Laya and Gasa trek
Laya / Gasa Trek,
starts at Paro and ends at Punakha, 15 trek days with an extra 4 days
and reaches a maximum altitude of 5005 m, rated streneous.
Extra days: the minimum number of days needed for sightseeings,
acclamatising and to drive to the starting place of the trek and pick up
at the end of the trek
DAY 1 Arrival by Druk Air to Paro
Fly into Paro. If you are flying in from Kathmandu or Delhi the
flight over the Himalayas is one of the most spectacular experiences one
will ever experience. You will fly past Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and
the entire Himalayan range visible on the left hand side. On landing at
Paro you will be met by our representative. After Customs and
Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel. Over night
at hotel.
DAY 2 Paro - Sightseeing
Drive the winding road northwest up the
Pa Chu to Drugyel-Dzong, the ruined Fort which once defended this Valley
from Tibetan invasion. Mt. Jumolhari, the sacred summit, can be viewed
on clear day. On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farm house.
After lunch arrive to TA-Dzong to visit National Museum and stroll in
the Paro town. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 3 Paro - Sharna
Start of Trek. Day 1: Distance 17 kms and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Drukgyel(2580m) and camp near Sharna Zampa(2870m). Gradual
climb following the Paro river through the agriculture valley and
villages. The campsite is opposite to the Gunyitsawa Army check post in
a meadow.
DAY 4 Sharna - Thangthangka
Trek Day 2 : Distance 22 kms and walking distance 6-7 hours.
Starting at Sharna Zampa (2870m) and camp at Thangthangka(3630m). The
trial is a gradual ascent with plenty of ups and downs through conifer
forest, ferns and Rhododendrons. A magnificent view of Mt. Jumolhari can
be seen from your camp site on clear days.
DAY 5 Thangthangka - Jangothang
Trek Day 3 : Distance 19 kms and walking distance 5-6 hours.
Starting at Thangthangka (3630m) and camp at Jangothang (4090m)Todays
trial passes an army post and the village of Soe and a small settlement
at Takethang. Yak herders live here . Camp beneath a ruined fortress at
the base of Mt. Jumolhari.
DAY 6 Jangothang - Halt
Trek Day 4: Acclimatisation Day. You can spend the day relaxing
or there are several day hikes to choose from. Two interesting hikes
would be to get views of Mt.Jumolhari or Jichu Drake. If you are
interested in a lake then you can take the hike to Tsophu. Overnight at
camp.
DAY 7 Jangothang - Lingshi
Trek Day 5 : Distance 18 kms and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting
at Jangothang (4090m) and camp at Lingshi (4010m) Today you encounter
your first major pass at 4890m ( Nyile-la ).You also get snow peak views
of Tserim Kang (6789m) Camp near a stream in a meadow.
DAY 8 Lingshi - Chebisa
Trek Day 6 : Distance 10 km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting
at Lingshi ( 4010m) and camp at Chebisa (3880m). Today is a pleasant
walk and you encounter parts of Lingshi village and the settlement of
Goyak. On reaching camp at Chebisa village you can visit the village
houses.
DAY 9 Chebisa - Shomuthang
Trek Day 7 : Distance 17 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting
at Chebisa (3880m) and camp at Shomuthang (4220m). Todays walk is mostly
through wild high pastures and yak pastures with few people & Yaks. You
also encounter a pass 'Gobula' at 4440m. Camp is on a bench above a
river, a tributary to the Mo Chu which comes out just below Gasa Tsachu.
DAY 10 Shomuthang - Robluthang
Trek Day 8 : Distance 18 km and walking time 6-7 hours.Starting
at Shomuthang (4220m) and camp at Robluthang ( 4160m) On the early part
of the trek you will get views of Kang Bum(6526m). After crossing Jhari
la pass at 4747m you get views of Gangchenta (6840m) , Tserim Kang and
upper half of Jumolhari. You pass by Tsheri Jathang, a valley by the
river side where herds of Takin are normally seen during the summer
months.
DAY 11 Robluthang - Limithang
Trek Day 9 : Distance 19 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting
at Robluthang (4160m) and camp at Limithang (4140m) Today is a hard day
as you have to cross Sinche la (5005m) the highest point on your trek.
The second half of todays walk is through rocky trails and moraines.
Limithang is in the Laya district and here you begin to see the
wonderful children in funny hats. Camp at Limithang is beneath
Gangchhenta, the Great Tiger Mountain. If you have time it would be
worthwhile to spend a rest and exploration day here.
DAY 12 Limithang - Laya
Trek Day 10 : Distance 10 km and walking time 4-5 hours.Starting
at Limithang (4140m) and camp at Laya (3840m) Today is all the way down
hill along a winding river valley with quite a closed-in feeling. The
trail splits, one going down with the
river to the camp site used by the army. The other stays high and
brings you into the west side of Laya village. You can camp on a high
flat bench above the east end of Laya village. The peak towering above
Laya is Masagang (7165m)
DAY 13 Laya - (Halt)
Trek Day 11 :Visit Laya village houses or hike above the camp. A
day halt is interesting here or just spending the day with the Layaps
(nomads)
DAY 14 Laya -Koina
Trek Day 12 : Distance 19 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting
at Laya (3840m) and camp at Koina (3050m) The trail winds up and down
along the Mo Chu river, avoiding natural obstacles and affording
breathtaking views of the crashing river, feeder streams and
water-falls. The beginning of the trek will take you past an army camp
and the route junction for the Snowman trek. Campsite at Koina is one of
the worst campsites on this trek but you will have to use it due to non
availability of camp sites or availability of water.
DAY 15 Koina - Gasa
Trek Day 13 : Distance 14 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting
at Koina (3050m) and camp at Gasa (2770m) The route may seem all the way
downhill but you have to cross the last pass on this trek - Barila pass
at 3900m after which is all the way down hill till you reach camp. The
camp is near the Gasa Dzong and village. You can go further 1-1/2 hours
to Gasa Tsachu (hotspring) if you prefer a hotspring dip than the Gasa
village. The decision should have been made at the start of the trek and
the the camp staff should have been informed.
DAY 16 Gasa - Geon Damji
Trek Day 14 : Distance 18 km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting
at Gasa (2770m) and camp at Geon Damji (2430m) Todays trail winds
through rolling hillsides with vistas of fields, villages and Oak and
Pine forests. Gasa Dzong will be visible behind you, glued to the valley
wall. Todays walk takes you through small settlements and finally at
camp of Geon Damji village - a large village with rice terraces on the
hillsides.
DAY 17 Geon Damji - Tashithang
Trek Day 15. End of Trek : Distance 16 km and walking time 5
hours. Starting at Geon Damji (2430m) and ending at vehicle point at
Tashithang (1840m) From here it is 18 km (1 hour drive) to Punakha but
the initial 5-6 km is unpaved.Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 18 Punakha - Thimphu
Visit Chhimi Lhakhang - the temple of the devine madman
(roundrtrip 1-1/2 hours walk ). Visit Wangdue tomw and after lunch to
Thimphu (3hours) drive.
DAY 19 Thimphu Sightseeing - Paro
Morning start the sightseeing with Zelukha Nunnery, National
Library, Memorial Chorten of Late King, Handicrafts Emporium, Post
Office and walk around Thimphu city for shopping of souvenirs from
Bhutan. If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to the Weekend
Market is a must. After lunch drive to Paro enroute visit to Simtokha
Dzong the first fort built in 1627-29 by Shabdrung who unified the
Kingdom and continue the journey following the Thimphu river till Chuzom
(Confluence) and taking the direction toward Paro following Pa-chu for 2
hours. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 20 Departure
 |