You will be received by our people at the airport. Then will drive to Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) which was converted to National Museum in 1969 by the third king. Then will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong one of the finest example of Bhutanese architecture which serves as Paro district head office as well as a monastic community. If you feel energetic then will walk down to Paa chu, cross over the cantilever bridge and get to other side where our driver will be waiting.
After that will stroll around in Paro and prepare for the trek.
Night Halt: Paro
Today after breakfast will drive to Taktshang Base and then will hike to Taktshang (Tiger's Nest) which is one of the most popular tourist sites. Its the place blessed by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century, though the monastery was only constructed in 1692 by Desi Tenzin Rabgay.
The hike will take on average 5 to 6 hours up and down. And this also helps you to aclimatize.
In the evening will relax.
Night Halt: Paro
After breakfast will drive from Paro till Shana, on reaching Shana will meet the trekking crews and then will start to trek.
The trail ascends through the Paa Chu river valley and beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forests. You can stop for lunch after you cross Thangthang zam(bridge)and then continue to follow right bank for a couple of hours till we reach to a junction of trail which is marked by Stupa, one which lead to Sio Yaktsa and left trail leads to Sio Thangthangka Campsite. After 25 minutes walk from the junction we will reach to campsite. From here to the north we can see Mt. Jomolhari from the top of the valley.
Night Halt: Campsite, Sio Thangthangka.
The trail passes through small border army check post where the valley begins to widen and we leave the forest behind. We will enjoy the views of snow -capped peaks, high mountain ridges, yaks and yak herders throughout the trail until we reach to Jangothang campsite. We will stop for the lunch at open meadow, from the lunch place it is not far to reach camp, which is in a beautiful grassy meadow beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mount Jomolhari
Night Halt: Campsite, Jagothang
Today on your halt day it is possible to walk to Tshophu for acclimatization where you will see two lakes and with superb view of Jomolhari, and Jichu Drakey or hike in many directions towards month Jomolhari and its subsidiary to west, Jichu Drakey to the north and climbed submits and ridges following your own trail to the east because no proper trail on this hike.
Night Halt: Campsite, Jagothang
This is one of the longest days of the trek. A short distance from the camp the trail begins climbing rapidly for about half an hour and then becomes a gradual ascent to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m. While on the climb enjoy the surroundings. You might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes of the mountains. From the pass you will have spectacular views of Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsherimgang, all of them rising above 7,000m. It's a gradual descent to the camp where you will pass by some of the yak herder’s tents, made from yak wool. The herders use these tents while travelling tovarious pastures for their yaks. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, a beautiful U-shaped valley, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on clear days. Tserimgang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. The campsite is next to a stone hut you reach just before Lingshi Dzong.
Night Halt: Campsite, Lingshi
Today is a shortest day for the trekking day. The walk starts off on a path along the hillside with views across the valley. The trail pass by Lingzhi school and village. You can stop to visit school where the children will be excited to see you, many of them are Yak herder's children who are sent to boarding school as their parents are up at higher altitudes with the yaks,as well you can also see a lot of Yaks on your way. By visiting school and and village you will get a good feel for the way life in these remote mountain villages. Then continue descend walk to Gangyul (village at the pass),a beautiful village about 150 people here. From here it is an hour or so on a path which runs along the hillside until we reach to our camp at Chebisa where it is possible to visit some village houses and a waterfall just behind the village.
Night Halt: Campsite, Chebisa
The trail climbs at first, getting steeper and steeper until we reach to Gobu La pass(4350 m) through wild pastures meadow where yaks graze. You may see Himalayan blue sheep and eagle on your way. After crossing the pass it is a short walk down through rhododendron forest to the stream where you can stop for lunch. The afternoon's walk is juniper and rhododendron forest, descending to the river from where the path traverses the hillside before climbing steeply once again to reach Shomuthang.The camp is near the tributary to the Mo chu river, which emerges below the Gasa Tsachu(hot spring).
Night Halt: Campsite, Shomuthang
The trail starts with a climb to Jhari La(4785 m) where you are rewarded with stunning views of Gangchen Tag(Great Tiger mountain),look back you will still see Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. Then the trail descend again through forest to Tsharijathang,the valley where herds of Takin can be seen in the month of june, july and august. And cross the river and climb up the hillside for an hour to Robluthang for camp.
Night Halt: Campsite, Robluthang
Today we follow the Yak trail which starts above campsite, taking through a hanging valley and past a Yak herder's hut. after 1 hours walk take a right river valley and soon the Shingchen La pass (5100 m) comes into view. It is a tough climb to the pass,which one of the highest and last high pass for Laya-Gasa trek. After crossing the pass the path descends rapidly through the valley to a huge bank of moraine on the bottom of Gangchen Tag(Great Tiger mountain). You can walk on the moraine and take some time to take picture of lake. Then walk down to The campsite at right meadow by the river at Limithang.
Night Halt: Campsite, Lingmethang
Today it is a relaxing walk to Laya village where you can see the local people wearing their unique regional dress. The trail goes downhill at the first through a winding river valley with the forest of spruce and juniper. We climb gradually from the river until we enter the eastern end of Laya village.
Night Halt: Campsite, Laya
Today halt day is an opportunity to explore the local culture and traditions of Laya community. It is possible to visit farmhouses and meet the friendly local people who will pleased to offer you a yak butter tea. You will see the women of Laya in special dress and bamboo hats, both of which are decorated with turquoise and silver ornaments.
Night Halt: Campsite, Laya
Today you leave Laya village and walk down the trail which follows the river valley and there is a breathtaking view of vibrant rivers, feeder streams and waterfalls. It continues your walk through hemlock and rhododendron forest till Koena campsite. At Koena there is a hut to sleep in which is sometimes welcome if the campground are muddy.
Night Halt: Campsite, Koina
The trail starts climbing up gradually till we reach to Bale La pas(3740m).After the trail descends to the Gasa dzong ,if there is a time visit Dzong which was built in 16 century by zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. And then continue walk down to Gasa Tshachu,take rest with some refreshments arrange by our company and change your dress and go for hot spring bath where you will enjoy a bath after long trek with local people in hot spring bath tub before dinner.
Night Halt: Campsite, Gasa
Today having a relaxing breakfast you will depart with your trekking crew and drive for 3 hours through beautiful vegetation to Punakha, Bhutan's old capital since 1955. On the way visit Punakha Dzong which is one of the most majestic fortresses in the country which is located between 2 rivers, Mo chu(Female river) and Pho Chu (Male river). Today it is the winter residence of the Je-Khenpo the chief abbot and also serves as the administrative center of the Punakha district. After that if you want can walk to Suspension Bridge spend some time.
Then will check in to hotel and relax yourself.
Night Halt: Punakha
After breakfast will visit Chimi Lhakhang which was blessed by Lam Drukpa Kuenley who is also known as Devine Madman for his philosophy of "Salvation Through Sex". And its also known as Temple of Fertility.
Then will continue to Thimphu. Will stop at Dochula will stop there. Its a beautiful pass with 108 stupas and also if the weather is good we will be able to see the Eastern Himalayas that fall within Bhutan including the highest peak in the country Mt. Gangkar Puensum (7,541 m).
After lunch will visit National Memorial Chorten which was built by Her majesty Ashi Phuntsho Choden in memory of her late son His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ("the father of modern Bhutan") the third king of Bhutan. Then will drive to Kuenselphodrang to see Buddha Statue which is one of the biggest sitting Buddha in the world measuring 169 feet tall. Then will drive to Punakha. Then will visit Bhutan Post if you want to make some personalized stamps.
Evening can stroll in Thimphu town.
Night Halt: Thimphu
Depending on the flight time will reach you to airport and seeoff.
