LAYA GASA BEAUTIFUL HIMALAYA TREK

This trek offers a great variety of trekking conditions, from picturesque farmland and forests to alpine pastureland and high pass. Spectacular campsite, beneath some of Bhutan’s most impressive peaks, of which the most notable are Chomolhari and Jitsu Drakey, are also the features of this trekking route. Numerous isolated dzongs an Scattered settlements, including the outlandish village of Laya, Provide a great deal of  Cultural interest Enroute.

Season: April to June and mid September to November.

Day1: The flight in Paro is one of the most specticular of all mountain flights. One can see Mount. Everest, Kanchenjanga, Makula, and peaks in Bhutansuch as Jhomolhari, Jitchu Drakey and Tsherim Gang. The first gift from Bhutan will be cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the airplane. Receive you by the representative from Men-Lha Adventure Company and transfer you to Hotel in Paro. Altitude: 2280mtrs.

National Museum: Built in 1649 as a watchtower but in 1968 it was converting into National Museum by the Third King. 7 storied Building in couch shape. One of the best museum in Asia.
Paro Dzong: Dzong is (Monastery Fortress in English). The person who unified Bhutan in 1616 called Zhabdrung Rinpoche built it in 1646. It survived the 1897 earthquake but a fire severely damaged the dzong in 1907. It is one of the most impressive and well known with finest example of Bhutanese Architecture.

Day 2: sight seeing in an around Paro Valley

Taktshang Monastery: the Precious Master (Guru Rinpoche) founded this place in 8th century (747AD) during his second visit to Bhutan. He has meditated for four month has and founded this place as one of the most secret pilgrim site for Buddhist. It is also believe to be said that who ever visit this place once in their life will be counted as thousand time’s. After visit this place can purified your sin that has been committed. It is about 5hours hike, if you complete the hiking in an around Monastery.
Dungtse Monastery: Built in 1421 by Famous Tibetan saint Thangthong Gyalpo also known as ChagzamPa, A famous iron chain bridge duilder. It contains most extraordinary frescoes painting in the Himalayan world. The temple is conceived as a Mandala( a mystic Cosmic diagram). Over night in hotel.
Kychu monastery: Built in 659 AD by the Tibetan King Songtsen Geompo to pin down the Ogress. The construction of Kychu Monastery in Paro and Jambasy Monastery in Bumtang (central Bhutan) first put Bhutan on the Buddhist Map. Dinner and over night at hotel in Paro.

Day 3: Paro to Gunetsawa
The trek starts from Drugyal dzong at 2580mtrs with a short walk on wide trails. The trails climb gently traversing through well maintain rice terraces and fields of millets. The route later enters an area of apple orchard and forests. Soon the valley widens and you reach the Army post of Gunetsawa at 2810mtrs. This the last stop before Tibet. At 2870mtrs just beyond the Shana Zampa you will camp near by the river. Over night camp. Walking distance: 5/6hours, 17kms.

Day 4: Shana to Soi-Thang thang ka
The trail again follows the Paro river ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. Hot lunch or pack lunch will be serving after crossing the bridge on the left hand side. After lunch, follow the river climbing up through rhododendrons forests and finally crossing the bridge again reaching the campsite at the altitude of 3750mtrs. Walking distance: 8/9hours, 20kms.

Day 5: Thangthangka to Jangothang (Base camp of Mount. Chomolhari)
The path ascends for a while till you reach the army camp. Then follow the river above the tree line enjoying the stunning views of surrounding peaks. Lunch on the way and continue your walk. A short distance walk into the valley will take you into the campsite of Jangothang at 4040mtrs. Over night camp. Walking distance: 7hours, 19kms.

Day 6: Jangothang halt
Cleaning day and make a short day hike to the glacier near the Chomolhari mountain. Over night camp.

Day 7: Jangothang to Lingshi valley
The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the wooden bridge on right side. Start the climb uphill with breathtaking view of Chomolhari, Jitsu Drakey and Tserim gang. The walk towards the valley, almost flat for a while, until the climb to the Nyelela passes at an altitude of 4700mtrs. After the pass gradually descend to the lingshi cam, enjoying the panoramic view of Lingshi Dzong. Over night camp at the altitude of 4000mtrs.
Walking distance: 7/8hours,18kms.

Day 8: Lingshi to Chebisa
Proceed ahead passing Lingshi Dzong, Preach on the hilltop with the command view of green hills. The Winding River and magnificent peaks. It is an easy day and pleasant walk through the village and yak herders’ camp. After lunch short walk will take you to the Chebisa village. Camp by the side of the stream at the altitude of 3850mtrs.
Walking distance: 5/6hours, 10km.

Day 9: Chebisa to Shomuthang
Today the trail began with a stiff climb up a ridge to Gubu la pass at an altitude of 4500mtrs, taking nearly 4 hours. After crossing, a pass descends to a lunch stop, through Rhododendrons bushes. After lunch continue your walk along the up and down path, after crossing the stream, through rhododendron forests and yak herders camp. You may also see the herd of Blue sheep now and then. Over night camp at altitude 4250mtrs.
Walking distance: 6/7hours, 17kms

Day 10: Shomuthang to Robluthang
The trek starts with a climb to Jari la pass at the altitude 4700mtrs. Then descends to Tasharijathang valley, the summer residence of rare Himalayan takin(national Animal) of Bhutan. From here, we may have to cross the stream most of the time the footbridge is washes away. After crossing the stream towards the left the trail ascends till you reach the campsite in Robluthang at an altitude 4200mtrs. Over night camp.
Walking distance: 6/7hours, 18kms

Day11: Robluthang to Limethang
It is along climb up to Shingjela pass 4900mtrs. The view of the mountains from the path is stunning. After the pass descends to Limethang. The path is quite narrow and you may have to cross the stream again and get wet. The last part of the trek is very interesting with the view of the Mount. Gangchen Ta(tiger mountain). Over night camp at an altitude 4100mtrs.
Walking distance: 7/8hours, 19kms.

Day12: Limethang to Laya
The morning you wake up with a superb view of the Mount. GangchenTa in front of you. The walk to Laya is very pleasant with wonderful views. You will pass through the damp forests, filled with mass and singing birds. Over night camp at an altitude 3800mtrs.
Walking distance: 4/5hours, 10kms

Day13: Laya Halt
Explore in an around Laya Village. You can also visit the local houses and witness the cultural show performs by the local young ladies. Over night camp.

Day14: Laya to Chamsa
Descends to Army camp and Join the Mochu (Female River) of Punakha. Follow the river till you cross the bridge. After crossing the bridge will be up and down several times through Juniper and Fir forests till you reach the camp. Over night camp at an altitude of 3800mtrs.
Walking distance: 8/9hours, 19kms.

Day15: Chamsa to Gasa
Walk for over half an hour on the flat land till you reach the Belela Pass. Its down hill all the way to Gasa, Lunch at Gasa Village at the altitude of 2700mtrs. After lunch visit the Dzong in Gasa and stroll in an around Gasa Village. The evenings descend to Gasa Tshachu (hot spring) for camp at 2200mtrs.
Walking distance: 6/7hours,14kms.

Day16: Gasa Halt
After a long trek, this is the place to relax and enjoy the hot bath and local beer that can be procured here.

Day17: Gasa to Damji
The path continue ascending and descending through heavily forested areas and wild orchids. In this area, there are leeches so one must be careful. Over night camp at an altitude of 2400mtrs.
Walking distance: 5/6hours,18kms

Day 18: Damji to Tashithang(Punakha)
It is the last day trekking continue following the river (mo-chu) Female river down heavily forested area till you reach Tashithang at an altitude of 1620mtrs. The Men-Lha transportation will be waiting to drive you to Punakha Valley for over night. Over night at Hotel in Punakha 1250mtrs.
Walking distance: 5/6hours, 16kms.

Day19: Sightseeing in an around Punakha and Wangdue Valley
Visit Punakha Dzong: this dzong was built in 1637and consider as a 2nd oldest dzong in the country. It covers the island at the confluence of the two rivers; as it lies in between two rivers that is believe as a male river and female river. It is also use as a winter residence for the monk body. The dzong has a very beautiful painting that has done after the renovatition 1999.
Hike to Fertility Temple: the cousin brother of Drukpa Kuenley (Divine Madman) built this monastery in 1456. A visible monastery over the hillock across the valley on the right side of Punakha road. It is call as the temple of the fertility. Those who visit the temple today will be blesses by the pairs of iron phallus, Arrow and bow, which were use by the Divine Mad Man Drukpa Kuenley. Driving distance: 3hours 77km

Wangdue Dzong: The position of the dzong is remarkable as it completely covers the spur and commend an impressive view over both the north,-south and east-west highway. The dzong was built in 1638 and consider as 3rd oldest dzong in Bhutan. Over night and dinner at Hotel.

Day20: Drive to Thimphu the Capital City of the Kingdom.Thimphu). Thimphu valley is located at an altitude of 2320m. It is the capital city of Bhutan (the Himalayan. Kingdom. The construction of the of the new motor road from Phuntsholing (India Border) to Thimphu (capital City) prompted this noble thought. This is only the capital city without traffic light in the world. Capital of Kingdom (Thimphu). The population is about 50,000. The population is increasing each year due to rural-urban migration.
Visit the following places in the Thimphu
National Library: It is located to the west of the golf course. It was establish in 1967 to preserve and promote religious and culture degradation from rapid modern development. It has 4500 English titles mainly on Buddhism. 3 baskets of Buddha teaching are in Burmese script and 50volume have Pali tipitaka in Devanagri script and it has 10,000 volumes of religious text. It also contents the world largest book with 7feet wide and 5feet tall.
Painting School: It is known as Zorig Chosum In Bhutan (Institute for thirteen Art’s). Where 13Art’s practiced in the Kingdom. It was establish in 1971 to preserve its invaluable heritage. The institute offer six year’s course.
Heritage Museum: The museum content three-storey traditional rammed mud and timber. The museum showcase the traditional artifacts used now and in the past. It was recently inaugurated on 28th July 2001.
Textile Museum: It is located in the heart of the city, which gives you a fair Idea of the living national art of weaving. It was found in 2000. Museum introduces the major weaving techniques and styles of local dress and textile made by the Bhutanese Women and man.
Traditional Hospital: The institute of traditional medicine service was establishing in 1967 as Indigenous Unit under the department of Health service. It promotes traditional system of medicine in the country. Conduct research and quality control of drugs. Provide alternative medicine as complementary to the allopathic system.
Memorial Chorten: This Memorial Chorten (Stupa) is the highlight of the capital city with its towering golden spires shining in the sun and its bell tinkling in the wind. This stupa was built in 1974 in the memory of 3rd King who passed away in 1972. Lunch in the local restaurant dinner at hotel and overnight. (Thimphu).
Driving distance: Two and half Hours. 65Km.

Day21: Drive to Paro via Haa valley
Haa valley lies above 2640mtrs from the see level. Here they grow only wheat and Potato. First school in Bhutan was opened in this valley. Lunch at local restaurant in Haa Valley and continue the drive to Paro across chelela Pass 3988mtrs.
Visit Temple in Haa: Lhakhang Karpo: It is also one among the 108monasteries was build by the Tibetan King (songtsen Geombo) in 659AD. It contents the status of the present Buddha sakyamuni and the eight bodhisattva. At present it is use as a monastic school for the monk body. It lies in the beautiful Valley.
Lhakhang Nagpo: This monastery is in Black painting, which means black monastery. It was build in the same year with the 108monasteries in 659AD. Inside the monastery, you can still see the lake where one of the Tibetan King used to offer the holy water to God.
Over night at hotel in Paro.
Driving distance: 7hours, 167kms

Day22: Men-Lha Adventure & Travelers will escort you to an International Airport for your departure.