Laya/Gasa Trek

		20-Day Laya/Gasa Trek. Level: Strenuous High-season cost (Jan. to June and Sept. to Dec.) Individual travelers: $4380 2 people in a group: $4190/person 3 or more people in a group: $3620/person Trekking level: The Laya Gasa trek is strenuous as far as endurance, so you must be in good physical condition. Technical experience is not necessary, but you should be fit enough to hike for 6 to 8 hours over up-and-down terrain, carrying a small daypack. The cost includes the Bhutan government tariff, surcharge, all accommodations, meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner), a licensed English-speaking guide, and a driver and vehicle. On the trek, most major supplies will be provided: 2-person sleeping tent, sleeping bag, toilet tent, dinning tent, kitchen tent, sleeping pad, cooking staff, pack animals (horses) for carrying luggage and supplies. The cost does not include Druk Air fare, a visa fee of US$20, airport tax, alcohol, gifts/souvenirs, or travel insurance. Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrive Paro international airport During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you'll hike to Taktsang Monastery, which is perched on a cliff 900 meters above Paro valley. It is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. It is said that Guru Rinpoche flew to the site of this monastery on the back of a tigress and meditated there for three months. In the afternoon you and explore the Paro town. Overnight in Paro Day 2: Trek Begins. Paro - Shana (distance 17km, time 5-6 hours) You'll begin the day by driving up to Drugyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), where the road ends. You'll visit the dzong, which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. The trek begins, following the Paro river gently uphill through rice paddy terraces, apple orchards, and forest, passing the village houses. Overnight at camp. Altitude 2,800m. Day 3: Shana - Soi Thangthangkha (distance 22km, time 6-7 hours) The trail continues to gradually climb along the side of the Paro river. The valley narrows and closes, and the path then winds along the stream. This day's trek is not difficult, but it is long, and there are many short ups and downs. Nearby where you will stop for lunch you can see the route to Tremo La, which is paved in stone and served as the main trade route to the Phari Dzong in Tibet. It was also the main invasion route of the Tibetans ages ago. The camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter. On a clear day you will see Jumolhari Mountain. Overnight at camp. Altitude 3,630m. Day 4: Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang (distance 19km, time 5-6 hours) This day's trek is not long, but there is an altitude gain of 450m. The path continues up the Paro river, past a small army post, where the valley begins to widen again. Here you will have a view of the high ridges and snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas. You may see the winter homes of the yak herders, as well as some yaks. Along the way there is a village, where you can visit the yak herders and share a cup of yak butter tea with them. You can also buy yak cheese--"chugo"--which is a dried cheese. The camp is below a ruined fortress at the base of Jumolhari, and it is one of the most beautiful camps in Bhutan. Altitude 4,090m. Day 5: Jangothang halt Today is a day of acclimatization. You may choose from four day hikes: a 3- to 4-hour hike up to a ridge that gives a good view of Jichu Drake; a hike up to the head of the valley, toward Jumolhari; a trek up the main valley toward Jichu Drake; or a hike to Tsophu for fishing. Or you can relax at the camp. Altitude 4,090m. Day 6: Jangothang - Lingshi (distance 18km, time 5-6 hours) This day's trek will take you over Nyile La (pass), which is at 4,890m. It tends to be windy at the pass. You can see yak pastures on the way. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter some nomads. You will have a great view of Lingshi Dzong further along the trail. It's also possible to see blue sheep and musk deer. Tserim Gang Mountain and glaciers are at the north end of the Lingshi valley. Overnight at camp. Altitude 4,010m. Day 7: Lingshi - Chebisa (distance 10km, time 5-6 hours) Today is an easy walking day, and much of the trail is level. Flowers and medicinal herbs cover the hillsides. On the way you will pass through the village of Goyak, which is surrounded by barley fields. The camp is in the valley of Chebisa, and you can visit the village houses if you wish. Altitude 3,880m. Day 8: Chebisa - Shomuthang (distance 17km, time 6-7 hours) You will begin the hike with a steep ascent to Gombu La (pass) at 4,440m. On the way, you will likely spot yak herders, blue sheep, and vultures. After crossing Gombu La you will descend to a valley filled with rhododendron. Several more ups and downs will eventually take you to the camp by the river. Altitude 4,220m. Day 9: Shomuthang - Robluthang (distance 18km, time 6-7 hours) This day's hike is little strenuous, and you will begin the trek early. You will cross Jhari La (pass) at 4,747m about two hours into the trek, and from here you can see snow-capped mountains in the distance. You will descend from the desolate Jhari La to the forested valley of Tsherijathang, where you may see herds of takins, depending on the time of year. This is a protected area for the takin. Camp at Robluthang. Altitude 4,160m. Day 10: Robluthang - Limithang (distance 19km, time 6-7 hours) This is a challenging day with steep climbs and descents and high altitudes. You will cross the highest pass on the trek--Sinche La at 5,005m--about five hours into the trek. You will eventually descend to the camp at Limithang. Altitude 4,140m. Day 11: Limithang - Laya (distance 10km, time 4-5 hours) Today's trek includes several short ups and downs, and you will traverse a heavily forested valley. The trail leads to the village of Laya. You will see people dressed in the typical Laya costume, with long pointed bamboo hats on their heads. Camp in Laya village. Altitude 3,840m. Day 12: Laya halt You can explore the small Layap community of slightly more than 800 people who live in the northern borders of the country. This area has been isolated and untouched by modern civilization for decades. The yak is an important source of income for the Layaps. Yaks are used to plow the fields, and they are a source of meat, diary products, and hair for mattresses, blankets, and other items. The main means of support for the Layaps is trade, though cash trade has now replaced the barter system. The Layaps acquire goods from China--such as blankets, rugs, plates/cups, thermoses, shoes, and clothes--and sell them in Punakha. They also sell homemade butter and cheese, along with cordyceps harvested in Laya. Day 13: Laya - Koena (distance 19km, time 6-7 hours) The trail winds up and down along the river valley, through deep forests. You will have breathtaking views of the rushing river. Camp at Koena. Altitude 3,050m. Day 14: Koena - Gasa (distance 14km, time 6-7 hours) During this day's trek, you will cross one small pass--Bari La--at 3,900m. At one point you will go through a bamboo forest. After the pass, the trail is mostly downhill until you reach the camp site in Gasa. Altitude 2,770m. Day 15: Gasa halt Today you can explore Gasa. You can visit the dzong and relax in the Gasa Tsachu (hot spring), which is a soothing relief after all the trekking. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan. Camp at Gasa. Altitude 2,770m. Day 16: Gasa - Geon Damji (distance 18km, time 5-6 hours) The trail has several ups and downs but nothing substantially steep. You will have a beautiful view of the Gasa Dzong and the snow peaks near Laya. The trail drops into a subtropical ravine filled with fern and trees before crossing a suspension bridge above a deep gorge. Camp at Geon Damji. Altitude 2,430m. Day 17: Trek Ends. Geon Damji - Punakha (distance 16km, time 5 hours) The trail makes a long descent to the river, and you may see monkeys along this portion of the trail. The hike will take you through lush subtropical vegetation, including banana trees, creepers, and orchids. The trail ends at the road in Tashithang. You will be met by your driver and driven to your hotel in Punakha. If you wish, you can visit the Punakha Dzong on the way. Overnight in Punakha. Day 18: Punakha - Thimphu After breakfast you will drive to Thimphu. In the afternoon you will visit the National Library (where ancient manuscripts are preserved), the School of Arts and Crafts, the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Changgangkha Monastery, a traditional paper factory, and the zoo. You will also visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972) and the majestic Tashichodzong and explore the interesting handicraft shops. Overnight in Thimphu. Day 19: Thimphu - Paro After breakfast you will visit the Textile Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum in Thimphu. In the afternoon you will drive to Paro and en route visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in Bhutan. In the evening you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner. Overnight in Paro.