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11 Days
Laya Gasa Trek
A high Himalayan journey into remote northern valleys
Duration
11 Days
Difficulty
Difficult
Destinations
Paro, Laya, Gasa, Punakha
Best Time
April-June, September-October
Overview
One of Bhutan's most rewarding long-distance Himalayan journeys, traversing from Paro to the remote highland village of Laya and the therapeutic hot springs of Gasa. Pass beneath the towering faces of Mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, cross the demanding Sinche La Pass at 5,005m with views of Mount Gangchhenta (6,840m), and immerse yourself in the unique culture of the Layap people with their distinctive dress and ancient traditions. The journey concludes at the historic Gasa Dzong in the warm Punakha Valley.
Journey Highlights
Jangothang base camp beneath Mt. Jomolhari (7,326m)
Sinche La Pass (5,005m) - trek's highest point
Laya village - unique Layap culture and dress
Mt. Gangchhenta (6,840m) views
Gasa Dzong and therapeutic hot springs
Lingshi Dzong and Chebisa waterfall
Tailored Itinerary
1
Day 1: Shana Zampa to Soi Thangthangkha
Drive from Paro to Shana Zampa trailhead. Trek 20km (6-7 hours) through blue pine forests following the Paro Chhu river. Terrain rises and falls gradually through broad meadows used by yak herders. Camp at Soi Thangthangkha (3,600m) with first majestic views of Mount Jomolhari (7,326m) - the 'Goddess of the Mountain'. Camps are carefully chosen for their beauty beside alpine lakes, under the watch of ancient glaciers, or in sweeping highland pastures and meadows.
Experience Highlights
- Blue pine forest trail along scenic routes linking culture, nature, and local life
- Yak herder meadows as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Paro Chhu river valley trek along scenic routes linking culture, nature, and local life
- First Jomolhari views with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
Camping at Soi Thangthangkha (3,600m)
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
2
Day 2: Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang
Trek 19km (5-6 hours) following the river upstream through thinning woodland into alpine scenery. Pass military checkpoint, small settlements, and yak herders' stone shelters. Arrive at Jangothang (4,100m), one of the most spectacular campsites in the Eastern Himalayas beneath Mt. Jomolhari's dramatic north face. Camps are carefully chosen for their beauty beside alpine lakes, under the watch of ancient glaciers, or in sweeping highland pastures and meadows.
Experience Highlights
- Jangothang base camp arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Alpine scenery emergence as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Yak herder settlements as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Military checkpoint passage with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
Camping at Jangothang (4,100m)
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
3
Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Jangothang
Rest and acclimatization day. Unforgettable sunrise views as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake glow against morning sky. Optional hike to Tso Phu twin lakes (4,350m) or explore surrounding ridges. Spot blue sheep, Himalayan marmots, and birds of prey. Views in three directions: Jomolhari west, Jichu Drake north, unclimbed glaciated summits east. Your wellbeing is our top priority, with gradual elevation gain, acclimatization time, and comfortable pacing designed for safety.
Experience Highlights
- Blue sheep and wildlife spotting with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Acclimatization rest to recharge, adapt to altitude, and enjoy the mountain atmosphere
- Optional Tso Phu lakes hike along scenic routes linking culture, nature, and local life
- Jomolhari and Jichu Drake views with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
Camping at Jangothang (4,100m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4
Day 4: Jangothang to Lingshi
Trek 17km (6-7 hours) climbing steadily to Nyile La Pass (4,815m) with sweeping views of Jichu Drake, Mt. Jomolhari, and Tsherim Gang. Spot blue sheep on rugged slopes. Descend into expansive Lingshi Basin, a U-shaped glacial valley. Camp near Lingshi Dzong dramatically perched on ridge overlooking the valley. Camps are carefully chosen for their beauty beside alpine lakes, under the watch of ancient glaciers, or in sweeping highland pastures and meadows.
Experience Highlights
- Blue sheep spotting with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Nyile La Pass crossing (4,815m) with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
- Lingshi Basin glacial valley as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Lingshi Dzong views for deeper insight into Bhutanese history, symbolism, and living tradition
Camping at Lingshi (4,010m)
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
5
Day 5: Lingshi to Chebisa
Gentler trek 10km (5-6 hours) enjoying Lingshi region's cultural richness. Optional Lingshi Dzong visit with panoramic views. Cross Tale La Ridge marked by prayer flags. Pass through Lingshi and Goyul villages with distinctive clustered stone houses. Visit Ja Goen Dzong, sacred temple founded by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo. Camp at Chebisa Village (3,880m) with cascading waterfall. Camps are carefully chosen for their beauty beside alpine lakes, under the watch of ancient glaciers, or in sweeping highland pastures and meadows.
Experience Highlights
- Tale La Ridge crossing with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
- Goyul village stone houses to connect with daily life, local food, and community stories
- Chebisa waterfall camp with serene waterside scenery and excellent photo opportunities
- Optional Lingshi Dzong visit for deeper insight into Bhutanese history, symbolism, and living tradition
Camping at Chebisa (3,880m)
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
6
Day 6: Chebisa to Shomuthang
Trek 18km (6-7 hours) ascending across wide grasslands to Gobu La Pass (4,460m). Spot blue sheep and yak herders in high pastures. Descend into Shakshepasa, a striking U-shaped glacial basin. Follow river upstream to Shomuthang campsite (4,200m) above Nochu River tributary, surrounded by open meadows and mountain silence. Camps are carefully chosen for their beauty beside alpine lakes, under the watch of ancient glaciers, or in sweeping highland pastures and meadows.
Experience Highlights
- Remote Shomuthang camp to recharge, adapt to altitude, and enjoy the mountain atmosphere
- Blue sheep and yak herder sightings as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Gobu La Pass crossing (4,460m) with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
- Shakshepasa glacial basin as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Camping at Shomuthang (4,200m)
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
7
Day 7: Shomuthang to Robluthang
Trek 18km (6-7 hours) through high alpine terrain with views of Kang Bum (6,526m) above slopes dotted with edelweiss. Climb to Jhari La Pass (4,730m) with views of Sinche La ahead, Gangchhenta (6,840m) massif, and possibly Jomolhari on the horizon. Descend to Tsheri Jathang wildlife sanctuary where takin graze in summer. Camp at Robluthang (4,160m). Camps are carefully chosen for their beauty beside alpine lakes, under the watch of ancient glaciers, or in sweeping highland pastures and meadows.
Experience Highlights
- Jhari La Pass crossing (4,730m) with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
- Kang Bum and edelweiss views with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
- Gangchhenta views with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
- Tsheri Jathang takin sanctuary as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Camping at Robluthang (4,160m)
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
8
Day 8: Robluthang to Limithang
Trek 18km (6-7 hours) - one of the most demanding and rewarding days. Ascend through boulder-strewn landscape to Sinche La Pass (5,005m), the trek's highest point. Extraordinary views of Mount Gangchhenta (6,840m) with terminal moraine and glacial lake below. Long scenic descent through Limithang valley and cedar forest. Camp at Limithang (4,140m) with Gangchhenta views. Camps are carefully chosen for their beauty beside alpine lakes, under the watch of ancient glaciers, or in sweeping highland pastures and meadows.
Experience Highlights
- Mount Gangchhenta ice face views with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
- Glacial lake and moraine scenery with serene waterside scenery and excellent photo opportunities
- Sinche La Pass crossing (5,005m) - highest point
- Cedar forest descent along scenic routes linking culture, nature, and local life
Camping at Limithang (4,140m)
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
9
Day 9: Limithang to Laya
Relaxed trek 10km (5 hours) descending through fertile river valley alongside streams and alpine pastures. Views of Mt. Gangchhenta (6,840m) and Mt. Masagang (6,960m). Arrive at Laya village (3,840m), one of Bhutan's highest and most distinctive settlements renowned for unique Layap culture and dress. Camp below community school in village center. Camps are carefully chosen for their beauty beside alpine lakes, under the watch of ancient glaciers, or in sweeping highland pastures and meadows.
Experience Highlights
- Scenic valley descent along scenic routes linking culture, nature, and local life
- Layap cultural encounter as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Laya village arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Gangchhenta and Masagang views with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
Camping at Laya (3,840m)
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
10
Day 10: Rest and Cultural Immersion at Laya
Rest and cultural exploration in Laya. Learn about Layap life and traditional attire - women's handwoven yak hair garments with dark striped skirts, khenja jackets, and distinctive conical bamboo hats. Witness archery practice or daily village activities. Optional traditional hot stone bath. Explore sacred alpine lakes (Kharkhil Tsho, Paro Tsho, Oneme Tsho) or Lungo village hot springs. Here, the mountains are not just scenery - they are revered protectors, home to guardian deities and sacred legends.
Experience Highlights
- Layap culture immersion as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Traditional dress and weaving to connect with daily life, local food, and community stories
- Sacred lake exploration with serene waterside scenery and excellent photo opportunities
- Optional hot stone bath as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Camping at Laya (3,840m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11
Day 11: Laya to Gasa to Punakha
Final trek 4.5km (2-3 hours) following Mo Chhu River valley with waterfalls and cascading streams. Cross Kohi Lapcha Pass (3,300m) to Taktsemakha trailhead. Drive to Gasa Dzong, built 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, with circular structure and snow-covered Mt. Gangboom backdrop. Optional Gasa Hot Springs. Continue drive to Punakha for trek completion. Every pass crossed and every valley descended carries a cultural story that deepens your experience far beyond the trail.
Experience Highlights
- Mo Chhu valley descent along scenic routes linking culture, nature, and local life
- Drive to Punakha - celebration as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Gasa Dzong visit (1646) for deeper insight into Bhutanese history, symbolism, and living tradition
- Optional Gasa Hot Springs as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Hotel in Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
Inclusions
- Sustainable Tourism Fee (USD $100 per night)
- All monument and entrance fees
- All transfers and sightseeing
- All meals: Full board during trek
- Unlimited drinking mineral water
- Camping equipment and cook
- Pack animals for luggage
- Pre/post trek hotel accommodation
- English-speaking licensed tour guide
- Transportation in comfortable SUV
Exclusions
- Airfare
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, spa, telephone, shopping)
- Bank or transaction charges
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guide and driver
- Personal trekking gear
Booking Protocol
Contact us to book this legendary high Himalayan trek. Total trekking distance approximately 160km over 11 days. Maximum altitude 5,005m at Sinche La Pass. Good fitness and prior high-altitude trekking experience essential.
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Executive Summary
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Destinations
- Paro, Laya, Gasa, Punakha
- Best Season
- April-June, September-October
Living Traditions
Festivals of Bhutan
Experience vibrant Tshechu festivals featuring sacred mask dances, ancient rituals, and colorful celebrations that have been passed down through centuries.
Download 2026 Festival Dates (PDF)
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