Introduction to Bhutan Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek 22 Days
One of the challenging long trek but exceptionally beautiful and its one of our best trek itineraries that gets sold out for all seasons especially by the European Trekkers.
The Bhutan Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek 22 Days trek is best done in Spring and Autumn but Spring is more magnificent because of the Flowering season where you can see hundreds of different kinds of Rhododendrons and Primulas to name few.
We organize one Trek towards end of June and its not easy as we might across rain and hot sun but the mission is to see the rare of the rarest Poppy that grows above tree line and on the rocky cliffs and all the stress and tiredness would easily fade away once you see the Blue Poppy, The National Flower of Bhutan.
You will come across the Nomadic group of settlers who spend their entire life looking after their Yaks and practice migration from season to season on Bhutan Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek 22 Days. You will see lakes on this trek along with gets so close to the snow-capped mountains.
If the trip duration is not up to your desire and wishes to either shorten or make it longer then we are at your service and feel free to let us know. We had great feedback from our past guests and also very high number of repeated guests who does the Bhutan Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek 22 Days again and again.
In order for us to organize this trip we need more then 2 person in a group. You can catch Drukair, Royal Bhutan Airlines, National Flag Carrier flight from Bangkok, Kathmandu, New Delhi, Kolkata, Dhaka & Singapore.
Duration: 21 Night 22 Days
Difficulty Level: Easy – Medium – Challenging - Tough
Attractions: Experiencing rich historic cultural sightseeing and exclusive trekking, surrounding yourself with number of lakes plus snow capped mountains by your campsite. Its not a easy trek as you have to climb many higher mountain passes which are all above tree line and lot of altitude variations.
Season: Spring – Autumn.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
| Day | Day to Day Trip Schedule | |
| Day 1 | Arrive Paro | Hotel z Hotel |
| Day 2 | Paro | Hotel |
| Day 3 | Trek to Shana | Camp |
| Day 4 | Trek to Thangthangkha | Camp |
| Day 5 | Trek to Jangothang | Camp |
| Day 6 | Trek to Lingshi | Camp |
| Day 7 | Trek to Chebisa | Camp |
| Day 8 | Trek to Shomothang | Camp |
| Day 9 | Trek to Robluthang | Camp |
| Day 10 | Trek to Limithang | Camp |
| Day 11 | Trek to Laya | Camp |
| Day 12 | Laya Village Halt | Camp |
| Day 13 | Trek to Koina | Camp |
| Day 14 | Trek to Gasa | Camp |
| Day 15 | Gasa Halt Hotspring Treat | Camp |
| Day 16 | Trek to Goen Damji | Camp |
| Day 17 | Trek to Tashithang | Camp |
| Day 18 | Drive to Punakha | Hotel |
| Day 19 | Drive to Thimphu | Hotel |
| Day 20 | Drive to Paro | Hotel |
| Day 21 | Day Hike to Taktsang “Tiger’s Nest” | Hotel |
| Day 22 | Depart Bhutan |
Travel during Off Season: Jun-Jul-Aug Couple or Two Person Traveler – Free Independent Traveler (FIT) : US$ 4450 per person Group of 3 & More : US$ 3820 per person
Travel during Peak Season: Mar-Apr-May-Sept-Oct-Nov Couple or Two Person – Free Independent Traveller (FIT): US $ 5395 per person Group of 3 or More: US$ 4765 per person
The Above Price includes following services;
Not included:
Day – 1 Arrive Paro by Druk-Air. Overnight in Hotel.
Day – 2 Visit Drukgyal Dzong
(A ruined fortress – 16 Kms. away from Paro town) Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Jhomolhari “Mountain of the goddess” can be seen on a clear day Alt. 7,314m/24,029ft.). Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located on a small hill just above the Paro River (Pa-Chu) in the Paro valley. You have to walk about 15 minutes by crossing an ancient wooden bridge built in typical Bhutanese architect. The Dzong houses the District Administration office and the District Monk Body. It was built in 1646 AD. After lunch, visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). This was actually the Watch Tower of the Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means Monastery). Kyichu Lhakhang was built in 659 AD by the King Songtsen Gempo of Tibet as one of the 108 such Monasteries which he built in various places to spread Buddhism. It is located between Paro Town and Drugyal Dzong. It is one of the holiest places in Bhutan as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country. Overnight in Hotel.
Day – 3 Trek begins: Paro — Shana : Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek 22 Days Drive up to Drukgyal Dzong where the road ends and start the trek by following the river gently uphill through a narrowing valley of paddy fields. You will find plenty of traditional farm houses in a purely rural setting. The camp site is just beyond an army outpost. Alt. 2800m, Distance – 17 km and time 5-6 Hr.
Day – 4 Shana – Thangthangkha Continue uphill through the river valley which narrows and closes in after some distance. The trail then winds up and down along the drainage. Most of the trail actually is down hill after the initial climb. The camp site is located in a meadow with stone shelter. Alt. Approx. 3400m, distance 15 km, time 4-5 Hr.
Day – 5 Thangthangkha — Jangothang 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 sees the yaks and the yak herders’ winter homes. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of the Jhomolhari Mountain. Alt. 4240m. , Distance 19 km and time 5-6 Hr.
Day – 6 Jangothang — Lingshi Walk up toward 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. 4150m. Distance 19 km. Time 5-6 Hr.
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 up to it. Alt. 3850m. Distance 12 km. Time 3-4 Hr.
Day – 8 Chebisa — Shomuthang You walk through a wide pasture land towards Gugu-la (pass). On the way, you will see few people herding the yaks. After crossing the Gugu -la (Alt. 4350m ) descend down to the valley. The camp site is on a bench above a river which is a tributary of the Mochu River. Alt. 4260. Distance 17 km. Time 5-6 Hr.
Day – 9 Shomuthang — Robluthang As the walk is little strenuous, it is advisable to start a little early. After crossing the Jerela (pass) Alt. 4600m you come down to Tsharijathang valley where you can normally see herds of Takins. Camp at Tsharijathang. Alt.4390m. Distance 15 km. Time 6-7 Hr.
Day – 10 Robluthang — Lemithang After crossing the Shingela pass, alt. 4900m., you come down and follow the valley. Lemithang is under the Laya District and you will see people dressed in typical Laya costume with long pointed bamboo hats on their head. Camp at Lemithang. Alt. 4140m. Distance 19 km. Time 6-7 Hr. If you have time, it would be advisable to spend a day here exploring the valley and meeting the people who have a different and unique culture.
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. 3850m. Distance 10 km. Time 3-4 Hr. Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek 22 Days
Day – 12 Halt in Laya for rest and to explore the Laya village. Day – 13 Laya — Koeina The trail winds up and down along the river valley avoiding natural obstacles and affording breath-taking views of the crashing river, feeder streams and water falls. Camp. Alt. 3800m. Distance 19 km. Time 6-7 Hr. Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek 22 Days
Day – 14 Koeina — Gasa You cross the Babela pass, Alt.3740m., after which the trail is all the way down till you reach the camp site which is close to Gasa Dzong. Alt. 2900m. Distance 17 km. Time 6-7 Hr. Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek 22 Days
Day – 15 Gasa – Gasa Tsachu (hot spring) After a late breakfast, trek to Gasa Tsachu. After lunch relax in the hot spring. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan. Camp at Gasa Tsachu. Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek 22 Days
Day – 16 Gasa Tsachu – Geon Damji After a short climb, the trail winds through the rolling hills and passes through the pine and oak forests, villages and wheat fields. You will also see a beautiful view of the Gasa Dzong glued to the valley wall seeming to float in space. Camp. Alt. 2280m. Distance 21 km. Time 6-7 Hr. Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek 22 Days
Day – 17 Geon Damji — Tashithang The trail descends from the high agricultural benches above the Mo-Chu ( Chu means River ) into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees, creepers and various tropical vegetation. You will also see monkeys and few other animals occasionally. Camp at Tashithang. Alt. 1700m. Distance 17 km. Time 6-7 Hr.
Day – 18 Tashithang — Punakha After a short walk to the motor road, drive down to Punakha valley. Stop at Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong. Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Dzong lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means ” Male River and Female River “. It was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan in 1637 AD and is one of the most important and historical Dzongs in Bhutan. In the Dzong are kept the sacred remains of Pema Lingpa and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong now houses the District Administration office and the winter residence of the state Monastic Body and its Chief Abbot. Lunch in Punakha. After lunch, drive to Thimphu . 77 km. Time approx. 3 Hr. Overnight in Hotel.
Day – 19 Punakha – Thimphu Visit the Memorial Chorten ( a huge stupa ) built in memory of the third king of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Wood Craft and Painting school where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Visit Simtokha Dzong. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 AD. It houses the largest monastic schools in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the senior monks. Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu.
Day – 20 Thimphu — Paro Drive to Tango visit the Buddhist College. Picnic Lunch served. Drive to Paro. 65 km. Time 2 Hr drives. Overnight in Hotel.
Day — 21 Paro — Paro Drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 km from Paro town) and from there walk up 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 overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, 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 4 Hr.
Day – 22 Drive to Paro Airport Be seen off by your guide.