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Laya-Gasa Trek
[ 18 days & 17 nights / 12 days hard trekking ]
This is one of the best and most popular cultural treks. It goes past many temples and monasteries and covers some of the same ground as the more difficult and more famous Snowman Trek.
Day 1
Paro Dzong
Arrive at Paro, clear immigration and customs. I will meet as you exit the airport and take you to the hotel. hotel. Orientation. Visit the National Museum of Bhutan and Paro Dzong. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2
Taktsang Hike
After Breakfast hike to Taktsang monastery.The trail is broad and the walk of 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometer above the paro valley floor.The tigernest built on a sheer cliff face 900meters above the valley floor is a spectacular sight.The monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists.The great guru Rimpoche is sais to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brough the teaching of the buddhist dharma to Bhutan in the 8th century.He then mediated in a cave there for more than three months where the monastery was later built.On thereturn visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang,oldest templein Bhutan and one of 108 temples built by buddhist Tibetan King.overnight at Hotel .
Day 3
Gunitshawa to Shingkarab( 9 kms, 4 -5 hrs)
After Early Break fast we will drive to Gwonetse army camp to start your first trek.It begins with a low altitude with 2350 meters to 3700 meters.Today your walking distance will be 20km, 6 to 7 hour walk. camp site (.3050 meters)overnight tented camp
Day 4
Shingkarab to Thangthangkha (18 kms, 7-8 hrs)
Morning the trail continues its gradual climb alongside the paro river.today you will gradually gaining altitude to 3650m during a 7 to 8 hrs hike of 18 kms,goes through evergreens and rhododendron and at last entering into Jigme Dorji National Park.Overnight Tented camp.
Day 5
Thangthangkha to jangothang.12 kms,4-5 hrs.
Jangothang, This 12 km trail crosses up to 4090 meters. Our night will be spending at the Chomolhari Mountain base camp.Overnight tented camp.4090 meters
Day 6
Jangothang Halt
Recovery day with possible short hikes to enjoy the great views on Tsophu and snow capped mountains Jhomolhari and Jichu Drake.If you are lucky you may spot some blue sheep on the upper slopes of valley. Overnight tented camp
Day 7
Jangothang to Lingshi.19kms,6-7 hrs.
Going through Wide Yak pastures on the way up and down the pass, we will have great views of Lingshi Dzong as we come down into the Lingshi basin. If the weather is clear Mt. Tserim Kang and it’s descending glaciers at the north end of the valley can be vividly seen. Today, the highest point we cross is the Nyile La Pass at almost 4890meters but our camp is somewhat lower at 4010 m / 13,153 ft.Overnight tented camp
Day 8
Lingshi to Chebisa.9 kms,5-6 hrs.alt.3850m.
Today you will visit the Lingshi Dzong and just below Dzong you will come across small cluster of wooden shingled houses which is one part of Lingshi village.Now you will have gradual climb and easy.The camp site is on a meadow just opposite the clustered Chebisa village.
Day 9
Chebisa to Shomutang 17 kms,6-7 hrs.
Chebisa to Shomutang, 17 km walk, alt. 4250m. The walk is through wild pastures where we will probably see a few nomads and yaks. Our highest point will be when we cross Gobula Pass (4440m / 14564ft).
Day 10
Shomutang to Robluthang.18kms,6-7 hrs.
Shomutang to Robluthang, 18 km trail, alt. 4400m. The trail climbs out of the valley through pretty desolate country up to Jhari La (4747 m /15,807 ft), about two hours from camp. During clear weather you can see the Mt. Gangchentag, Mt. Tserim Kang and Chomolhari. Herds of Takin are typically grazing on the slopes of the nearby hills.
Day 11
Robluthang to Limithang.19kms,6-7 hrs.
Today you will have hard day crossing the Sinchu La Pass (5005m / 16,417ft), about five hours from camp. The snow covered peak of Gangchentag fills the horizon to the north. It’s then a short walk on a good trail through a cedar forest interspersed with small meadows to Limithang (4140m /13,786ft), a lovely camp site in a Robluthang to Lemithang, 19 km walk, alt. 4100m.It’s a tough climb frg meadow by the river. The peak of Gangchentag dominates the campsite, even though it’s quite a distance away.
Day 12
Limithang to Laya.10kms,4-5 hrs.
Today its mostly downhill along a winding river,the trail splits,one going down with the river to the camp site used by the army.The other stays high and takes you into the west side of Laya village.We camp on a high flat bench above the east end of the laya village.3800 meters.overnight tented camp.
Day 13
Laya to Konia.20kms,6-7 hrs.
Today after breakfast you will descend an half hour muddy trial till Army post.There are fews houses near the trail,but it’s mostly deep forest all the way to the river.Our route follow the Mo chu river all the way to Punakha.About half and hour from army camp is an inconspicuous trail junction at 3340m.The route for the Snowman trek leads uphill.The route to Gasa keeps going downstream on a muddy route.The muddy route stays high for about an hour until it reaches a stone staircase,where it turn into a side valley, then dropping to a large stream,camp site koina(3050m) Overnight tented camp.
Day 14
Konia to Gasa(14kms, 6-7hrs)
Morning cross the bridge at koina and start uphill to Bari La 3900m.There is a small rock cairn and a few prayer flags at the pass.From the pass route start down again,through a bamboo forest to a stream.Shortly you will see Gasa Dzong on the opposite side of a large wooded side valley.From Gasa Dzong our vehicle will come and pick us then we will drive to Gasa hot spring.
This recovery day brings an opportunity to actually enjoy the medicinal values of the hot springs by the bank of the stream, below the hotel complex. The Jigme Dorji National Park administers the hot spring complex. There are five cement pools and a shower room, with more under construction. The water temperature is 40 degree centigrade, which is invitingly warm.From Gasa Dzong our vehicle will come and pick us and we will drive to Hot spring water.
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Day 15
Gasa Hot spring to punakha
After breakfast you will drive to Punakha 87kms 5 hrs . After the climb away from Gasa Tsachu the trail winds through rolling hillsides passing through fields, villages, forests. Gasa Dzong should be visible behind us, glued to the valley wall, seemingly floating in space.
After lunch in local restaurant you will visit the Punakha Dzong.Overnight at Hotel.
Day 16
Punakha to Thimphu
Morning you will drive to Thimphu.Before that you will do short and pleasant hike to Chimi Lhakhang, Temple of the Drukpa Kuenly who is also known as the Divine Madman.He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time.He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that one should be an ordained monk.
After hike you will drive to Thimphu,but we will have stop on Dochula pass,one of most beautiful along the highway with 108 stupas. If weather permits,you will enjoy the eastern himalaya snow capped mountains including highest peak of bhutan.
Overnight hotel.
Day 17
Thimphu to paro
Morning you will visit the Giant Buddha (168fts tall) which was built in 2008 coinciding with 5 th king coronation and on the way back stop at National Memorial Chorten. This temple was first initiated by the Third King as a protection from the negative elements of modernization, and as a monument to world peace. The Royal Queen Mother completed it as a memorial stupa for the Third King who passed away in 1972.And we will visit the centenary farmer market open on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Most of
people buy one week vegetables from here. Ground floor vegetables are mostly imported from India and you can also find our pure organic vegetables on top floor. Most of the sellers are from country side farmers and you can see the variety of food of Bhutan, including basket upon basket of fiery chillis cheese and vegetables. Tashichhodzong, “the fortress of the glorious religion”. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body.Afternoon we will drive to Paro. Overnight at Hotel.
Day18
Airport
Drive to airport to check in for your early morning departure. After Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. Tashi Delek! HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY BACK TO YOUR HOME.
Details |
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| START | Paro |
| FINISH | Punakha |
| DESTINATIONS | Paro-Thimphu-Punakha |
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Paro International Airport |
| DEPARTURE TIME | Please arrive at least 2 and 1/2 hours before the flight. |
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Best Season
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September and October) are the best time for touring and trekking in Bhutan. The months of April and May offer the natural grandeur of rhododendron blooms whereas Bhutan observes its biggest festivals during spring.
Trip Start Dates
We will organize this trip on the dates requested by you. Please Contact Usfor your customized departure date.
Additional Information
Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip. However, if you wish to discuss any aspect of this trip or your suitability for it please contact us.
Note: This itinerary is a sample itinerary to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. We have designed this itinerary including the best cultural and natural aspects of this country. We can further customize the itinerary to suit your specific interest and needs. Please Talk to Us for more details. Itinerary is subject to flight and hotel availability.
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