Bhutan19 days
Bhutan: Laya-Gasa Trek — 19 Days
High-altitude traverse from Paro across Jomolhari, Nyili La, and Shinge La passes to remote Laya village, with thermal springs and Punakha Dzong
This trek crosses central Bhutan over 10 trekking days, with passes and descents into the country's northwestern valleys. The route traverses yak pastures, rhododendron forests, and high passes where Himalayan peaks form a continuous horizon. Days are bookended by acclimatization hikes near Paro and cultural visits to Punakha and Thimphu, with a rest day in the isolated mountain village of Laya and a final evening at the geothermal springs of Gasa. The trek is remote enough to feel genuinely removed from main roads and tourist routes, yet organized enough to include rest days and village interaction rather than a forced daily grind.
Best time to go: April – June Oct – Nov
Highlights
- Taktshang Monastery hike for acclimatization near Paro
- Jangothang camp beneath Mount Jomolhari (4,040 meters) with Tshophu lake and glacier views
- Nyili La Pass (4,680 meters) descent into the Lingshi basin, with views of Lingshi Dzong and Tserim Kang glacier
- Jhari La Pass (4,600 meters) with panoramic Himalayan vistas and takin herds in the Tsharithang valley
- Shinge La Pass (4,870 meters) into Laya district, where locals wear distinctive regional dress
- Laya village (3,820 meters) — a remote settlement with telecommunications access and homestay encounters
- Gasa hot springs (tsachu) at 2,900 meters — eight thermal pools with temperatures ranging from warm to hot
- Punakha Dzong (1,250 meters) — 17th-century fortress at the confluence of two rivers
Day by day
1Arrival in ParoParo International Airport
Arrive at Paro International Airport.
2Taktshang Monastery Hike and AcclimatizationTaktshang Monastery · Paro
Hike to Taktshang Monastery, the cliff-side temple perched above Paro Valley, acclimatizing for the trek ahead. Overnight in Paro.
3Chele La Pass and Kila GompaChele La Pass · Kila Gompa nunnery
A second acclimatization hike to Chele La Pass, with an option to visit Kila Gompa nunnery on the descent. The pass offers views across the Paro Valley and into Tibet.
4Shana to Jomolhari Base — River Valley and Rhododendron ForestShana · Jomolhari Base · river valley lined with pine and rhododendron forest · Mount Jomolhari
An early-morning drive covers approximately 2 hours by farm road to Shana, where the trek officially begins. The path ascends through a river valley lined with pine and rhododendron forest. Much of the forest shows recent cutting, cleared to run electrical lines to higher settlements at Jangothang and Lingshi — a visible reminder of infrastructure costs at altitude. The trail turns north toward Mount Jomolhari, which rises into view from the top of the valley. Camp sits at 3,680 meters. Trek time: 8–9 hours, 19 kilometers.
5Jangothang Camp beneath JomolhariJangothang Camp · the valley meadows
The trail follows the river as it widens, passing a small army post. High ridges and snow-capped peaks surround the valley on all sides. At this altitude — approximately 4,040 meters — yaks and yak herders become visible along the meadows. The camp sits beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mount Jomolhari. Trek time: 5–6 hours, 19 kilometers.
6Lingshi Basin — Rest Day and Optional Excursion to TsekhaTsekha · Nyili La Pass · Lingshi Dzong · local school · Lingshi basin camp · Lingshi settlement
After trekking through broad yak pastures to Nyili La Pass (4680 m) and descending into the Lingshi basin, you'll settle into camp at 3915 m in a stone shelter. The valley offers striking views: Lingshi Dzong visible across the basin, and Tserim Kang with its descending glaciers at the north end.
Today is yours to choose. Those seeking adventure can take a day excursion to Tsekha (Lahe), the base camp for Jichu Drake mountain at approximately 4500 m, where blue sheep and musk deer inhabit the high meadows. Alternatively, rest and acclimatize in camp, visit the settlement, and visit the local school. Note that Lingshi Dzong was damaged in a recent earthquake; visits are possible only if renovation work is complete.
Trek time to reach camp: 7–8 hours, 19 km.
7Nyili La Pass to Lingshi BasinNyili La Pass · Lingshi basin · Tsekha (Lahe) · Lingshi camp
The trail climbs gradually to Nyili La Pass (4,680 m), traversing broad yak pastures that stretch across the high terrain. Weather permitting, the descent into Lingshi basin rewards with an excellent view of Lingshi Dzong. At the north end of the valley, Tserim Kang and its descending glaciers dominate the landscape. You'll camp in a stone shelter at 3,915 m.
This is a rest day. If you wish, take a day excursion to Tsekha (Lahe), the base camp of Jichu Drake mountain, where blue sheep and musk deer are occasionally spotted at approximately 4,500 m. Alternatively, you can relax at camp, visit the village, and visit the local school. Note that Lingshi Dzong was significantly damaged in a recent earthquake; visits are only possible if renovation works are complete.
Trek time & distance: 7–8 hours, 19 km. Overnight in camp.
8Lingshi — Rest Day and Optional Day ExcursionLingshi · Tsekha (Lahe)
A rest day to acclimatize at altitude and visit the village. An optional day excursion reaches Tsekha (Lahe), the base camp for Jichu Drake mountain, at approximately 4,500 meters. This higher vantage point offers chances to see blue sheep and musk deer. Alternatively, spend the day relaxing in the village, visiting the school, or meeting locals. Note: Lingshi Dzong was damaged in a recent earthquake and may be closed to visits depending on renovation progress.
9Short Day to Chebisa VillageChebisa · village houses · waterfall
The shortest trekking day of the journey. Upon reaching camp at Chebisa (3,910 meters), time allows for visits to village houses and a waterfall located just behind the settlement. Trek time: 5 hours, 10 kilometers.
10Gobu La Pass to ShomuthangGobu La Pass · Shomuthang · wild pastures
The trail passes through wild pastures where yak herds graze. The route crosses Gobu La Pass at 4,350 meters before descending to Shomuthang. The camp at 3,985 meters sits near a tributary of the Mo Chhu river, which flows below the Gasa hot spring. A helipad visible from camp is used during heavy snow years when passes become impassable. Trek time: 6–7 hours, 17 kilometers.
11Jhari La Pass and Takin ValleyJhari La Pass · Tsharithang valley · Robluthang
The day begins with a climb to Jhari La Pass (4,600 meters), where the panoramic reward spans the entire Himalayan range. The descent drops through forest into Tsharithang valley, where herds of takin — Bhutan's national animal — typically graze in the open meadows. After crossing the river, the trail climbs the hillside for approximately an hour to reach camp at Robluthang (4,160 meters). Trek time: 7–8 hours, 18 kilometers.
12Shinge La Pass into Laya DistrictShinge La Pass · Laya district · Gang Chen Ta (Great Tiger Mountain)
After traversing Shinge La Pass (4,870 meters), the trail descends through the valley and enters the Laya district. Limithang marks the eastern approach to the district, where local residents wear the region's distinctive dress — a cultural marker visible from a distance. The camp sits at 4,090 meters beneath Gang Chen Ta (Great Tiger Mountain), designated as Kang Che Da. Trek time: 7–8 hours, 19 kilometers.
13Descent to Laya VillageLaya village
The path descends through a winding river valley and enters Laya village from the eastern end, at an altitude of 3,820 meters. Once settled, visit the village and meet local people. Laya is notably well connected with telecommunications, offering the rare opportunity to make a phone call or check email. Trek time: 4–5 hours, 10 kilometers. Overnight in camp.
14Laya — Rest DayLaya
A full day to visit the village and meet residents. Laya has functional telecommunications, surprising for a settlement this remote, making it possible to make phone calls or check email. The village offers genuine interaction with locals and insight into how high-altitude communities function.
15Taktse Makha and Gasa Hot SpringTaktse Makha · river valley · Gasa Dzong · Gasa hot spring (tsachu)
The trail follows the river valley downward, passing views of feeder streams and waterfalls. A farm road now reaches Taktse Makha, where an Indian pickup truck meets the trek group for a 3-hour drive along the farm road to Gasa at 2,900 meters. Time permitting, a short visit to Gasa Dzong and the small town precedes a 15-minute drive to the Gasa hot spring (tsachu) for the night. Eight thermal pools with temperatures ranging from warm to hot provide bathing. Many Bhutanese families visit annually in winter, believing the springs to be therapeutic for aching joints and various ailments. Trek time: 4–5 hours, 10 kilometers; drive time: approximately 3 hours.
16Gasa to Punakha via Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel ChortenGasa to Punakha · Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten · hot spring
After breakfast, an optional soak in the hot spring precedes the drive toward Punakha. The route crosses rolling hillsides with views of fields, villages, and oak and pine forests, descending to Punakha at 1,250 meters. Along the way, a one-hour optional hike ascends to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, a 30-meter-tall temple high on the hillside across the valley, dedicated to Bhutan's fifth king. From its summit, the view encompasses the entire Punakha Valley and surrounding villages — a perspective that frames the high Himalayan passes crossed earlier in the trek.
17Punakha Dzong and Return to ThimphuPunakha Dzong · Thimphu · Dochu La pass
Visit Punakha Dzong, the 17th-century fortress strategically positioned at the confluence of the Po Chu and Mo Chu rivers, known as the "Palace of Great Happiness." The return to Thimphu crosses the Dochu La pass at 3,050 meters, where views of the Himalayan range frame the high valleys and passes just completed.
18Thimphu Sightseeing
A full day to visit Bhutan's capital.
19Depart Paro International AirportParo International Airport
Depart from Paro International Airport with a full heart.
Where you go
- 1Paro International Airport
- 2Taktshang Monastery
- 3Paro
- 4Chele La Pass
- 5Kila Gompa nunnery
- 6Shana
- 7Lingshi Basin
- 8Chebisa
- 9Gobu La Pass
- 10Shomuthang
- 11Robluthang
- 12Shinge La Pass
- 13Laya village
- 14Laya
- 15Gasa Dzong
- 16Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten
- 17Punakha Dzong
- 18Thimphu
- 19Dochu La Pass
- 20Paro International Airport