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Laya Trek
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Places covered : Paro - Shana - Soi Thangthangkha -
Jangothang - Lingshi - Chebisa - Shomuthang - Robluthang - Lemithang - Laya
- Chamsa - Gasa Tshacha - Damji - Tashithang - Punakha - Thimphu - Paro
Highlights
of Laya Trek
Paro : Taktsang monastery (Tiger's Nest), Drukgyel Dzong ruins, Kyichu Lhakhang, Rinpung Dzong , Ta dzong.
Thimphu : School of Fine Arts, Zandog Pelri , Changgangkha temples, King's Memorial Chorten, Tashichhodzong.
Lingshi : Tsrim Ghang , Lingshi Dzong .
Gasa Tsachu : Bele La pass , Gasa Tsachu , Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Paro : Taktsang monastery (Tiger's Nest), Drukgyel Dzong ruins, Kyichu Lhakhang, Rinpung Dzong , Ta dzong.
Thimphu : School of Fine Arts, Zandog Pelri , Changgangkha temples, King's Memorial Chorten, Tashichhodzong.
Lingshi : Tsrim Ghang , Lingshi Dzong .
Gasa Tsachu : Bele La pass , Gasa Tsachu , Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
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 of Chomolhari, 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.