The Beautiful Laya/Gasa Trek
Season:
Mid April – June & September – October
Group Condition: Minimum of three people but two persons are also acceptable
on payment of surcharges.
Weather: Climate are normally warm during day time but nights can be pretty
cold in winter with temperatures falling below freezing level. Monsoon
does showers in summer (heaviest in July, August) and sometimes even in
spring and autumn.
What to Bring: Strong comfortable trekking boots, gun-glasses, lots of
spare vests and socks/stockings, headgear and a rain coat. Warm clothing
will be required for the evenings and a down jacket is a must. For those
going to Laya, a sleeping bag is also a must and it is advisable to have
a medium to a heavy one. (Note: for trekking a load of 25 kg will be allowed.)
Recommendation: This trekking is relatively difficult. Fitness is required
and physical fitness check up is advised.
Arrival
by Druk Air - Paro
During this flight one will enjoy the view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga
and other Himalayan Mountains including the sacred Mt. Chomolhari &
Mt. Jechu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro Airport the representative
of Atlas will receive you and transfer you a hotel for the overnight halt.
Paro
- Sightseeing
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyel Dzong, the ruined
Fort (destroyed by fire in 1950.) which once defended this valley from
the Tibetan invasion. From here one can have the view of sacred Mt. Chomolhari
on clear days. After lunch drive to Ta former Watch Tower which now houses
the National Museum and then walk down passing close by the Paro Dzong,
crossing the Bhutanese typical wooden roofed bridge to Paro town. After
a short stroll in town drive back to hotel for the night halt.
Paro
- Excursion to Taktsang
Spend a full day hiking to Taktsang till the viewpoint, the Tiger’s nest.
This magical monastery clings to the vertical granite cliff of 3,000'
above the valley floor. It is believed that Guru meditated here in the
8th century. The disciples of Guru built the temple, which was later enlarged
by Shabdrung in the 17th century. After lunch hike back to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Paro
- Shana
Drive up to Drugyel Dzong where the motor-able road ends and the trek
to Shana begins starts which is about 5 to 6 hours walk with gradual climb
following the Paro river through the agricultural valley and villages.
The campsite is opposite the army check post in the meadows, near the
river at an altitude of 2,800m.
The trail is gradual ascend following the Paro river through the conifer forest and Rhododendron. The path narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. Camp is in the meadow with stone shelter built for trekkers surrounded by conifer and birch forest and on clear days one can have a magnificent view of Mt. Chomolhari suddenly peeping at you through the clouds. Camp at Alt. 3,860m and trek of 6 to 7 hours.
The trail leads bypassing the array post and the valley begins to widen and come by the winter house of yak herder where hot lunch will be served in one of the houses. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Chomolhari, Alt. 4,040 m and trek about 5 to 6 hours.
After your breakfast you start ascending up the mountainside towards Nyelila (Alt. 4,680 m). During the ascend you will be seeing the Mt. Jhomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drake and Tsherim Gang till Nyelila at which point you will be seen off by the former two mountains. There after you will be seeing only Tsherim Gang. From Nyelila pass the trail leads you all the way down to the camp at an Alt. Of 3,950-m distance 19 km and 5 to 6 hours walk.
The walk is through Gongyuel village and if you are lucky you might see the Raven bird and herds of blue sheep is no miss. Then you get to a small village called Chebisa, winter house of yak herders, thereafter the walk get tougher as you ascend the steep hill side till Gobula, Alt. 14,268 ft. From Gobula pass the walk is a very gradual descend till you get to the tree line which is the campsite by the river, Alt. 4,260 m.
The walk starts a little early and we head towards Karela pass Alt. 15,088ft. From here you drop to Tsharijathang, the valleys where herds of Takin are usually seen grazing in the meadows. Overnight halt in camp, Alt. 14,400ft/4,250 m. Distance is about 18 km and 6 to 7 hours walk.
You will be pass over the highest point on this trek, Shingela Pass at 16,072ft/4,870 m. The walk is tough till the top, and from there you start descending towards Lemithang. You trek through the valley till Lemithang, which is under Laya District. Here you will see kids in funny hats. Camp at Lemithang is beneath Gang Chen Ta, Great Tiger Mountain. If time permits it is worthwhile to spend a day of exploration here. Overnight in camp, Alt. 13,567ft/4,090 m. Distance is 19 km and is about 6 to 7 hours.
The walk for the day is all the way down hill along a winding river. As you walk down, the path splits in two, one going down in the direction of the river to the campsite which is also used by the army, and the other maintains almost the same height and leads you to the west side of Laya village. You can camp on this flat bench sort profile above the East End of Laya village. Overnight in camp, Alt. 12,680ft/3.820 m. Distance is 10 km about 4 to 5 hours.
Visit Laya village houses or hike above the camp.
The trail winds up and down along the river valley, avoiding natural obstacles and affording breathing views of the crashing river, feeder streams and waterfalls. Overnight in camp, Alt. 11,582ft/3,510 m. Distance - 19 km, about 7 hours.
The trail leads en route Balela pass at Alt. 12,342ft/3,740 m, after which it all the way down hill till the camp, which is near Gasa Dzong. Overnight in camp, Alt. 9,250ft/2900 m. Distance - 14 km about 6 to 7 hours.
After breakfast trek down to Gasa Tsachu (Tsachu meaning hot spring). After lunch relax in the hot spring. Overnight in camp.
After the climb from the Gasa Tsachu the trail winds throgh hillsides with vistas of fields, villages and oak and pine forests. Gasa Dzong will be visible behind you, glued to the valley wall, seeming to float in space. Overnight in camp. Alt. 2,280 m distance 18 km , about 6 hours.
The trail descends from the high agricultural terraces above the Mooch into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees, creepers, and an occasional monkey. Camp at Tashithang. Alt. 5,600ft/1,696 m. Distance - 17 Km about 5 to 6 hours.
Drive down the Punakha valley past the monkeys and the King’s golf course (accessible only by raft) and stop for a while to take some photographs of Punakha Dzong from the outside. Punakha Dzong was the ancient capital until 1966. The remains of the Shabdrung, the saint who unified Bhutan in the 17th century are interred here. The Je Khenpo, head abbot of the monk body of Bhutan, resides here with the monk body from Thimphu during the winter because it is warmer at this altitude. Camp at Punakha. Alt. 1,364 m. Distance - 35 km.
The drive to Thimphu will take about 3 hours. Across Dochula pass Alt. 10,000ft. (Approximate) from the pass if the weather is clear you will have beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains. Overnight in hotel at Thimphu.
After breakfast sightseeing of the Thimphu valley – visit Handicraft Emporium, Memorial Chorten, National Library, and Indigenous Hospital and make the last day of shopping before driving off to Paro. Overnight at hotel.
Departure by Druk Air.
