17N18D Jhomolhari Laya Gasa Hotspring

This trek leads you through Jhomolhari,Laya, Gasa and finally ends at the Hotspring in Gasa. The Bhutaneses believe that this hot spring has some medicinal values and in some cases cure people of their illnesses. In this package tour you will not only trek to the hot spring, but will also have the opportunity of visiting Punakha,Thimphu and the Paro valleys.The entire trek is through beautiful forests of sub-tropical trees in the beginning and alpine vegetation towards the end of the trek. A lot of orchid species can be seen and in the winter months it is common to see the National Animal-Takin grazing in the bushes.

Day 1: Arrive Paro

Arrive Paro.After completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by our tour guide.

After refreshment visit drive to parking lot near Paro Dzong and walk over traditional Cantilever Rimpung bridge which is oldest bridge in Bhutan to visit Paro dzong Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress), built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks. From the Dzong you will walk back down to Rimpung Bridge.

Then visit Paro town and also visit local handicraft stores.

Dinner at restaurant in Paro town

Overnight at Tashi Namgay Resort or Khangkhu Resort or similar in Paro

Day 2 :A Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

After breakfast, drive for about 20 minutes to the base of Taktsang Monastery and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Take photos with great view of Taktsang behind you.

Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point. Ten drive to your hotel.

In the evening relax in the Traditional Bhutanese Hotstone bath at a farmhouse in Paro valley.

You will also see around inside of the traditional Bhutanese house.

You will enjoy traditional Bhutanese dinner with the family members of the house.

Overnight at Tashi Namgay Resort or similar in Paro.

Jhomolhari Laya Gasa Trek for 12 nights 12 days Begins Here

Day 3: Shana-Soe Thangthangkha

In the morning drive through unpaved road from Drukgyel Dzong to Army camp from where trek starts. The trail continues uphill through the river valley, gradually becomes narrower and closes in after some distance. The winding trail with frequent climb and descend leads us to our camp site in a meadow with stone shelter at 3,720m. By then, we will have trekked about 23km in around 7-8hours.

Day 4: Thangthangkha – Jangothang

Continue the trail along the Pachhu and the valley opens again after crossing a small army outpost. Trekking through the open valley affords view of high ridges and the snow-capped mountains with yaks and Yak herder’s camp on the valley floor. Trekking 15km of trek within 5 to 6 hours will find us near the ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jomolhari at 4040m. Camp here for the night!

Day 5: Jangothang to halt

After two long days trek, you will have a good chance to relax under the sun just infront of the Jomo lhari. But if you are interested you may go furthere from the base camp and climb to tsho Phu 4300m. night at camp.

Day 6: Jangothang – Lingshi

Climb gradually toward the pass through a wide pastureland. On your way, depending on the season you are trekking, you will find some yak herder’s in their camps. Descending from the pass to Lingshi, you will have a beautiful view of Lingshi Dzong, the Valley, Tserim Kang (Mountain), and its glaciers. At 4150 m, camp in a stone shelter with built-in-fire pit or in the tent! By then, we will have covered 19km of trail within 5 to 6 hours of trek.

Day 7 : Lingshi – Chebisa

Today is the shortest of all days on our trip. Upon reaching Chebisa at 3, 850 m, having trekked for 3 to 4 hours covering 12km of trail, camp alongside the village settlement. You can visit the village houses and feel the Bhutanese rural life experiences.

Day 8: Chebisa – Shomuthang

Trekking through a wide pastureland will lead up to Gobu La Pass. Along the way, you find some Yak herder’s. Conquering Gobu La Pass at 4, 305 m, descend down to the valley. The campsite will be above a river bank, a tributary of a Mochhu River at the elevation of 4, 260m. By then we will have trekked 17km in 5 to 6 hours of time.

Day 9: Shomuthang – Robluthang

We start early for the trek is little strenuous. Upon crossing the Jerela Pass at 4, 600m, descend to Tsharijathang Valley, where you can see the herds of Takin, the National Animal of Bhutan. Camp at Tsharijathang at 4, 390m after having trekked from 15km for 6 to 7 hours!

Day 10 : Robluthang – Lingmithang

Cross the Shingela Pass at 4, 900m, you take a downhill trek following the valley. Lingmithang, a beautiful village under Laya County offers an opportunity to see people dressed in typical Laya costume with long bamboo hats on their head. Camp at Lingmithang at the elevation of 4, 140m after a day long trek of 6 to 7 hours covering 19 km of the trail! A day halt exploring the valley and meeting the people of unique costume and habit will be of unique experience.

Day 11: Lingmithang – Laya

The trek for the day is downhill walk along the narrow winding river valley. The trail leads you to the west side of the Laya Village. At the elevation of 3, 850m, campsite is on a high flat bench above the village. The trek stretches for about 10 km requiring 3 to 4 hours of normal trekking.

Day 12: Laya Halt

A day halt at Laya will give us a time to go around and explore the Laya Village to the fullest.

Day 13: Laya – Koina

The trail involves series of winding rounds to avoid steep cliffs while affording breaking view of crashing river, feeder streams and cascades of waterfalls. Covering 19km of trail in 6 to 7 hours, we reach at our campsite at 3, 800m.

Day 14: Koina – Gasa (Gasa Tsachu or Hot spring) & Hotspring

Upon crossing the Babela Pass at 3, 740m, the trail is all the way down leading up to our campsite, close to Gasa Dzong at the elevation of 2, 900m. The 17km stretch of the trek takes 6 to 7 hours of normal trekking. Camp near the Hot Spring.In the evening relax yourself in Hotspring after tiring trek near your camping site.

Day 15: Gasa Hotspring and Gasa-Punakha

Distance: 101 km, estimated travel time: 4 hrs

After breakfast take a soak in Gasa Natural Hotspring . After lunch travel to Punakha.

On the way visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Lobesa or Zhingkham Resort or Meri Puensum Resort in Punakha.

Day 16: Punakha Short Nature & Cultural Hike and White Water Rafting & Punakha-Thimphu

After breakfast travel through upper Punakha valley and take a leisure walk passing through suspension bridgeand through paddy fields to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang (temple) built by Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan) for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below. The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about an hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view from there.

Then walk back to suspension bridge where an exciting rafting tour awaits you. Following a short drive you arrive at the river and, after a fully safety briefing, you take to your raft for a ‘soft’ rafting experience down the Pho-Chu (Male River). You will need to do a little paddling and you may get a little we but it will all be worthwhile as this journey takes you through a wonderland of secluded scenic beauty. You drift along to Punakha Dzong, located on an island in the middle of the rivers.

After lunch visit walk over traditional canteliver bridge to visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho - Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river).

Then walk for about 15 minutes to one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan spanning 350 m and perched high above the very swift Pho chu (male river). Draped with prayer flags ,the bridge connects the town of Punakha and Punakha Dzong.This bridge is mainly used by locals from the village located on the other side of the river as a shortcut to Punakha Dzong.

In the late afternoon travel to Thimphu and visit Craft Bazaar -A one stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and buy Bhutan made art and craft product. The Bazaar in its 80 stalls covers all aspects of the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. At this Bazaar craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts.

Dinner and overnight at Namgay Heritage hotel or Thimphu Tower hotel or similar in Thimphu .

Day 17: Thimphu Sightseeing & Thimphu-Paro

After breakfast visit the following:

Kuenselphodrang ( commonly known as Buddha Point) where the largest Buddha statue in the country is perched on the hillock overlooking the Thimphu Valley .
The School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
National Textile Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs.You will also see people weaving with intricate designs.
Bhutan Postal Museum (recently launched)-The museum tells the story of Bhutan’s progress and development through the evolution of communications and postal system in the country. And also you can get personalized Bhutanese postage stamps with your photo on them. You can bring along your favorite photo to put on the stamps and put these stamps on your postcard to send to your family and friends.

After lunch visit the following:

Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Thu-Sun only): Most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling weekend market, held by the side of Wangchu River. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts and crafts are sold at the market. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people.
Archery Match (National Sport of Bhutan) at Changlimithang National Stadium. Normally you will spot Bhutanese men playing archery game during weekends or public holidays. Good opportunity to interact with local people.
Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,125ft and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo. It can weigh as much as 550 pounds. Here Takins are preserved in natural environment.
Tashichhodzong, “the fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of the monarch’s throne room and seat of the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Yet another place for photographer’s delight.

In the travel to Paro.

Dinner and Overnight at Tashi Namgay Resort or Khangkhu Resort or similar in Paro

Day 18: Paro Departure

After breakfast travel to Paro airport and your tour guide from Access Bhutan Tours will bid you farewell for your flight to your onward destinations.