Overview
Laya Gasa Trek is such a long distance trek in the high terrain region where you are taken to Laya Gasa where the lifestyle of the people there is in a semi-nomadic state, which allows you an insight into the state of affairs of natural living while on the trek ultimately. This trek is done in the upper region of Bhutan starting at Paro, the entry point by plane and finishes at Gasa Tshatsha and then being returned to Paro for a short cultural tour. Your Laya Gasa Trek gives you daily spectacular sights and you encounter various cultural and natural aspects of the Bhutanese social order in a pristine environment.
Bhutan, where you take the Laya Gasa Trek, is a country in the Himalayan Mountain Range that is to the north of the autonomous region of Tibet and India bordering it from the east, south and north. It is one of the landlocked countries of the SAARC countries. Nevertheless, the Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan has always been an independent country that follows the Buddhist faith and because of this, it is showcased in every walk of life it follows. It has evolved a natural aspect to life which is there for all to see in its culture, tradition, history and religion. So much so, it is the only country on this planet which has a negative carbon rate as it sequences all of its carbon produced internally and gives out more clean gases to clean the atmosphere. This is because, the principles of Buddhism which it follows have made it mandatory, that over sixty percent of its landmass is forested and the remaining amount it uses for sustainable agricultural practices. As all its cultural assets have so well been integrated into its landscape which it uses to its philosophical advantage. This is precisely why, taking a trek in Bhutan of Druk Path Trek Jomolhari Circuit Trek Bumthang Cultural Trek making trekking seem natural and different from any other trek you might have done elsewhere on the planet.
This trek to Laya Gasa, contributes much to your way of seeing things in a world away from the world in the trek that you would naturally undertake. Getting into the country by its National Carrier is just a precursor to what is to be. You are taken over some of the best that the Himalayan Mountains have to offer with snow-capped mountain peaks and lush green valleys and hills while approaching the Bhutanese Territories of the Dragon Kingdom. Once you are in, then the Bhutanese hospitality begins the rounds which begin and ends with short tours of what its culture has to portray to you. The trek itself which are greater part in the open takes on daily hikes to places such as Sharna Zampa, Soi Thangkha, Jangothang Base Camp, Jangothang, Lingshi, Chebisa, Shoumothang, Robluthang, Lingmithang, Laya, Chamsa, Gasa Tshachu Tashithang wherein each place you stop and are served the natural delight of what is on offer there. You eventually return to Paro, where you are taken on a guided tour of what it and Thimphu have to offer culturally and historically in forms of it dzongs (fortresses), monasteries, temples which are still in the state in which there were built in the peaceful and tumultuous times of the Dragon Kingdom. So much so, taking the trek which lasts for about fifteen days and the cultural part another three days, will only make you a much better person coming out fresh from the pristine air and sights which you would obviously interact with, with memories to last for a lifetime.
What about lodging and boarding while on the trek?
You need not worry about this. While on the short part of the cultural part of the trek, you will be housed in three lodgings of hotels and above. While on the trek, camps site of tents will be set up before you reach you daily destinations and food prepared by a chef which goes ahead of you so that as you reach you are served with a hot cup of coffee or tea and some light snacks while dinner is halfway ready. The same is with breakfast while lunch is usually prepared ahead and carried on horses and donkeys along the way. In fact for a group of two, there is a caravan of staff following you or ahead of you. Meals are said to be better, that what you might get back at the hotel, all at the skills of the chef who, anonymously, is there on the trek. You simply bother on hiking from destination to destination daily enjoying the sights and sounds of it.
Outline Trekking Itinerary for Laya Gasa Trek
Day 1: Arrival Paro (2,250m)
Day 2: Drive from Paro to Drukgyel Dzong and trek to Sharna (2,870m)
Day 3: Trek from Sharna to Thangthangka (3,630m)
Day 4: Trek from Thangthangka to Jangothang (4,090m)
Day 5: Rest day at Jangothang (4,090m) for acclimatization
Day 6: Trek from Jangothang to Lingshi (4,010m)
Day 7: Trek from Lingshi to Chebisa (3,880m)
Day 8: Trek from Chebisa to Shomuthang (4,220m)
Day 9: Trek from Shomuthang to Robluthang (4,160m)
Day 10: Trek from Robluthang to Limithang (4,140m) crossing over Sinche La (5,005m)
Day 11: Trek from Limithang to Laya (3,840m)
Day 12: Rest Day at Laya (3,840m)
Day 13: Trek from Laya to Koina (3,050m) along Mo Chu River
Day 14: Trek from Koina to Gasa (2,770m) crossing over Barila Pass (3900m)
Day 15: Trek from Gasa to Geon Damji (2,430m)
Day 16: Trek from Geon Damji to Tashithang (1,840m) & drive to Punakha (1,310m)
Day 17: Drive from Punakha to Thimphu via Dochula Pass (3,140m)
Day 18: Sightseeing around Thimphu Sightseeing and drive to Paro (2,250m)
Day 19: Paro & hike to Taktsang Monastery (3,120m)
Day 20: Depart Bhutan
Trip Highlights
- Witness spectacular Himalayan views of the world’s highest peaks onboard flight to/from Paro.
- Enjoy city tour of the tiny capital Thimphu.
- Explore Paro exploding with colors and tradition.
- Enjoy majestic views of Mt. Chomolhari, Jichu Drakey, Jomolhari.
- Expore Jichu Darkey base glaciers lake.
- Visit Bhutan’s old capital city – Punakha.
- Witness the lifestyle and traditions followed by Bhutanese people.
- Explore abundant flora and fauna.
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