Bhutan - Laya Gasa Trek

  Bhutan

Paro

Dates: Private Departures only

Description: Imagine a capital city that has no traffic lights and the river it surrounds offers crystal clear water to the last pebble resting in its depths, where plastics are banned or a city where cyclists are requested to dismount & walk through the town in respect for pedestrians. Unheard of? Well that's Bhutan.

On this high altitude trail, you will see animals such as blue sheep, deer and many different birds. You will also learn about the lifestyle of the nomadic people who are mainly dependent on yaks for their livelihood - a very different culture. If you are interested in medicinal herbs you will find lots of them on the trail.

Do you share our interest in people, mountains and water? If so trek with us in the most beautiful locations of Bhutan.

Highlights: Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Paro by Druk-Air from Kathmandu / Bangkok / Delhi.   Transfer to your hotel. Relax.

Day 2 Morning : Visit Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16 Kms. north of Paro town). Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Mount Chomolhari 'Mountain Goddess' can be seen on a clear day (7,329m / 24,029ft.). On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse.

Visit the Rinchen Pong Dzong. This massive fortress is located on a hill just above the Paro river (Pachu). You have to walk for about 15 minutes, crossing an ancient wooden bridge built in typical Bhutanese style. The Dzong which was built in 1645, houses the district administration office and the district monastical body.

Lunch in the Hotel. After lunch, visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). This was actually the watch tower of the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. Visit Kyichu lhakhang (lhakhang means monastery). Kyichu Lhakhang was built in 659 by the King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet as one of 108 monasteries which he built in various places to spread Buddhism. It is located between Paro Town and Drugyal Dzong. It is one of the holiest places in Bhutan as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country.

Evening : Reception with cultural show. Overnight in hotel.

Day 3 Trek begins - Paro - Shana    Drive up to Drugyal Dzong where the road ends and start the trek by following the river gently uphill through a narrowing valley of rice fields. You will find plenty of traditional farmhouses in a rural setting. The camp site is just beyond an army outpost. Alt. 2800m, Distance - 17 km. 5-6 hours.

Day 4   Shana - Soe Thangthangkha Continue uphill through the river valley which narrows after some distance. Most of the trail actually is down hill after the initial climb. The camp site is located in a meadow with stone shelter. 3400m, distance 15 km. 4-5 hours.

Day 5   Soe Thangthangkha ' Jangothang    Walk along the Pachu (Paro river), pass a small army outpost where the valley begins to widen again. You can now clearly view the high ridges and the snow-capped mountains all around. You are now really in mountain country and you will see the yaks and the yak herders winter homes as you continue. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Chomolhari. 4040m. Distance 19 km and time 5-6 hours.

Day 6   Jangothang - Lingshi    Walk up toward the pass through a wide pasture, where you may find some yak herders in their tents. As you come down from the pass to the Lingshi basin, you will see some beautiful views of the Lingshi Dzong and the valley and also Khang Bum (6494m) and her glaciers at the north end of the valley. Camp in a stone shelter with a built-in fire pit or in the tent. 4150m. Distance 19 km. Time 5-6 hours.

Day 7   Lingshi ' Chebisa    Today is the shortest walking day and you can really take it easy. On reaching the camp site at Chebisa, you can visit the village if you feel up to it. 3850m. Distance 12 km. Time 3-4 hours.

Day 8   Chebisa - Shomuthang    You walk through a wide pasture towards Gobu La (pass). On the way, you will probably see some people herding the yaks. After crossing the Gobu La (4350m) descend to the valley floor. The camp site is on a plateau above the river which is a tributary of the Nochu river. 4260. Distance 17 km. Time 5-6 hours.

Day 9   Shomuthang - Robluthang   After crossing the Jare La (4600m) you come down to Tsarijathang valley where you can normally see herds of takins. (Jason and the Argonauts may well have been seeking the long, shaggy coat of the takin, which can be golden in colour. Takins appear much like oxen, with strong legs, broad round hooves and impressive horns. Their coat is dense and shaggy, with a stripe along the back. Coat colour varies from whitish-yellow, reddish-gray, darker brown or gold). Camp at Tsarijathang. 4390m. Distance 15 km. Time 6-7 hours.

Day 10   Robluthang - Lemithang   After crossing the Shinge La (4900m), you drop down and follow the valley for a while. Lemithang is in Laya district and you will see people dressed in typical Laya costume with long pointed bamboo hats on their head. Camp at Lemithang. 4140m. Distance 19 km. Time 6-7 hours. If you have time, it would be advisable to spend a day here exploring the valley and meeting the people who have a different and unique culture.

Day 11   Lemithang ' Laya   Today, you walk downhill along a narrow winding river valley. The trail leads to the west side of Laya village. Camp is on a high flat plateau above the village. 3850m. Distance 10 km. Time 3-4 hours.

Day 12   Halt in Laya for rest and to explore the village.

Day 13   Laya - Koena   The trail winds up and down along the river valley avoiding natural obstacles and affording breath-taking views of the crashing river, feeder streams and water falls. Camp 3800m. Distance 19 km. Time 6-7 hours.

Day 14   Koena - Gasa   You cross the Babe La (3740m), after which the trail is downhill till you reach the camp site which is close to Gasa Dzong. 2900m. Distance 17 km. Time 6-7 hours.

Day 15   Gasa - Gasa Tsachu (hot spring)   After a late breakfast, trek to Gasa Tsachu. After lunch relax in the hot spring. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan. Camp at Gasa Tsachu.   A very very easy day.

Day 16   Gasa Tsachu - Geon Damji   After a short climb, the trail winds through rolling hills and then pine and oak forests, villages and wheat fields. You will also see a beautiful view of the Gasa Dzong, which appears to float in space above the valley wall. Camp. 2280m. Distance 21 km. Time 6-7 hours.

Day 17   Geon Damji ' Tashithang   The trail descends from the high agricultural benches above the Mochu (Chu means River ) into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees, creepers and various tropical vegetation. You will also see monkeys and few other animals occasionally.Camp at Tashithang. Alt. 1700m. Distance 17 km. Time 6-7 Hr.

Day 18   Tashithang - Khuruthang    After a short walk to the road, then we drive down to Punakha valley. Stop at Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong. Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Dzong lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means ' Male River and Female River '. It was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan in 1637 AD and is one of the most important and historical Dzongs in Bhutan. In the Dzong are kept the sacred remains of Pema Lingpa and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong now houses the District Administration office and the winter residence of the state Monastic Body and its Chief Abbot. Lunch in Punakha. After lunch, drive to Thimphu . 77 km. Time approx. 3 Hr. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 19   Sight seeing in Thimphu    Visit the Memorial Chorten ( a huge stupa ) built in memory of the third king of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Wood Craft and Painting school where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Visit Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan (built in 1629 AD). It houses the largest monastic schools in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the throne room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the Senior monks.

Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu. Evening: Relax at the modern health club and beauty parlour 'Sakten Health Club and Salon' where sauna, steam, gym (with fairly modern equipment), beauty treatment including hair dressing, skin care (with pure herbal products) and body massage are available. For clients of Muir's Tours, the Health Club facilities are free.

Day 20   Drive to Dechenchholing 6 km from Thimphu town to view the Queen Mother's Palace from the outside. (You can take pictures of the Palace and the Dechenchholing Monastery from the outside only). Drive back to Thimphu and take a stroll in the market. After lunch, drive to Paro. 65 km. Time 2 Hr drive. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 21   Drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 km from Paro town) and from there walk up to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means ' Tiger's Nest '. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated in the spot where the Monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 4 Hr.

Day - 22 Drive to Paro Airport.

You can book as an individual, even if you wish to be in a group of 3 or more. The final price you pay will depend upon the ultimate size of the group.

Cost in US$: From $3760

Participants Travel to Bhutan Independently

Post Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Nepal Kingdom Foundation & Muirs Tours's Mission Statement: The Nepal Kingdom Foundation was established in 1982 to develop community spirit and preserve the culture and traditions of the Nepalese people in the UK. In 1999 the objectives were extended to include development projects in Nepal to help the needy of one of the world's poorest countries. The not-for-profit tour operation - Muirs Tours was set up in July 1999 by the Nepal Kingdom Foundation as a means of raising funds for use in projects in Nepal and the Nepalese Community in the UK. From the outset Muirs Tours planned to provide trips to other places outside of Nepal and support to other charities. It currently supports the WWF, the John Muir Trust, Tourism Concern, Survival International, the Tibetan Government in exile, the American Indian Heritage Foundation as well as the Nepal Kingdom Foundation.

Year Founded: 1982 & 1999