Laya Gasa Trek

Met at Paro International Airport with khadars and transferred to the hotel. The flight in is itself one of the more memorable arrivals in aviation, threading between the ridges of the Paro valley with the wing tips seemingly brushing pine. Lunch and a quiet afternoon to settle from the journey. In the evening we run the long-trek pre-departure briefing — a more involved session than for shorter treks, since we'll be away from any road for nearly two weeks. Detailed kit check, group medical kit overview, satellite-communication protocol with our Thimphu office, and a route walkthrough day by day. Final dinner at the hotel.

Stay:

Hotel Olathang, Paro

Meals:

B/D

Altitude:

2235 m

An ideal acclimatisation day before the long trek begins: a steady 5- to 6-hour return hike up to Taktsang Monastery (the Tiger's Nest) at 3,120 m on its sheer cliff face. The trail switchbacks through blue pine and prayer-flag-strung rest stops, with a tea break at the halfway cafeteria where the view of the monastery first opens up. The climb deliberately gets you above 3,000 m for the first time, helping the body begin its adaptation before we go higher. Inside the monastery, several small lhakhangs are open for visit. Back to the hotel by mid-afternoon for a hot-stone bath at a traditional farmhouse, then last-minute kit adjustments and an early night.

Stay:

Hotel Olathang, Paro

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

9 km

Altitude:

3120 m

A short morning drive up the valley to the Drukgyel Dzong ruins — a 17th-century fortress built to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders, partially destroyed by a 1951 fire and now under restoration. From the trailhead just beyond, the Laya Gasa trek officially begins. A long first day of about 17 km along the Paro Chhu river through dense pine forest, with the trail climbing slowly and crossing several rustic wooden bridges. Watch for ringtail and yellow-billed blue magpies in the canopy, and listen for the explosive whistle of pheasants in the undergrowth. Camp at Shana in a riverside meadow.

Stay:

Tented camp, Shana

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

17 km

Altitude:

2850 m

A challenging but spectacular day climbing steadily up the Paro Chhu valley as the river narrows and the forest changes character — pine yields to dense rhododendron, then to silver fir and birch as we cross the 3,500 m mark. Several side waterfalls tumble down from the ridges to the north, with crystal pools that some hardy trekkers attempt for a quick wash. By late afternoon the trees thin and the first proper alpine meadow opens out at Sio Thangthangkha. This is the first night above 3,500 m and many trekkers feel the altitude during dinner — drink water aggressively and skip alcohol entirely.

Stay:

Tented camp, Sio Thangthangkha

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

19 km

Altitude:

3750 m

A steady, paced climb above the treeline to one of the great trekking camps in the Himalaya. The trail follows the upper Paro Chhu past yak herders' summer camps, where you may be invited in for butter tea (worth saying yes). By mid-afternoon Jangothang base camp comes into view: a wide grass plateau directly beneath the spectacular north face of Mount Jomolhari (7,326 m), with the smaller but elegant Jichu Drake (6,989 m) to the east. Camp is at 4,050 m, surrounded by ruins of an ancient fortified watchtower. The alpenglow on Jomolhari's face at sunset is, for many trekkers, the lasting image of the entire trip.

Stay:

Tented camp, Jangothang

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

19 km

Altitude:

4050 m

An essential rest and acclimatisation day before the high passes ahead. Optional walks for those feeling well: a steady ascent to Tsophu lake (about 2 hours up) or a longer climb up the ridge directly south for an even closer view of Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. Either way you climb during the day and return to sleep at the same altitude — this is exactly how the body adapts to higher elevation. Watch the upper slopes carefully for blue sheep and Himalayan griffon vultures riding the thermals. Evening at camp with the cook crew preparing a more elaborate meal than usual; many trekkers reach Jangothang and feel the 'click' of having properly arrived in the high mountains.

Stay:

Tented camp, Jangothang

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

5 km

Altitude:

4050 m

The first big pass of the trek. A long, methodical climb to Nyile La at 4,890 m — the kind of pass that requires you to count your steps in the final 200 vertical metres because the air is so thin. From the top, prayer flags whip in the wind and the view opens dramatically east into the Lingshi valley. The descent is steep at first, then settles into a long open traverse with Lingshi Dzong, an isolated 17th-century fortress, perched on its hilltop ahead. Camp below the dzong in a meadow with grazing yaks; the contrast of warm tea after a 10-hour day at altitude is sharp.

Stay:

Tented camp, Lingshi

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

18 km

Altitude:

4890 m

A deliberately easier day to recover from yesterday's pass and to prepare for the back-to-back high passes that follow. The trail descends gently to Chebisa, a tiny village (perhaps a dozen households) tucked into a south-facing fold beneath a tall, narrow waterfall that drops straight off the cliff above. Time in the afternoon to wander the village and meet the herder families — most are happy to invite trekkers in for tea, and our guide can translate. Optional short walk up to the base of the waterfall. Earlier camp set-up than usual, giving everyone a long evening to read, write, and let the body recover.

Stay:

Tented camp, Chebisa

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

12 km

Altitude:

3850 m

Cross Gobu La pass at 4,410 m — a long, rewarding day that combines significant climbing with some of the most photogenic alpine meadow walking on the trek. The terrain on the western approach is springy turf scattered with tiny alpine flowers in early summer; on the eastern descent, rocky and wilder. Watch for blue sheep on the higher slopes and Himalayan marmots whistling alarm calls from boulder fields. Lunch typically at the pass itself if the weather is settled. By late afternoon we reach Shomuthang camp in a sheltered valley with a small stream — water close to camp and good wind protection.

Stay:

Tented camp, Shomuthang

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

17 km

Altitude:

4410 m

Another high-pass day — Jerela at 4,760 m, where the terrain becomes notably more rugged and rocky than what we have crossed before. The climb to the pass is steady but the rocks demand attention; trekking poles are recommended. From the top the view eastward is staggering: a wild, unsettled landscape of high ridges and glacial valleys with no road or village in any direction. Late afternoon descent through scree and meadow to Robluthang camp, dropping below 4,200 m for a slightly warmer night. The cook crew prepares a high-calorie meal — these consecutive high days work the body hard.

Stay:

Tented camp, Robluthang

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

15 km

Altitude:

4760 m

The trek's highpoint and one of the great mountain days in the Himalaya. We cross Sinche La at 5,005 metres — above the threshold where the air pressure is roughly half of sea level, where every step demands deliberate effort. The climb takes 4 to 5 hours of steady, slow walking with frequent breaks. From the pass, prayer flags strung between cairns whip in the wind, and on a clear day the views extend across two distinct mountain systems. The descent down the eastern side is long but straightforward, dropping into broad alpine meadow with views ahead to the Layap settlements. Late camp at Lingmithang.

Stay:

Tented camp, Lingmithang

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

19 km

Altitude:

5005 m

A relatively short, downhill day into Laya village at 3,850 m — home of the semi-nomadic Layap people, one of Bhutan's most distinctive ethnic minorities. Layap women wear conical bamboo hats, long black wool dresses, and remarkable silver and turquoise jewellery; the men still herd yaks and sheep across the high pastures around the village. We have two nights at Laya, giving real time to walk through the village, meet families, watch the local school day, and visit the small hilltop temple. Many trekkers describe Laya as the cultural high point of the entire trip — it feels like a place out of another time.

Stay:

Tented camp, Laya

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

10 km

Altitude:

3850 m

Leave Laya and begin the long descent towards lower country, following the Mo Chhu river through dense pine and rhododendron forest. The trail is mostly downhill but undulating in places — and after so many days at altitude, even moderate climbs can feel surprisingly hard on tired legs. Lunch at a clearing beside a small tributary, then continue down to Koena where we camp on a riverside meadow. The change of scenery as we drop below 4,000 m is striking: mosses, ferns, larger trees, and the constant sound of the river replacing the silence of the high pasture.

Stay:

Tented camp, Koena

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

19 km

Altitude:

3800 m

The final trekking day, and a deeply satisfying one — a steady descent to Gasa Tshachu, a natural mineral hot springs complex tucked into a side valley above the Mo Chhu river. The Bhutanese have used these springs for centuries to treat ailments from arthritis to skin conditions, and there is no better post-trek reward than soaking long, sun-baked muscles in the warm sulphur water. Several pools at different temperatures sit in cedar enclosures. Camp set up just above the springs, with the cook crew preparing a celebratory dinner — yak and red rice, momos, and ara if the group wishes. Most trekkers sleep extremely well tonight.

Stay:

Tented camp, Gasa

Meals:

B/L/D

Distance:

18 km

Altitude:

2900 m

After a long, slow breakfast at the hot springs, we hike a short way to the road head where vehicles are waiting. The drive out of the mountains to Punakha takes most of the day, with several stops at scenic viewpoints and a leisurely lunch en route. Hot showers, real beds, and a properly long lunch at the boutique hotel are the order of the afternoon. By late afternoon, those who are up for a short outing visit Punakha Dzong at the meeting of the Pho Chhu (father river) and Mo Chhu (mother river) — arguably the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan. Long, restful evening.

Stay:

Dhensa Boutique, Punakha

Meals:

B/L/D

Late breakfast and the easy drive back over Dochula Pass to Thimphu — recrossing the saddle of 108 chortens with one last view of the eastern Himalaya you have just walked through, if the morning is clear. Lunch in the capital, then a free afternoon for crafts shopping (Norzin Lam and the Crafts Bazaar are the main spots), a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, or simply rest. Evening celebratory group dinner at one of Thimphu's restaurants — many groups vote for a Bhutanese set menu so you can compare with what you ate on the trail. Your guide makes the booking.

Stay:

Hotel Druk, Thimphu

Meals:

B/L/D

Altitude:

2334 m

Final breakfast in Thimphu and the easy 90-minute drive back to Paro along the Wang Chhu river road. We aim for the airport at least two hours before your flight for relaxed check-in. Final khadars at the security gate and a last 'tashi delek' from your guide before you board. Most onward flights connect through Delhi, Kolkata, Bangkok or Singapore — your guide stays at the airport until your flight is wheels-up. Take the trip with you: 17 days, five passes, two cultures, and one of the great walks of Asia, all complete.

Stay:

—

Meals:

B/L