Bai??i??ful Laya/Gasa trek(16/15Days)-Paro trek
Example trek from Paro
Day 01: Paro ai??i?? Shana
Drive up to Drugyel Dzong, starting point for the trek. The route follows a river, leading gently uphill through a narrow cultivated valley, passing through a village. Camp in a meadow in a stone shelter.
Day 02: Shana ai??i?? Soi Thangthangkha
Continue the ascent along the river path. The valley narrows and then closes in. The path then descends to the meadow. Camp in a meadow in a stone shelter.
Day 03: Soi Thangthangkha ai??i?? Jangothang (Distance: 19 km, time: about 5 A? hours.)
Continue walking along the Pa Chhu (river). Pass a small army post where the valley beings to widen again. There are great views of the high ridges and the snow-capped peaks. See yaks and winter homes of yak herders. Camp at a ruined fortress at the base of Mount Jhomolhari at an altitude of 4,040 m.
Day 04: Jangothang ai??i?? Lingshi (Distance: 19 km, time: about 5 A? hours.)
Pass through wide-open yak pastures along the trek route. Weather permitting; you can have great views of Lingshi Dzong as you descend to the Lingshi basin. Also view Tserim gang and its glaciers at the north end of the valley. Camp in a stone shelter or in tent at an altitude of 4,150 m.
Day 05: Lingshi ai??i?? Chebisa (Distance: 19 km, time: about 5 A? hours.)
This is the shortest walking day and you can take it easy. At Chebisa village you can visit village houses at an altitude of 3,850m.
Day 06: Chebisa ai??i?? Shomuthang (Distance: 17 km, time: about 6 hours.)
The route leads through wild high pastures. Cross Gobula Pass at an altitude of 4,350 m. Camp above the river, on a tributary to the Mo Chhu, flowing just below Gasa Tsachu (Gasa hot spring) at an altitude of 4,260 m.
Day 07: Shomuthang ai??i?? Robluthang (Distance: 15 km, time: about 5 hours.)
An early start is needed for trekking to the Jarela Pass at 4,600 metres. Then descend to Tsharijathang, the valley where takin, the national animal are usually seen. Overnight in camp at an altitude of 4,390 m.
Day 08: Robluthang ai??i?? Lemithang (Distance: 19 km, time: about 6 A? hours.)
After crossing Shinglela pass at 4,900 m, descend to follow the valley. Lemithang is in the Laya district and the trek passes through Laya villages. Overnight camp beneath Kang Che Da, the Great Tiger Mountain at an altitude of 4,213 m.
Day 09: Lemithang ai??i?? Laya (Distance: 10 km, time: about 4 A? hours.)
The route descends along a closed-in winding river alley. The trail splits, with one trail following the river down. The other stays high leading to the west of Laya village. Camp overnight on a high flat bench above the east end of Laya Village at an altitude of approximately 3860 m.
Day 10: Sightseeing at Laya
Visit the Laya village houses or hike above the camp.
Day 11: Laya ai??i?? Koena (Distance: 19 km, time: about 7 hours.)
The trail winds up and down along the river valley. The route offers views of the crashing river, feeder streams and water-falls. Overnight in camp at an altitude of 3,850 m.
Day 12: Koena ai??i?? Gasa (Distance: 17 km, time: about 6 A? hours.)
Cross Balala pass at 3,739 m. Then the trail descends to the campsite near Gasa Dzong (2,970 m)
Day 13: Gasa ai??i?? Gasa Tsachu
Trek to Gasa Tsachu (hot spring). After lunch relax in the hot spring. Overnight in camp.
Day 14: Gasa Tsachu ai??i?? Geon Damji (Distance: 21 km, time: about 7 hours.)
After the climb away from Gasa Tsachu, the trail winds through fields and villages. Overnight camp at an altitude of 2,280 m.
Day 15: Geon Damji ai??i?? Tashithang (Distance: 17 km, time: about 6A? hours.)
The trail descends from the high agricultural benches above the Mo Chhu into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees, creepers and occasional sights of monkey. Camp at Tashithang at an altitude of 560 m.
Day 16: Tashithang ai??i?? Khuruthang/Punakha
Drive down the Punakha valley. Overnight at Hotel.
NOTE: Now the motorable road has reached Goen Damji and soon to Gasa. Thus, this trek will be less by two days in future.