Treking in Bhutan


Beautiful Laya-Gasa Trek 19 nights/ 20 days

Bhutan Tour, Bhutan VisitThis 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


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