Laya–Gasa Trek

Your guide meets you at the airport. We visit Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum in the afternoon.

The walk to Taktsang at 3,120 m starts the process of adjusting to altitude. In the afternoon we check kit and pack the bags that will go on the ponies.

We drive up the Paro valley to the road head at Shana and begin walking. The trail follows the river upstream through forest all day. It is a long first stage on a rough path, and we take it at an even pace.

We climb above the tree line into a broad valley of yak pasture and herders' houses. Jomolhari fills the head of the valley, and the camp at Jangothang lies at its foot.

A day to rest and adjust. There are short walks to the lakes of Tsophu or up the ridges for views of Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, and time to wash, read and do nothing.

The first pass. We climb to Nyile La and descend into the wide Lingshi valley, with its dzong on a hilltop ahead of us.

A short, easy day, which is welcome after the pass. We visit Lingshi Dzong in the morning and walk on through the villages of the valley to Chebisa, where a waterfall drops behind the houses.

A steep climb from the village leads to Gobu La, a pass above 4,300 m. Blue sheep are often seen on these slopes. The trail then drops through rhododendron forest and climbs again to the camp.

We cross Jare La, at about 4,700 m, and descend to a broad valley that is a summer grazing ground for takin. After crossing the river we climb to the camp at Robluthang.

The highest day of the trek. It is a long, slow climb to Sinche La at 5,005 m, and we start early to cross before the afternoon wind. Beyond the pass the trail descends past a glacial lake and moraines to Limithang, a meadow beneath the peak of Gangchhenta.

A gentle walk down the valley through forest brings us to Laya, a large village spread across a hillside, with the mountains of the border above it.

A rest day in the village. Your guide takes you to visit a household, and there is time to walk between the clusters of houses and watch daily life: yaks being brought in, cloth being woven from their wool, children coming home from school.

We leave the high country behind. The trail follows the Mo Chhu down a deep forested gorge, with many short climbs and descents. A rough road now runs up this valley from Gasa, and part of the stage can be driven if you prefer.

A last pass, Bale La at 3,740 m, and a long descent through forest to Gasa, with its dzong set against the mountains. The hot springs are below the town, beside the river, and there is no better end to twelve days of walking.

After a morning soak in the springs we drive down the Mo Chhu valley to Punakha, where it is warm enough for short sleeves. A hotel bed and a proper shower follow.

We visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang in the morning and drive over Dochu La to Thimphu in the afternoon.

A morning in Thimphu for the Buddha Dordenma, the National Memorial Chorten and any shopping, then the drive to Paro and a farewell dinner.

Your guide and driver take you to the airport after breakfast.