Beautiful Laya / Gasa Trek

20 Nights - 21 Days Tour & Trek

It is a 15 days treks, an extension of the Jomolhari 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 4115M.

 

 

Day - 01 ARRIVAL AT PARO

You will be on board the Druk Air, Bhutan’s only national Airlines, and land at Paro Airport (the only Airport of the kingdom). On the air-journey to Paro, you can lavish the magnificent and breathtaking view of the towering Mount Everest and other famous Himalayan snow-capped peaks. And on your arrival at the aforementioned airport, (after customs and visa formalities), you will be accorded a very warm reception by a Representative of Bhutan Orchid Adventures . Drive to hotel, which takes about 10miniutes. Night at Hotel Olathang.

Day –02 Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast we will visit the National Museum and Rinpung Dzong (built in 1645 A.D). Visit Drukgyel Dzong, a victory fortress of the 17th century. 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. Other sights of today are the visit to Kyichu temple, which dates back from the 8 th century. Kyichu temple is one of the last three surviving temples. In the 8 th century a Tibetan King built 108 such temples. Till date only three had survived, two in Bhutan and one in Tibet province of China known as the Jokhang in Lhasa. Ovenight at Hotel Olathang.

Day –03 Paro- Shana (Trek start)

Drive upto Drugyal 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 farmhouses in a purely rural setting. The campsite is just beyond an army outpost. Alt. 2800m, distance - 17 km and time 5-6 Hr.

Day – 04 Shana - Soe 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 campsite is located in a meadowwith stone shelter. Alt. Approx.3400m, distance 15 km, time 4-5 Hr.

Day – 05 Soe 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 see the yaks and the yak herder’s winter homes. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of the Jomulhari Mountain. Alt. 4040m. , Distance 19 km and time 5-6 Hr.

Day – 06 Jangothang - Lingshi

Walk up toward the pass through a wide pastureland. 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 – 07 Lingshi - Chebisa

Today is the shortest walking day and you can really take it easy. On reaching the campsite at Chebisa, you can visit the village houses if you feel up to it. Alt. 3850m. Distance 12 km. Time 3-4 Hr.

Day – 08 Chebisa - Shomuthang

You walk through a wide pastureland towards Gobu-la (pass). On the way, you will see few people herding the yaks. After crossing the Gobu -la (Alt. 4350m) descend down to the valley. The campsite is on a bench above a river, which is a tributary of the Nochu River. Alt. 4260. Distance 17 km. Time 5-6 Hr.

Day – 09 Shomuthang - Robluthang

As the walk is little strenuous, it is advisable to start a little early. After crossing the Jarela (pass) Alt. 4600m you come down to Tsarijathang valley where you can normally see herds of Takins. Camp at Tsarijathang. 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. Campsite is on a high flat bench above the Laya village. Alt. 3850m. Distance 10 km. Time 3-4 Hr.

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

Day – 13 Laya - Koena

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 waterfalls. Camp. Alt. 3800m. Distance 19 km. Time 6-7 Hr.

Day – 14 Koena - Gasa

(Fig.1:Herminium josephi seen in : Thimphu, Gasa, Bumthang & Trashiyangtse Altitude : 2800 - 4500 m
Season : Jun-Sep )

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 hrs.

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 .

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.

Day – 17 Geon Damji – Punakha (end of trek)

The trail descends from the high agricultural benches above the Mochu (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. Overnight at Hotel.

Day – 18 Punakha sightseeing – Thimphu

After breakfast visit Chimi lhakhang, built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. A famous pilgrimage centre for childless women. You will find the statue of great saint and his personal effects and visit Punakha the former capital of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong built in 1637, lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu, Symbolizing the masculine and the feminine co-existence their currents are of different colours and they unite at this spot. After lunch drive to Thimphu (The Capital) which takes about 3hrs. Evening Reception with cultural program. Overnight at Hotel.

Day – 19 Thimphu sightseeing -Paro

Morning visit the memorial temple that depicts the Buddhist teachings in form of paintings and statues. Originally the Third King who is known as the “Father of Modern Bhutan” initiated this temple. He knew that lots of negative elements would come with modernity so as a protection against such elements this temple was planned. His son the present King and the Queen Mother completed the temple after the demise of the Third King. So it is commonly known as the memorial temple. The Folk heritage museum, which contains the medieval life style of the Bhutanese. Then to the national library which contains the collections of literature and scriptures. There is a book that is 1400 years old written in liquid gold on Bhutanese hand made paper. We then proceed to the textile museum to see old collections of textile. The temple of the nuns, Changgangkha temple of the 12 th century and then take a drive to the viewpoint of Thimphu. On the way we take a look at the national animal-Takin research center. If you have time take a visit to the Tashicho Dzong, which is the center of both spiritual and temporal powers. Then independent tour of the town visiting handicraft stores on foot will be relishing. After an evening tea, drive to Paro along a winding road for about 2 hrs. Ovenight at HOTEL.

Day- 20 EXCURSION TO TAKTSHANG

You will have an early breakfast and drive 13kms to reach you at the foot of the Taktshang cliff from where you will have to climb uphill about 2 hours to appear you before Taktshang monastery perched giddily on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of 800m alongside a waterfall cascading as if from the blue. Taktshang means ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Guru Padmasambhava, known as the Second Buddha, alighted from the flying tigress and meditated at the shrine in the second half of the 8 th century. As a result, it is the dream destination for Buddhist pilgrims from the world over.

You will have a ‘picnic lunch’ in the Taktshang Cafeteria on your return from the monastery. Theround trip takes about 4 hrs. If desired, pony ridings can be arranged.

Day 21 – Departure

Representative of Bhutan Orchid Adventures will bid you farewell. TASHI DELEK.

SEASON: April –June & Sept-Nov.

CLIMATE: Days are normally warm. Nights can at times be very cold and in winter sometimes comes below freezing points.

WHAT TO BRING: Personal clothing, strong normal clothing (accordingly). Preferably cotton for summer. Woolen clothes for evening and winter.

For TREKKING: Strong trekking boots, sunglasses, headgear, raincoat, sleeping bag, torchlight etc

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