Laya Gasa Trek

Your trekking begins at the historical Drugyel Dzong. It is a 12 km drive north of the Paro Valley. Here you will meet your trekking team. After a while, you start on the wide path that goes along the Pa Chu. The trail rises slowly, where you walk through rice fields and millet fields through the landscape. As the valley expands, you'll find apple orchards, traditional Bhutanese farms, and some small settlements from Mitshi Zampa and Sangathan. On your way through the blue pine forest, you will be taken 2,810 meters to the Gunitsawa Army Post, where your trekking permit will be check. After crossing Pau Chu on the wooden bridge, walk to Sharna Zampa. You will sleep at camp.

Similar to the previous day, you follow the path along the Paro River. You descend through the pine, oak, and fir forests. After 2 hours of walking and crossing many streams, you will arrive at Shingkharap. It is a stone house with a height of 3110 meters. Then cross the bridge to the left of the river, where you will have a meal. There is a small crossroads. The path on the left goes towards the trade route of old Tibet and the right wooden bridge. After you have climbed through the rhododendron forests and crossed the bridge, you will get your campsite at an altitude of 3750 meters in the middle of beautiful meadows.

Today is not a long day of trekking, but it brings significant height gains as your trail climbs the tree line. When you walk through your camp, you will reach the army camp. Then, enjoy the fantastic view of the river over the tree line and the surrounding mountain peaks. You enter the yak land after passing through a very clay section and the gem wall. Here, you will have lunch at the yak camp. After lunch, you head to the yak settlements behind Soe and Takethang. Some plants grown here are barley, potatoes, and beets. After eating, go to a plateau and bed of the stream. You will pass the Dangochang village on the beautiful Jangothang and camp at an altitude of 4,040 meters. From here, the view of Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drake is magnificent.

Today you will hike four hours north of your camp. There is no path, but you can climb the open, endless slope until you have a view of Jichu Druk Mountain. You can climb up to 4895 meters to see the magnificent picture of Mount Chomolhari. You can see rare blue sheep, griffon vulture, and Himalayan rhubarb, eagle, and Bhutan national flower, the blue poppy. Colossal is the base of Jim Drake Jangotang, which is located on top of Mount Jamalhari and its neighbouring mountains. It is a flat meadow with ruins of the old castle on the hill. The trekking here is excellent since many people show signs of mountain sickness at this altitude. You have the opportunity to rest or relax in the camp. In both cases, it will be an unforgettable day.

Today, you will walk following the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge on the right. You start to climb the first ridge, where you will get greeting by an impressive view of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tscharing Gang. Then you will walk through the valley for a while towards an almost flat path, and then you will climb the Ngye La pass at the height of 4,700 meters. After the pass, there is a gradual descent from the camp. Here you can enjoy the cliffs and the impressive view of Lingshi Dzong. If time allows, you can take a detour to this small castle, located on a hill overlooking the village of Lingzhi. For centuries, Lingzhi Dzong was a station weary Buddhist pilgrims and a fortress against Tibetan and Mongol invaders. Today your camp is at an altitude of 4010 meters for night stay.

The Lingshi Dzong is located on a hillside with a breathtaking view of the lush green hills between rivers and beautiful peaks. Lingshi Dzong has been a station for Buddhist pilgrims for centuries. It was a fortress against the Tibetan and Mongol invaders. Today is an easy day, and it is helpful to camp in the yak villages and shepherds. After lunch, a short walk takes you to Chebisa, a beautiful waterfall. You camp on the edge of the stream at an altitude of 3,850 meters.

You start your ascent to Gogu La pass, which takes four hours. It is common to see rare blue sheep on the rocks at the top of this pass. After the pass, descend on your way from the rhododendron bushes for lunch. In the afternoon, you continue with isolated ascents and descents. You cross the stream, hike through the rhododendron forests and the yak herder camp, and reach Shakepasa at an altitude of 3980 m. After this point, climb the stairs to the northern part of the valley and pass an aquarium warehouse. Then you reach your camp near a stream at 4,250 meters.

Today, you hike on the Edelweiss Bound Trail and then climb the Zari La Pass at 4,700 meters. The snow-covered peak visible in the southeast is 6526 m. Then you enter the Tsarijathang valley. The valley is the summer home of the rare Himalayan Takins. From here, you have to cross the streams. After crossing the stream, the path rises to the left towards Robluthang. It is a rocky camp at an altitude of 4,200 meters.

Today is your happy day because you will pass the highest pass of your entire trekking. You will climb through a swamp. If you follow this path, you will cross streams and open huge holes and moraines. Then you will reach the Shingchen La pass. Spectacular view snow-capped mountain will greet you here. After enjoying the view, descend from the moraine River Valley along the rugged rocky path that follows the Kango Chhu River. You will find that the road is very narrow, and you can expect to cross a stream again and get wet. After a walk through the forests of cedar forests and you finally reach Lingmethang. Lingmethang is a beautiful camp, Tiger Mountain, on the river bank behind their tent.

In the morning, wake up to have a great view of Gangchenta Peak. The walk to Laya with an impressive view is delightful. You will walk through the damp forest, full of moss and singing birds. It's a long walk through the desert valley sees the waterfall along this path. If you continue, you are at an intersection. The upper path leads you to farms with stone houses. You will arrive in the village of Laya, the second-highest point in the country at 3,800 meters.

Today is the day to rest. You can explore the village of Laya and visit nearby places. Hospitality is a big part of the Bhutanese tradition. Even for a strange ideal, traditional Bhutanese hospitality is enhanced, and they offer a cup of tea and chang. You will find that the people in this valley are fascinating, especially their costumes. Women, in particular, have very characteristic dresses and wear a conical bamboo hat that is decorated with turquoise and silver jewellery.

Today, you descend to the army camp and join the Mo Chhu. You follow the river until you cross the bridge. After crossing the bridge, you will make many ascents and descents through the juniper and cedar forests. Finally, you will reach the camp in Chamsa at an altitude of 3,800 meters.

After walking for half an hour on flat land, you will find the Bari La Pass. From this point on, the height of the Gasa Tshachu decreases. Along the way, you'll see spot Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, and Blood Partridge. You will camp in the village of Gasa at an altitude of 2,700 meters.

Gasa Tshachu is a highly anticipated place to relax. You can visit the village and Gasa Dzong,  built in the 17th century by Bhutan's first religious leader, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgya. It was built to protect the valley from Tibetan invaders. After your visit to Zhong, enjoy a dip in a Gasa Tshachu. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most famous hot springs in Bhutan.

After breakfast, walk on a dirt road through wooded areas rich in wild orchids to reach Damji village. Continue downhill through the lush green semi-tropical gorge filled with great farms, bananas, and streams. Then, follow the Mo Chhu River through the dense forest until you reach Tashithang at an altitude of 1,620 meters and walk 15 km to Punakha.