Classic Laya Gasa Trek

Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning to begin your city tour of Kathmandu. You will visit the Boudhanath temple, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, Pashupatinath, a Hindu pilgrimage site, and possibly view cremation ceremonies along the banks of the Bagmati River and continue drive to Patan Durbar Square to take in ancient Nepalese architecture and end your tour after a lunch. Then, you will visit the Patan museum. Overnight in Kathmandu.

After breakfast you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for the flight to Paro. After completing the visa formalities at the Paro airport you will be received by our Bhutan’s representative and transferred to the hotel. While driving through the picturesque Paro valley with its quaint clusters of hamlets amid terraced paddy fields you will see by the sight of white-domed peak of the sacred Mt. Jhomolhari that looms overhead. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the town of Paro and its markets. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

The trail follows along the bank of the Paro River, ascending and descending through pine, oak, rhododendron and spruce forests. The route is mostly through the deep forest and the river bank. We camp in a meadow with a stone shelter at Soi Thangthangkha at 3750m. On a clear day we will see the beautiful view of Mount Jumolhari.

The trail ascends for a while and continues until we reach the army camp. After passing the army camp we follow the Paro River above the tree line enjoying views of high ridges and snow-capped peaks all around. Hot lunch is served at a yak herder’s camp where we can buy Yak cheese and Yak milk. After lunch we continue walk into the valley until we reach our campsite at Jangothang beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jhomolhari and Mt Jichu Darke. From here, the views of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are superb.

We enjoy a leisurely day at this scenic spot, enjoying a superb view of the south face of Mt. Chomolhari and hike up to the ruined dzong and Jichu Drakey and go fishing at Tsophu. Or, we can just stay at the camp relaxing without side excursions.

The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right bank. We now start our climb up to the first ridge, enjoying breathtaking views of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail then takes us across a fairly level valley floor, until the climb up to Nyile-la pass (4,700m). We descend gradually from the pass to our campsite at Lingshi (4,000m), enjoying a panoramic view of the mountain peaks and Lingshi Dzong along the trail.

After breakfast in camp we continue our trek past Lingshi Dzong, enjoying exhilarating views of green hills, the Winding River and magnificent peaks as we walk. It is an easy day, and a pleasant walk through the village Goyak surrounded by barley fields & yak herders’ camps. After lunch, a short walk takes us to Chebisa village, where we camp by the side of a stream (3,850m).

Today we begin our trek with a stiff climb up to Gombu La Pass at (4,500m). After crossing the pass we will descend to a valley of rhododendrons. We lunch on the way and continue along the up and down path through Yak herders’ camps, occasionally sighting flocks of blue sheep as we walk. For overnight stay we camp near the river side at an altitude (4250m).

The trek begins early morning with a climb up to Jhari-La Pass (4,700m) and then descend to Tsarijathang valley, the summer grazing ground of the rare Himalayan takin (Bhutan’s national animal). This is a protected area for the Takin. We may have to ford the stream here, as the footbridge is frequently washed away. After crossing to the left bank of the stream, the trail ascends to Robluthang (4,200m) where we set up our camp for the overnight stay.

We start the trek early morning with a long, stiff climb up to Shinje-La Pass (5006m), enjoying stunning mountain views while on trek. After crossing the pass we descend to Limithang. The path is quite narrow and it makes little harder with rocky trail. We may have to ford the stream again and get wet. The last part of today’s trek is rather a scramble down a steep path, with the compensation of splendid views of Gangchenta peak (6,850m) along the way. Tonight we camp at 4,100m on flat ground above the river in a forested area, with Gangchenta towering directly above us to the north.

We wake up early morning to have a superb view of Gangchenta peak in front of our camp. The walk to Laya is very pleasant with wonderful views along the way. We pass through a heavily forested valley forest, filled with moss and singing birds. On the way we will see local people dressed in the Laya costume with long pointed bamboo hats on their heads. We will set up our camp on arrival at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country, at 3,800m.

Today we explore the village and its surroundings you can go and visit any of the houses of Layap community. This area has been isolated and untouched by modern civilization for decades. Traditional Bhutanese hospitality is extended even to a stranger, with a cup of tea and chang (an alcoholic drink). The people in this village are very interesting, especially the women, whose plain black yak wool garments are set off by elaborate necklaces and conical bamboo hats decorated with turquoise and silver ornaments. In the evening, we will witness a cultural program of dances performed by village girls by the camp fire, and enjoy the local alcohol (ara and chang, brewed from barley).

We descend from Laya to the army camp at the side of the Mo Chu River and then walk alongside till we reach a bridge. You will have breathtaking views of the rushing river while walking. After crossing the bridge, the track winds up and down through juniper and fir forests. We camp in the forest at Chamsa (3,800m).

After a 30 minute walk over flat land we will cross Bele La Pass, at (3900m). After that we go downhill all the way to Gasa Tshachu and take lunch at Gasa village (2700m). Afterwards we will visit the village and Gasa Dzong. We then descend to Gasa Tshachu (hot spring), where we set up our camp (2,700m).

After a long trek, this is the place to relax! Enjoy a hot bath and try some of the local alcohol and some imported Indian beers. Overnight stay in camp Altitude.

The path winds up and down through heavily forested areas without substantially steep climb. On the way you can see many wild orchids and beautiful view of Gasa Dzong and the snow peaks near Laya Village. You could also find many leeches on the way. We camp overnight near Damji village (2,400m).

This is our last day of the trek and the trail ends at the road in Tashithang where you will be met by the driver and driven you to hotel in Punakha. The the road descends through deep forest, following the course of the Mo Chu river, till you reach to Tashithang (1,620m). And you will continue drive through the warm broad leaves forest and reach at Punakha. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast we go sightseeing in the Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys, including Punakha Dzong and local market. Afternoon we drive to Thimphu. Stay overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Today in Thimphu we will visit- National Memorial Chorten, Tashichhodzong, National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum (Bhutanese arts and crafts school), National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Handicrafts Emporium, Folk Heritage and Textile Museum. Stay overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast you will drive to Paro and en route visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in Bhutan. In the evening you can visit a traditional farmhouse and enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner. Overnight in Paro.

After the spectacular flight back to Kathmandu the rest of the day you are free to relax in Kathmandu or to go shopping.