Laya Gasa Trek: 18-Day Layap Culture & Hot Springs Adventure

Paro is the only international airport in Bhutan with a beautiful landscape. The valley serves the purpose of International arrivals daily. It is also the starting point of popular trekking in Bhutan, like Drukpath Trek, and the Jumolhari Trek. The flight to Paro Airport is one of the most magnificent experiences one can witness as it flows between a narrow valley toward the small strip of Paro Airport. Upon arrival, our team from Tour Bhutan will greet you with a white scarf and brief you about the trekking program, and overnight at the Hotel.

Before you begin your trek in Bhutan we make sure that you acclimatize to the weather of Bhutan and today is the day to go around Paro town to adjust yourself to the altitude. The day begins with a visit to Drugyel Dzong beautifully located at the base of mighty Jumolhari Mountain.

On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang which was built in 659 by the Tibetan King Srongsen Gampo. Visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in the valley. The evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district.

Your trekking holidays will not be complete if you do not hike the famous tiger nest temple at Paro. The temple is one of the most popular sights in Bhutan, and it is visited by thousands of tourists daily. Built in 1600, it incredibly clings to the edge of a rock cliff that plunges 900m above Paro Valley.

The hike to the temple from the base camp takes 5 hours through the beautiful pine forest. In the afternoon walk around Paro town. Get enough rest and prepare for the Laya Gasa Trek.

The trail follows the river through a densely forested area with a few isolated farmhouses. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. We pass a junction en route, where another path leads north over the Tremo La to Tibet. Camp near the meadow with a stone shelter.

In the morning after passing a small army post, the trail slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs to a beautiful valley, passing Tegethang, the winter home for yak herdsmen. Lunch will be served in one of these huts. You will be seeing lots of yaks on the way before we arrive at the Jhomolhari base camp (4,115 m). High mountains overlooking the camp and visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invaders.

A rest day. Acclimatize yourself and take walk up to the Jhomolhari glacier or to the lakes in the opposite direction.

Today you’ll experience the spectacular views of Mt.Jhomolhari, Mt.Jichu Drake, and the Tserim Gang. We start climbing straight away and after some 3 to 4-hour walk, we reach the Nyelela pass (4,700 m). After the pass, we descend to a circular hut just below Lingshi village, where we camp. Coming down from Lingshi we obtain our first view of the truly mystical Dzong on top of a high hill.

A magical day. Leaving Lingshi behind we climb gently to reach another delightful village, Gom Yu, which is located right below a 300 m cliff. A few hours’ walk brings us to a lovely little valley with a huge waterfall at one end of the Shangri La village of Chebisa, where we camp by the side of the river. The walk is very leisurely with plenty of reasons and opportunities to linger.

We start the day with a quite stiff climb through high pastures up the Gokula pass (4,320 m) before we drop through the forests of dwarf rhododendron. We climb gradually and head down to the camp near a riverbed.

A long haul over the Jarela passes at 4,640 m where we once again get stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains. We drop steeply through the forested trail to Tsarigathang Valley, where herds of Takin are found, then cross a knee-deep river before climbing up Robluthang where we camp.

This is one of the hardest days of the trek. We climb slowly up to Shinchela’s Pass at 4,870 m. rewarding with stunning views of mountains, including the spectacular Gang Chen Ta at the head of the valley. On a clear day, practically all the mountains on the northern border are visible. Eagles, griffin vultures, blue sheep, and yaks are abundant in this area. We descend down to our camp on a lovely spot by the riverbank.

We walk along the river, one of the tributaries of the Mochu, and through the forest, full of rhododendrons and silver fir, and then enter the village of Layups. The people of Laya are famous for their vertical stripe yak hair clothing and their strange conical bamboo hats. The women wear their hair long and with a great deal of turquoise and jade jewelry. The features of the people are even more Tibetan/ Mongolian than the Bhutanese who live in the central valleys. The rest of the day is spent in leisure or visiting the village houses and mixing with the villagers. Good views of the Masagang and the other peaks.

We rest today at Laya and have an opportunity to meet with the local people in the area.Laya Village, nestled in the Bhutanese Himalayas, is renowned for its unique culture and stunning landscapes. Home to the Layap people, known for their distinctive attire and customs, the village offers a glimpse into traditional Bhutanese life amidst breathtaking mountain scenery.

From Laya to Taksimakhang is about 1 hour downhill walk. The road point have reached the army sights. From there our team will receive you and drive you to Gasa Hots spring for relaxing bath.

Enjoy your day at Gasa Hots Spring. Visit Tashthongmen Dzong also called Gasa Dzong.

Drive to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong. Enjoy evening high Tea at the Luxury Amankora Hotel. Visit the longest suspension bridge if time permits. It's on the way to Punakha while coming from Gasa. The bridge connects two villages with Punakha Dzong. Overnight at Zhingkham Resorts.

Punakha is still the winter residence of his holiness the Je-Khenpo. After lunch, drive to Thimphu. En route to visit Chimi Lhakhang also called the Temple of Fertility built by Lama Drukpa Kinley in the 17th century. Lunch at Dochula Pass. After lunch, drive to Thimphu. On arrival, Dinner, and overnight in the Hotel. You can also attend Punakha Festival if you visit in early spring.

Breakfast in the hotel then drives to the airport for the flight to your onward destination. Tashi Delek! Best wishes!