Laya gasa trek offers a great variety of trekking settings, from picturesque farmland and forests to alpine pastureland, Snow covered peaks and high passes. Spectacular campsites beneath some of Bhutan’s most impressive peaks, of which the most notable are Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tsherim Gang, Great Tiger Mountain, Masagang, Tshenda Gang etc. As this trek encompasses all the scenic beauty this trek is rightly named as beautiful Laya Gasa trek. Amidst Bhutan’s tremendous beauty which cannot be compared with anything in the world is hidden a pristine and untouched beauty in the form of a small village known as, ‘Laya’. This offbeat destination in Bhutan with a handful of houses, is located on the northwestern part of the country in Gasa district where every traveller must visit. Situated at an altitude of 3800 meters, Laya is also be known as the highest settlement in Bhutan. Another treat on this trek is the Hot spring dip that you can take at the end of your trek at Gasa. Furthermore, as you head back to paro for your onward departure you will be visiting Punakha valley and Thimphu city.
Trip Facts
INSURANCE
Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
Upon arrival in Paro, you will be greeted by our representatives and then transferred to your hotel. After lunch, drive to a higher point above Paro valley for a wonderful view and then to visit the Ta Dzong or watch tower, now the National Museum of Bhutan.You can enjoy the sight of remarkable Rimpung Dzong,a17th century structure overlooking the valley in full command. This building is an ancient fortress and is the center for civil administration and religious government in the Paro valley. Walk down to visit the massive Dzong yourself. From the Dzong, you can walk down to the road head crossing a traditional wooden bridge. From here, you will be taken to Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most sacred shrine in the country. In the evening, you can stroll in Paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.
After breakfast,embark on an acclimatization hike to Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery. Start by driving to the base for 20 minutes and then hike up to the monastery at 3100m. The trail leads through forests of pine, fir and hemlock with the amazing views of Paro valley below. About the half way you will reach a flat portion marked witha prayer wheel.Little further there is aCafeteria with wonderful view of Tiger Nest. Continue further up till the look-out point from where you can see the whole monastery – it’s a good opportunity for a photography. The walk from the look-out point is down through the stony steps to the small water fall and then finally to the monastery. After paying visit, you will return to the cafeteria for a lunch. Then walk to the base where your car will be waiting for you. Take a final look back to the monastery and enjoy a sense of jubilation and satisfaction. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
You will drive 12km north of Paro valley from your hotel to the trek startpoint at the historic Drugyel Dzong ruins (2580m). Your trekking crew will be waiting here for you. After a brief introduction, you will walk downhill on a wide trail following the Pachhu (river), which then climbs gently traversing through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. Soon the valley widens and the route enters an area of apple orchards, traditional farmhouses and the tiny settlements of Mitshi Zampa and Zangkha Pang. You reach the army post of Gunitsawa at 2,810 m after walking for a while through blue pine forest. Here your trekking permit will be checked and stamped. You will then cross Pachu River on a wooden bridge and then climb to Sharna Zampa at 2,870m. Just beyond Sharna Zampa, there are several meadows surrounded by trees where you will camp for tonight
The trail again follows Pachhu (Paro River), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. After 2 hours of continuous hiking and crossing several streams, you will reach at Shingkharap, a stone house at 3110m. This is a popular rest stops for the commuters and people from highland. A hot lunch will be served after crossing the bridge towards the left side of the river. Little ahead is the trail junction – left an old trade route leading to Tibet and right leading to the wooden bridge (we follow the right). After climbing up through rhododendron forests and finally crossing the bridge again, we reach our camp Thangthankaat 3750m, which is amidst beautiful meadows.
The view of Jhomolhari fades away as you leave the camp inflowing forest on the way towards the Army camp. Late in spring, Blue Poppy (Bhutan’s national flower) has been spotted. The Military camp has Bhutanese and Indian army personnel guarding another pass to Tibet. The trail takes you through some remote villages and you might be invited into one of the houses for a cup of famous butter tea. After crossing the settlements, the summits of spiky peak JitchuDrakey, Tshering Kang and Jhomolhari appear to get closer. Cross a bridge and suddenly the irresistible snow-and-ice- covered east face of Jhomolhari appears, with its massive 3200m- high wall of granite, marble, and quartzite. You have reached Jhomolhari camp.
Rest day at Jhomolhari camp will help with acclimatization as most people will feel the effects of ascending 1800m in three days. There are some good day hikes from the camp, and it is important to hike so that you will acclimatize. Follow the standard trek rule: trek high, sleep low.
It is a long climb to reach the first high and very windy pass of this trek, Nyile La pass (4830m). From the pass, you can get the views of overpowering mountains covered with snow, Jomolhari (7314m), JichuDakey (6989m) and Tshrim Gang (6789m). The route descends from the pass leading to a viewing point from which Lingshi Dzong can be seen in its full glory; a powerful, solitary structure in the middle of an enormous wilderness. Further descendto Lingshi camp called Tshazhithang campsite. You can relax at the campsite or walk around.
Perched on a hilltop with breathtaking views of green hills, meandering rivers and magnificent peaks is the Lingshi Dzong. For centuries, Lingzhi Dzong was a way station for Buddhist pilgrims. It was also a defence fort against Tibetan and Mongol invaders. Today is an easy day filled with pleasant walks through villages and yak herders’ camp. After lunch, a short walk will take you to Chebisa, a charming little village adorned with a beautiful crystal clear waterfall. You will camp by the side of a stream at an altitude of 3850m.
You will begin your trek with a steep climb up a ridge to Gogu La pass (4500m) which will take nearly four hours. It is common to spot rare blue sheep on the rocks near the top of this pass. After the pass you will make a descent in your route where you will pass through rhododendron bushes to a lunch stop. In the afternoon you will continue to walk along the trail with scattered ascents and descents. After crossing the stream, walking through rhododendron forests and yak herders camp, we arrive at Shakepasa at 3980m. After this point, you will be climbing steeply up to the northern side of the valley and passing by a few yak herder’s camp. We will then arrive at our camp located beside a stream at an altitude 4250m.
You begin by climbing up the valley. Edelweiss abounds along the trail. The snow peak you can see to the southeast is Kang Bum (6526m). After two hours of climbing you will reach Jhari La (4750m), from where you catch the first glimpse of Sinche La, the pass you will have to cross the day after. The big snow peak in the north is Gangchhenta 6840m, better known as the Great Tiger Mountain. The camp by the river is called Tsheri Jathang located in a beautiful wide and remote valley. Climb up a little bit and you will reach the campsite at Robluthang in a rocky meadow.
Today, you will cross the highest pass in our entire trek. Climb all way up through boggy patches crossing stream, traversing marmot holes and moraine, you will reach at the top of Shingchen La pass (5005m). The view of snow-covered Gangchenta or the Tiger Mountain (6840m) filling the northern horizon is simply stunning. After the pass, descend through rough rocky trail following moraine river valley to Kango Chhu River. The path is quite narrow and you may have to cross a stream again and get wet. After walking through cedar forests we arrive Lingmethang (4140m), which is a beautiful scattered meadow by the river with Tiger Mountain towering behind your campsite.
In the morning you wake up with a superb view of Gangchhenta peak in front of you. The walk to Laya is very pleasant with not much to ascend and descend. You will pass through a damp forest, crosses a river coming from Tiger Mountain and then finally arrives at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country, at altitude of 3850m. In the west of the village, you will have spectacular views of Mt. Gangchhenta and Mt. Masagang and Tshenda Gang in the north east.
Some time to relax is most welcome after the exertions of the past few days. Explore Laya village and go visit any of the houses around. Hospitality is a big part of Bhutanese tradition. Even to a perfect stranger, traditional Bhutanese hospitality is extended and a cup of tea and Chang (local, wine) is always offered. You will notice that the people in this valley are very interesting especially their attire. Women in particular have very conspicuous attire, wearing conical bamboo hats decorated with turquoise and silver ornaments.
Descend to army camp and join the Mo Chhu (Mother River of Punakha). Follow the river till you cross the bridge. After the bridge we will have to ascend and descend several times, through juniper and fir forests until you reach Koena at an altitude of 3800m. You will meet your car and driver here to transfer you to Gasa village. The drive is through the fir, spruce and rhododendron forest and after descending almost 1250m you reach Gasa. Here you can have a relaxing dip in the Tshachu or the hot spring which is located below your camp. It is going to be a treat relieving you from any muscle aches after a long trek. Overnight Gasa camp at 2900m. This marks the end of the this trek and tomorrow you will drive to Punakha valley.
Today you will drive to Punakha on unpaved roads. The drive is through the high agricultural benches above the Mochu (Chu means River) into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees and creepers. After lunch, you will visit the Punakha Dzong, which is one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan. Overnight hotel in Punakha.
Set out for Thimphu with a stop at Dochu La Pass for tea, where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas some of which you have trekked and camped along.Check into your hotel on arrival in Thimphu. In the afternoon, you can stroll freely in Thimphu city. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
In the morningdrive Paro airport for departure for your onward departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.
