Bhutan Trekking ! Beautiful Laya Gasa Trekking !

Day 1: Arrive Paro

Arrive at Paro Airport (7,000ft) where the representative from Bhutan will receive you and drive to the hotel. Stroll around Paro town in the evening.

Day 2: Paro Sightseeing

A day of acclimatization. Visit Drugyel Dzong, the ruined fortress that once defended the valley from Tibetan invasions in the 17th century. On a clear day, one can get a good view of Mount Chomolhari, Mountain of Goddess (24,000 ft). Visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse on the way back to town. Visit  Dzong, the watchtower that now houses the National Museum and see a traditional wooden bridge.

Day 3:Drugyel Dzong to Shana (17 km, 5-6 hours).

First day of the trek follows Paro Chhu valley climbing up the ridges. The actual trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong at 2580m. From Dzong, you look back to see how Dzong was positioned. After covering a short distance, you will find the settlement of Chang Zampa. A further walk takes the settlement of Mitshi Zampa, finding little shops and hotels. The valley widens and you will reach the Army Post of Gunyitsawa at 2810m there is also a primary school and few shops.

Day 4: Shana to Soi-Thangthangka (22 km, 6-7 Hours).

The trek continues at the side of Pa-Chhu through conifers and rhododendron coming across Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park. We can gently climb on the rock through oak, crossing several streams, come across Phari Dzong of Tibet, then climb a little ridge, cross the Paro Chhu on a wooden bridge, finally come across Thangthangka at 3630 m, where Bhutanese style houses are there..

Day 5: Soi-Thangthangka to Jangothang (19 km, 5-6 hours).

At night Jumolhariis covered with clouds, but be sure to view early in the morning. Jumolhari appears behind the ridge. Less than an hour from camp at 3730m is Army Post. A short climb leads to small Chorten finding yak country. Making a further climb come across Takethang, a cluster of stone houses on a plateau at 3940m.

Day 6: Day Halt at Jangothang.

Here is the best viewpoint; you won't get better any better than here. The ridge is endless, after an hour of climb you can view Jichu drake (6989 m) and Jumolhari. If you like to see much of the country better to trek from Nyile La to Lingzhi.

Day 7: Jangothang to Lingshi (18km, 5-6 hours).

If you have problems with altitude don't go to Lingzhi. Ten minutes beyond the camp, you will start to find settlements. This is the last settlement in the valley and is an extremely isolated place. From this place you can also view Jichu Drake. Passing by you can see Jumolharipeak, then it comes across Nyile La at 4890m. Dropping down to the valley at 4450m and stopping for lunch here. Trekking further away, you will see Mt. Jumolharipeak in its full bloom; you will reach Nyelela Pass, and descend down to reach Lingzhi.

Day 8: Lingzhi to Chebisa (10km, 5-6 hours).

Walk down on the wooden bridge below the Lingzhi Dzong, along one house, which is part of Lingzhi village. Coming closer to Dzong, make a close look by climbing to the Dzong at 4220m. After an hour from coming to ridges of prayer flags and further, settlement of Goyak at 3870m.

Day 9 :Chebisa to Shomuthang (17km, 6-7 hours).

The route climbs a ridge passing a few houses, where blue sheep are living, you will  see vultures and Himalayan griffins flying overhead. Further climb reaches Gombu La (4440m). There is little climb, you can reach to yak herders huts then over the side of the valley and down to Shakshepasa at 3980m and helipad, marked by big then drop down to Something and camp by the river at Shakshepasa.

Day 10: Shomuthang to Robluthang (18km, 6-7 Hours).

Climb up the valley, you will see the show cap of Kang Bum (6526 m). Making a two hours climb come across Jhari La (4747 m), from Jhari La you can see Sincha La. The big show cap in the north is 6840m Gangchhenta (Great Tiger mountain), as well Tserim Kang and top of Jumolhari visible in clear weather. The camp by the river is called Tsheri Jathang, where Takin is available and declared as Tankin Sanctuary. Climb up and reach Robluthang at 4160 m.

Day 11 :Robluthang to Limithang (19 km, 6-7 hours).

Here is Sinche La; the last and highest pass on the trek. Above the camp, is a little stone house where a Laya woman lives. It's high altitude and will slow down very much. Passing through the prayer flags is a Sinche La (5005m). Coming down to Kango Chhu and continuing to Limithang camp, there is a huge glacial lake at the foot of the valley. Now crossing the Kango Chhu at 4260m and reaching Limithang at 4140m. You can view the peak of Gangchhenta tower from a distance.

Day 12: Limithang to Laya (10 km, 4-5 hours).

Walk for 20 minutes and enter a deep forest. Drop down to the river valley at 3800m and walk through heavily wooded forest. Coming ahead you will find a stone house and paddy field and monastery up above. From the west of the village you and view Gangchhenta and some part of Masang Gang, 7165m. Center of the village there is a community school and hospital. Camping below school at 3840m.

Day 13: Day Halt at Laya.

Day 14: Laya to Koina (19 km, 6-7 hours).

The trail end at Khonying Stupa, passing to another Stupa at Jaje-Kha. Cross the wooden bridge river arrive at the army camp and check post, where the guide registers the name of the trekkers. The peak of Masang Gang (7165 m) is barely visible. The route follows Mo Chhu down stream all the way to Punakha. Many up and down climbs to Kohi Lapcha at 3300 m, then dropping down to a large stream is Koina (3050 m). Camping here is unpleasant.

Day 15:Koina to Gasa (14 km, 6-7 hours).

Cross the bridge at Koina and start uphill through a muddy trail to Bari La (3900 m). The route starts down, through bamboo forest to stream. At 3080m see Gasa Dzong and drop the route to a large stream at 2780m and pass by four Chortens on the ridge at 2810m. The trail passes through Jigme Dorji National Park and leads to Dzong School. You can camp near town or climb uphill to a hot spring.

Day 16: Gasa to Damji (18 km, 5-6 hours). 

Trail towards south passing through a few houses and Mani wall; after sometime look back for a good view of the Dzong. Cross the suspension bridge river at 2360m, climb up the hill where you can view the hot spring and Laya. The trail climbs up and arrives at four houses of gun and climb to Stupa. Taking a short walk, you will reach Damji at 2430m.

Day 17: Damji to Tashithang (16 km, 5 hours)

Drive to Wangduephodrang for sightseeing drive to Thimphu. The trail climbs to the southern part of the village and after a long descent you will cross a wooden bridge at 1960m, making an up and down trail. You may encounter monkeys playing alongside the river as well taking in this area. After long walks, cross a high suspension bridge over the Chaka Lumbi Chhu. A short walk along the roadbed to the stream, finally to Tashithang and a vehicle will be waiting,for driving to Punakha.

Day 18: Full day sightseeing in Thimphu.

Thimphu lies in a wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside on the West Bank of the Thimphu Chhu [Chhu means River]. Thimphu is unlike any otherworld capital. Small and secluded the city is quiet and there are never the traffic jams familiar in other Asian Capitals. It is often said that Thimphu is the only world capital without traffic lights. Thimphu's main shopping street is a delight not so much for what you can buy there, but for the picturesqueness of the architecture and national costume. Beautiful weaves in wool, silk and cotton, basketwork, silver jewellery, Thangkas and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available in various Handicraft Emporiums.

Morning: Visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge Stupa built in memory of the third King who reigned from 1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still preserved. Artists are taught to paint Thangkas here (sacred Buddhist scroll). Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts. Visit the Weekend market where vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain until Sunday.  You will find indigenous goods, handicrafts, locally produced goods, etc.

Afternoon: Visit Simtokha Dzong. This is the oldest fortress in Bhutan, built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It also houses the largest monastic schools in the country.

Visit Tashichho Dzong-the main secretariat building. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer.

Visit Pangri Zampa Monastery, situated just beyond Dechencholing Palace (5 km from Thimphu). This temple was the first residence of Shabdrung Ngawang Narngyal when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 A.D. Ngawang Chogyel, the great ancestor of the Shabdrung, built it during the first quarter of the 16th century.

Day 19: Drive to Paro for departure.