Laya Gasa Trek

You will be received by the representative from Byways Tours and Travels at the airport and driven to the hotel.

After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower built in 1656 and renovated in 1968, now converted into the National Museum of Bhutan. Then visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The dzong presently houses the administrative offices of Paro District and the monastery.

Dinner and overnight in hotel.

After breakfast, take an excursion to Tiger's Nest Monastery. A short drive of around 25 minutes from the main town of Paro takes you to Satsam Chorten, where the trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags.

We stop for rest and tea with cookies at the Taktsang cafeteria, then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Tiger's Nest Monastery. The history dates back to the 8th century when Guru Rinpoche, a tantric master, flew to this place on the back of a flying tigress, said to be his Tibetan consort known as Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal, and meditated in a cave nearby. The temple was built in the 17th century by the Penlop (governor) of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 600 meters into the valley below.

After lunch, visit Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now in ruins because it was completely burned down by a fire caused by a butter lamp in 1951. The name "Drukgyel" means "Victorious Druk."

Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest Buddhist temples, built in 659 AD by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. In the evening, stroll around the tiny town of Paro. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

This trek begins at Gunitsawa Village where you pass the army post. At the army checkpoint, your trek permit (provided by your tour operator) will be checked and endorsed.

On this long day, the trail continues with lots of small ups and downs. After going uphill through the river valley, the valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path which descends to a meadow where camp will be set up.

From here, if weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mt. Jomolhari (7,314m), the second highest snow-capped mountain of Bhutan.

If you did not see Mt. Jomolhari clearly the previous evening, you will still have a chance to get a great view early this morning.

The trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley, which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. You will cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks.

In this area, yaks and their herders' homes become a regular feature of the landscape. After reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari (7,314m).

The rest day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for day hikes with great views of lakes and snow-capped mountains such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. There are good chances to spot some blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley.

Jangothang is a perfect environment for your acclimatization. You can also trek up to Tshophu (lake) or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in different directions.

Jomolhari and its subsidiary mountain chains lie towards the west, Jichu Drake to the north, and there are a number of unclimbed peaks to the east.

The trail follows the stream for around 20 minutes and crosses the bridge to the right side. Start the climb up to the first ridge with a breathtaking view of Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tsherim Gang.

Then walk towards the valley, almost flat for a while, until the climb to Nyele La Pass at an altitude of 4,700 meters. After the pass, it's a gradual descent to the Lingshi camp, enjoying the panoramic view of the peaks and Lingshi Dzong.

After reaching the campsite, you can relax for some time and walk further north to see a small isolated village of Lingshi located in a beautiful valley.

Today is the shortest walking day and the easiest one. Crossing the wooden bridge near your last night's campsite, the trail gradually climbs, reaching a chorten below Lingshi Dzong.

Here, you have the choice of staying on the main trail or taking a detour up to Lingshi Dzong (4,220m), which sits right atop a high ridge. This dzong is under reconstruction from a 2011 earthquake which damaged its central building. In addition to a very special atmosphere of mystic tranquility, Lingshi Dzong provides a great view over the valley.

After Lingshi Dzong, you will be passing the villages of Lingshi and Goyul. In Goyul, the stone houses are clustered together to form a small compact village that is unusual in Bhutan where settlements are usually scattered.

On reaching the campsite at Chebisa, you will have plenty of time to visit the village houses if you want to. There is also a beautiful waterfall located behind the village that is worth visiting.

The morning starts with a long ascent behind Chebisa Village (2-3 hours) through a wide pastureland towards Gobu La Pass (4,440m). On the way, you will see a few people herding yaks. There is also a great chance to spot large herds of blue sheep above the trail.

After crossing Gobu La, you descend into the valley, then climb again a little bit, before descending again to Shakshepasa (3,980m), where the site of a helipad is marked by a big H.

Climbing from here, you will finally reach the campsite at Shomuthang (4,220m).

You begin by climbing up the valley to view Kang Bum (6,526m) and some edelweiss. After two hours of climbing, you will reach Jhari La (4,750m), from where you catch the first glimpse of Sinche La (5,005m), the pass you will have to cross the day after.

The big snow peak in the north is Gangchhenta (6,840m), better known as the Great Tiger Mountain. If weather is clear, Tserim Kang and the top of Jomolhari will be visible.

The camp by the river is called Tsheri Jathang, located in a beautiful wide and remote valley. Herds of takin, the national animal of Bhutan, migrate to this valley in summer and remain for about four months. The valley has been declared a takin sanctuary.

Climb up a little bit and you will reach the campsite at Robluthang in a rocky meadow.

The trek starts with a climb of around one hour before gradually raising for another hour and a half through a boulder field. It is then a one-hour steep ascent before reaching Sinche La (5,005m) – the final and highest pass on the trek if you don't intend to continue the Snowman Trek from Laya onwards.

As you descend the far side of the pass, you will see an impressive terminal moraine and a glacial lake at the foot of the valley. You can see classic examples of lateral moraines where the glacier has pushed rocks up both sides of the valley.

Below the moraine, you cross the Kango Chhu river and soon reach the Limithang campsite (4,140m).

Today, you walk downhill all the way along a narrow, winding river valley. After a long time, the trail takes you through a densely forested region.

The trail leads you to the west side of Laya village. From the west of the village, you will have spectacular views of Mt. Gangchhenta and catch Mt. Masagang.

In the middle of the village is a community school and a basic health unit with a telephone connection. The campsite is located below the school.

You have a rest day at Laya, so that you can have an opportunity to meet with the people of Laya and walk around their village and experience the lifestyle of Layaps.

People who live in Laya are called Layaps. They have a unique culture, traditions, and distinctive traditional dress.

The trail winds up and down along the river valley of Mo Chhu, avoiding natural obstacles and affording breathtaking views of the raging river, feeder streams, and waterfalls.

Lots of ups and downs will lead you to Kohi La (3,300m). The trek then drops down to the large stream of Koina Chhu through a muddy trail, and you reach your campsite at Koina.

Today you will have the last major climb of the Laya Gasa Trek. You need to cross Bari La (3,740m), after which the trail descends all the way until you reach Gasa village (2,770m), where you will find the first restaurants since you started from Sharna at Paro.

There is also a campsite close to Gasa Dzong. You will have to decide whether you want to stay in Gasa village or descend for another hour to the Gasa Tsachu (hot springs) and relax in the rejuvenating mineral waters. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan.

After breakfast, drive to Punakha valley (76 km, 3 hours drive).

Visit Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan, located at the edge of Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it served as the capital of Bhutan until the time of the second king.

The dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, which means "Palace of Great Happiness." Punakha is still the winter residence of the Chief Abbot (Je Khenpo).

After lunch, visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the "Temple of Fertility," built by Lama Drukpa Kunley, popularly known as "The Divine Madman," in the 15th century. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu via Dochula Pass (3,140m). We stop for a while at Dochula Pass where 108 stupas are built together to take photographs. If the weather is clear, in the far distance you will get a chance to see the higher Himalayas from Dochula Pass.

In Thimphu, visit National Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 by the mother of our third king in memory of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The paintings and statues in the temple are dedicated to the third king.

Then visit the tallest statue of Buddha Dordenma (51 meters tall).

After that, visit the Mini Zoo where you will get a chance to see our national animal, the Takin.

Finally, visit Tashichho Dzong and stroll around Thimphu city for shopping. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Drive to the airport and farewell!