LAYA TREK DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO
DAY 02: PARO
DAY 03: PARO – SHANA – SOIL THANGTHANGKHA (5-6hrs)
DAY 04: SOIL T’HANGKHA – JANGOTHANG (8hrs)
DAY 05: REST DAY AT JANGOTHANG
DAY 06: JANGOTHANG – LINGSHI (8hrs)
DAY 07: LINGSHI – CHEBISA (6hrs)
DAY 08: CHEBISA – SHOUMUTHANG (7hrs)
DAY 09: SHOUMUTHANG – ROBLUTHANG (7hrs)
DAY 10: ROBLUTHANG – LIMITHANG (8hrs)
DAY 11: LIMITHANG – LAYA (5hrs)
DAY 12: REST DAY AT LAYA
DAY 13: LAYA – GASA – PUNAKHA
DAY 14: PUNAKHA
DAY 15: PUNAKHA – THIMPHU
DAY 16: THIMPHU
DAY 17: THIMPHU – PARO
DAY 18: DEPART PARO
DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
DAY 02: PARO
After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery, walking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill. The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is spectacular.
Afterwards visit other sights in Paro valley. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
DAY 03: PARO – SHANA – SOIL THANGTHANGKHA
17km, 5-6 hours
After early breakfast from hotel, we will drive about 2 hours through farm road to Shana, where you will start your trek. We ascend through the river valley and beautiful pine and rhododendron forest. Sadly much of the forest has been cut to make way for electricity to be run to Jangothang and Lingzhi village- the sight of fallen trees is a reminder of the cost of progress.
The trail again follows the Pa Chu (Paro river), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forest. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, we stop for lunch. Then continue along the river, climbing upwards through Rhododendron forest, and crossing the river once more before reaching the campsite (3750m). Overnight at campsite.
DAY 04: SOIL THANGTHANGKHA – JANGOTHANG
19km km, 7-8 hours
The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. We then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch is served at a yak herder’s camp. A short walk from here into the valley takes us to our campsite a Jangothang (4,040m).
DAY 05: JANGOTHANG
Rest Day
Day at leisure, enjoying superb views of the south face of Chomolhari and the ruined dzong.
DAY 06: JANGOTHANG – LINGSHI
18km, 7-8 hours
The trail follows a stream before crossing over to the right bank. We now start our climb up to the first ridge with views of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail then crosses a valley until climbing up to Nyele – La Pass (4,700m). We descend gradually to our campsite at Lingshi (4,000m).
DAY 07: LINGSHI – CHEBISA
10km, 5-6 hours
We continue on the trail past Lingshi Dzong, perched on its hilltop, enjoying exhilarating views of hills, the winding river and magnificent peaks. It is an easy day and a pleasant walk through villages. After lunch, a short walk takes us to Chebisa village, where we camp by the side of a stream of a stream (3,850m).
DAY 08: CHEBISA – SHOUMUTHAN
17km, 6-7 hours
Today begins with a stiff climb of nearly four hours up a ridge to Guba – La (4,500m). We descend from the pass through rhododendrons to our lunch location before crossing a stream and continuing through rhododendron forests and past yak herders’ camp. Tonight’s campsite is at an altitude of 4,250 m.
DAY 09: SHOUMUTHANG – ROBLUTHANG
18km, 6-7 hours
This trek starts with a climb up to Jari – La Pass (4,700m). We descend from here to Tasharijathang valley, the summer grazing ground of the rare Himalayan Takin. After crossing a stream, the trail ascends to Robluthang (4,200m) where we set up our camp for the night.
DAY 10: ROBLUTHANG – LIMITHANG
19km, 7-8 hours
We start the day with a long climb up to Shinji-La Pass (4,900m), enjoying stunning mountain views from the path. After crossing the pass we descend to Lingithang. The last part of today’s trek is steep, with splendid views of Gangchenta peak (6,840). Tonight’s campsite is at an altitude of 4,100 m.
DAY 11: LIMITHANG – LAYA
10 km, 4 – 5 hours
In the morning we walk to a superb view of Gangchenta peak in front of our camp. The walk to Laya is very pleasant through a damp forest filled with moss and singing birds. We set up camp on arrival at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country, at 3,800m.
DAY 12: LAYA
Rest Day
Explore Laya village. You can go and visit one of the local houses. Traditional Bhutanese hospitality is extended even to a stranger, and a cup of tea and chang (alcohol brewed from barley) is always offered.
DAY 13: LAYA – PUNAKHA
Descend to army camp and join the Mo Chhu (Mother River of Punakha). Follow the river till you cross the bridge. After the bridge we will have to ascend and descend several times, through juniper and fir forests until you reach Koena at an altitude of 3800m. You will meet your car and driver here to transfer you to Gasa village. The drive is through the fir, spruce and rhododendron forest and after descending almost 1250m you reach Gasa. Here you can have a relaxing dip in the Tshachu or the hot spring which is located below your camp. It is going to be a treat relieving you from any muscle aches after a long trek. This marks the end of the this trek and today you will drive to Punakha valley.
DAY 14: PUNAKHA
Visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’. It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. It was here in 1907 that Bhutan’s first king was crowned.After lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of Drukpa Kuenly. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is also considered a symbol of fertility. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.
DAY 15: PUNAKHA – THIMPHU
Drive to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu via the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks (about 3 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms. In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour. After lunch, enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
DAY 16: THIMPHU
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, 12th century Changangkha Temple, the Zilukha Nunnery and Tashichhodzong. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
DAY 17: THIMPHU – PARO
Visit the School for Arts and Crafts, The National Library housing a collection of 8th century scriptures, the Traditional Paper Factory and the Folk Heritage Museum. If your visit coincides with the weekend, you can walk through the Thimphu Market. Late afternoon transfer to Paro for overnight.
DAY 18: DEPART PARO
Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. Tashi Delek.
