Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek - 14 Days

Facts about the Tour / Trek:

Trek Duration: 14 days.
Total Duration: 20 days.
Accommodation: Hotels, Resorts and Tents.
Activity Type: Walking, Trekking & Tour.
Difficulty Level: Strenuous.
Group size: Minimum 2 pax
Best Months to do this Trek: March - May, September - 2nd Week of December.

It is a 14-days Trek, an extension of the Jumolhari Trek and offers diverse flora and fauna, including a good opportunity to spot Blue Sheep, Takins and the Blue Poppy (Bhutan's national flower). It introduces you to the unusual culture of the Layap people and offers a stop at a natural hot spring in Gasa. It is a popular Trek. Highest point is 4115 Meter

ITINERARY

Day 01. Arrive Paro 2280 m,(By Druk Air):

- Yak Holidays will greet you on arrival,
- Evening, free to stroll in the town for photography.

Day 02. Paro 2280 m,

- Visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower,
- The Paro Rimpung Dzong, the center of civil and religious authority,
- A short walk takes across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge.
- One of the innumerable archery grounds (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan).
- Drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal,
- Experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m).
- Way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang that was built in 659 by the Tibetan King Srongsen Gampo.

Day 03. Paro 2280 m,: Excursion to Taktsang Monastery:

- Short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, from there a 2 hour horse ride till the viewpoint point of the monastery,
- With an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery built in 1600s,
- Visit to Tachog Lhakhang and a Bhutanese Farm House.

Day 04. Paro - Shana (Start of Trek):

(Altitude 2,850 m; Distance 17 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours, 360 meters ascent, 80 meters descent).

- Trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong at 2580 meters following the Paro,
- Overnight at camp Shana.

Day 05. Shana - Thangthangka

Altitude: 3610 m; Distance 22 Km; Time 7 - 8 hours. 770 meters ascent, 10 meters descent)
- The trail follows the river through a heavily forested area with a few isolated farmhouses,
- Pass a junction enroute, where another path leads north over the Tremo La to Tibet.
- Camp in a meadow with a stone shelter.

Day 06. Thangthangka - Jangothang:

(Altitude: 4080 m; Distance 19 Kms; Time 5 - 6 hours, 480 meters Ascent)
- 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,
- We arrive at the Jhomolhari base camp (4,115 m).

Day 07. Jangothang (Halt):

- Rest day at Jangothang, enjoy the superb view,
- 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,This is 8 hours (Back and forth).

Day 08. Jangothang - Lingshi: (Altitude 4000m; Distance 17 kms; Time 6 - 7 hours.)

- With spectacular views of the Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and the Tserim Gang.
- 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,and camp.

Day 09. Lingshi - Chebisa

:(Altitude of 3880m;Distance 10 kms; Time 5 - 6 hours, Ascent: 280 meters, Descent: 410 meters.)
- Leaving Lingshi behind gently climb to reach another delightful village, Gom Yu,( 300 m cliff),
- Hours walk brings us to a lovely little valley with a huge waterfall at one end of the Shangri La village of Chebisa,
- Camp by the side of the river.

Day 10. Chebisa - Shomuthang:

(Altitude 4220m; Distance17kms; Time 6-7hours, Ascent 890 meters, Descent 540 meters.)
- Start with quite a stiff climb through high pastures up the Gokula pass (4,320 m)
- Camp near a riverbed.

Day11. Shomuthang - Robluthang:

(Altitude: 4,160m; Distance 18 kms; Time 6 - 7 hours, Ascent 700 meters, Descent 760 meters)
- A long haul over the Jarela pass at 4,640 m,
- We drop steeply down a forest trail to the Tsarigathang valley,
- Cross a knee deep river before climbing up Robluthang where we camp.

Day 12. Robluthang - Lemithang

:(Altitude 4,140 meters; Distance: 19 kms; Time 6-7hours. Ascent 850 meters, Descent 870 meters)
- One of the hardest days of the trek.
- Climb slowly up to Shinchela pass at 4,870 m.
- Descend down to camp on a lovely spot by the riverbank.

Day 13. Lemithang - Laya

(Altitude3840m; Distance10 kms; Time 4-5hours, Ascent 60 kms, Descent 340 meters)
- walk along the tributaries of the Mochu, through a forest,
- Enter the village of Laya,
- Spent the leisure or visiting village houses and mixing with the villagers.
- Good views of the Masagang and the other peaks.

Day 14. Laya (Halt):

(Altitude 3050 meters; Distance19 kms; Time 6-7hours, 260 meters Ascent, Descent 1070 meters)
- Rest day at Laya and opportunity to meet the local people.

Day 15. Laya - Koena

(Altitude 3050 meters; Distance19 kms; Time 6-7hours, 260 meters Ascent, Descent 1070 meters )
- View the crashing river, feeder streams and waterfalls.
- Overnight in camp.

Day 16. Koena - Gasa Tsachu

(Altitude 3050 meters; Distance19 kms; Time 6-7hours, 260 meters Ascent, Descent 1070 meters)
- Gradually climb up to Balela pass at 3,740 m and then descend to Gasa village.
- Then drop steeply down to the river for an hour and camp near the Hot Spring a chance for a good, hot bath!

Day 17: Gasa Tsachu - Goen Damji - Punakha (End of Trek):

(18 kms), 5-6 hours, Ascent 470 meters, Descent 280 meters)
- Trail descends from the high agricultural benches above the Mochu,
- The vehicle will pick you up at Damji and drive to Punakha (2 hours).

Day 18. Punakha -Thimphu :( 72 Kms)

- Visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river)
- After lunch, drive to Thimphu.
- Enroute visit Chimi Lhakhang also called Temple of Fertility built by Lama Drukpa kuenley in 17th century.

Day 19. Thimphu sightseeing:

- Visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk,
- The Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan,
- Visit the National Library,
- The Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive,
- Visit to the Tallest Statue of Buddha in the world,
- Witness Archery Match.
- Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong,
- Visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu.

Day 20. Departure: Drive to the airport and farewell.