a charming little village adorned with a beautiful crystal clear waterfall. Camp by the
side of stream at an altitude of 3,850m. Overnight at Camp in Chebisa.

Today begin 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
4130m. Overnight at Camp in Shomuthang.

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. Overnight at Camp in Robluthang.

It is a long climb unto Shingela pass (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 campsite at altitude of 4140m. Overnight at Camp in Lingmithang.

In the morning you wake up with a superb view of Gangchen 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. Overnight at Camp in Laya.

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. Overnight at Camp in Koena.

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. Overnight at Camp in Gasa.

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 Punakha

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 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, after breakfast will drive to airport for departure . Our
representative will bid farewell.