Laya Trek – Bhutan

Day 1. ARRIVE PARO
Arrive in Paro by Druk Air flight. During this flight, you will experience breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks including the sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro our representative will meet you outside the arrival hall and escort you to your hotel. After lunch relax or explore the town.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Day 2. IN PARO
Breakfast at the hotel. The highlight of this day will be a hike to Taktsang retreat at Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest). This is about 3 hrs walk uphill and can also be done on horseback. This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff at 3000mts. Legend says that Guru Padmasambhava flew here on the back of a tigress for the purpose of meditation. When the Guru finished his meditation, he instructed that the monastery be built. Lunch will be served enroute. Later visit the Ta dzong, built in the 17th century, as watchtower to defend Paro Dzong below. This dzong was later converted into the National Museum in 1967, and is filled with antique Thangka paintings, textiles, weapons and armour. Drive to the Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an Administrative Centre and a school for monks.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Day 3. PARO – SHANA
After breakfast drive on the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, from where the trek will start. The path goes upstream along the Paro River, through the villages, gradually ascending to 2580mts at Shana camp. The walking time will be approx. 5 to 6 hours.

Stay overnight in Shana Camp.

Day 4. SHANA – SOI THANGTHANGKHA
The trail today again follows the Pa Chu (Paro river), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. Hot lunch will be served after crossing the bridge towards the left side of the river. After lunch follow the river, climbing up through rhododendron forests and cross the bridge again. The camp is set at an altitude of 3750 mts. The walking time will be approx. 9-10 hours.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 5. SOI THANGTHANGKHA – JANGOTHANG
This morning climb slowly for a while till you reach the Army camp. Then follow the river above the tree line with stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch will be served inside a yak herder’s camp. A short walk in the valley will get you to the campsite at Jangothang at an altitude of 4040mts. The view of Mt. Chomolhari and Jichu Drake is superb from here. The walking time will be approx. 5 hours. .

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 6. IN JANGOTHANG
This day you relax in Jangothang and enjoy its scenic beauty. .

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 7. JANGOTHANG – LINGSHI
The trail today follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right side. Start the climb up to the first ridge, enjoying the breathtaking view ofChomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsrim Ghang. Then walk towards the valley, almost flat for a while until the climb to the Nyelela pass at an altitude of 4700mts. After the pass it’s a gradual descent to the Lingshi camp with a panoramic view of the peaks and Lingshi Dzong. Camp will be set at an altitude of 4000 mts. The walking time will be approx. 7 – 8 hours.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 8. LINGHSI – CHEBISA
Walk past the Linghsi Dzong, perched on a hilltop with a commanding view of green hills, the Winding River and magnificent peaks. This is an easy and a pleasant walk, through villages and yak herders’ camps. Lunch will be served at scenic Goyuna village. After lunch, a short walk will bring you to Chebisa village. We will camp here by the side of a stream at an altitude of 3850mts. The walking time will be approx. 5 – 6 hours.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 9. CHEBISA – SHOMUTHANG
Today we begin with a stiff climb up a ridge to Gobu La pass at an altitude of 4500mts, taking nearly 4 hours to the top. After the pass descend to a lunch spot, through rhododendron bushes. Later continue along the up and down path, after crossing the stream, through rhododendron forests and across yak herders’ camps. You may see some herds of blue sheep now and then. The camp is set at an altitude of nearly 4250mts. The walking time will be approx. 7 – 8 hours.

Stay Overnight in Camp.

DAY 10. SHOMUTHANG – ROBLUTHANG
The trek starts with a climb to Jari La pass at an altitude of 4600mts. Then descend to Tsharijathang valley, the summer residence of the rare Himalayan Takin(national animal of Bhutan). From here we may have to cross the stream and get wet, as most of the time the footbridge is washed away. After crossing the stream towards the left the trail ascends till you reach Robluthang camp at an altitude of 4400mts. The walking time is approx. 8 – 9 hours.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 11. ROBLUTHANG – LEMITHANG
A long climb up to Shinje La pass at an altitude of 4900mts brings you to a point from where the view of the mountains is breathtaking. After the pass descend to Lemithang. The path is quite narrow and you may have to cross the stream and get wet again. The last part of the trek is very interesting, with the view of Mt. Gangchey Ta Peak. Arrive at the camp at an altitude of 4100mts.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 12. LEMITHANG – LAYA
In the morning wake up and admire the beautiful view of Gangchey Ta peak in front of you. The walk to Laya is a very pleasant one with wonderful scenic views. You will pass through a damp forest, filled with moss and singing birds. Arrive at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country, at an altitude of 3800mts. The walking time is approx. 5 – 6 hours.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 13. IN LAYA
This day is free. Explore the village and visit any of the village houses. By tradition one can enter any house without an invitation. A cup of tea or chang (local drink) is always offered to the guest. The people in this village are very interesting with a unique dress, language and ornaments. In the evening the village girls will present a dance performance by the campfire. You can enjoy this with a mug of the local brews, Ara or Chang.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 14. LAYA – CHAMSA
Today descend to the army camp and join the Mo Chu (Mother river of Punakha) and follow the river till you cross the bridge. After the bridge it’s up and down several times, through juniper and fir forests until you reach the camp at Chamsa at an altitude of 3800mts. The walking time is approx. 8 – 9 hours.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 15. CHAMSA – GASA TSHACHU
Today walk for half an hour over flat land till the Bele La pass. It is downhill all the way to Gasa Tsachu (Hot spring). Lunch at Gasa village at an altitude of 2700mts. After lunch visit the village and Dzong. The first religious King, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, to protect the valley against Tibetan invaders, built the dzong in the 17th century. Later descend to Gasa Tshachu (Hot spring) to camp at an altitude of 2200mts. The walking time is approx. 5 – 6 hours.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 16. IN GASA TSHACHA
Relax for the day and enjoy a hot bath with a local beer.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 17. GASA TSHACHU – DAMJI
The path today is highly undulating, winding through heavily forested areas and lots of wild orchids. This area has a lot of leeches so one must be careful. Camp will be set up near the village at an altitude of 2200mts. The walking time is approx. 5 – 6 hours.

Stay overnight in Camp.

Day 18. DAMJI – TASHTHANG – PUNAKHA
This will be your last day of trekking. Continue to follow the Mochu down through heavily forested areas till you reach Tashithang at an altitude of 1620mts. Our coach will be waiting to drive you to Punakha following the river all the way. Relax after checking into a hotel.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Day 19. PUNAKHA – THIMPHU
This morning visit the Punakha Dzong. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel built the dzong at the confluence of Phu Chu and Mo Chu in 1637 to serve as the administrative and religious center of the region. The dzong was damaged by four catastrophic fires and earthquakes but has been fully restored by the present King. Later proceed to Thimphu via Dochu La pass at an altitude of 3050mts. On a clear day one gets a spectacular view of the Himalayan ranges. Arrive in Thimphu and check in at the hotel.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Day 20. IN THIMPHU
Today explore the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu. Visit the National Library (Ancient Buddhist manuscripts are kept here), School of Fine Arts (Thangka painting and other traditional arts), Royal Dance Academy, Handmade paper studio, Zangto Pelri and Changgangkha temples, Drubthrob nunnery and the Kings memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the late King of Bhutan. Also visit the Indigenous Hospital where traditional medicine is still practiced. If time permits take a scenic drive above the valley to see the small Takin zoo.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Day 21. THIMPHU – PARO
After breakfast visit the folk and textile museums and spend some time shopping. After lunch drive on to Paro.

Evening relax in the hotel.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Day 22. LEAVE PARO
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport in time to connect to the flight for onward destination.