16 Days Jomolhari Laya Gasa Trek in Bhutann

Highlight: Visit Paro National Museum and stroll around the town after arriving in Paro by flight.

Upon your arrival in Paro by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national carrier, you will be picked up by your tour guide at the airport and then escorted to the hotel. After a short rest, you will go to tour the Paro city.

In the afternoon, we will head to visit to Ta Dzong Museum, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, as well as textiles, jewelry etc., offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro including Ta Dzong Museum

(Trek distance: 17km; Time: 5-6 hours; Altitude: 2850m to 3610m; Ascent: 760m, descent: 10m)

Early in the morning, we will first drive from Paro to Sharna Zampa, where you will meet our trekking staff. Upon arrival at the army post of Gunitsawa (2810m), your trek permit (provided by your tour operator) will be checked and endorsed. Then we will have our breakfast at Sharma Zampa (2850m).

It is a long day trek from Sharna Zampa to Thangthangkha. Following the trail along Paro Chuu River, we will ascend and descend through pine, oak and spruce forest. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, we will stop to have lunch. Then, walking on along the river to climb through Rhododendron forest. In a while, we will reach the campsite for the night stay after crossing the river.

Camping at Thangthangkha.

Jhomolhari Laya Gasa Trek

(Trek distance: 19km; Time: 5-6 hours; Altitude: 3610m to 4040m; Ascent: 430m, descent:-)

After breakfast, we will trek to Jangothang. The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. Following the river above the tree line, you can enjoy the fabulous views of the surrounding peaks. Then after lunch at a yak herders’ camp, we go on to walk to the valley and enter to region of Jangothang (4040m). Upon arrival, you can see superb view of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake at Jangothang.

Camping at Jangothang.

Highlight: Have a good rest in Jangothang and enjoy the nearby great views of lakes and mountains.

It is a rest day in Jangothang, which is a perfect environment for your acclimatization. You can take some short hikes to enjoy the fascinating views of the surrounding lakes and snow-capped mountains, such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. You may also see blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley.

Camping at Jangothang.

(Trek distance: 18km; Time: 6-7 hours; Altitude: 4040m to 4890m; Ascent: 850m, descent: 1090m)

Today, we will go on trekking to Lingshi. 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 4,890m. 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 traveling to various pastures for their yaks. As you come down into the Lingshi basin (3800m), a beautiful U-shaped valley, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on clear days. Tserimgang and its glaciers rise at the north end of the valley. The campsite is next to a stone hut you reach just before Lingshi Dzong.

Camping at Lingshi.

(Trek distance: 10km; Time: 5-6 hours; Altitude: 3800m to 4220m; Ascent: 420m, descent: 410m)

It will be the shortest trekking day and you can take it easy. After arriving at a chorten below Lingshi Dzong, you can choose to stay on the main trail or trek high up to the Lingshi Dzong (4,220m). At the Dzong, you can enjoy a great view of the valley. Then we will go on trek to villages of Lingshi and Goyul. In Goyul, there are stone houses clustered together to form a small compact village that is unusual in Bhutan. Then reach the campsite at Chebisa, where you can visit the beautiful waterfall located behind the village.

Camping at Chebisa.

(Trek distance: 17km; Time: 6-7 hours; Altitude: 3880m to 4410m; Ascent: 890m, descent: 540m)

In the morning, we will start to trek upwards through a wide pastureland towards Gobu La (pass) at 4410m. You will see locals herding yaks on the way. There is also a great chance to see blue sheep along the trail. After crossing the pass, we will descend into the valley and take several climbs and descents, before reaching the U-shaped valley of Shakshepasa (3980m). Then a short climb will take us finally to the campsite at Shomuthang. 

Camping at Shomuthang

(Trek distance: 18km; Time: 6-7 hours; Altitude: 4220m to 4750m; Ascent: 530m, descent: 760m)

After breakfast, we will start with a climb up the valley to view Kang Bum (6526 m) and some edelweiss. Then we will continue trekking for about 2 hours to reach Jhari La (4750m), a place to get the first glimpse of Sinche La Pass. There is a big snow peak in the north, namely Gangchhenta, also known as Great Tiger Mountain. You will also get a chance to see Tserim Kang and the top of Jomolhari if the weather is clear.

There is a camp called Tsheri Jathang located in a beautiful wide and remote valley. The valley has been declared as Takin sanctuary. Every year, herds of takin, the Bhutanese National Animal, migrate to this valley in summer. Then we will ascend to our campsite at Robluthang (4160m), which is in a rocky meadow. 

Camping at Robluthang.

(Trek distance: 19km; Time: 6-7 hours; Altitude: 4160m to 5010m; Ascent: 850m, descent: 870m)

Today’s trek begins with a short climb of about 1 hour. Then we will go on to ascend through a boulder field before reaching Sinche La (5010m) – the final and highest pass on the trek. Along the trail, you will get to see impressive terminal moraine and a glacial lake at the foot of the valley. Below the moraine, we will cross the Kango Chhu and soon reach the Limithang campsite at 4140m. From the campsite, you can see the great peak view of Gangchhenta from distance.

Camping at Limithang.

(Trek distance: 10km; Time: 4-5 hours; Altitude: 4140m to 3840m; Ascent: 60m, descent: 340m)

Today we will descend all the way through a narrow and winding river valley. Then traversing through thick forests, the trail will lead us to the west side of Laya village. From the west of the village we will have spectacular views of Mt. Gangchhenta and Mt. Masagang. The village is provided with a community school and a basic health unit with a telephone connection.

Camping at Laya.

(Trek distance: 19km; Time: 6-7 hours; Altitude: 3840m to 3050m; Ascent: 260m, descent: 790m)

It is a twisted trek along the river valley of Mo Chhu. Along the way, you will see brilliant view of raging river, feeder streams and waterfalls. Then we will reach Kohi Lapcha at 3300 m. After that, we will descend towards the large stream of Koina Chhu, where we will find a campsite for the night stay. 

Camping at Koina.

(Trek distance: 14km; Time: 6-7 hours; Altitude: 3050m to 3740m; Ascent: 740m, descent: 1500m)

Today we will take the last major climb of the Laya Gasa Trek. The trail will take us to cross Bari La (3740m), and then descend all the way to Gasa village (2770m). Go on walk downhill to Gasa Tsachu (hot springs), one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan. There you can relax in the rejuvenating mineral waters after the trek. And your car and driver will meet you in the evening.

Camping at Gasa.

Highlight: Travel to Punakha and visit the famous Punakha Dzong and Chhimi Lhakhang there.

After say goodbye to our trekking staff and horsemen in the morning, we will set off on the way to Punakha. Upon arrival, you will first visit the celebrated Punakha Dzong, the second largest Dzong in Bhutan, built in 1657 at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers. It is also the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move together to this warm location from Thimphu.

Later, you will also visit the Chhimi Lhakhang, also known as Devine Madman’s Monastery. Located near Lobesa, it stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Chimi Lhakhang

Highlight: Visit Paro’s landmarks including Paro Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang

After a tasty breakfast in the morning, we will drive back to Paro from Punakha. On the way, you will see the great view of the amazing Himalayan ranges. You can also stop at Dochula Pass to take impressive photos.

While in Paro, you will go to explore the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong. It is a large Dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress built in 17th Century to protect Paro valley. Rinpung Dzong houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.

Then head to visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa, Tibet, the temple has the great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro Rinpung Dzong

Meals Included

• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Highlight: Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest.

Today, we will enjoy the exciting trek to the Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest. Standing incredibly on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3210m) is the landmark of Bhutan and also the holiest temple of the country. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. The temple has therefore become the holy site worshipped by all Bhutanese devotees, and known as one of the world’s top ten temples. 

After the trek, we will head back to Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

Your tour guide will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination. Tour service end.