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Laya and Gasa Trek
offered by supplier M17799 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 20
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 20
people
Destination(s):
Bhutan
Specialty Categories:
Hiking & Trekking
Archeology/History
Season: April - October
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 440 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2200 US Dollar (USD)
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2008 Availability Dates: April - June, September - October. Laya Gasa Trek, starts at Paro and ends at Punakha. 15 trek days with an extra 4 days and reaches a maximum altitude of 5005 m, rated strenuous.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival by Druk Air to Paro. Fly into Paro. If you are flying in from Kathmandu or Delhi the flight over the Himalayas is one of the most spectacular experiences one will ever experience. You will fly past Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and the entire Himalayan range visible on the left hand side. On landing at Paro you will be met by our representative. After Customs and Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel. Over night at hotel.
Day 2: Paro - Sightseeing. Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyel-Dzong, the ruined Fort which once defended this Valley from Tibetan invasion. Mt. Jumolhari, the sacred summit, can be viewed on clear day. On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farm house. After lunch arrive to TA-Dzong to visit National Museum and stroll in the Paro town. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3: Paro - Sharna. Start of Trekking: Distance 17km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Drukgyel (2580m) and camp near Sharna Zampa(2870m). Gradual climb following the Paro river through the agriculture valley and villages. The campsite is opposite to the Gunyitsawa Army check post in a meadow.
Day 4: Sharna - Thangthangka. Trekking: Distance 22km and walking distance 6-7 hours. Starting at Sharna Zampa (2870m) and camp at Thangthangka (3630m). The trial is a gradual ascent with plenty of ups and downs through conifer forest, ferns and Rhododendrons. A magnificent view of Mt. Jumolhari can be seen from your camp site on clear days.
Day 5: Thangthangka - Jangothang. Trekking: Distance 19km and walking distance 5-6 hours. Starting at Thangthangka (3630m) and camp at Jangothang (4090m). Todays trial passes an army post and the village of Soe and a small settlement at Takethang. Yak herders live here. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jumolhari.
Day 6: Jangothang - Halt. Trekking: Acclimatisation Day. You can spend the day relaxing or there are several day hikes to choose from. Two interesting hikes would be to get views of Mt. Jumolhari or Jichu Drake. If you are interested in a lake then you can take the hike to Tsophu. Overnight at camp.
Day 7: Jangothang - Lingshi. Trekking: Distance 18km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Jangothang (4090m) and camp at Lingshi (4010m) Today you encounter your first major pass at 4890m (Nyile-la). You also get snow peak views of Tserim Kang (6789m) Camp near a stream in a meadow.
Day 8: Lingshi - Chebisa. Trekking: Distance 10 km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Lingshi ( 4010m) and camp at Chebisa (3880m). Today is a pleasant walk and you encounter parts of Lingshi village and the settlement of Goyak. On reaching camp at Chebisa village you can visit the village houses.
Day 9: Chebisa - Shomuthang. Trekking: Distance 17 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting at Chebisa (3880m) and camp at Shomuthang (4220m). Todays walk is mostly through wild high pastures and yak pastures with few people and Yaks. You also encounter a pass "Gobula" at 4440m. Camp is on a bench above a river, a tributary to the Mo Chu which comes out just below Gasa Tsachu.
Day 10: Shomuthang - Robluthang. Trekking: Distance 18 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting at Shomuthang (4220m) and camp at Robluthang (4160m) On the early part of the trek you will get views of Kang Bum (6526m). After crossing Jhari la pass at 4747m you get views of Gangchenta (6840m), Tserim Kang and upper half of Jumolhari. You pass by Tsheri Jathang, a valley by the river side where herds of Takin are normally seen during the summer months.
Day 11: Robluthang - Limithang. Trekking: Distance 19 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting at Robluthang (4160m) and camp at Limithang (4140m). Today is a hard day as you have to cross Sinche la (5005m) the highest point on your trek. The second half of todays walk is through rocky trails and moraines. Limithang is in the Laya district and here you begin to see the wonderful children in funny hats. Camp at Limithang is beneath Gangchhenta, the Great Tiger Mountain. If you have time it would be worthwhile to spend a rest and exploration day here.
Day 12: Limithang - Laya. Trekking: Distance 10 km and walking time 4-5 hours. Starting at Limithang (4140m) and camp at Laya (3840m) Today is all the way down hill along a winding river valley with quite a closed-in feeling. The trail splits, one going down with the river to the camp site used by the army. The other stays high and brings you into the west side of Laya village. You can camp on a high flat bench above the east end of Laya village. The peak towering above Laya is Masagang (7165m).
Day 13: Laya. Trekking: Visit Laya village houses or hike above the camp. A day halt is interesting here or just spending the day with the Layaps (nomads).
Day 14: Laya - Koina. Trekking: Distance 19 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting at Laya (3840m) and camp at Koina (3050m). The trail winds up and down along the Mo Chu river, avoiding natural obstacles and affording breathtaking views of the crashing river, feeder streams and water-falls. The beginning of the trek will take you past an army camp and the route junction for the Snowman trek. Campsite at Koina is one of the worst campsites on this trek but you will have to use it due to non availability of camp sites or availability of water.
Day 15: Koina - Gasa. Trekking: Distance 14 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting at Koina (3050m) and camp at Gasa (2770m). The route may seem all the way downhill but you have to cross the last pass on this trek - Barila pass at 3900m after which is all the way down hill till you reach camp. The camp is near the Gasa Dzong and village. You can go further 1-1/2 hours to Gasa Tsachu (hotspring) if you prefer a hot spring dip than the Gasa village. The decision should have been made at the start of the trek and the the camp staff should have been informed.
Day 16: Gasa - Geon Damji. Trekking: Distance 18 km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Gasa (2770m) and camp at Geon Damji (2430m). Todays trail winds through rolling hillsides with vistas of fields, villages and Oak and Pine forests. Gasa Dzong will be visible behind you, glued to the valley wall. Todays walk takes you through small settlements and finally at camp of Geon Damji village - a large village with rice terraces on the hillsides.
Day 17: Geon Damji - Tashithang. End of Trek: Distance 16 km and walking time 5 hours. Starting at Geon Damji (2430m) and ending at vehicle point at Tashithang (1840m) From here it is 18 km (1 hour drive) to Punakha but the initial 5-6 km is unpaved. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 18: Punakha - Thimphu. Visit Chhimi Lhakhang - the temple of the divine madman (round trip 1-1/2 hours walk ). Visit Wangdue town and after lunch to Thimphu (3hours) drive.
Day 19: Thimphu Sightseeing - Paro. Morning start the sightseeing with Zelukha Nunnery, National Library, Memorial Chorten of Late King, Handicrafts Emporium, Post Office and walk around Thimphu city for shopping of souvenirs from Bhutan. If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to the Weekend Market is a must. After lunch drive to Paro en route visit to Simtokha Dzong the first fort built in 1627-29 by Shabdrung who unified the Kingdom and continue the journey following the Thimphu river till Chuzom (Confluence) and taking the direction toward Paro following Pa-chu for 2 hours. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 20: Departure.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Bhutan
Hiking & Trekking
Archeology/History
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