This trek starts from Punakha and offers a great variety of trekking conditions, from picturesque farmland and sub-tropical forests to alpine pastureland and high passes. This trek gets you to the hot spring of Gasa and to Laya, a high spectacular village, whose people are friendly and dress differently. This trek can be combined with Chomolhari route, making it a full circuit from West through North to central Bhutan. 

  Itinerary 

Day 01: Arrival at Paro and Transfer to Shana.
Our representative upon arrival at the airport will meet you and will drive you up to Drugyel Dzong where the road ends and the trek begins, following the river gently uphill through a narrowing agriculture valley. Initially you will pass through the serene pastoral life of the village with their dogs and children playing in the fields. Camp is just beyond an army post. Alt. 2800m. Distance 17 km, about 5-6 hours.

Day 2 Shana – Soi Thangka
The trail ascends through the river valley. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. Camp is just beyond an army post. Alt.2800m. Distance is about 21km, 7-8 hours. 

Day 3 Soi Thangkha – Jangothang
The trail climbs up the Pa Chu pass a small army post where the valley begins to widen out. Views of high ridge and snow-capped peaks are seen all around, and close by are yaks and yak-herders camps. Lunch will probably be served at one of the camps beneath a ruined fortress, at the base of Chomolhari. Altitude 4040 m distances 19 km, about 5-6 hours.

Day 6 Chebisa – Shomuthang
The hike today is through wild and high altitude pastures, across Gobula pass (altitude 4350 m); camping at a bend overlooking the river –a tributary of the Mo chu that passes by Gasa Tsachu – hot springs; camp site altitude is about 4260 m after covering a distance of 17 km in 6 hours.

Day 7 Shomuthang – Robluthang
Start off early today towards the Jarela Pass alt. 4600 m, crossing over to Tsharithang. It is possible to come across herds of the unique Takin grazing on the slopes. Distance covered is 15 km after about 5 hrs, campsite is at altitude of 4400m.

Day 8 Robluthang – Lemithang
After crossing the Shingela Pass alt. 4900 m descends and skirts the valley towards Lemithang that falls within Laya district. Notice the unique dress worn by the Layaps – the high altitude cattle dependent, herders. Lemithang stands beneath the Great Tiger Mountain – Gangchenta. Depending on your time and interests 0 you can explore around for a day in these mountains. Overnight at camp alt 13,567 ft. Distance covered is 19 km in 6-7 hrs.

Day 9 Lemithang – Laya
All down hill hike today along the winding river valley. Two paths lie before you- one leading to the army camp, the other stays high and reaches west side of Laya village- the path taken leads you to your camp site on a high plateau at alt 12680 ft with a distance of 10 km covered in about 4 hrs.

Day 10 Laya (Halt)
Spend this day relaxing and taking in the natural habitat of the Laya people, visit the unique houses and learn of their unique ways of living. Depending on your interests, there could be arrangements for song and dance performed by the Laya folk by the campfire.

Day 11 Laya- Koena
The trail winds up and down along the river valley, crossing natu

Day 12 Koena – Gasa
Scaling the Belela Pass, altitude 12,267 ft, the trail descends untill you reach camp near the Gasa Dzong – altitude 9250 ft, distance of 17 km in 6-7 hrs.

Day 13 Gasa – Gasa Tsachu
After a late-relaxed breakfast trek to Gasa Tsachu Hot springs. A good time to heal your body aches, sore feet and calves, simply relax in these natural hot spring used by the Bhutanese for all kinds of ailments and sickness. Overnight camp by the Hot Springs.