BTN TREK # 04: BEAUTIFUL LAYA/ GASA TREK Click to e-mail us
 
DAY       01                ARRIVE                               -            PARO               
DAY       02                PARO                                  -             SIGHTSEEING
DAY       03                PARO                                 -             EXCURSION
DAY       04                PARO                                  -             SHANA
DAY       05                SHANA                              -             SOI THANGTHANGKHA
DAY       06                SOI THANGTHANGKHA-            JANGOTHANG
DAY       07                JANGOTHANG                -              LINGSHI
DAY       08                LINGSHI                            -              CHEBISA
DAY       09                CHEBISA                          -              SOMUTHANG
DAY       10                SHOMUTHANG             -               ROBLUTHANG
DAY       11                ROBLUTHANG               -               LEMITHANG
DAY       12                LEMITHANG                   -               LAYA
DAY       13                LAYA                               -                HALT
DAY       14                LAYA                               -                KOENA
DAY       15                KOENA                            -                GASA
DAY       16                GASA                                -               GASA TSACHU
DAY       17                GASA TSACHU             -                GOEN DAMJI
DAY       18                GOEN DAMJI                 -                KHURUTHANG
DAY       19                KHURUTHANG             -                THIMPHU
DAY       20                THIMPHU                       -                PARO AIRPORT
 
DAY 01: Arrive Paro by Druk Air flight:
During this flight, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchanjunga and other Himalayan Peaks including sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by a representative of Etho  Metho Tours & Trek Ltd. Then drive to Olathang Hotel through Paro valley is enchanting. After lunch you will be taken to Ta- Dzong (Museum). Overnight at Olathang Hotel.
 
DAY 02: Paro -  Sightseeing:
Drive winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined Fort, which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasion. This fortress, now a burned shell, was once strategic in Bhutan's defense against the Tibetan invasion. Mount Chomolhari, the sacred summit, reaches skyward beyond the Dzong. This can be viewed in a clear day. On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farm house. After lunch walk up the hill just above Olathang Hotel to stretch your legs for the excursion to Taktsang Monastery view point.
 
DAY 03: Paro- Excursion to Taktshang:
Spend a full hiking to Taktshang the Tiger's nest. This magical monastery clings to vertical granite cliff 3000 above the valley floor. Legend says the Guru padmasambhava flew here on he back of a tiger hence the name - to meditate. The tiger was actually his favourite consort, Yeshey  Tshogyel, whom he transformed onto a flying tiger for the purpose of his journey. When the Guru finished hence meditations he instructed that the monastery be built. Overnight at Olathang Hotel.
 
DAY 04: Paro- Shana:
Drive up to Drugyel  Dzong where the roads ends and the trek begins, following the river gently uphill through a narrowing agricultural valley. Lots of homes kids and dogs can be seen, Alt. 2800m Distance -17 km about 5/6 hours.
 
DAY 05:Shana- Soi Thangthangkha:
Continue uphill through ther iver valley. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. There is actually considerable down on the trail. Distances about 21km about 7/8 hours.
 
DAY 06:Soi Thangthangkha- Jangothang:
On up the Pa Chu pass a small army post where the valley begins to widen again. Now view of high ridges and then  snow-capped peaks are all around. You begin to see yaks and Yak herders camp. Lunch will be probably at one of these camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Chomolhari. Alt.4040m, Distance 19kms. About 5/6 hours.
 
DAY 07:Jangothang- Lingshi:
Wide yak pastures on the way up and down the pass, possibly still some people in theirYak tents depending on the time of the year you are there. great views of Lingshi Dzong as you come down into the Lingshi basin if the weather is clesr. Tserim Kang and its descending glaciers at the north end of the valley.
 
DAY 08:Lingshi- Chebisa:
Today is the shortest walking day and you can really take it easy. On reaching camp at chebisa village you can visit the village houses. Alt.3850m, Distance 19kms about 5/6 hours.
 
DAY 09:Chebisa - Shomuthang:
The walk in through wild high pastures with few people & few yaks. Cross Gobula ( La means pass) Alt. 14268ft /4350m Camp here on a beach above Gasa Tsachu. Alt. 4260 m, Distance 17 kms about 6 hours.
 
DAY 10:Shomuthang- Robluthang:
Today is a day to start a little early. After crossing Jarela Pass Alt. 15088 ft./ 4600 m, you drop to Tsharithang. The valley where herds of Takins are normally seen. Overnight in camp. Alt. 14400 ft. Distance - 15kms about 5 hours.
 
DAY 11: Robluthang- Lemithang:
After crossing Shingela pass alt. 1672 ft./4900m you drop down again and then follow the valley. Lemithang is in the laya district and here you begin to see the wonderful children in funny hats. Camp at Limithang ins beneath Kang Che Da, Great Tiger Mountain.
 
DAY 12: Lemithang- Laya:
Today is all the down hill along a winding river valley with a quite a closed in feeling. The trail splits, once going down to with the driver 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. Overnight in camp. Alt. 1268ft. Distance - 10 kms about 3/4 hours.
 
DAY 13: Laya- halt:
Visit Laya village houses or high above the camp.
 
DAY 14: Laya - Koena:
The trail winds up and down along the river valley around natural obstacles and affording breathtaking views of crashing river, feeder streams and water-falls. Overnight in camp. Alt.12628ft. Distance- 19kms. About 7 hours.
 
DAY 15: Koena- Gasa:
Enroute cross Balela pass alt. 3074m 12267ft.  After pass the trail is all the way down hill till you teach camp. The camp is near the Gasa Dzong. Overnight in camp. Alt. 9250ft. Distance- 17kms about 6/7 hours.
 
DAY 16: Gasa- Gasa Tsachu:
After a late breakfast trek to Gasa Tsachu (Tsachu mean - Hot Spring). After lunch relax in the hot spring. Overnight in camp.
 
DAY 17: Gasa Tsachu - Goen Damji:
After the climb away from Gasa Tsachu the trail winds through rolling hillsides with vistags of fields, villages and Oak and pine trees. Gasa Dzong will be visible behind you, glued to the valley wall, seeming to float in space. Overnight in camp. Alt.2880m, Distance- 21kms about 7 hours.
 
DAY 18: Goen Damji- Tashithang / camp Khuruthang:
The trail descends from the high agricultural benches above the Mo Chu into a lush semi tropical gorge filled with banana trees. Creepers an occasional monkey. Distance 17kms. About 5/6 hours. Where at Tashithang we meet the transportation.
 
DAY 19: Khuruthang- Thimphu:
The drive to Thimphu will take about 3 hours. Enroute cross Dochula pass alt. 10000 ft. (approximate) from the pass if the weather is clear you will have a beautiful views of the snow capped mountains. Stop at Dachula cafeteria for a hot cup of tea and then drive to the capital of Bhutan (Thimphu) Overnight at the Hotel.
 
DAY 20: Thimphu - Paro Airport:
Drive to International Airport at pare for onward flight.
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SEASON:  March - April - May - September - November
 
GROUP CONDITION: Minimum 6
 
CLIMATE( GENERAL):
Day are normally warm. Nights can at times be very cool and  in winter even below the freezing point. Monsoon showers on summer (heaviest July & August) and sometimes even is Spring and Autumn.
                       
WHAT TO BRING:
Strong normal clothing trekking boots, Sunglass. a lot of spare vests and socks, headgear and raincoat. Worm clothing will be required for the evenings and a down jacket is a must. For those going till Laya.  A sleeping bag is a must. Medium to heavy is advised.
 
NOTE: for trekking a load of 25kgs. is allowed.
 
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Trek is relatively difficult. Fitness is required and physical fitness check up is advised.
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