Beautiful Laya-Gasa Trek 19 nights/ 20 days
This trek is extension of Jumolhari. If your are luck enough you can see National Animal(Takin) and National flower(Blue Poppy). You will also have chance to see Layap people and hot spring in Gasa. The snowfall may close the higher passes but generally open from April to June and mid-September to mid-November. Well, the best trekking month in Laya is April. The trek begins from Drugyel Dzong.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Paro Airport
Day 02: Paro
Day 03: Drugyel Dzong to Shana (17 km, 5-6 hours)
Day 04: Shana to Soi-Thangthangka (22 km, 6-7 hours)
Day 05: Soi-Thangthangka to Jangothang (19 km, 5-6 hours)
Day 06: Day Halt at Jangothang
Day 07: Jangothang to Lingshi(18km, 5-6 hours)
Day 08: Lingzhi to Chebisa (10km, 5-6 hours)
Day 09: Chebisa to Shomuthang (17km, 6-7 hours)
Day 10: Shomuthang to Robluthang (18km, 6-7 hours)
Day 11: Robluthang to Limithang (19 km, 6-7 hours)
Day 12: Limithang to Laya (10 km, 4-5 hours)
Day 13: Day Halt at Laya
Day 14: Laya to Koina (19 km, 6-7 hours)
Day 15: Koina to Gasa (14 km, 6-7 hours)
Day 16: Gasa to Damji (18 km, 5-6 hours)
Day 17: Damji to Tashithang (16 km, 5 hours), trek ends and drive to Punakha
Day 18: Drive to Wangduephodrang for sightseeing & drive to Thimphu
Day 19: Full day sightseeing in Thimphu
Day 20: Drive to Paro for departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 3
DRUKGYEL 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 2580 m. From here you
look back to see how dzong was positioned. After covering short distance
you will find settlement of Chang Zampa. A further walk takes to settlement
of Mitshi Zampa finding little shops and hotels. The valley widens
and you will reach at army post of Gunyitsawa at 2810 m, there is
also a primary school and few shops.
Day 4
SHANA TO SOI-THANGTHANGKA (22 km, 6-7 hours)
The trek continuous at side of Pa chhu through conifers and rhododandron
coming across Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Park. By making gentle
climb on the rock through oak, crossing several steams come across
Phari Dzong of Tibet. Then climb little ridge, cross the Paro Chhu
on a wooden bridge. Finally come across Thangthangka at 3630 m, where
Bhutanese style house are there.
Day 5
SOI-THANGTHANGKA TO JANGOTHANG(19 km, 5-6 hours)
At night Jumolhariis covered with cloud, but be sure to view early
in the morning. Jumolhari appears behind the ridge. Less than an hour
from camp at 3730 m is army post. A short climb leads to small chorten
finding yak country. Making further climb come across Takethang, clustered
of stone houses on plateau at 3940 m.
Day 6
DAY HALT AT JANGOTHANG
Here is 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 Nyile La to Lingzhi.
Day 7
JANGOTHANG TO LINGSHI (18 km, 5-6 hours)
If you have problem 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 extremely in the isolated place. From
this place you can also view Jichu Drake. Passing by you can see Jumolharipeak.
Then it comes across Nyile La at 4890 m. Dropping down to the valley
at 4450 m and stop 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(10 km, 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
close look by climbing to the dzong at 4220 m. After an hour from
come to ridges of prayer flags and further, settlement of Goyak at
3870m. Leaving Goyak come across Chebisa village at 3880 m.
Day 9
CHEBISA TO SHOMUTHANG (17 km, 6-7 hours)
The route climb ridge passing few houses, where blue sheeps are living.
Also you will have chance to see vultures and Himalayan griffons flying
over head. Further climb reach to Gombu La (4440 m). There is little
climb, can reach to yak herders huts and than over the side of the
valley and down to Shakshepasa at 3980 m and helipad, marked by big
H. Then drop down to Somythang and camp by the river at Shakshepasa.
Day 10
CHEBISA TO SHOMUTHANG (18 km, 6-7 hours)
Climb up the valley, you will view show cap of Kang Bum (6526 m).
Making two hours climb come across Jhari La (4747 m), from here you
can see Sincha La. The big show cap in the north is 6840 m 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 paryer
flags is a Sinche La (5005 m). Coming down to Kango Chhu and continue
to Limithang camp, there is huge glacial lake at the foot of the valley.
Now crossing the Kango Chhu at 4260 m and reach to Limithang at 4140
m. You can view peak of Gangchhenta tower from a distance.
Day 12
LIMITHANG TO LAYA ( 10 km, 4-5 hours)
Walk for 20 minutes and enter to deep forest. Drop down to the river
valley at 3800 m 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 village you and view Gangchhenta and some part of
Masang Gang, 7165 m. In the village center is a community school and
hospital. Camping below school at 3840 m.
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 army camp and check post near
to that, where the guide register the name so trekkers. The peak of
Masang Gang (7165 m) is barely visible. The route follow down to Mo
Chhu down stream all the way to Punakha. Lots of up and down climb
to Kohi Lapcha at 3300 m. Then dropping down to large stream is Koina
(3050 m). Camping here is unpleasent.
Day 15
KOINA TO GASA (14 km, 6-7 hours)
Cross the bridge at Koina and start up hill through muddy trail to
Bari La (3900 m). The route start down, through bamboo forest to stream.
At 3080 m see Gasa Dzong and drop the route to large stream at 2780
m and pass by four chortens on the ridge at 2810 m. The trail passes
through Jigme Dorji National Park and leads to Dzong, School. You
can camp near town or climb up hill to hot spring.
Day 16
GASA TO DAMJI (18 km, 5-6 hours)
Trail towards south passing through few house and mani wall; after
sometimelook back for a good view of the dzong. Cross the suspension
bridge river at 2360 m, climb up the hill where you can view hot spring
and Laya. The trail climbs up and arrives at four houses of gun and
climb to stupa. Making short walk, you will reach to Damji at 2430
m.
Day 17
DAMJI TO TASHITHANG (16 km, 5 hours)
The trail climb to southern part of village and after long descent
you will cross wooden bridge at 1960 m, making up and down trail.
You may encounter rhese monkeys playing alongside the river as well
Taking in this area. After long walk cross high suspension bridge
over the Chaka Lumbi Chhu. A short walk along the roadbed to the stream,
finally to Tashithang and vehicle will be waiting for you to take
to Punakha
