Laya Gasa Trek In Bhutan

Laya Gasa Trek

 

Trip Facts

 

Trip Highlights: Trekking/cultural tours

Trip duration: 18 Days | 17 Nights

On trek duration:14 days
Highest Camp:4,220m
Physical grade:Medium to hard
Best time:April to June & Mid September to Mid Nov
Start:Drukgyel Dzong, Paro
Finish:Gasa

 

Introduction

Trekking in Bhutan is both fun and adventure. It often leaves a myriad of experiences among trekkers of the spectacular landscape and breath-taking views of the Himalayas. It’s also a rare and tranquil experience with trekkers having to tread through passes as high as 5,500 m.

Given Bhutan’s rich natural biodiversity, lush meadows, varieties of flowers and birds, the views of high mountain peaks, pristine lakes, lush high valleys, and people in villages and rural settlements living in harmony with nature are other attractions of trekking in Bhutan. The majestic views of the Himalayan peaks and the serene natural environment often leave in trekkers a sense of awe and bewilderment.

While there are different trek packages up for grabs, ranging from a simple three-day Druk Path Trek to the 25-day Snowman’s Trek, Gasa-Laya Trek is both fascinating and arduous. Trekkers on this trek often to get to see the spectacular views of Mount Jomolhari, Jyichu Drake, and Gangchhenta, besides visiting the highland villages of Gasa and experiencing its revered hot springs.

Summary

Laya Gasa Trek is one of the most fascinating treks among many others in Bhutan. However, it’s considered second to the longest and most arduous Snow Man’s Trek.

The trekking offers a wonderful experience of Bhutan’s diverse fauna and flora, mountain ecology, and wildlife. The first part of the trek till Lingshi follows the same route of that of Jomolhari Trek I. Trekkers on this trek often to get to see the spectacular views of Mount Jomolhari, Jyichu Drake, and Gangchhenta.

If you are fortunate, you will perhaps also sight herds of blue sheep and the Takin. The trek also passes through some of the beautiful highland villages of Bhutan where trekkers can indulge or experience the unique culture of Layaps and their lifestyle. Eventually, enjoy a day rest, soaking the tiredness and fatigue in Gasa’s hot springs.

Trip Highlights

Getting to explore Bhutan’s cultural heritage sites such as fortresses, monasteries and temples whose origin dates back to as early as 7th century.

Fascinating hikes across rural settings, high passes and pristine natural environment.

Experiencing local lifestyle and culture of the highland nomads.

Driving excursion on Bhutan’s winding roads through thick forest and mountain passes.

Panoramic view of beautiful snow clad mountain peaks, including the Mount Jomolhari

Experiencing Gasa’s hot springs.

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 Arrival Paro | Sightseeing | Paro

Day 2 Tiger’s Nest hike | Drive to Shana Camp

Day 3 Shana | Thangthangkha

Day 4 Thangthangkha | Jangothang

Day 5 Day rest at Jangothang

Day 6 Jangothang | Lingshi

Day 7 Lingshi | Chebisa

Day 8 Chebisa | Shomuthang

Day 9 Shomuthang | Robluthang

Day 10 Robluthang | Lemithang

Day 11 Lemithang | Laya

Day 12 Day rest at Laya

Day 13 Laya | Chamsa

Day 14 Chamsa | Gasa

Day 15 Gasa | Punakha (trek ends)

Day 16 Punakha sightseeing | Thimphu

Day 17 Thimphu sightseeing | Thimphu

Day 18 Exit

Detail Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Paro | Sightseeing | Paro

As soon as you arrive at Paro Airport, our representatives would be there to receive and escort you to the hotel for check in.

Afterward take a stroll in town, observing shops that concentrate mostly on selling handicrafts and wood products, or even visit some of the cafes and restaurants in town. Next, visit Drukgyel Dzong, now in ruins, and Kyichu Lhakhang on the way back whose origin dates back to as early as the 7th century.

 

 

Day 2 Tiger’s Nest hike | Drive to Shana

The program on this day includes a hike to Taktshang or the Tiger’s Nest, which is usually an uphill walk of about three hours.

This is expected to accustom trekkers to the trails and mountain altitudes of the Himalayas. The Tiger’s Nest, precariously perched on a cliff, also offer a spectacular view of the Upper Paro valley. The hike also includes a visit to the inner sanctum of the temple, considered as one of the most religious and scared sites in the country.

Day 3 Shana | Thangthangkha

Distance: 22km

Time: Seven to eight hours

Ascent: 770m

Descent: 10m

Camp altitude: 3,610m

The trek from Shana to Soi Thangthangkha would be a long one, involving uphill and downhill hikes intermittently.

After an ascending hike through the river valley is the Jigme Dorji National Park. The valley narrows down to a single path and descends to a meadow. This will be the place where the camp would be set as it’s an ideal spot to see Mount Jomolhari on a clear day.

Day 4 Thangthangkha/Jangothang

Distance: 19km

Time: Five to six hours

Ascent: 480m

Camp altitude: 4,080m

Continue trek early in the morning, across alpine meadow and stunted vegetation, on the uphill trail. Trekkers will also be able to view Mount Jomolhari along the trail. After an army outpost on the way, homes of yak herdersand a panoramic view of beautiful snow clad mountain peaks and ridges are other attractions on today’s hike.

The trail will take trekkers through the highland villages of Soe, Takethang and Dangochang, where they would be able to experience the typical lifestyle, culture and traditions of the highlanders. Continue hike till Jangothang, the campsite at the base of the majestic Mount Jhomolhari (the abode of the protective deity Jomo).

Day 5  Day rest at Jangothang

Instead of continuing the trek, a day rest is scheduled at Jangothang. A short hike from this place offers a befitting opportunity to see lakes and various other mountain peaks like Jomolhari and Jyichu Drakey.

Trekkers could also take up short hike along trails in the three directions – west for Jumolhari and its subsidiary mountain chains, north for Jyichu Drakey, and east for a number of unclimbed peaks. There are also possibilities of sighting blue sheep in Jangothang.

Day 6 Jangothang/Lingshi

Distance: 18km

Time: Six to seven hours

Ascent: 840m ascent

Descent: 870m descent

Camp altitude: 4,010m

Continue the trek today. The trail from the camp ascends through a steep ridge for about half an hour, followed by a gradual downhill walk to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m.

Watch the Mount Jomolhari, Mount Jyichu Drakey and Tsherimgang, all above 7,000m from here. Also try to get the sights of herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes along the trail.

Afterward continue the downhill trek to Lingshi basin, coming across yaks, yak herders and their houses. Trekkers would also be able to see Lingshi Dzong on a clear day. Halt at the campsite before reaching Lingshi Dzong.

Day 6 Lingshi/Chebisa

Distance: 10km

Time: Five to six hours

Ascent: 280m

Descent: 410m

Camp altitude: 3,880m

Today is going to be an easy day of walking. So trekkers need not worry. After reaching the Chorten below Lingshi Dzong, there are two choices – either to stay on the main trail or take the diversion that leads to Lingshi Dzong (4,220m).

The Dzong sits right on top of a ridge and offers a serene view of the valley. Continue the trek, passing through the villages of Lingshi and Goyul. Juxtaposed to the Chebisa village and a beautiful waterfall, the campsite at this place offers trekkers ample time to visit the village and interact with the communities.

Day 7 Chebisa/Shomuthang

Distance: 17km

Time: Six to seven hours

Ascent: 890m

Descent: 540m

Camp altitude: 4,220m

The trail goes through a wide pastureland toward Gobu La pass at 4,410m. Descend to the valley after crossing the pass, and then climb again a little further till the trail descends to Shakshepasa (3,980m), where a helipad has also been built. Continue ascending hike till the campsite at Shomuthang which is located above a river (a tributary of the Nochu River).

Day 8  Shomuthang/Robluthang

Distance 18km

Time: Six to seven hours

Ascent: 700m

Descent: 760m

Camp altitude: 4,160m

Begin early as hiking would be quite tough along this trail. Hike up from the valley for almost two hours until reaching Jhari La at 4,750m.  From here, trying getting glimpse of Sinche La, the pass you that needs to be crossed in the following days of the trek.

View the Mount Gangchhenta (6,840m), also known as the Great Tiger Mountain. Tserimgang and the peak of Mount Jumolhari are also visually apparent on a clear day.

Walk down to Tsheri Jathang valley, considered as the summer habitat of Takin and rightly declared as the Takin sanctuary. Continue ascending hike from here to the campsite at Robluthang.

Day 9  Robluthang/Lemithang

Distance: 19km

Time: Six to seven hours

Ascent: 850m

Descent: 870m

Camp altitude: 4,140m

After crossing Sinche La (5,005m), the highest pass on the route, head toward Laya. Trekkers will spot Laya women, clad in their traditional attire woven by themselves, en route to this place.

Catch the view of a glacial lake at the foot of the valley and a terminal moraine from here. Continue the descending hike, cross Kango Chhu, and reach the campsite at Lemithang where the peak of Gangchhenta is visible from this spot.

Day 10 Lemithang/Laya

Distance: 10km

Time: Four to five hours

Ascent:  60m

Descent: 340m

Camp altitude 3,840m

The descending trail continues along a narrow river valley and then leads to a dense forest. It continues again on the west side of the Laya village where one can view Gangchhenta and Masagang. Camp at the site below the school in Laya.

Day 11 Day rest at Laya

It’s another day off and rest during the trek in Laya. Try to engage in short hikes, making visits to the community school, and meeting Layaps. The interaction would enrich your understanding and knowledge of lifestyle, culture and traditions of these people.

Day 12 Laya/Chamsa

Distance: 19km

Time: Six to seven hours

Ascent: 260m

Descent: 1,070m

Camp altitude 3,050m

Resume trek today. Follow the trail that winds up and down along the river valley of Mo Chhu, eventually reaching Kohi Lapcha at 3,300m. Follow the steeply descending trail after that to the large stream of Koina Chhu. Camp here for the night.

 

Day 13 Chamsa/Gasa

 

Distance: 14km

Time:  Six to seven hours

Ascent: 740m

Descent: 1,500m

Camp altitude at Gasa Tsachu: 2,240m

The hike today would take you to Bari La (3,740m). Follow the descending trail after that to Gasa village, where there is some semblance of modern civilization. Descend further to the Gasa tshachu or hot springs for the night. Dip in the hot springs to get rid of all those tiredness and fatigue.

Day 14 Gasa/Damji/Punakha

 

From Gasa, one can either choose to walk downhill or take a car given some road connectivity to this small town. Or walk till Damji and drive from there to Punakha for the night halt.

 

 

Day 15 Punakha/Thimphu

 

In Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong or Pungtang Dechen Phodrang Dzong (Palace of Great Happiness). This massive structure lies at the junction of the two rivers- Phochhu (Male) and Mochhu (Female).

 

Afterward begin journey onward to Thimphu. En route stop over at Dochula to get a panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range on clear days.

After lunch, stroll the Thimphu city. A visit to the Centennial Farmers’ Market could be perhaps interesting.

 

Day 16 Thimphu sightseeing

 

 

Take a tour of some of the important monuments in Thimphu such as the National Memorial Chorten that was built in 1974 in memorial of late Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the Folk Heritage Museum, the National Library of Bhutan, and the Institute of Traditional Arts and Crafts. Late in the afternoon, visit Trashichho Dzong, first built in 1771 and later rebuilt by the Third King in 1965.

 

Day 17 Thimphu/Paro

 

After a stroll in town and visiting some souvenir shops in Thimphu, begin journey onward to Paro for the overnight halt.

 

 

Day 18 Exit

 

After check out from the hotel, our representatives would escort you to Paro Airport for flight to onward destination.

 

 

Inclusion

Sightseeing seeing as per the itinerary

Government Royalty

All meals during the trek and tour

Campaign accommodation on trek and hotel accommodation

Potters and ponies

Transportation by foreign vehicle

Full time guided tour by certified trekking guide

One-time visa processing fee, US $40 per person

 

Not Included

 

Air ticket, both domestic and international

Travel and health Insurance

Laundry, telephone, mobile, fax and Internet bills

Tips and gratuities for guide and driver

Shopping and Entertainment

Donations

 

Complementary

 

Arrival refreshment

Free mineral water during tours

Museum and park fees

Free ticketing service for Bhutan Airlines, no commission levied

One time cultural program for a group comprising 5 and above people.