Laya Gasa Trek

Paro

After the visa formalities and baggage collection at the airport, you will be met by a representative from White Umbrella, who will take you to your hotel on your way through the Paro Valley and will also take care of the check-in. If your flight arrives at lunchtime, after a refreshment, we will offer you a short excursion to explore the area, otherwise you can relax in the hotel and rest if desired.

Overnight in Paro.

(Altitude Paro: 2,300 m)

Taktsang monastery

We walk to the famous hermitage "Taktsang", which was built on a steep rocky outcrop several hundred meters above the Paro valley. According to legend, the Tibetan Buddhist master Padmasambhava flew on the back of a tigress over the mountain ranges of the Himalayas in the 8th century, thus bringing Buddhism to Bhutan.

The trail up to the monastery leads through a beautiful pine forest and occasionally we pass groves full of waving prayer flags. Taktsang is one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Bhutan. So it does not surprise you that many monks and hermits decide again and again to stay here for the rest of their lives in meditation.
On the way back we will follow another path through original oak and rhododendron forests on soft, mossy ground.

Overnight in Paro.

Gunetshawa - Shana Zampa

Distance: 17 km, Duration: 5-6 hours
From your hotel, 12 km north of Paro, we drive to the historic ruins of Drukgyel Dzong at 2,850 meters, where the starting point of your trekking tour begins. Your trekkingpermit is routinely checked at the military checkpoint. Our campsite (2,850 m) is located near the village of Shana Zampa on the opposite side of a river in a beautiful meadow and is surrounded by trees.

Shana Zampa - Soi Thangthangkha

Distance: 22 km, duration: 7 - 8 hours
The trekking route gradually climbs along Pa Chhu (Paro River) through oak, rhododendron and fern forests, offering breathtaking views of Bhutan's natural landscape. Our campground (3,630 m) also offers an excellent view and the gentle sound of the river relaxes after the ascent.

Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang

Distance: 19 km, Duration: 6 - 7 hours
Today's trek leads to a beautiful landscape of summer pastures where yaks graze, offering to the shepherd families a rich work of cheese, butter, meat and water-repellent hair traditionally used in the manufacture of tents, hats and blankets.
The climb to the Jangothang tent camp (4,090 m) is framed by painted prayer walls, reliquaries and prayer flags fluttering in the wind, offering spectacular views of Jomolhari snow mountain (7,314 m).

Jangothang - Lingshi

Distance: 18 km, duration: 6 - 7 hours
A 10-minute walk from Jangothang, we have a breathtaking view of Jichu Drake (6,989 m) and further away Tserim Kang (6,789 m). The final effort on this leg is Nyile la Pass (4,890m), which can be reached in about four hours from Jangothang. The trail later crosses a tributary of the Mo Chhu River and gradually descends to the campsite in Lingshi (4,010 m).

Lingshi - Chebesa

Distance: 10 km, duration: 5 hours
We continue today to Lingshi Dzong, built on a hilltop, built in the 17th century. We have an impressive view of green mountain slopes, the winding river and majestic mountain peaks. One hour from Lingshi, our path leads up to Buddhist stone clusters and prayer flags onto a ridge 4,140 meters high. We made the ascent to the longer descent to the contemplative settlement of Gayul (3,870m). After leaving the village, after another short ascent and descent we reach the impressive Chebesa Valley. Our campground is located there on an alpine meadow at 3,880 meters altitude.

Chebesa - Shomuthang

Distance: 17 km, duration: 7 hours
Today's trek leads to Gombu la pass (4,500 m) and then descends along rhododendron bushes to about 4,170 m. We cross a small ridge and the road to the main valley of Jholethang Chu passes through cedar forests, through a dense forest of firs and birches we reach the village of Shakshepasa (3,980 m). On this route we encounter the settlements of several Yakhirts. Our campground is located in Shomuthang (4,200 m).

Shomuthang - Robluthang

Distance: 18 km, duration: 6 - 7 hours
The trek begins today with a climb to the Jari la pass (4,700 m) and then back down to the Tsheri Jathang valley, the summer resting place of the rare himalayan takin. Our camp is located in this valley, which is designated as a special protection area for the Takin.

Robluthang - Limithang

Distance: 19 km, duration: 7 hours
Today we cross the last and highest pass on our trek, the Shinje la pass at 4,900 meters. He is about five hours away from the camp. The descent leads over a rugged and stony path through a glacier valley to the river Kango Chhu. A short climb through rhododendron and cedar forests, crossed by alpine meadows, then leads to our lovely campground on a beautiful meadow in Limithang (4.140m).

Limithang - Laya

Distance: 10 km, duration: 5 hours
Today's walk is particularly refreshing and impressive with a beautiful mountain landscape and the crossing of mossy forests with a variety of chirping birds.

The village of Laya is the second highest settlement in Bhutan at an altitude of 3,800 m. We have the opportunity to taste local food and macaw (local alcohol) with a local nomad family, to exchange ideas and to talk about their way of life and experiences.

Laya - Koina

Distance: 19 km, Duration: 6 - 7 hours
The trek follows the Mo Chhu downriver all the way to Punakha in West Bhutan. We cross some rivers and tackle several ascents and descents. Also on this way we get some interesting views again, z. B. on the summit of Masang Gang (7,165 m).

Our camp is located in Koina at an altitude of 3,050 meters.

Koina - Gasa Tsachu

Distance: 14 km, duration: 5 - 6 hours
Today's trek starts with the main ascent to Bari la Pass (3,900m), passing through dense fir forests. The descent is partly steep and leads through bamboo groves to a river at 3,080 meters, the lookout point of the monastery fortress of the Gasa Dzongs. We continue to walk above the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park in the direction of Gasa. In the evening we will go to the hot springs, where also many Bhutanese, resident and on holiday, relax in the hot water, so that the opportunity for talks is given.

Gasa Tsachu-Punakha

(4 hours)
From Gasa we need a 20- to 25-minute hike to get to the crossroads, from where you will be taken to a farmhouse in the Punakhatal (1,300 m). We have the opportunity to walk comfortably in the village and to visit a local family. There we will cook dinner together and Ara (local alcohol) will be served during the meal and afterwards.

Punakha Thimphu

In the morning we visit the temple Chimi Lhakhang and the Punakha Dzong. After lunch, we drive to Thimphu and cross the Dochu la pass, from where we have a breathtaking view of the Himalayan mountain range. In the evening, we will visit the Memorial Stupa in Thimphu for a short time to do some pilgrimage together with the locals.

Overnight in Thimphu.

(Altitude Thimphu: 2,400 m)

Thimphu

In the morning we will do a sightseeing tour of Thimphu. First we will visit the National Memorial Chorten again. This Buddhist structure was first inaugurated by the third king to protect against the negative influences of modernity, and to serve as a memorial and admonition to world peace. The royal mother completed the construction as a memorial stupa for her husband, the third king of Bhutan, who died in 1972. We then visit the Changangkha Temple, built in the 12th century, and the Drubthob Monastery, which houses the Zilukha Nunnery.

After lunch we explore Thimphu further: We visit the School of Arts and Crafts, where students can study the 13 Bhutanese arts, the National Library of Bhutan, which has a very large and extensive collection of Bhutanese writings, some of them written down to the 8th. Century back possesses. Afterwards, we visit the Traditional Paper Factory, where we can observe the process of Bhutanese paper making, and we also have the opportunity to see a fascinating copy of a medieval farmhouse in the Folk Heritage Museum.

If your flight leaves in the early morning, we will drive you to Paro in the evening, where you have one more night stay. If your flight leaves after 11.00am you can stay in Thimphu (also to avoid unnecessary unpacking and packing) and we will drive you to Paro Airport in the morning.

Departure

After breakfast we will say goodbye to you at Paro airport.