Laya gasa Trek
Bhutan

It will take approximately 5 hours round-trip at a normal pace. The best advice is to start
early so that the sun doesn’t beat your energy later on, and spend a good amount of time at
the shrine meditating. Some of the reasons for considering the Tiger's Nest as important are
related to a visit of Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. During his second visit, it is
believed that he visited the tiger nest to subdue and tame the local deity called Singay
Smadrup there and turn him into the protector deity of that place.
Overnight stay hotel in Paro

• Altitude -2500
• Estimate time -5 hours
• Distance -15km
• Camp altitude 3850m
Starting from Drukgyel Dzong, the fortress of victory that once
guarded Paro Valley against Tibetan invaders. From there, we will
Drive till Gunitsawa village. This trek begins at Gunitsawa Village, where
you pass the army post. At the army check-point your trek permit
(provided by your tour operator) will be checked and endorsed. The
campsite is on the opposite side of the river, not far from Gunitsawa.

• Altitude -3700
• Estimate time -8 hours
• Distance -15km
• Camp altitude 3850m
It’s a long day of trekking that continues with several ascents and
descents. After an uphill trek through the river valley, the trail narrows
gradually to a mere path and then descends to a meadow. This will be
your campsite at Thangthangkha for the night.

• Altitude -4050m
• Estimate time -4 hours
• Distance -12km
• Camp altitude 3850m
If you have missed viewing Mt. Jomolhari the previous evening, you will
still have a chance to appreciate the view in the early morning. This morning,
The trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley, which widens into patches
of the alpine meadow and scenic beauty.

The rest day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for day
hikes with great views of lakes and snow-capped mountains, such as
Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. There are good chances to spot some
blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley, and by luck, even
spot the elusive snow leopards. Jangothang is a perfect
environment for your acclimatization

• Altitude -4850m
• Estimate time -8 hours
• Distance -18km
• Camp altitude 3850m
The trail leads to a last settlement in the valley and drops to the Paro
Chhu. Passing the lake of Tshophu (4,380m) you will climb up steeply to
Bhonte La pass at 4,890 m, the highest point of this trek route.

• Altitude-4890m
• Distance-12Km
• Estimate time5-6 hours
• Camp altitude 3850m
Shortly after starting, you will reach a Chorten below Lingshi Dzong. Here, you have the
choice of staying on the main trail or taking a detour up to the Lingshi Dzong (4220m), which
sits right atop a high ridge. After Lingshi Dzong, It is an easy day and pleasant walk through
villages and yak herders’ camps. On reaching the campsite at Chebisa, you will have plenty
of time to visit the village houses. There is also a beautiful waterfall located behind the
village that is worth visiting.

• Altitude 4420
• Distance 17Km
• Estimate time 6-7 hours
• Camp altitude 4130m
The morning starts with a long ascent behind Chebisa Village through a wide pastureland
towards Gobu La pass at an altitude of 4420m. On the way, you will see a few people herding
yaks, and you may also see herds of blue sheep now and then. After crossing Gobu La, you
descend into the valley, then climb a little bit again, before descending again to Shakshepasa
(3980m), a large U-shaped valley. Climbing from here, you will finally reach the campsite at
Shomuthang, above a river, which is a tributary of the Nochu River.

• Altitude 4720
• Distance 15Km
• Estimate time 5-6 hours
• Camp altitude 4160m
You begin by climbing up the valley. Edelweiss abounds along the trail. The snow peak you
can see to the southeast is Kang Bum (6526m). After two hours of climbing, you will reach
Jhari La (4750m), from where you catch the first glimpse of Sinche La, the pass you will
have to cross the day after. The big snow peak in the north is Gangchhenta 6840m, better
known as the Great Tiger Mountain. The camp by the river is called Tsheri Jathang, located
in a beautiful, wide, and remote valley. Climb up a little bit, and you will reach the campsite
at Robluthang in a rocky meadow.

• Altitude 5010
• Distance 19Km
• Estimate time 7-8 hours
• Camp altitude 4140m
It is a long climb to Shingela pass (5010m). The view of the mountains from the path is
stunning. As you descend, you will see an impressive terminal moraine and a glacial lake at
the foot of the valley. Below the moraine, you cross the Kango Chhu and soon reach the
Lingmithang campsite. The peak of Gangchhenta towers over the campsite even though it’s
quite a distance away.

• Altitude 4420
• Distance 10Km
• estimate time 3-4 hours
• Camp altitude 3850m
In the morning, you wake up with a superb view of Gangchhenta Peak in front of you. The
walk to Laya is very pleasant with wonderful views. You will pass through a damp forest,
filled with moss and singing birds. Arrive at Laya village, the second-highest settlement in
the country, at an altitude of 3850m. From the west of the village, you will have spectacular
views of Mt. Gangchhenta and catch Mt. Masagang.

• Altitude 4020
• Distance 19Km
• estimate time 6-7 hours
• Camp altitude 3800m
Descend to the army camp and join the Mo Chhu River. Follow the river till you cross the
bridge. After the bridge, it is up and down several times, through juniper and fir forests, until
you reach the camp at Koena

• Altitude 4100
• Distance 19Km
• estimate time 6-7 hours
• Camp altitude 3100m
Walk for about half an hour over flat land till the Barila La pass (4100m). After this, it is
downhill all the way to Gasa Tshachu. Lunch will be served at Gasa village. After lunch, visit
the village. Then descend to Gasa Tshachu (hot spring) for a campsite, and you soak in the
hot spring, which has curative values for various ailments. With this, you will end the
wonderful trekking journey of laya gasa trek.

From Gasa to Punakha, it’s all by road. The drive is through the high agricultural benches
above the Mochu into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees and creepers. After
lunch, you will visit the Punakha Dzong, which is one of the most beautiful Dzongs in
Bhutan.
Overnight stay hotel in Punakha

You will head towards Thimphu with a stop at Dochu La Pass for beak, where on a clear day
you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas from the places you all just trekked through.
Check into your hotel on arrival in Thimphu. Then, proceed to Buddha Dordenma, which is a
gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue. The statue is a 51-meter tall built according to the
prophecy by the late lama sonam Zangpo. In the afternoon, you can stroll freely in Thimphu
city.

Overnight stay hotel in Thimphu.