Trip Overview

Gasa Laya is an amazing destination for trekking as it is situated on the border of Tibet, seeking attention of the trekkers across the world. This destination is one of the favorites of the adventurists as it is one of the longest-distance treks in Bhutan. The place is blessed with amazing physical features such as snow-laden peaks, moving rivers, sky-touching waterfalls, and ethnic hamlets. The trek begins from the Drukgyel in Paro which lets you witness the beautiful, panoramic scenarios of alpine meadows, rhododendron forests and astonishing mountains such as Mount Jhomolari, Tsherimgang, and Jichu Drake. 

Highlights 

  • A chance to be a part of one of the longest treks in Bhutan 
  • Mesmerizing views of Jichu Drake, Mount Jhomolari and Tsherimgang
  • Visit the isolated and ethnic villages of Chebisa and Laya
  • Check out the wildlife as you would come across blue sheep and Takins
  • A peep into the Bhutanese Landscape, custom, and culture

Itinerary

Day 1As soon as you reach Paro International Airport, you would be welcomed by our representatives and tour guide. Then, with them, you can go to the decided hotel in Paro. Then, drive to the historic monument Drukgyel Dzong, built by Zhabdrung in 17TH Century. Witness the sky-touching peaks of the sacred Mount Jamolhari (7315m). Then, drive back to Paro, and then visit the famous 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang which is one of 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Stay Overnight in Paro. 

Day 2As soon as you are done, start your hike to Taktsang, which is also known as Tiger’s Nest. Now, move towards the magical monastery which clings to approx 3000 ft. above the Paro Valley. You would be served lunch in the Taktsang Cafeteria restaurant. Stay Overnight at Paro.

Day 3The Trek begins from Drukgyel Dzong, which is a historical fort and then trail ascent towards beautiful rice terraces and millets. Then, you would come across the wonderful apple orchards and forests. Then, you would reach Gunitsawa which is a military camp, where the permits of the trek are produced. Now, move upwards beyond the Sharma Zampa, which is a great camping place. Stay overnight at camping. 

Day 4The trail comes along the Pa Chu River, amidst the forested area, ethnic hamlets and farmhouses. When you start moving upwards, the valley gets narrower and steeper. After crossing the bridge, stop for lunch. Now, trek along the river, climb upwards towards the rhododendron and then after crossing the river, you reach your campsite. Spend your night at a camp. 

Day 5: The trekking trail ascends while you reach the army camp. Following the river, enjoy the stunning views of the forests and rivers. At Yak Herder’s Camp, you would be served hot and delicious lunch. A short walk to the valley and then to the campsites at Jangothang (4040m) and then from this point, witness the panoramic views of Jhomolhari and Jichu Drake. Stay overnight in a camp. 

Day 6 : Now, you would start climbing up to the first ridge and then get amazed by the outstanding views of the Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail passes by the beautiful valley leading you to Nyili La Pass. Then, descend gradually to your campsite at Lingshi. 

Day 7: Now, you would come across the astonishing scenes of green hills, flaccid rivers, and snow-clad peaks, as the trail would take you to Lingshi Dzong. Then, after an hour from Lingshi, passing by prayer flags, cairn, you would reach Gayul. Then, as soon as you leave this village, the trail takes you to Chebisa village. Stay overnight at campsite. 

Day 8: Approximately four hours trek to the Gombu-La and then descends through rhododendron forests and stream at 4170m. The trail climbs over a small ridge, which would take you to cedar woods and then to Shakshepasa and then stay in a camp. 

Day 9:The trek begins by hiking to the Jari-La-Pass and then descends to Tasharijathang Valley. Camp at Tsheri Jathang Valley which is a special Takin sanctuary. 

Day 10:Trek ascends towards the long climb to Shinje-La-Pass which is at 4,900m, which is also the highest pass on the trek. After this, descend to the Limithang (4,140) which is an amazing campsite in a huge meadow. 

Day 11:Wake up in the morning, and check out the mesmerizing views of Gangchenta Peak which is just in front of our camp. Your trek to Laya would be amazingly beautiful as traversing amidst the woods, mountains, and rivers. On arrival at Laya Village, camp setting. This village is the second highest settlement in the country at an altitude of 3,800m. 

Day 12: On this day, you can around the Laya village and relax.

Day 13:Descending from Laya Village, towards the army camp which is at the side of Mo Chu River. Then, walk along the riverside, till you reach the bridge. On your way, you can check out the beautiful scenarios of Masang Gang Peak and then camping at Koina. 

Day 14:Start your trek to Bele-La Pass, downhill towards the Gasa Tshachu. After lunch, visit the beautiful Gasa Village and Gasa Dzong descending towards the hot spring at Gasa Tshachu and then camp there only. 

Day 15: Get up and then spend some time enjoying a hot bath and after that, try local beer. Then, hike to the roadside where the Bhutan Tour and Trek vehicles would be waiting for you. Stay Overnight at Punakha. 

Day 16:Visit the ancient Punakha Dzong, which is at the juncture of Po Chu and Mo Chu Rivers. This historic place presents a picturesque beauty of the art and craft of Bhutanese. After lunch, a short walk traversing the rice paddy fields to the beautiful Chimi Lhakhang which is the temple of fertility.

Day 17: Drive to the world’s smallest capital, Thimphu via Dochu-La-Pass. Witness the stunning views of black mountain range, at Dochu La. Then Visit the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang. After you are done with your lunch, spend your afternoon, at leisure. Overnight stay at Thimphu. 

Day 18: Spend time sightseeing at Thimphu, and then afternoon drive to Paro for night stay. There only, the Bhutan Tour and Trek will conduct a cultural function to entertain the guests by cultural dance troop and then farewell dinner. 

Day 19: The guests will be bid farewell at the exit gate by our representatives.

Included

  • Private Guide for Tour 
  • Visa for Bhutan 
  • All meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • A licensed and cooperating English-speaking guide
  • Experienced and Knowledgeable driver of the routes
  • Internal taxes and charges which includes royalty
  • Accommodation facilities : 3 start hotel 
  • 4 and 5 star only on additional premium
  • All Internal transport facility (excluding internal flights)
  • Equipments of camping, and haulage for trek

Excluded

  • Facility of flight on other airlines to catch Drukair flight
  • Accommodation outside Bhutan
  • Travel insurance could be arranged by us
  • Tips for driver and guide
  • Alcohol
  • Personal expenditure

Good to Know

The best time to visit this beautiful land is in between April to June and then from September to November. The timing from September to November is best to witness the alluring scenarios of Jhomolari Mountain and the various other landscapes. 

Itinerary

Day 1As soon as you reach Paro International Airport, you would be welcomed by our representatives and tour guide. Then, with them, you can go to the decided hotel in Paro. Then, drive to the historic monument Drukgyel Dzong, built by Zhabdrung in 17TH Century. Witness the sky-touching peaks of the sacred Mount Jamolhari (7315m). Then, drive back to Paro, and then visit the famous 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang which is one of 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Stay Overnight in Paro. 

Day 2As soon as you are done, start your hike to Taktsang, which is also known as Tiger’s Nest. Now, move towards the magical monastery which clings to approx 3000 ft. above the Paro Valley. You would be served lunch in the Taktsang Cafeteria restaurant. Stay Overnight at Paro.

Day 3The Trek begins from Drukgyel Dzong, which is a historical fort and then trail ascent towards beautiful rice terraces and millets. Then, you would come across the wonderful apple orchards and forests. Then, you would reach Gunitsawa which is a military camp, where the permits of the trek are produced. Now, move upwards beyond the Sharma Zampa, which is a great camping place. Stay overnight at camping. 

Day 4The trail comes along the Pa Chu River, amidst the forested area, ethnic hamlets and farmhouses. When you start moving upwards, the valley gets narrower and steeper. After crossing the bridge, stop for lunch. Now, trek along the river, climb upwards towards the rhododendron and then after crossing the river, you reach your campsite. Spend your night at a camp. 

Day 5: The trekking trail ascends while you reach the army camp. Following the river, enjoy the stunning views of the forests and rivers. At Yak Herder’s Camp, you would be served hot and delicious lunch. A short walk to the valley and then to the campsites at Jangothang (4040m) and then from this point, witness the panoramic views of Jhomolhari and Jichu Drake. Stay overnight in a camp. 

Day 6 : Now, you would start climbing up to the first ridge and then get amazed by the outstanding views of the Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail passes by the beautiful valley leading you to Nyili La Pass. Then, descend gradually to your campsite at Lingshi. 

Day 7: Now, you would come across the astonishing scenes of green hills, flaccid rivers, and snow-clad peaks, as the trail would take you to Lingshi Dzong. Then, after an hour from Lingshi, passing by prayer flags, cairn, you would reach Gayul. Then, as soon as you leave this village, the trail takes you to Chebisa village. Stay overnight at campsite. 

Day 8: Approximately four hours trek to the Gombu-La and then descends through rhododendron forests and stream at 4170m. The trail climbs over a small ridge, which would take you to cedar woods and then to Shakshepasa and then stay in a camp. 

Day 9:The trek begins by hiking to the Jari-La-Pass and then descends to Tasharijathang Valley. Camp at Tsheri Jathang Valley which is a special Takin sanctuary. 

Day 10:Trek ascends towards the long climb to Shinje-La-Pass which is at 4,900m, which is also the highest pass on the trek. After this, descend to the Limithang (4,140) which is an amazing campsite in a huge meadow. 

Day 11:Wake up in the morning, and check out the mesmerizing views of Gangchenta Peak which is just in front of our camp. Your trek to Laya would be amazingly beautiful as traversing amidst the woods, mountains, and rivers. On arrival at Laya Village, camp setting. This village is the second highest settlement in the country at an altitude of 3,800m. 

Day 12: On this day, you can around the Laya village and relax.

Day 13:Descending from Laya Village, towards the army camp which is at the side of Mo Chu River. Then, walk along the riverside, till you reach the bridge. On your way, you can check out the beautiful scenarios of Masang Gang Peak and then camping at Koina. 

Day 14:Start your trek to Bele-La Pass, downhill towards the Gasa Tshachu. After lunch, visit the beautiful Gasa Village and Gasa Dzong descending towards the hot spring at Gasa Tshachu and then camp there only. 

Day 15: Get up and then spend some time enjoying a hot bath and after that, try local beer. Then, hike to the roadside where the Bhutan Tour and Trek vehicles would be waiting for you. Stay Overnight at Punakha. 

Day 16:Visit the ancient Punakha Dzong, which is at the juncture of Po Chu and Mo Chu Rivers. This historic place presents a picturesque beauty of the art and craft of Bhutanese. After lunch, a short walk traversing the rice paddy fields to the beautiful Chimi Lhakhang which is the temple of fertility.

Day 17: Drive to the world’s smallest capital, Thimphu via Dochu-La-Pass. Witness the stunning views of black mountain range, at Dochu La. Then Visit the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang. After you are done with your lunch, spend your afternoon, at leisure. Overnight stay at Thimphu. 

Day 18: Spend time sightseeing at Thimphu, and then afternoon drive to Paro for night stay. There only, the Bhutan Tour and Trek will conduct a cultural function to entertain the guests by cultural dance troop and then farewell dinner. 

Day 19: The guests will be bid farewell at the exit gate by our representatives.

Included

  • Private Guide for Tour 
  • Visa for Bhutan 
  • All meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • A licensed and cooperating English-speaking guide
  • Experienced and Knowledgeable driver of the routes
  • Internal taxes and charges which includes royalty
  • Accommodation facilities : 3 start hotel 
  • 4 and 5 star only on additional premium
  • All Internal transport facility (excluding internal flights)
  • Equipments of camping, and haulage for trek

Excluded

  • Facility of flight on other airlines to catch Drukair flight
  • Accommodation outside Bhutan
  • Travel insurance could be arranged by us
  • Tips for driver and guide
  • Alcohol
  • Personal expenditure

Good to Know

The best time to visit this beautiful land is in between April to June and then from September to November. The timing from September to November is best to witness the alluring scenarios of Jhomolari Mountain and the various other landscapes.