THE 13 Day LAYA GASA TREK
THE 13 DAY LAYA GASA TREK
Day 1: Arrive in Paro
Day 2: In Paro Hike to Taktsang
Day 3: Trek from Shana to Soi Thangthangkha
Drive north of Drugyal Dzong for about 1-2hrs along the new farm road and begin trek into Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Park. Your route will follow the river in heavily forested country, with isolated farmhouses and plenty of wildlife. Trek is about 19 km, 7-8hrs to the campsite, a beautiful grassy meadow beneath the enormous east face of Jomolhari.
Day 4: Soi Thangthangha - Jangothang
Today is another long day. Approximately 19km, 7-8 hours. The view today is Jhomolhari, Jichudrekey, and Tsrimgang. Jangothang is one of the most spectacular camping places in the entire Himalayas. Snowcapped peaks dominate the horizon on western side, with stream running through the open valley, surrounded by yak herder’s villages. Option to hike up the ridge, from where there is an incredible close-up view of Chomolhari and its glaciers.
Day 5 : Today is a scheduled rest day, intended to aid acclimatization before the crossing of the high passes. It is highly advisable that you do some sort of walk today involving height gain in order to help with acclimatization. Gorgeous views of Jhomolhari and Jichudrekey
Day 6: Jangothang-Lingshi
Today, weather permitting, you will have spectacular views of several stunning Himalayan peaks. You start climbing immediately and after some 3-4 hours reach the windy Nyelela Pass, 4,890m/16,043ft. You may well pass yak herders' tents where you may get invited in to sample tea, yoghurt and cheese - all three are acquired tastes! After the pass you descend to a circular hut just before Lingshi, where you camp for the night. Today’s trek is approximately 14km, about 6 hrs.
Day 7: Trek from Lingshi to Chebisa village
Leaving Lingshi behind you contour and climb gently to reach another delightful village, Gang Yul, which is set right below a 304m/1,000ft cliff. There is a very holy llakang here. Another hour's walking high above the valley floor brings you to a lovely little side valley with a huge waterfall at one end and the Shangri-la village of Chebisa, where you camp by the side of the river. The trail leading up and past it leads to Tibet - about 12 miles away. It is around this area you might see many blue sheep.
Day 8: Trek from Chebisa – Shomulthang Over Gogula Pass
Walking up to the top of the waterfall before breakfast is recommended for lovely early morning views of the valley. On your trek today you will encounter quite a stiff climb up to the Gombu La, 4,480m/14,698ft, before dropping to a deserted valley and crossing a river. You will either camp here, or climb up to Shomuthang. It will be another lovely day's walking today. You might see blood pheasants when passing through an area of rhododendrons.
Day 9: Shomulthang- Robluthang over Jharila Pass
It is a long haul over the Jarela Pass at 4,785m/15,699ft, where once again you get stunning all-round views including Mount Tsering Kang towering above. Then there is a steep drop on a forest trail to the Tcharijathang valley, where herds of Takin roam (the strange national animal of Bhutan), before crossing a river on a log bridge and steeply climbing to Robulathang where the camp will be located. Again, a stunning day's walk.
Day 10: Treobluthang- Limithang over Shinchella Pass
This is the hardest day of the trek. Firstly you climb slowly up to the Shingela pass. This takes about 5 hours. You will be rewarded with stunning views of mountains, including the spectacular Gangchentak at the head of the valley. On a clear day almost all the mountains on the northern border are clearly visible, 10-20 miles distant. For those with energy, it is worth climbing a little higher to a small rocky peak. Eagles, griffin vultures, blue sheep and yak abound in this area. After the initial rough and rocky descent you finally reach a beautiful cedar forest and you will once again meet up with nomadic yak-herders, who may offer tea and curd in their yak-hair tents. Camp is set in a lovely spot on the riverbank.
Day 11: Limithang- Laya Village
You will have a leisurely walk alongside the river through cedar and fir forest before descending to reach the largest village on the trek. The people of Laya are famous for their vertically-striped yak hair clothing and strange conical bamboo hats. The women wear long hair and a great deal of turquoise and jade jewellery. The features of the people are even more Tibetan/Mongolian than the Bhutanese who live in the central valleys. The rest of the day is spent at leisure, or visiting village houses. There are good views of Masagang, 7,165m/23,507ft, and other peaks. In the evening the local girls may dance for you.
Day 12: LayaThimphu
Take a day of rest and explore Laya and meet the locals. Amidst Bhutan’s tremendous beauty which cannot be compared with anything in the world is hidden a pristine and untouched beauty in the form of a small village known, ‘Laya’. This offbeat destination in Bhutan with a handful of houses, is located on the northwestern part of the country in Gasa district where every traveller must visit. Situated at an altitude of 3800 meters, Laya is also be known as the highest settlement in Bhutan.
Day 13: Laya- Koina – Gasa (Hot Springs)
Our final day of trekking that brings us to the nearest roadhead (Tongchudra). It is a long march downhill, but what a way to end by soaking ourselves in the popular hot springs below Gasa. Overnight in a tents or Guest House as available. Transfer to Punahka and then to Thimphu/Paro for departure.