Laya Gasa Trek I
Duration of the Trip: 17 Days
Level:
Best season: This trek is generally open from April to June and mid September to mid November. However the best trekking month in Laya region is during the month of April.
Brief of Description : The Laya Gasa trek starts near Paro, crossing four Himalayan mountain passes to arrive at the village of Laya, from where we descend to the hot springs at Gasa and then to Punakha followed by a drive to Thimpu. In the course of the trek we will be travelling across a cross section of Bhutan landscape which ranges from picturesque farmlands, forests and alpine pastures to high Himalayan passes. Superb mountain views of Bhutan’s most impressive peaks including Jhomolhari and Jichudrakey await you during the trek. Numerous isolated Dzongs and scattered settlements including the outlandish village of Laya, provide a great deal of cultural interest en route.
DAY 1: Arrival at Paro International Airport and Paro sightseeing in the afternoon
The flight to Paro across the Himalayan ranges affords spectacular sights of the sacred Jhomolhari and Jichudrakey mountain ranges. And if you arrive via Kathmandu, you get to enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjanga as well. Upon arrival at the Airport, you will be received by our representatives and escorted to Hotel Pema Cholling.
In the afternoon visit the Ta Dzong or the National Museum, high on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley. This unusual round building is believed to be in the shape of a conch shell. Built in 1645, it used to serve as the watchtower for the Dzong in the past, hence the name ‘Ta’ which literally translates into ‘look’. Today it is the National Museum; it houses a huge collection of antiques of invaluable historical significance. The centerpiece of this Museum is a complex four-sided carving depicting the history of Buddhism and its propagation. One side is Sakyamuni and the great teacher Atisha, representing the Sakya School. On the next lies Geylup, a disciple of Dalai Lama. Another is Nyingma lineage, the head is Guru Padmasanva, and the final is Drukpa Kagyu with the figure of Vajra Dhara. The fact that this is the place where King Ugyen Wangchuk, the first monarch of Bhutan was incarcerated in his youth also adds to the historical significance of the Ta Dzong.
Later, take a leisurely stroll across a traditional wooden bridge and a flagstone path up to Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive structure was built in 1646 and its central tower or the ‘Utse’, clad in exquisitely superb woodwork is considered the most beautiful tower in the kingdom. It houses the government offices and religious institutions as do all the Dzongs in the country. The snowy dome of the sacred Jhomolhari looms directly over the Dzong.
Night halt at Hotel Pema Cholling. At Hotel Pema Cholling, the choice to be lodged at the Hotel or the farmhouse with facilities like luxurious hot stone baths remain entirely at your disposal. You will be briefed on the plans, logistics and other details pertaining to the trek over dinner.
DAY 2: Excursion to Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
After an early breakfast, we hike up to Taktshang – the legendary Tiger’s Nest. We can either hike or opt for ponies. Taktshang is precariously perched on a seemingly impossible rock face at approximately 3,000 feet above Paro valley. It is a very sacred pilgrimage destination as well as a tourist hotspot. It is believed that Guru Rimpoche flew there on the back of a flying tigress. The Lhakhang was built around the cave in which Guru Rimpoche meditated. The hike to the viewpoint of the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion; the thrill of the experience and the view from up above is truly rewarding.
In the afternoon explore Paro town and witness the activities at the archery ground. It is an opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with the sights and the sounds of Bhutanese culture whereby you will experience a wonderful convergence of the modern and the archaic.
In the evening visit a traditional farmhouse, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner and pamper yourself with a relaxing traditional hot stone bath at Hotel Tashi Phutshok. Night halt at Hotel Pema Cholling in Paro.
DAY 3: Trek to Shana
We begin our Laya Gasa trek after a 16 kilometer drive to the road head at Drukgyel Dzong – ‘The Fortress of Drukpa Victory’, which used to guard the northern approach to the Paro valley. While the crew goes about sorting the load and loading the ponies, we can take a short walk to the Drukgyel dzong. Although it is in ruins today, the Dzong is of great historical significance as it was here that the Bhutanese resisted the Tibetan invading forces and drove them back. As the name suggests this was a purely defensive structure, built to commemorate Bhutanese victories over the Tibetans. The Dzong was destroyed by a fire in 1951. Then we commence our trek to Sharna which is approximately 5 hours walking distance from the Paro Chhu through traditional Bhutanese farmhouses and cultivated fields. The trail follows the river gently uphill through narrowing valley and agricultural fields of the Tshento Village.
Night halt at the camp at Sharna at an elevation of 2,790 meters.
DAY 4: Sharna to Soi Thangthanka
Today we continue our trek from the camp at Sharna to Soi Thangthanka. The trail, around 6 to 7 hours of walking distance continues through rhododendron and blue pine forests to Soi Thangthanka at an elevation of 3,510 meters. The trail is normally quite muddy in places so it is advisable to use trekking poles and to wear gaiters.
Night halt at the camp at Soi Thangthanka.
DAY 5: Thangthanka to Jangothang
After trekking for more than an hour from the camp at Soi Thangthanka the forest cover continues to recede as we continue to climb above the tree line into the panoramic expanse of the Jangothang valley. Once we arrive at the Jangothang campsite you will enjoy superb views of Mt. Jhomolhari next the ruins of an old Dzong that used to serve as a bastion of defense against invasions from Tibet. Today’s trekking route entails 5 to 6 hours of walking towards an elevation of 4, 080 meters.
Night halt at the camp at Jangothang.
DAY 6: Acclimatization day at Jangothang
Today we will be spending the day ensuring that you are thoroughly acclimatized to the very high altitude. In order to help the acclimatization process we will be going for walks to higher altitudes. You can either choose to walk up to a ridge to the north for excellent views of Mt. Jichudrakey or to the twin lakes at Tsho Phu at 4,350 meters. Spend the day enjoying the bounty of nature that never been corrupted by the onslaught of progress.
Night halt at the camp at Jangothang.
DAY 7: Trek to Lingshi across the Nyile La Pass
Today is a significant day because we will be crossing the first of the major passes – the Nyile La pass at 4,890 meters. It is a steady 6 hour ascent to the Pass with excellent views of Mt. Takaphu at 6,526 meters to the North and the Tiger Mountain to the East.
DAY 8: Trek to Chebisa
Today, upon around 4 hours of walking, we will arrive at Lingshi Dzong and then on to Lingshi at an elevation of 4,150 meters. Once we leave the village the trail contours high above the valley passing through hillsides covered with a myriad medicinal plants and flowers. Then we continue onwards across a ridge festooned with prayer flags till we descend into the beautiful valley of Goyok. Another hour of trekking through the high altitude greenery will take us to the village of Chebisa at 3, 850 meters with a beautiful waterfall at its one end.
DAY 9: Trek to Shomuthang across Gombu La Pass
The trek today consisting of 5 to 6 hour walking distance through wild high pastures. The trail passes through a few sparsely populated villages. After crossing the Gobula Pass at an altitude of 4350 meters we descend through a hillside of rhododendrons to Shomuthang at 3, 950 meters where we camp for the night.
DAY 10: Trek to Robulathang across the Jhare La Pass
Today we make an early start as we climb towards the Jhare La Pass at 4, 780 meters where one can enjoy spectacular views of the Tiger Mountain, Mt. Jichudrakye, Takaphu and Kang Bum. Today’s trekking distance entails about 7 hours of walking distance. Upon descending from the Pass we arrive at Tsharijathang, where one comes across herds of Takin at certain times of the year. This area also happens to be a protected area for the Takin.
DAY 11: Trek to Limithang across the Shinge La Pass
After a long climb to the Shinge La Pass which is the highest Pass on the trek at 5,000 meters, the trail descends to the valley beyond. All along the way one is afforded stunning views of the spectacular Tiger Mountain. Upon reaching Limithang at 4, 160 meters the trail splits into two, one leading to the army camp while the other sticks to higher ground and leads to the village of Laya. Tonight we camp beside the village of Laya.
DAY 12: Trek to Laya
Today we walk through forest alongside the river to the largest village on the trek. Today’s trek which consists of about 4 to 5 hours of walking distance includes several short ups and downs. The walk to Laya is very pleasant with incredible views as we pass through dense moss clad forests until we come across the Layap people who are semi-nomadic yak herders. Their unique cultural roots are manifest in their typical Layap costumes which they absolutely refuse to discard even in the very hot places of Punakha. The costumes worn by the women are especially interesting; beside their yak hair and sheep wool woven garments – black skirt with brown vertical stripes and a black jacket, they wear conical bamboo hats decorated with turquoise and various silver ornaments. At 3, 700 meters, the village of Laya is the second highest settlement in the country.
DAY 13: Halt at Laya
Today is a day of rest and relaxation. You can stroll through the village observing the Layap way of life. Visit a local home and experience the Layap hospitality which always begins with a cup of their finest ara (locally brewed wine) or hike to the monastery above the village. In the evening you will be provided entertainment by the local dancers upon request.
DAY 14: Trek to campsite at Koina
It is a long walk today to our campsite at below the Bale La Pass as we wind up and down along the river valley, through beautiful forests with great views of waterfalls, swift streams, a wonderful variety of birds, and perhaps the musk deer too. We walk for about 8 hours following the river till we get to the bridge after crossing which it is up and down several times through juniper and fir forests till we get to our campsite at Koina at 3, 700 meters.
DAY 15: Trek to Gasa across the Bari La Pass
Today we walk for about 6 hours, crossing the Bari La Pass at 3, 800 meters from where it is a gradual descent until we make it to the village of Gasa with the beautiful 17th century Gasa Dzong in the vicinity. We can either camp here or head down to the Gasa Tsachhu (Hot Spring) for a nice natural Jacuzzi experience to let the hot mineral water soothe your aching limbs after the long trek.
DAY 16: Trek to road head and drive to Thimphu
The trail constitutes about 6 hours continues down the Mo Chu valley with several ups and downs but nothing substantially steep in the course of which one can enjoy spectacular views of the Gasa Dzong and the snow peaks near Laya. The trail then drops off into a subtropical ravine filled with ferns and trees before crossing a suspension bridge above a deep gorge above Damji village. After Damji it takes a couple of hours to the roadhead, from where we drive back to Thimphu over the Dochu La Pass.
DAY 17: Morning sightseeing in Thimphu & proceed to Paro in the evening
Today is all about sightseeing in Thimphu. We visit Simtokha Dzong, built in 1627 it is the oldest Dzong in the country. Today it houses the School for Buddhist Studies. Next we visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (Traditional Arts and Crafts) which is a school of arts that trains students in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts. These traditional crafts are a representation of the centuries of knowledge and ability that has been handed down through generations of master craftsmen and artisans and has played a vital role in shaping the Bhutan’s unique culture and heritage. The wood working, black smithy and sculpting that are taught and practiced do make for an interesting visit.
After lunch we visit the Takin Reserve, the only place in Thimphu where the National Animal of Bhutan, Takin (budorcas taxicolor) is found. Bhutanese call it ‘Drong Gyemtse’. In addition to the Takin there are a few musk deer and barking deer as well. Then if time permits we proceed towards the BBS Radio Tower. It is well worth the ten minute extra drive beyond the Takin Reserve. It offers splendid views of the city from a hilltop festooned with prayer flags. This is where the tower for the Bhutan Broadcasting Service – the National Television channel is located.
In the evening we proceed to Paro and check into Hotel Pema Cholling. At Hotel Pema Cholling you can choose to stay at the Hotel or experience the traditional way of life untainted by the ills of modernity by availing the traditional home-stay facility whereby you will be lodged in a traditional farmhouse and be served delicious traditional cuisines. You can also pamper yourself with a relaxing traditional ‘hot stone bath’ amid absolutely rural settings but with all the modern amenities. However, given the amount of time, energy and resources that go into organizing the ‘hot stone baths’, you will be levied extra charges for it. Besides all these, you can also enjoy traditional cultural programs which can be arranged upon request. The ‘hot stone baths’ and cultural programs are not included in the total cost of the trip.
Night halt at Hotel Pema Cholling.
DAY 18: Departure from Paro