Laya Gasa Trek Land Package Price:
US$5220.00 (per person twin share)
Payments by credit card incur a 1.5-2.5% surcharge.
Drukair airfares to from Paro are additional.
Please click here for Drukair schedules and costs.
Your Bhutan Tour Inclusions:
Professional English speaking guide, driver and private minibus
All touring & transfers throughout your journey
Bhutanese style 3* hotel accommodation with private bathrooms.
All meals
Entrance Fees and sightseeing
Bhutan visa fees, government royalties & local taxes.
When trekking tented campsites replace hotels
When trekking the services of additional support crew and ponies are included
Professionally Operated by Bhutan Tourism Corporation – BTCL
Available On Request:
Single Room Supplement Throughout – please add US$150.00
Upgrade to Business Class on Drukair
Ex-Australia Flight Arrangements
Bangkok Stopovers & Additional Asian Arrangements
Saturday 13 October
Paro Airport to Thimphu Valley (1 hr 30 mins)
After clearing immigration and customs you will be greeted by your BTCL guide and driver and transferred to Bhutan’s capital Thimphu, travelling through the spectacle countryside enroute. Enjoy the remainder of the day to explore Thimphu, both by vechicle and on foot.
Your options this afternoon include a visit to the national textile museum, the weekend market where everyone goes to buy an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, chillies and many colourful local items such as yak tail duster, cups of butter tea, turquoise from Tibet, and musical instruments etc or just enjoy wandering throught Thimphu’s main streets.
For the more energetic take a hike (or travel by road) up to the telecom tower via the Takin preserve to enjoy a stunning view of the valley.
Overnight Thimphu– Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel
Sunday 14 October
Thimphu Valley to Paro Valley (1 hr 30 mins).
This morning travel north up the Thimphu valley and hike through the forest to either picturesque Cheri or Tango Goemba. En route visit the majestic Trashichhoedzong the seats of Bhutan’s government and royal offices and, time permitting pay a visit to Pangri Zampa – two 16th century buildings that now house a monastic school for astrologers. Other options for places to visit are the national library, which holds a vast collection of ancient buddhist manuscripts, the handicraft centre or perhaps a visit to the folk heritage museum.
Mid afternoon transfer to the Paro Valley.
Overnight Paro – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Monday 15 October – Day 1: Laya Gasa Trek
Paro (Drukgyel Dzong) – Shana Zampa, distance – 17 km, time – 5/6 hours.
The trek starts from Paro valley (Drukgyel Dzong, 2580m), traversing through swaying paddy fields, village houses and small chorten’s (stupas).
The Pa Chhu (Paro River) snakes along the valley in a placid ribbon of silver and its banks covered with cascade of wild pink and white roses in full bloom. Camp at altitude 2,870m near the village of Shana Zampa in a meadow surrounded by trees.
Overnight Tented Campsite
Tuesday 16 October – Day 2: Laya Gasa Trek
Shana Zampa – Soi Thangthangkha, distance – 22 km, time – 7/8 hours.
The trail continues its gradual climb alongside the Pa Chhu (Paro River) through forests of oak, rhododendrons and ferns and breathtaking vistas. The campsite (3,630m) is surrounded with beautiful views and lulled by the sound of the Paro River.
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Wednesday 17 October – Day 3: Laya Gasa Trek
Soi Thangthangkha – Jangothang, distance – 19 km, time – 6/7 hours.
This day starts with beautiful landscape reaching to summer pastures of yaks, truly beasts of bounty for herders providing abundant cheese, butter, meat and thick waterproof hair for making tents, caps and blankets.
The approach to Jangothang (4,090m) camp site is heralded by prayer walls, chhortens, prayer flags fluttering in the wind and a spectacular view of Mount. Chomolhari (7,314m).
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Thursday 18 October – Day 4: Laya Gasa Trek
Jangothang – Lingshi, distance – 18 km, time – 6/7 hours.
Ten minutes walk from Jangothang presents spectacular views of Mount. Jichu Drake (6,989m) and further ahead Mount Tserim Kang (6,789m). The final pull enroute is Nyile la pass (4,890m) about 4 hours from Jangothang. The trail later travels above the tributary of Mo Chhu River, gradually descending to the campsite at Lingshi (4,010m). There is also the possibility of an excursion from Lingshi to the base camp of Mount Tserim Kang for fishing and encountering enroute blue sheep and musk deer.
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Friday 19 October – Day 5: Laya Gasa Trek
Lingshi – Chebisa, distance – 10 km, time – 5 hours.
Proceed ahead passing Lingshi Dzong built in the 17th century, perched on the hilltop with a commanding view of the green hills, the winding river and magnificent peaks. After an hour from Lingshi, the trail reaches a cairn and prayer flags on a ridge at 4,140m and then makes a long descent to the pleasant settlement of Gayul (3,870m). Leaving this village, after making a short ascent and descent, the route leads to the spectacular Chebisa valley. Campsite on a meadow at an altitude of 3,880m.
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Saturday 20 October – Day 5: Laya Gasa Trek
Chebisa – Shomuthang, distance – 17 km, time – 7 hours.
On today’s early part of the trek, there is the possibility of spotting blue sheep, branded vultures and Himalayan griffons. The route later crosses Gombu la pass (4,500m) and then descends through rhododendrons bushes to a stream at about 4,170m. The trail further climbs over a small ridge through a cedar forest then into the main Jholethang Chhu valley in a deep forest of fir and birch and then to the village of Shakshepasa (3,980m). There are several yak herders huts enroute. The camp is at Shomuthang (4,200m) in a cluster of brush beside a stream.
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Sunday 21 October – Day 6: Laya Gasa Trek
Shomuthang – Robluthang, distance – 18 km, time – 6 / 7 hours.
The trek starts with a climb to Jari la pass (4,700m) then descending to Tasharijathang valley, the summer place of the rare Himalayan Takin. Camp is at Tsheri Jathang valley which has been declared a special Takin sanctuary.
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Monday 22 October – Day 7: Laya Gasa Trek
Robluthang – Limithang, distance – 19 km time – 7 hours.
Today cross Shinje la pass (4,900m) the last and the highest pass on the trek which is about 5 hours walk from camp. Later the descent is on a rough, rocky trail into a glacial valley, eventually reaching to Kango Chhu, a stream. After that it is a short climb through rhododendron trail and cedar forest interspersed small meadows to Limithang (4,140m), a lovely campsite in a big meadow.
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Tuesday 23 October – Day 8: Laya Gasa Trek
Limithang – Laya, distance – 10 km, time – 5 hours.
Today’s walk to Laya is extremely pleasant with wonderful mountain scenery and passing through forests filled with moss and singing birds. The village of Laya is the second highest settlement in the country at an altitude of 3,800m.
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Wednesday 24 October – Day 9: Laya Gasa Trek
Laya Halt. Spend the day relaxing visiting village houses or going on short hikes above the camp.
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Thursday 25 October – Day 10: Laya Gasa Trek
Laya – Koina, distance – 19 km, time – 6 / 7 hours.
The route follows the Mo Chhu river downstream all the way to Punakha (western Bhutan) crossing few streams and making several ascents and descents. Also the route offers interesting view of Masang Gang peak (7,165m). Camp at Koina at an altitude of 3,050m.
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Friday 26 October – Day 11: Laya Gasa Trek
Koina – Gasa Tsachu, distance – 14 km, time – 5 / 6 hours.
The day starts with a major ascent to Bari la pass (3,900m) traversing through deep forests of fir. The route starts down again, sometimes steeply through a bamboo forest to a stream at 3,080m, the view point of Gasa Dzong. The trail further traverses above Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park onwards to Gasa.
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Saturday 27 October – Day 12: Laya Gasa Trek
Trek to Gasa Tsachu (2 hours) and spend the day relaxing in the medicinal waters of the hot springs.
Overnight Tented Campsite.
Sunday 28 October – Day 13: Laya Gasa Trek
Gasa Tsachu – Goem Damji, distance – 18 km, time – 6 hours.
The path continues ascending and descending through heavily forested areas and wild orchids. Trek ends today. On completion of trek you will be transferred to your overnight accommodation in Punakha.
Overnight Punakha Valley – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Monday 29 October
Punakha Valley to Paro Valley: (4 hrs 45 mins)
This morning visit the dramatic Punakha Dzong which formally served as the seat of government and is still the winter residence of the Dratsheng (central Monk Body). This is Bhutan’s most spectacular Dzong and an excellent example of how a medieval fortress and a centre of both monastic and administrative functions, has adaped and evolved for modern day use. Late morning transfer westwards stopping at Dochu La (pass) for lunch and to view the 108 Stupas, commissioned by a former Queen as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the low intensity conflict in late 2002 when Bhutan evicted Indian rebels camped in the jungle on the Bhutan – Indian border.
Overnight Paro Valley – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Tuesday 30 October
Activities in the Paro Valley today.
This morning hike to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) viewpoint (2hrs – round trip) or continue right up to and enter the monastery (5 hrs). The monastery clings impossibly to a cliff of rock at 3000 ft above the valley floor. Your options this afternoon include doing some last minute souvenir shopping in Paro town, visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum housed in an ancient watchtower and view the fine collection of ancient Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and other artifacts or perhaps enjoying a game of archery.If time permits.
Overnight Paro Valley – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Wednesday 31 October:
Morning departure from your hotel to Paro Airport for your onward flight.
