Beautiful Laya/Gasa Trek (21 Days)

Trekking in Bhutan

Day – 1 Arrive Paro by Druk Air. You will be received at the airport by our company representative and transferred to your  hotel.

Day – 2 Morning : Visit the Rinpung Dzong(Paro Dzong) built in 1645. This fortress is presently the seat of the district administration and the residence of the monk body. Lunch in the hotel. After lunch, visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). Once the watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means Monastery). Kyichu Lhakhang was built in 659 A.D by the King Soingtsen Gampo of Tibet as one of 108 such monasteries built across the Himalayas to spread Buddhism. It is located between Paro town and Drugyal Dzong. This temple marks the advent of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Day – 3 Trek begins: Drive Paro – Shana & trek Shana – Soi Thanngthangkha.
Gradual trek through the river valley which narrows and closes in after some distance. The trail then winds up and down along the drainage.The camp site is located in a meadow with stone shelter. Alt.approx – 3400 mtrs. Distance 15 kms. Time 6-7 hrs.

Day – 4 Soi Thangthangkha – Jangothang(Jumolhari base camp).
Walk up along the Pachu (Paro river), pass a small army outpost where the valley begins to widen again. You can now clearly view the high ridges and the snow capped mountains all around and also see the yaks and the yak herder’s winter settlements. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Jhomolhari Mountain. Alt – 4040 mtrs. Distance 19 kms and time 5-6 hrs.

Day – 5 Jangothang halt. Excursion hike to Tsophu glacial lake. 

Day – 6 Jangothang – Lingshi
Walk up towards the pass through a wide pasture land. Depending on the season you are there, you might find some yak herders in their camping tents along the way. As you come down after the pass to the Lingshi basin, you will see some beautiful views of the lingshi Dzong and the valley and also Tserim Kang (mountain ) and its descending glaciers at the north end of the valley. Camp in a stone shelter with a built in fire pit or in the tent. Alt. 4150 mtrs. Distance 19 kms and time 5-6 hrs.

Day – 7 Lingshi – Chebisa
Today is the shortest walking day and you can really take it easy. On reaching the camp site at Chebisa, you can visit the village houses if you feel upto it. Alt.3850 mtrs. Distance 12 kms and time 3-4 hrs.

Day – 8 Chebisa – Shomuthang
You walk through a wide pasture land towards Gobu-la (pass). On the way, you will see few people herding yaks. After  crossing the Gobu-la (Alt4350 mtrs) descend down to the valley. The camp site is on a bench above a river which is a tributary of the Nochu river. Alt.4260 mtrs. Distance 17 kms and time 5-6 hrs.

Day – 9 Shomuthang – Robluthang
As the walk is little strenuous, it is advisable to start early. After crossing the Jarela (pass) atl.4600 mtrs you come down to Tsarijathang valley where you can normally see herds of Takins. Camp at Tsarijathang. Alt 4390 mtrs. Distance 15 kms and time 6-7 hrs.

Day – 10 Robluthang – Lemithang
After crossing the Shingela pass, (alt.4900 mtrs), you come down and follow the valley. Lemithang is under the Laya District and you will see people dressed in typical Laya costume with conical bamboo hats. Camp at Lemithang. Alt 4140 mtrs. Distance 19 kms time 6-7 hrs. If you have time, it would be advisable to spend a day here exploring the valley and meeting the people who have a unique culture and way of life.

Day – 11 Lemithang – Laya
Today, you walk all the way downhill along a narrow winding river valley. The trail leads you to the west side of Laya village. Camp site is on a high flat bench above the Laya village. Alt 3850 mtrs. Distance 10 kms and time 3-4 hrs.

Day – 12 Halt in Laya for rest and to explore Laya village.

Day – 13 Trek concludes on this day. Trek Laya – Taktsimakha (about an hour and thirty minutes hike). Your transport will pick you at Taktsimakha and drive to Punakha(about 5 hrs. drive).
Overnight hotel in Punakha

Day – 14 Drive Punakha – Thimphu. Morning drive to Thimphu(about 2 hrs. drive / 72 kms) via the Dochula Pass(3150 mtrs. altitude). In Thimphu Valley, visit the Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629 and is the oldest ancient castle fortress in Bhutan. Later visit the Craft Market. Overnight hotel in Thimphu 

Day – 15 Sightseeing in Thimphu.
Visit the Memorial Chorten, a stupa built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972, Visit the Traditional Painting School where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive. Other places of visit: Tashichho Dzong, Kaja Throm(market) & witness a game of Archery(national sport of Bhutan) at Changlimithang. Overnight in hotel in Thimphu. 

Day – 16 Tango Monastery Hike. Morning short drive north of Thimphu Valley and hike (about and hour and half round-trip hike) to the Tango Monastery. Later after the hike, visit the sacred Guru Lhakhang(monastery). Overnight hotel in Thimphu

Day – 17 Day hike to Phajoding, located on the north face of the mountain overlooking the Thimphu Valley. The round-trip hike would take about 4 hrs, depending on your walk pace.
Overnight hotel in Thimphu

Day – 18 Drive Thimphu Paro(about an hour drive / 63 kms). Hike to Taktsang monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”. The Monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 4000 ft. and offers a stunning view of Paro valley. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava meditated in the spot where the Monastery is situated, having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 5 hours, depending on your walk pace. Overnight is a choice of home-stay or hotel

Day – 19 Drive Paro Haa valley(about 2 hrs. drive / 85 kms). The drive will take you via the Chelela Pass(3988 mtrs. altitude), the highest motorable Pass in Bhutan. Hike along the Chelela ridge. In Haa, visit the 7th century Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo(both are ancient monasteries). Overnight hotel or home-stay in Haa

Day – 20 Day hike in Haa Valley and time at leisure. 

Day – 21 Drive Haa – Paro. From Chelela, hike down to the exotic Kila Nunnery, a Buddhist Centre for female monks. Later as you drive down into Paro valley, visit the religious sites of Dzongdakha.
Overnight hotel in Paro

Day – 22  Departure from Paro  Airport.