Bhutan's Laya Trek

Inspirational trekking in the Eastern Himalaya - Cross the 4900 metre Shinge La - The charming people of Laya - Descent of the Punakha Gorge - The hot springs at Gasa

This classic Bhutan trek, from Paro to Thimpu via the village of Laya and the Punakha Valley, is acknowledged to be one of the world's great treks. It has everything; from picturesque farmland and ancient forest, to alpine pasture and quite challenging high mountain passes. Spectacular campsites beneath some of Bhutan's most impressive peaks, including Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake, are amongst the many highlights of this trekking circuit. Whilst a number of strategically located fortress-monasteries (dzongs) and scattered settlements including Laya Village, close to the Tibetan border, provide a full measure of cultural interest. The magical descent of the Punakha Gorge, via the imposing dzong and refreshing hot springs at Gasa, is a fitting climax to the trek. With time for sightseeing in the Paro Valley and at the winter and summer capitals of Thimpu and Punakha, this is a superlative 3 week trekking adventure.

If you would the opportunity to visit one of Bhutan's spectucular Festivals during your trip please see our special Laya Trek departure:

Autumn - The Laya Trek and Thimpu Festival

017687 73966

Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal.

Day 2: Transfer to the airport and take the short flight to Bhutan's only airport, at Paro. Views of Everest en route. Overnight at a hotel in the Paro Valley.

Day 3: We have a free day in the beautiful Paro Valley, our chance to visit Paro Dzong, the National Museum and to hike up to the dramatic, cliff-side Taktsang Monastery.

Day 4: After a short transfer to the ruins of Drugyel Dzong, we trek northwards beside the Paro River, passing through delightful farmland and forest to reach our camp at Shana.

Day 5: A longer trek, as we follow the river through lovely mixed forest. At a junction of 2 valleys, we turn north towards Chomolhari which is now visible. Camp at Soi Thangka.

Day 6: We continue our trek towards Chomolhari, passing a small herding camp and entering more open country with grazing yaks. Camp at the meadow of Jangothang (4040m / 13,255ft).

Day 7: A day for exploration above our camp at Jangothang. Even better views of Chomolhari and of Jitchu Drake's dramatic spire can be gained by walking above this camp.

Day 8: Great views during today's long trek, as we cross the prayer-flagged Nyele La and descend on a long pine forested ridge to a riverside camp below Lingshi Dzong.

Day 9: After a morning visit to Lingshi Dzong, we follow a traversing path with views of the Basingthang peaks, then descend via the picturesque village of Gang Yul to Chebisa.

Day 10: The day starts with a long climb to the Gobu La, then a descent to the river and a delightful afternoon's trek through juniper and silver birch woodland to Somothang.

Day 11: An early start for the ascent to the Jhari La (4720m / 15,485ft) for superb views of the 7000 metre peak, Kang Che Da. We then descend to another river and camp at Robluthang.

Day 12: Following a well marked yak herders trail, we climb to the high point of the trek at the Shinge La (4900m / 16,075ft) then drop down once again to the meadow camp at Limithang.

Day 13: A shorter day on an undulating trail through woodland, before a gradual ascent to the village of Laya. Afternoon free to explore the village and meet the friendly inhabitants.

Day 14: Starting our walk out through the valley of the Mo Chu, there is a fair amount of up and down, before we climb away from the river to a camp at Chamsa, below the Bale La.

Day 15: An hour's climb takes us to the Bale La, beyond which it is down, down, down into ever-more-luxuriant forest. We visit Gasa Dzong en route to our camp at Gasa hot springs.

Day 16: A lovely morning's trek through forest and farmland to the roadhead, then we drive via Punakha Dzong and the Dochu La to our hotel in the tiny Bhutanese capital of Thimpu.

Day 17: The morning is free for sightseeing in this quaint town, with the chance to visit the Tasichoedzong, before making the short drive to our hotel in the Paro Valley.

Day 18: We take the morning flight to Kathmandu and transfer to the group hotel. We have a guided sightseeing tour of the city in the afternoon.

Day 19: KE Land Only package services end with breakfast at the hotel. Complimentary airport transfers are provided.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

This holiday has 2 hotel nights in Kathmandu, one en route to Bhutan and one on the return journey. We use a comfortable, centrally located hotel. In Bhutan, we use the best available standard of hotel accommodation at Paro and in Thimpu. Whilst on trek there are 12 nights camping.