Laya Ghasa Trek- 18 Days

You can fly to Paro from cities like Bangkok, New Delhi, Kathmandu, and Dhaka. We suggest choosing Bangkok as your departure point since Druk Air operates daily flights between Bangkok and Paro, while flights from other locations are less frequent.

Upon your arrival in Paro, our airport representative will greet you and escort you to your hotel in a private tourist vehicle. After lunch, you’ll visit the Paro Dzong and the National Museum. In the evening, enjoy a stroll through Paro’s main market area

Today we set off on one of Bhutan’s most famous and sacred adventures, the hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. Perched dramatically on a cliff high above the Paro Valley, this is where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated after flying in on a tigress. We follow a peaceful trail through pine forests adorned with prayer flags, reaching a viewpoint after about two hours for incredible views of the golden-roofed monastery. After a warm Bhutanese lunch, there’s the option to go even closer before heading back down. Feel free to rest in the evening and prepare for the next day’s trek.

The journey begins with a drive to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, located at the northern end of the Paro Valley. This is where the road ends and the trek begins. The view of Mount Chomolhari rising in the background offers a spectacular start.

The trail follows a dirt path for about an hour through a fertile valley, lined with forested hills and traditional farmhouses. You’ll walk alongside the Paro Chu (river), with the sun often quite strong at this elevation. The first village you’ll pass is Tsento Zampa, where you might see chillies drying on rooftops. The main crops grown here are red rice, wheat, and potatoes.

As you continue along the eastern bank of the river, the path gently leads through thick forest filled with birds and butterflies. After about two and a half hours, you’ll arrive at Gunitsawa, a military camp with a small school and shops. Your trekking permit will be checked here.

Another short walk through the woods brings you to an open meadow near the river – the Shana campsite. From here, you’ll have a stunning view of the snow-covered peak Jo Drakey.

Today’s trek is long and challenging, with both distance and altitude gain pushing the limits. After lunch, the trail becomes rough and uneven, with frequent ascents and descents.

We follow the river upstream from the campsite, passing the old Shana Bridge ruins. This bridge was destroyed in the 1950s by a massive flood triggered by a glacial lake outburst. In earlier times, it was used by travelers journeying to and from Phari in Tibet. The path gradually ascends through dense forests filled with oak, rhododendron, bamboo, and ferns. After a short walk past a small house, we arrive at a place called Shing Karap. Not far from here, we reach a junction. One route from this point leads to the now-restricted Tremo La Pass and onward to Phari, once a well-traveled trade route.

The trail then makes a brief but steep climb followed by a descent, bringing us to a large bridge at 3,250m. This is Thongo Zam, a good spot for lunch. From here, the trek continues through a beautiful forest of birch, fir, larch, maple, and blue pine. After a short uphill stretch, we reach Seyende Zam, where a large chorten (stupa) stands. If the skies are clear, we get our first glimpse of Mt. Chomolhari to the north. A final walk of about 20 to 30 minutes takes us to our campsite in a peaceful meadow.

After a relaxed morning with breakfast and views of Mt. Chomolhari, we begin our trek. The trail gradually rises as we leave the tree line behind and enter an open, scenic valley. Along the way, we pass Tegethang, a seasonal settlement where yak herders stay during the winter months.

The landscape opens up more as we move further into the valley. Eventually, we reach Jangothang, the base camp of Chomolhari. Surrounded by towering peaks, the area feels wide and remote. From our camp, we can see the striking peak of Jichu Drake, and nearby lie the remnants of an ancient fortress, adding to the dramatic setting.

Today is a rest day at Chomolhari Base Camp, giving the body time to adjust to the altitude. Even though it’s a break from moving camp, it’s important to stay active, so we’ll head out on a day hike.
One of the most rewarding walks leads eastward to the twin lakes of Tsho Phu. From the lakes, the views looking back toward Mt. Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are truly breathtaking. Keep your eyes open along the way—you might spot a herd of Himalayan Blue Sheep grazing in the valley.

After breakfast a steep switchback trail starts climbing out of the valley into another that leads to the final climb and pass. It is a long climb about 3-4 hrs to reach the first high and very windy pass of this trek, the Nyelela Pass “sleepy pass” (4,890m). From Nyelela Pass one you can see far towards the east-northeast into the trekking area that we will be covering over the next couple of days. Mt. Takaphu dominates the view towards the north. Gangchen Ta “Tiger Mountain” is the main mountain to be seen looking east.

Less than 30 minutes down is a flat, more sheltered area,  a good lunch spot. We continue to descend passing a narrow gorge with a small river crossing. The trail leads to a viewing point from which Lingshi Dzong can be seen. Our campsite is located next to a river.

Today’s walk is considered one of the most enjoyable parts of the entire journey. We leave Lingshi with a gentle uphill climb that leads us to the charming village of Gom Yu, tucked just beneath a towering 300-meter cliff.

From there, it’s about an hour’s walk to a peaceful valley where the picturesque village of Chebisa sits, complete with a stunning waterfall at the far end. We set up camp beside the river, surrounded by the calm and beauty of this hidden gem.

We start the day with a steady and challenging climb up to Gogu La Pass at 4,440 meters. From the pass, the trail drops down to a stream at around 4,170 meters before we begin another long uphill stretch over a ridge.

The path then descends into the lush Jholethang valley, winding through dense forest filled with fir and birch trees. As we continue, the trail follows high above the valley floor before reaching Chachim, a high yak pasture at 4,260 meters. Our camp for the night is set beside a stream at the base of the valley—quiet and peaceful.

Today’s trek is a demanding one, taking us over the Jarela Pass at 4,785 meters. From the top, the panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks are truly breathtaking. After taking it all in, we make a steep descent through forested trails into the Tsarigathang valley, a remote and wild area known as the summer habitat of the rare Himalayan Takin, Bhutan’s national animal.

After crossing a stream, the path climbs again through rugged terrain until we reach our campsite at Robluthang, set at 4,160 meters.

Today is one of the more challenging days of the trek, as we cross Shinche La-the highest pass on this route, at 5,000 meters (16,400 ft). The effort is well rewarded with dramatic mountain views, and if you’re lucky, you might spot Blue Sheep grazing on the high slopes or see eagles and griffon vultures soaring overhead. Yaks are also a common sight in these high-altitude areas.

The descent from the pass is steep and rocky, following a moraine down into another glacial valley. The final stretch of the trail opens up to striking views of Mt. Gangchey Ta before we arrive at our campsite, set in a quiet meadow beside a river.

Today’s walk is short and enjoyable, offering lovely views along the river, which is one of the tributaries of the Mochu. The trail leads through a damp, lush forest where moss carpets the ground and birds fill the air with their songs.

We eventually reach Laya, a unique and remote village nestled at 3,800 meters. It is the second-highest settlement in Bhutan and offers a fascinating glimpse into high-mountain life and culture.

Today is a well-earned rest day in the beautiful village of Laya. You’re free to relax at camp or take a stroll through the village, visiting local homes and connecting with the friendly Layap people.

The Layaps are semi-nomadic yak herders with a distinct culture and way of life. Unlike women in other parts of Bhutan, Layap women wear their hair long and dress in traditional clothing made from yak hair and sheep wool, a black skirt with brown stripes, a black jacket, and a unique pointed hat woven from bamboo.

We begin the day with a descent to the army camp, then follow the trail alongside the Mo Chhu River. After crossing a bridge, the path winds up and down several times through beautiful forests of juniper and fir. After a steady walk through this peaceful landscape, we reach our campsite at Koina.

The day begins with a steady climb up to the Balela Pass at 3,900 meters, where you’ll find a small rock cairn and a few prayer flags marking the top. After the pass, the trail starts to descend through a bamboo forest and leads to a stream. From there, it’s mostly downhill all the way to Gasa Hot Springs. If time allows, we can take a short detour to visit Gasa village and the 17th-century Dzong before continuing down to the hot springs for our campsite.

Start your day exploring Punakha’s beautiful sights, starting with the impressive Punakha Dzong, a landmark fortress that also serves as the winter home for Bhutan’s Chief Abbot and monks. From there, cross the Pho Chu Suspension Bridge, one of the longest in the country, and soak in the scenic views. Finish with a stop at Kaja Throm Market, a bustling spot where you can experience everyday Bhutanese life and browse a colorful array of handcrafted goods.

We start the day with a visit to Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot, and the central monastic body. Afterward, we drive across Dochula Pass, heading toward Thimphu. Once in Thimphu, we’ll have lunch and enjoy some sightseeing before making our way to Paro in the evening.

After breakfast our airport representative will drop you at the Paro International Airport for your flight departure from Bhutan.