Bhutan Scenic Jomolhari Laya Gasa Trek

Arrive Paro International airport by either of only two airlines operating in and out of Bhutan; Drukair, the national flag carrier or Bhutan Airlines, a private airline which was started in 2011. You will be received by our guide and driver at the exit gate and then transfer you to the hotel. After checking in and settling yourself in the new surroundings, you will be taken on your first adventure into the ‘Kingdom of Thunder Dragon’.

We will visit the National Museum of Bhutan to get a snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions and history of the country, visit an impressive Paro Rinpung Dong which now serves as the office of the governor of Paro district and head of the district monk body in Paro, and later if time permits, visit Sangchoekhor Monastery on the hilltop overlooking Paro valley.

Note: Coverage of excursion on the first day depends on your flight arrival time. If you arrive in the morning, you should be able to visit all the sights listed below.

Today, you will hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest and later in the afternoon, spend leisure time around Paro town.

After breakfast, drive to Ramthangka, the base of the Taktsang monastery. Taktsang monastery is located on the face of a sheer 800-meter rock cliff in Paro. The roundtrip hike normally takes 4-5 hours. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Bhutan.

Taktsang which literally translates to ‘Tiger’s Nest’, is regarded as one of the most important monasteries in Bhutan. Its history is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the mid-eighth century AD. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew to Taktsang from Kurtoe Singye Dzong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress. Taktsang monastery was originally built in 1692 on the sacred cave where Guru Padmasambhava meditated.

The trail takes you through the ancient path shaded by pine trees. After an hour of steep uphill hiking, you will reach a nice cafeteria from where you can see spectacular views of Taktsang monastery perched on the face of a steep rock cliff and beautiful valley below. Hot tea and snacks will be served here. For those who are still energetic, can hike further up for 1 hour and visit the monastery, receive blessings from many sacred relics and artifacts and enjoy grand views of the Paro valley below.

After lunch at the cafeteria, we retrace our steps back to the base where our driver will be waiting.

Leisure time around Paro town.

After leisurely breakfast, we will visit an auspicious 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang and pray for the adventurous journey ahead.

Kyichu Lhakhang is located just a few minutes drive from the main town of Paro and is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan. It is believed to have been built in 659 A.D. by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in his effort to built 108 such temples across the Himalayan region to subdue the spirit of a demoness who was causing obstruction to the spread of Buddhism.

After praying at the temple, we drive to Shana Zampa in Gunitsawa Village, the starting point of the trek via Drukgyal Dzong. If you are interested, we could spend about 30mins visiting the Drukgyal Dzong, a 17th century ruined fortress which is undergoing complete renovation since 2016 and is expected to take few years to bring to its former glory.

The drive takes you through the idyllic countryside through rice fields and apple orchards along the Paro River. After about an hour and a half drive, you will reach the village of Gunitsawa passing through army check post where your trekking permit will be checked and endorsed. The campsite is on the opposite side of the river, not far from the army check post.

Distance 33km, Time 1.5-hour, Camp Altitude 2,850m/9,350ft

On this long day, the trail continues with lots of small ups and downs. After going uphill through the river valley the valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path that descends to a meadow where a camp will be set up. From here, if weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mt. Jomolhari.

Distance 22km, Time 7-8 hours, Ascent 770m/2,526ft, Descent 10m/33ft, Camp Altitude 3,610m/11,845ft

If you did not see Mt. Jomolhari the previous evening, you will still have a chance to get a great view early this morning. This morning the trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. You will cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. In this area yaks and their herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Passing the villages Soe, Takethang and Dangochang is another asset on this day. After reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari.

Distance 19km, Time 6-7 hours, Ascent 480m/1,575ft, Camp Altitude 4,080m/13,385ft

The rest day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for day hikes with great views of lakes and snow-capped mountains such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. There are good chances to spot some blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley. Jangothang is a perfect environment for your acclimatization. You can also trek up to Tosoh or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Jomolhari and its subsidiary mountain chains lie directly west, Jichu Drake to the north and there are a number of unclimbed peaks to the east.

This is one of the longest days of the trek. A short distance from the camp the trail begins climbing rapidly for about half an hour and then becomes a gradual ascent to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m. While on the climb enjoy the surroundings. You might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes of the mountains. From the pass you will have spectacular views of Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsherimgang, all of them rising above 7,000m. It’s a gradual descent to the camp where you will pass by some of the yak herder’s tents, made from yak wool. The herders use these tents while travelling to various pastures for their yaks. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, a beautiful U-shaped valley, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on clear days. Tserimgang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. The campsite is next to a stone hut you reach just before Lingshi Dzong.

Distance 18km, Time 6-7 hours, Ascent 840m/2,755ft, Descent 870m/2,855ft, Camp Altitude 4,010m/13,156ft

Today is the shortest walking day, and you can really take it easy. Shortly after starting you will reach a chorten below Lingshi Dzong. Here, you have the choice of staying on the main trail or taking a detour up to the Lingshi Dzong (4,220m), which sits right atop a high ridge. This Dzong is under reconstruction from a 2011 earthquake that damaged its central building. In addition to a very special atmosphere of mystic tranquillity, Lingshi Dzong provides a great view over the valley. After Lingshi Dzong you will be passing the villages of Lingshi and Goyul. In Goyul, the stone houses are clustered together to form a small compact village that is unusual in Bhutan where settlements are usually scattered. On reaching the campsite at Chebisa you will have plenty of time to visit the village houses if you feel up to it. There is also a beautiful waterfall located behind the village that is worth visiting.

Distance 10km, Time 5-6 hours, Ascent 280m/918ft, Descent 410m/1,345ft, Camp Altitude 3,880m/12,730ft

The morning starts with a long ascent behind Chebisa Village (2-3 hours) through a wide pastureland towards Gobu La (pass). On the way, you will see a few people herding yaks. There is also a great chance to spot large herds of blue sheep above the trail. After crossing Gobu La (4,410m), you descend into the valley, then climb again a little bit, before descending again to Shakshepasa (3,980), a large U-shaped valley. Climbing from here you will finally reach the campsite at Shomuthang, above a river, which is a tributary of the Nochu river.

Distance 17km, Time 6-7 hours, Ascent 890m/2,920ft, Descent 540m/1,771ft, Camp Altitude 4,220m/13,845ft

You begin by climbing up the valley to view Kang Bum (6,526 m) and some edelweiss. After two hours of climbing you will reach Jhari La (4,750m), from where you catch the first glimpse of Sinche La, the pass you will have to cross the day after. The big snow peak in the north is Gangchhenta 6,840 m, better known as the Great Tiger Mountain. If the weather is clear, Tserim Kang and the top of Jomolhari will be visible. The camp by the river is called Tsheri Jathang located in a beautiful wide and remote valley. Herds of takin, the Bhutanese National Animal, migrate to this valley in summer and remain for about four months. The valley has been declared a takin sanctuary. Climb up a little bit and you will reach the campsite at Robluthang in a rocky meadow.

Distance 18km, Time 7-8 hours, Ascent 700m/2,296ft, Descent 760m/2,493ft, Camp Altitude 4,160m/13,648ft

The trek starts out with an initial 40-60mins ascent before gradually raising for another 1.5 hours through a boulder field. It is then a 1-hour steep ascent before reaching Sinche La (5,005m) – the final and highest pass on the trek if you don’t intend to continue the Snowman trek from Laya onwards. As you descend the far side of the pass you will see an impressive terminal moraine and a glacial lake at the foot of the valley. You can see classic examples of lateral moraines where the glacier has pushed rocks up both sides of the valley. Below the moraine, you cross the Kango Chhu and soon reach the Limithang campsite. The peak of Gangchhenta towers over the campsite even though it’s quite a distance away.

Distance 19km, Time 7-8 hours, Ascent 850m/2,788ft, Descent 870m/2,854ft, Camp Altitude 4,140m/13,582ft

Today, you walk downhill all the way along a narrow, winding river valley. After a long time, the trail takes you through densely forested region. The trail leads you to the west side of Laya village. From the west of the village you will have spectacular views of Mt. Gangchhenta and catch Mt. Masagang. In the village centre is a community school and a basic health unit with a telephone connection. The campsite is located below the school.

Distance 10km, Time 4-5 hours, Ascent 60m/196ft, Descent 640m/2,100ft, Camp Altitude 3,840m/12,598ft

The trail winds up and down along the river valley of Mo Chhu avoiding natural obstacles and affording breath-taking views of the raging river, feeder streams and waterfalls. Lots of ups and downs will lead you to Kohi Lapcha at 3.300 m. The trek then drops down to the large stream of Koina Chhu, where you will find the campsite of Koina.

Distance 19km, Time 7-8 hours, Ascent 260m/853ft, Descent 1,070m/3,510ft, Camp Altitude 3,050m/10,006ft

Today you will have the last major climb of the Laya Gasa Trek. You will cross Bari La (3,740m), after which the trail descends all the way until you reach Gasa village (2,770m), where you will find the first restaurants since you started from Drukgyel Dzong. There also is a campsite close to Gasa Dzong. You will have to decide whether you want to stay in Gasa village or descend for another hour to the Gasa Tsachu (hot springs) and relax in the rejuvenating mineral waters. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan.

Distance 14km, Time 6-7 hours, Ascent 740m/2,427ft, Descent 1,500m/4,921ft, Camp Altitude 2,850m/9,350ft

Today, you will spend the morning leisurely soaking up in the hot spring and after lunch, transfer to Punakha valley for overnight stay.

Distance 95km, Time 3.5-hours, Punakha Altitude 1,200m/3,937ft

After breakfast, you'll visit the 17th-century Punakha Dzong, the master piece of Bhutanese architecture where you'll spend some time appreciating the ornate woodwork and sacred wall paintings. From there we drive to visit the famous 15th-century Chimi Lhakhang popularly known as "Temple of Fertility" owing to its power to bless the infertile couples with children. A gentle walk through the terraced rice fields and traditional farmhouses painted with phalluses will give you a unique experience.

We then drive to Thimphu via Dochula, a sacred mountain pass at an elevation of 3150m and enjoy a grand view of some of the highest mountains of Bhutan on a clear day. From there continue driving towards Thimphu and gradually descend to the capital city of Bhutan within an hour.

Thimphu is home to around 115,000 residents and this bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. Thimphu is the only capital city in the world without traffic lights.

Arriving Thimphu, visit one of the tallest sitting Buddha Statues at Kuensel Phodrang, a hilltop overlooking Thimphu valley. Leisure time to explore the streets of Thimphu.

Driving distance 74km, Driving time 2.5-hours, Thimphu altitude 2334m

After breakfast, drive to Paro and transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Your guide will assist you to complete all exit formalities before you check-in.

Distance 55 km, Driving Time 1.5 hour, Paro Altitude 2195m/7,200ft