Laya Gasa Trek – 18 Days
14 days
Age 12+
Sep, Oct, Nov
Availability 50
Trip Code:
HSBLAYAGASA
Country:
Bhutan
Duration:
18 Days
Trip Level:
Strenuous Treks at this level are considered challenging, the altitude reached is between 3500m to 5600m. There will be several nights rest at above 4000m of altitude. You must have a decent level of fitness in order to embark on this trek.
Max Altitude:
5,000 m / 16,400 ft
Activity:
Sightseeing and High Altitude Trekking
Starts at:
Paro
Ends at:
Paro
Trip Route:
Paro - Shana - Jangothang - Shakya Pasang - Shinchela Pass - Limithang - Gasa Hot Springs - Punakha - Thimphu - Paro
Best Season:
March, April, May, September, October & November
Trip Highlights
- Guided tour of the Paro region.
- Guided tour of the capital city of Bhutan – Thimphu.
- Cross the Shinchela Pass at about 5,000 metres in altitude.
- Visit and enjoy the beautiful Gasa hot springs.
- Visit the second highest hamlet in Bhutan – Laya.
Trip Information
Laya Gasa Trek is considered among the most interesting trekking routes in the Himalayas and includes all the major attractions spread on the Northern side of Bhutan towards the Tibetan border.
The itinerary of Laya Gasa Trek directs your way in the northwest direction beyond Paro and will reveal a wide variety of sceneries from verdant terraced agricultural fields and sub-tropical forest to high altitude grasslands and altitude passes. Your route will pass through forests of rhododendron, willow, juniper, oak, golden birch or blue pine.
Splendid vistas of the Himalayan peaks are unmissable from the landscape, you will admire Jitchu Drake and Chomolhari, bright turquoise alpine lakes, alpine wildlife and quaint religious settlements.
Along this trekking route you will get the chance to visit secluded, traditional rural Bhutan villages like Laya and Chebisa, and also the nomadic tribes that depend on yaks to sustain their everyday living. Plus sparse hamlets of locals and many isolated ancestral Dzongs will offer cultural insights of the harsh life of these true people of high mountains.
A rich wildlife will cross your road, you may spot the national animal of Bhutan – the Takin, the blue sheep, musk deers, marmots, and maybe some impressive rarities like the great Himalayan bear, the snow leopard or why not the yeti.
Laya Gasa Trek starts after arriving in the region of Paro valley from the settlement called Shana and follows the Paro River along lush valleys, after that this trek commutes to Pachu River up and down among forests to arrive at Thangthangkha. Next stop is the base camp of Jomolhari – Jangothang, one of the most spectacular camping areas in the Himalayas.
The trekking route follows the path through the Lingshi valley, continues via Chebisa, where you will be invited to admire a large waterfall in the neighbourhood of Shangri La Village. The hike will proceed with the valley of Tsarigathnag, where you will pass via some enormous glaciers, after that again via a forested trail across the enchanting Gasa valley. Once you arrive here you will enjoy some natural hot springs and discover the vicinity of the Ghasa region.
Laya Gasa Trek helps you depict the mysteries of the secluded Bhutanese society, where the gross domestic product is measured in terms of population happiness.
Itinerary
- Day 1 – Arrival at Paro Airport (2,280m). Overnight at a hotel.
- Day 2 – Sightseeing around Paro. Overnight at a hotel.
- Day 3 – Drive from Paro to Shana (2,890m) – Distance: 15 kms – 5 hrs. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 4 – Trek to Thangthangka (3,575m) – Distance: 22 kms – 7 hrs. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 5 – Trek to Jangothang (4,044m) – Distance: 17 kms – 5 hrs. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 6 – Rest Day in Jangothang. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 7 – Trek to Lingshi (4,010m) – Distance: 21 kms – 7 hrs. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 8 – Trek to Chebisa – Distance: 16 kms – 4 hrs. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 9 – Trek to Shakya Pasang (4,000m) – Distance: 14 kms – 5 hours. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 10 – Trek to Robkuthang (4,160m) – Distance: 16 kms – 8 hrs. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 11 – Trek to Limithang (4,160m) – Distance: 14 kms – 7 hours. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 12 – Trek to Laya (3,800m) – Distance: 9 kms – 4 hrs. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 13 – Rest day in Laya. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 14 – Trek to Koina (3,240m) – Distance: 16 kms – 6 hrs. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 15 – Trek to Gasa Hot Springs (2,220m) – Distance: 12 kms – 6 hrs. Overnight at tented camps.
- Day 16 – Trek to Damji Village, and drive to Punakha – Trekking Distance 14 kms – 5 hours. Overnight at a hotel.
- Day 17 – Drive from Punakha to Thimphu, then to Paro in the evening. Overnight at a hotel.
- Day 18 – Transfer to the international airport for your final departure.
Day 1 - Arrival in Paro, at an altitude of 2,280 m
You will be welcomed by a Himalayan Steps representative at Paro Airport and transferred to your hotel. Today you visit the National Museum, Paro Dzong and the shopping district of Paro.
Accommodation in hotel with lunch and dinner.
Day 2 - Guided visit of Paro region
Today you are invited to visit the Tiger’s Nest or the Taktsang Monastery, considered by many the symbol of Bhutan. This is a spectacular monastery placed on a spectacular spot. The visit to the monastery will take about five hours, after that you have spare time to relax.
Accommodation in hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 3 - 5 hours drive from Paro to reach Shana, positioned at 2,890 m altitude
Have a memorable start of the trek while visiting the Drukyel Dzong with Mt. Chomolhari as background. Your destination for today is Shana, and you have to walk first through a rich valley along the Paro Chu river. You will encounter a farmer village Tsento Zampa with traditional Bhutanese farmhouses, after that your hike will continue with the military camp at Gunitsawa, where your trekking permit will be verified, and finally you will reach the campsite of Shana.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 4 - 7 hours trek to Thangthangka, at 3,575 m altitude
A strenuous day at horizon with a longue distance to cover, about 22 km. The trail route is a sum of ups and downs among a variety of forests, following rivers and points belonging to old trade routes.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 5 - 5 hours trek to reach Jangothang (Chomolhari Base Camp), sheltered at 4,044 m
Today you will wake up with the great Chomolhari in front of your eyes. Your trekking trail will leave the forests behind and slowly ascend via a wide, high altitude valley till you arrive at Jangothang. The distance to be covered today is about 17 km.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 6 - Relaxing day for acclimatization in Jangothang
This is an acclimatization day you can use for a short walk in the region like the one towards the twin lakes of Tsho Phu. From here you will enjoy some spectacular vistas of Jichu Drake and Chomolhari peaks. Try to spot Himalayan blue sheep herds around here.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 7 - 7 hours hike to get to Lingshi, at an altitude of 4,010 m
Another demanding trekking route day that covers 21 km, with a long climb of several hours to reach the windy pass of Nyelela (sleepy pass) perched at 4,890 m altitude that oversees a long area that you will cover the following days. Here you can observe majestic panoramas of Mt. Takaphu and Gangchen Ta (“Tiger Mountain”). Your trail will continue along a small river, stop to a viewpoint that concentrates on Lingshi Dzong, and continues till reaching the destination of the day Lingshi.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 8 - 4 hours hike to reach Chebisa
A pleasant walk is scheduled for today via the small villages of Gom Yu and Shangri La, where a large waterfall waits to be admired.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 9 - 5 hours trek to Shakya Pasang, at 4,000 m altitude
The trekking route you have to cover today starts with a tough ascension to Gogu La pass at 4,440 m., followed by a long descending path. After that follows a new climbing over a ridge and a traverse of the Jholethang valley.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 10 - 8 hours trek to get to Robkuthangd, situated at an altitude of 4,160 m
Today you cross the Jarela pass sheltered at 4,785 m that offers splendid vistas of the Himalayas. Than you descend sharply among forests to reach Tsarigathang valley, where you might have the chance to spot the rare Himalayan takin.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 11 - 7 hours trek to arrive in Limithang, at an altitude of 4,160 m
This is the longest and the toughest day of this trek, as you have to cross the highest pass Shinchela at 5,000 m. The descent is rather strenuous via a rocky trail that follows a glacial valley. The last part of the trail offers terrific vistas of Mt. Gangchey Ta.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 12 - 4 hours hike to arrive in Laya, at an altitude of 3,800 m
This is a more than pleasant walk along the river to reach Laya, via damp forests.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 13 - Relaxing day in Laya
A leisure day to relax. You can visit the village and socialize with the locals living in Laya, which are semi-nomadic yak-herders.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 14 - 6 hours hike to arrive in Koina, at an altitude of 3,240 m
Following the Mo Chhu River your trail today is a series of ups and downs among fir and juniper forests.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 15 - 6 hours trek to reach Gasa Hot Springs, situated at an altitude of 2,220 m
Your trekking route today will start with a long climb to cross Balela pass at 3,900 m height. Then the route descends via bamboo forest and downhill till you reach Gasa Hot Springs.
Accommodation in camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 16 - 5 hours trek to get to Damji Village, followed by a drive to Punakha
The hike route descends further among high agricultural fields, after that via a semi tropical gorge till the Damji village, where a vehicle will wait for you and transport you to Punakha.
Accommodation in hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 17 - Drive from Punakha to arrive in Thimphu, and transfer to Paro
In the morning you visit the Punakha Dzong and after that you will be driven to Thimphu. In the evening it is scheduled the transfer to Paro.
Accommodation in hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 18 - Departure day
Your journey in Bhutan has reached its end and today will be driven to the airport for your international flight.
Accommodation in hotel, breakfast included.
Price Includes:
- Pick up from and drop off at the hotel and the airport on a private tourist vehicle.
- Guided city tour in Paro by private tourist vehicle.
- Standard government-approved accommodation (in twin sharing rooms) for the duration of the tour.
- Full-board meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea & snacks – for the duration of your stay.
- Tented accommodation and equipment during the camping trek. (We will provide fully water proof two men tents, dining tents, kitchen gear, dining table, chairs, toilet tents, shower tent etc.)
- Drinking water for the duration of the tour.
- Country presentation and tour Briefing on the evening of Day1 with welcome drinks.
- Licensed English-speaking Bhutanese tour guides.
- The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage and camping equipment during the trek.
- Private transportation and a designated driver within Bhutan. Toyota 4WD luggage vans and light trucks for group travel. Luggage will be hauled by horses, mules or yaks at higher elevations.
- Monument and museums entrance fees for all sightseeing locations detailed in the itinerary.
- Cultural afternoon/evening sessions with traditional mask and folk dances (with beverages). Only for group tours.
- Bhutan visa fees and processing assistance.
- Government royalty (35% of $200), which goes to the country’s health and education projects.
- All trekking, route and monument access permits and fees.
- All government taxes, official expenses and tourist service charges.
Price Does not Include:
- International airfare and airport departure tax.
- Travel insurance which covers emergency Rescue and Evacuation.
- Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is expected).
- All items of personal nature like drinks, laundry etc.
- Others expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.
The information below has been created so that you can use this as a guide in understanding the necessary equipment, clothing, gear, medicines and miscellaneous items required for this trekking tour. This list is of a general nature and you may decide to add or remove some of these items, please make sure that you have enough clothing to maximize your comfortability whilst on the trek.
We will provide you with a porter and a duffel bag to support and carry your heavier belongings however we do recommend that you also bring your own daypack to carry your money, personal items and any important documents.
General
- 4 seasons Sleeping bag
- Duffel or Rucksack bag or suitcase
- Daypack
- Down Jacket
Upper Body – Head / Ears / Eyes
- Shade hat or baseball cap
- Warm wool or synthetic hat that cover your ears.
- Balaclava – lightweight, thinner variety.
- Glacier glasses-100% UV protection with side shields and a hard-sided storage case (i.e. Julbo or Cebe).
- Headlamp – Black Diamond and Petzl both make several good ones.
- Some people like ear-muffs (optional).
- A neck warmer (optional).
Hand
- 1 pair liner gloves, thin wool or synthetic, useful alone on mild days or as a layer inside other gloves / mitts for additional warmth.
- 1 pair warm gloves (heavier fleece or wool).
- 1 pair shell gloves or mitts; Gore-Tex.
- Instant hand warmers (optional).
Core Body
- T-shirts (2).
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops.
- Fleece jacket or pullover.
- Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional).
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket.
- 2 women sports bras, Synthetic, no cotton!
Lower Body – Legs
- 2 pairs nylon hiking shorts
- Underwear.
- 2 pairs lightweight long underwear – capilene or other synthetic.
- 1 pair soft shell pants – synthetic, full zip from top and bottom preferable.
- 2 pairs trekking pants, preferably that zip on/off at the knees so they double as shorts.
- 1 pair hard shell pants. Waterproof / breathable, Gore-Tex.
- 1 pair cotton pants (loose jeans/khakis).
- All clothing should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks or large puncture resistant plastic bags.
Feet
- 4 pairs of liner socks, synthetic or capilene.
- 3 pairs heavy weight socks to be worn over liner socks.
- 1 pair light weight socks, a good option for the lower / warmer parts of the trail.
- 1 pair light to medium weight water proof hiking/trekking boots.
- 1 pair light trekking shoes or sneakers.
- 1 pair hiking gaiter (Optional).
- 1 pair sandals (Optional).
Medicines and First Aid Kits
(Important: Our guide will already have a first aid kit which they bring with them however we also recommend that you bring some of these medicines with you in your daypack too.)
- Extra Strength Excedrin for altitude related headaches.
- Ibuprofen for general aches and pains.
- Immodium or Pepto bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
- Diamox (commonly prescribed as Acetazolamide) 125 or 250mg tablets for altitude sickness.
- 1 small personal sized first-aid kit with blister treatments such as mole skin, band-aids, some waterproof tape, anti-infection ointments, etc.
Miscellaneous, but Important !
- Passport and extra passport photos (4 copies).
- Airline ticket
- Durable wallet / pouch for travel documents, money & passport.
- Lip balm. At least SPF 20, 2 sticks.
- Sunscreen. SPF 40.
- Pocket knife or small Swiss Army type.
- Water purification Iodine tablets or Polar-pure crystals.
- Toiletry kit. Be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag, hand wipes, and liquid hand sanitizer, towel, soap, etc.
- 2 bandanas.
Optional
- 1 pair adjustable trekking poles. (Optional).
- Favorite snack foods, no more than 2 pounds (Optional).
- Paperback books, cards, mp3 player (Optional).
- Binoculars (Optional).
- 1 light weight point & shoot camera or 1 large SLR. (Optional).
- Hydration bladder with drinking tube and tube insulator (Optional).
- A pee bottle for men and pee funnel for woman (Optional).
- 1 small stainless steel thermos (Optional).
Helpful Tip: For the majority of these items, clothing and equipment there are numerous different brands to choose from, we recommend that you buy most of these when you fly in to Bhutan if possible because this way it can be a lot cheaper for you. If you would like any specific suggestions, please ask and we can certainly recommend those for you.
Here's a few answers to most common Questions asked by the customers.
What type of fitness or shape do I need to be in? +
The Laya Gasa trek is physically possible for anyone that is of an average fitness level although at times it can be strneuous, there is no previous experience required. We generally recommend however that you train for 2-3 months in advance of your departure date and some of the activities you can do is walking or hiking, running or even better running on a treadmill at incline.
Alternatively swimming is a great choice too. Typically you should be doing at least one or a combination of these activities for an hour each time and roughly 3-4 times a week in the lead up to your trek in Nepal.
Will somebody come to pick me up at the airport upon my arrival? +
Yes, one of our staff members will be waiting at the airport with a signboard ready to collect you once you arrive and from there we will transfer you by private vehicle to the hotel.
What are the types of accommodation can I expect in Paro, Thimpu and along the Laya Gasa trail? +
In Paro and thimpu, you can expect to stay in a standard room at a 3 star hotel which will include breakfast.
Whilst you are trekking you will be staying in tents within camping grounds. We do however recommend that you bring your own sleeping bag which you can take with you from home or alternatively rent/buy one in Paro before you go trekking. At the camp grounds, we will provide you with a selection of food and sometimes this will be eaten around a warm fire in a group setting.
When are the best seasons to go on this trek? +
The best times to go trekking in this region are from March-May and then from September-November each year.
Do we book our international flights and Druk air flights? +
Yes, you will need to book your own international flights between your hometown and Nepal. Himalayan Steps is a local tour operator and if the international flights were included, the cost for our tours would be substantially higher.
You will need to fly with Druk Air as this is the only airline that flies into Bhutan.
What is your cancellation policy? +
If you want to cancel your reserved tour, we may refund your fee payable to us minus a $150 cancellation fee (5000 INR for Indian Nationals). Himalayan Steps will not accept refunds for flights if we already booked your flight. In some cases we may reschedule your trip at no cost or with some cost if you provide us with 7 days advance notice.
We will not give any refunds if you finish the trekking earlier or later, or cancel your tour for medical or personal reason while trekking.
