The Beautiful Laya / Gasa Trek is considered as one of the most difficult trek in Bhutan that takes you through an incredible journey over six mountain passes, across gushing rivers and streams, villages, yak herders’ camps, diverse flora and fauna and the fascinating beauty of the Himalayas in its purest form. The Beautiful Laya / Gasa Trek is an extension of the Jomolhari trek, and offers diverse flora and fauna, including a good opportunity to spot Blue sheep, Takins and the Blue poppy (Bhutan’s National flower). The Beautiful Laya / Gasa Trek introduces you to the unusual culture of the layap people and offers a stop at a natural hot spring in Gasa. It is a popular trek. Highest point is 4115M.
The Beautiful Laya / Gasa Trek is the combination of Jumolhari and the Laya Gasa treks and ranks as one of the finest trek. The Beautiful Laya / Gasa Trek begins from Paro in the west and follows the old trade rout to Tibet and then makes northward through the secluded valleys of Lingshi & Chebisa and the beautiful Laya. After Laya the trek turns southward to Gasa, where the natural hot spring is a great treat and finally the trek ends in Punakha after passing through semitropical forests.
There are many attractions in this Beautiful Laya / Gasa Trek such as the semi tropical and alpine forests at lower altitude give sanctuary to a wealth of bird life and flora, while above the tree line there is every chance of seeing blue sheep and various species of eagles and vultures. Throughout the trek, there are magnificent views of the mountains, with Jhomolhari (22,500ft), Jitchu Drake and Mt. Gangchey Ta being particularly prominent. The Beautiful Laya / Gasa Trek is a popular Trek that gives you an awesome chance to take in the spectacular scenery and culture of Bhutan. This Beautiful Laya / Gasa Trek offers a great variety of trekking conditions, from picturesque farmland and forests to alpine pastureland and high passes.
Itinerary
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel to settle in. After lunch visit the Paro Dzong and the National Museum. The evening ends with a walk through Paro&rsquos main shopping district. Overnight at the hotel.
Day excursion of sightseeing to Taktsang Monastery/Tiger&rsquos Nest, the most spectacular monastery and probably the most photographed one in Bhutan, in a way a symbol of Bhutan. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery hence it is called &ldquoTiger&rsquos Nest&rdquo. The excursion to monastery&rsquos view point takes about 5 hours for round trip. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria, followed by a short walk back. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Drive upto the road end at Drugyal Dzong where trek begins. Follow the river gently uphill through a narrowing valley of paddy fields. You will find plenty of traditional farm houses along the way. The camp site is just beyond an army outpost. Alt.- 2800 mtrs. Distance - 17 klms and time 5-6 Hr
Continue uphill through the river valley which narrows and closes in after some distance. The trail then winds up and down along the drainage. Most of the trail actually is down hill after the initial climb. The camp site is located in a meadow with stone shelter. Alt. Approx - 3400 mtrs. Distance 15 klms. Time 4~5 Hr.
Walk up along the Pachu (Paro river), pass a small army outpost where the valley begins to widen again. You can now clearly view the high ridges and the snow capped mountains all around and also see the yaks and the yak herders winter settlements. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of the Jhomolhari mountain. Alt - 4040 mtrs. Distance 19 kms and time 5-6 Hr.
Walk up toward the pass through a wide pasture land. Depending on the season you are there, you might find some yak herders in their camping tents along the way. As you come down after the pass to the Lingshi basin, you will see some beautiful views of the Lingshi Dzong and the valley and also Tserim Kang (mountain) and its descending glaciers at the north end of the valley. Camp in a stone shelter with a built- in fire pit or in the tent. Aft.- 4150 mtrs. Distance 19 kms. Time 5-6 Hrs
Today is the shortest walking day and you can really take it easy. On reaching the camp site at Chebisa, you can visit the village houses if you feel upto it. Aft.- 3850 mtrs. Distance 12 kms. Time 3-4 Hr.
You walk through a wide pasture land towards Gobu-la (pass). On the way, you will see few people herding yaks. After crossing the Gobu-la (Alt. 4350 mtrs) descend down to the valley. The camp site is on a bench above a river which is a tributary of the Nochu river. Alt.-4260 mtrs. Distance 17 kms. Time 5-6 Hr.
As the walk is little strenuous, it is advisable to start early. After crossing the Jarela (pass) Alt. 4600 mtrs you come down to Tsarijathang valley where you can normally see herds of Takins. Camp at Tsarijathang. Aft.- 4390 mtrs. Distance 15 kms. Time 6 - 7 hrs.
After crossing the Shingela pass, aft. 4900 mtrs., you come down and follow the valley. Lemithang is under the Laya District and you will see people dressed in typical Laya costume with conical bamboo hats. Camp at Lemithang. Aft. 4140 mtrs. Distance 19 kms. Time 6-7 hrs. If you have time, it would be advisable to spend a day here exploring the valley and meeting the people who have a unique culture and way of life.
Today, you walk all the way downhill along a narrow winding river valley. The trail leads you to the west side of Laya village. Camp site is on a high flat bench above the Laya village. Alt. 3850 rntrs. Distance 10 kms. Time 3-4 hrs.
Halt in Laya for rest and to explore the Laya village.
The trail winds up and down along the river valley avoiding natural obstacles and affording breathtaking views of the crashing river, feeder streams and water falls. Camp. Alt. 3800 mtrs. Distance 19 kms. Time 6-7 hrs.
You cross the Babela pass, Alt. 3740 mtrs., after which the trail is all the way downhill to the camp site which is close to Gasa Dzong. Alt. 2900 mtrs. Distance 17 klms. Time 6-7 Hr.
After a late breakfast, trek to Gasa Tsachu. After lunch relax in the hot spring. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan. Camp at Gasa Tsachu.
After a short climb, the trail winds through the rolling hills and passes through the pine and oak forests, villages and wheat fields. You will also see a beautiful view of the Gasa Dzong glued to the valley wall, seeming to float in space. Camp. Alt. 2280 mtrs. Distance 21 kms. Time 6-7 hrs.
The trail descends from the high agricultural benches above the Mochu (Chu means River ) into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees, creepers and various tropical vegetation. You will also see monkeys and few other animals occasionally. Camp at Tashithang. Alt. 1700 mtrs. Distance 17 kms. Time 6-7 hrs.
After a short walk to the motor road, drive down to Punakha valley. Stop at Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong. Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Dzong lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means male river and female river. It was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan in 1637 A.D. and is one of the most important and historical Dzongs in Bhutan. Lunch in Punakha. After lunch, drive to Thimphu . 77 kms. Time approx. 3 hrs. Overnight in Hotel.
Visit the Memorial Chorten a huge stupa built in memory of the third king of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Wood Craft and Painting school where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Visit Simtokha Dzong. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 A.D. and presently houses the largest monastic school in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the Royal Government as well as the summer residence of the Head Abbot and the central monastic school. Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu.
Drive to Dechenchlioling, 6 klms from Thimphu town to view the Queen Mother's Palace from the outside. You can take pictures of the Palace and the Dechenchholing Monastery from the outsideonly. Drive back to Thimphu and take a leisurely stroll in the market. After lunch, drive to Par0. 65 kms. Time 2 hr drive.Overnight in Hotel.
Drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 klms from Paro town) and from there walk up to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means " Tiger's Nest ". The Monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 4000 ft. and offers an excellent view of Paro valley. It is said that in the second half of the 8 th century, Guru Padma Sambhava meditated in the spot where the Monastery is situated, having alighted there on the back ofa flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 4 hrs.
After breakfast our Airport Representative will drop you to the Paro International Airport for your flight departure from Bhutan.
