Title:

Beautiful Laya / Gasa Trek

Duration:

20 Nights / 21 Days

Best Season:

March to May, October to November

Altitude:

4350 M

Itinery:

Arrive Paro by Air Flight. During this flight, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan Peaks including sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. Arrival at Paro International, then drive to Olathang Hotel through Paro valley, an enchanting experience. After lunch go to visit the Ta-Dzong (Museum). Overnight at Olathang Hotel.

Paro - Sightseeing. Drive northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyel Dzong, the ruined Fort, which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasion. On a clear day Mt. Chomolhari, the sacred summit, reaches skyward beyond the Dzong. Depending on your spedific program, you could either visit the Kychi Lhakhang, the Ta-Dzong Natural History Museum, the Rinpung Dzong or take a hike to the Dzongdrakha Monastery etched on the rocks. Overnight at hotel.

Paro - excursion to Taktsang. Spend a full day hiking to Taktsang-Tiger's nest. This magical monastery clings on a vertical granite cliff of some 3000 ft above the valley floor; legend says that the Guru Padmasambhava- the lotus born reincarnation of Buddha Sakyamuni flew on a tiger's back to meditate on the cliff, the tiger being his favourite consort- the divine Yeshey Tsogyel. After lunch at the cafeteria, and magnificent views of the valley below, return to the hotel.

Paro - Shana (First day of trek). Drive upto Drugyel Dzong where the road ends; here your horses, cook and all trekking assistants will start packing all the requirements for the trek ahead. Expect to spend about an hour before starting. Today you will cover about 17 Kms at a steady pace, gentle path, past villages, children and dogs- gradually climbing to an altitude of 2800 M in 5-6 hrs.

Shana - Soi Thangthangkha. Continue uphill through the river valley. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage- mostly sloping down. You will cover about 21 Kms in about 7-8 hrs.

Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang. On up the Pa Chu. Pass a small army post where the valley begins to widen again. Now views of high ridges and then snow-capped peaks are all around. You begin to see Yaks and the Yak herder's camp. Lunch will be probably at one of these camps beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Chomolhari. Alt 4040 M. Distance is 19 Kms, about 5-6 hours.

Jangothang-Lingshi. Wide yak pastures on the way up and down the pass, possibly there are still some people in their yak tents depending on the time of the year that you are there. Great views of Lingshi Dzong as you come down into the Lingshi basin if the weather is clear. Tserim Kang and its descending glaciers at the north end of the valley. The distance and time? We'll help you take care of that. Depending on the trekking arrangements, new teams of ponies, or yaks (depending on weather) will takeover for the next days.

Lingshi-Chebisa. Today is the shortest walking day and you can really take it easy. On reaching camp at Chebisa village you can visit the village houses. Alt. 3850 m. Distance 19 Kms, about 5-6 hours.

Chebisa-Shomuthang. The walk is through wild high pastures with few people, across Gobula pass at altitude of 4350m. Camping at a bend overlooking the river- a tributary of the Mo chu that passes by Gasa Tsachu- hot springs. The camp site altitude is about 4260 M after covering a distance of 17 Kms in 6 hrs.

Shomuthang-Robluthang. Start off early today towards the Jarela Pass alt. 4600m crossing over to Tsharithang. It is possible to come across herds of the unique Takin grazing on the slopes. Distance covered is 15 Kms after about 5 hrs, campsite at alt 4400 M.

Robluthang-Lemi Thang. After crossing the Shingela Pass alt. 4900m descend and skirt the valley towards Lemithang which falls within Laya district. Notice the unique dress worn by the Layaps- the high altitude cattle dependent herders. Lemithang stands beneath the Great Tiger Mountain- Kand Che Da. Depending on your time and interests- you can explore around for a day in these mountains. Overnight at camp alt 13,567 ft. Distance covered is 19 Kms in 6-7 hrs.

Lemi Thang-Layat. Today the way is all down hill along the winding river valley with quite a steep path. The trail splits into two with one going through the valley while the other stays high and brings you into the west side of Laya village. You can camp on a high flat plateau above the east end of Laya village. Overnight at camp Alt. 12,068 ft. Distance 10 Kms about 4 hours.

Laya-Halt. Spend this day relaxing and taking in the natural habitat of the Laya people, visit the unique houses and learn of their unique ways of living. Depending on your interests, there could be arrangements for song and dance performed by the Laya folk by the campfire.

Laya-Koena. The trail winds up and down along the river valley, crossing natural obstacles and witnessing breathtaking views of water falls and swift streams. Camp at alt. 12682 ft. Distance covered is 19 Kms in about 7 hrs.

Koena-Gasa. Scaling the Belela Pass alt. 12267 ft., the trail descends until you reach camp near the Gasa Dzong- alt 9250 ft., Distance of 17 Kms in 6-7 hours.

Gasa-Gasa Tsachu Hot Springs. After a late-relaxed breakfast trek to Gasa Tsachu Hot Springs. A good time to heal your body aches, sore feet and calves, simply relax in these natural hot springs, used by the Bhutanese for all kinds of ailments and sickness. Overnight camp close by the hot springs.

Gasa Hot Springs - Goen Damji. For the botanists and nature enthusiasts, the Gasa trek can be the most thrilling and memorable experience. One passes through virgin forests of Oak, Pine, Rhododendrons- exotic flowers and the most colorful and varied butterflies as if taken out of a Romantic painting of nature. As you proceed down the valley - Gasa Dzong fades into the distance, in a shimmering play of light. Overnight camp at Goen Damji alt. 2280 M distance covered is 21 Kms in about 7 hrs.

Goen Damji-Tashithang (Pick-up Transport Awaits). The trail descends gradually into the lush semi-tropical warmth of the Punakha valley- where you find wild bananas, creepers, monkeys and totally different vegetation from barely 2 days back. After about 17 Kms in 5-6 hrs we reach Tashithang where your pick-up crew may remind you of the 20th century. Ride the dirt road to Punakha town to continue on to your next destination (to Thimphu, Mendegang Dechen Cottages, or to Tongsa - according to your programme).

Punakha & Wangdiphodrang Valleys. Explore the ancient valleys of Punakha and Wangdi; visit the Punakha Dzong and view the Wangdiphodrang Dzong, lunch at the tourist lodge close to Wangdi town. Overnight at Dechen Cottages in the Mendegang hills.

Mendegang (Dechen Cottages)- Thimphu. The drive to Thimphu- the capital of Bhutan is about 3 hrs enroute cross the Dochula Pass alt. 10, 000 ft where incredible panorama of snow capped mountains can be viewed; stop for tea and coffee at the cafeteria and continue descent to Thimphu. Overnight at hotel.

Thimphu - Paro Airport. Drive to International Airport at Paro for onward flight.

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