Bhutan High Trails Via Laya

A superb trek into the heartland of Bhutan. We follow forest trails and appreciate the wide variety of rhododendrons and other spring flowers as we ascend to our camp beneath the sacred peak of Chomolhari.

Suitably inspired we cross a series of high passes (each in the vicinity of 5000m) and camp in alpine meadows beneath a constant backdrop of snow capped peaks. Yak herder encampments and isolated settlements provide an attractive cultural perspective to our trek, while time in Paro and Thimphu provides a further highlight to this outstanding itinerary.

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Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 Arrive Paro
After clearing customs and immigration you will meet your Bhutanese leader and drive a short distance via the main street of Paro to our accommodation at the Kichu Resort. At some stage of our visit, we have planned visits to the main part of town, and a visit to the National Museum. It will depend on our time of arrival into Paro, and when trek preparations are completed. The touring program will take in the grand Paro Dzong which dominates the valley and is the most important Dzong (fortress) in Bhutan. It is the model by which all other dzongs are constructed and is not open to visitors. The watchtower above it, Ta Dzong, is also an impressive building that houses the National Museum that is very informative. Old costumes and battle dress, together with priceless jewellery and specimens of the kingdom's unique flora and fauna are included within the museum. Downtown, there is a mixed collection of shops selling basic goods, and also handicrafts
of wood, cloth and metalware. Archery is the national sport and practised throughout the kingdom. Shooting ranges lined by willow trees can be seen during our travels, as well as some traditional style bridges.
Meals: D

DAY 2 Paro Valley, Takstang Monastery (3100m) & National Museum
A really exciting and informative day as an introduction to this wonderful country (described in part above). The Paro valley is truly beautiful, being a location for various farming activities, including commercial quantities of asparagus, strawberries and shitake mushrooms for export, plus various grain and vegetable crops. It is a patchwork of colours delineated by well kept traditional design
farm houses that are ornately decorated. All of the slopes surrounding the valley are forested and the hint of mountains beyond is alluring. Simply driving through the willow lined streets is relaxing and uplifting & there is no clutter of people, or traffic or rubbish, (Plastic bags are banned). Our morning is spent exploring and appreciating the Tigers Nest Monastery or Taktsang, as it is known in
Bhutan, a short drive from our resort. It takes us about one and a half hours to walk up the winding trail steeply through chir pine forest to a tea house and excellent vantage point. Another half hour walk takes us almost directly opposite the cliffs where the monastery is set. The monastery is the divine resting place of the Guru Ringpoche, and although it was accidentally burnt down more than a year ago, reconstruction is almost finished, with only the finer decorating and refurbishment work to be done. We return back to our accommodation for lunch and then some touring in the afternoon.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 3 Drive to Drukyel Dzong (2580m) & commence trek to Shana (2860m)(16kms, approx 5/6 hrs)
It is a short drive of approx 15 minutes up the Paro valley to the roadhead at Drukyel Dzong where our trek commences. Drukyel Dzong was originally built as a fortress in 1647 to guard against Tibetans invading the Paro Valley, although it was destroyed by fire in 1951. We also gain our first views of the summit of Chomolhari (7314m) at the head of the valley, while horseman organise their loads. We get under way straight away and take a break for lunch where it suits us, as we are carrying a packed lunch. Initially the trail is wide and flat, passing through farm country made up of fields of rice, wheat, barley, mustard, potato, and radish as well as herds of cows. The traditional
Bhutanese two storey, timber and stone houses form photogenic scenery for the beginning of our trek. It is a reasonable day's walk today, our first day's trek, taking us past a couple of settlements including a military post where our permits will be checked. Our camp at Shana is in a grassy clearing among a forest of tall pines beside the river.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 4 Trek to Soi Thangthangkha (3600m) (24kms, approx 8/9 hrs)
We are now trekking within Jigme Dorje National Park, the largest protected area in the country (4350 sq kms.) which extends beyond Laya to Lunana in the east and all the territory to the south. Whilst it is a protected wilderness, the park management which is based at Gasa, has to cope with the needs of lowland farmers and semi-nomadic yak herders. There is an amazing variety of species of plants and animals in the park at both high and low altitudes. The forests are tall and thick, comprising a variety of oaks, maple, birch, larch pine and allders that will be replaced by more and more rhododendron and pines as we trek higher. There are numerous different varieties of the former, and depending on the onset of warmer temperatures after winter, flowers will be in bloom, or past bloom, as the lower altitudes flower earliest. As we climb higher the rhododendron species change from t he common rhododendron arboreum (Nepal's national flower) to Griffithianum and cinnabarinum. Many of the camps we stop at are not settlements as might be implied by them having a place name. Most are merely clearings beside a water source that is suitable for seasonal yak herders.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 5 Trek to Jangothang (4100m) (12kms, approx 4/5 hours)
We continue higher to the camp at the base of Chomolhari, a superb alpine setting. Jichu Drake(6794m) rises to our right, with a fine, elegant ridge running down toward the pass that we will cross on our next trekking day. We camp in the vicinity of yak herders from the Paro Valley, who, like their counterparts in Southern Tibet, live in woven yak wool tents throughout the summer months. By now we are above the treeline and the area is characterised by low tundra of juniper and rhododendron setosum, while blue sheep have also been spotted in the higher rocky outcrops.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 6 At Jangothang (reserve day)
At Jangothang. A reserve day for acclimatisation. A side trip up the small valley towards Chomolhari takes us to a dramatic viewpoint and onto the glacier beneath. Alternatively we may make a scenic excursion up to Sopu lake set adjacent to Nye La pass, both will be worthy photo excursions. As far as mountaineering is concerned, these two peaks, like the rest of Bhutan, have seen little expedition activity from outsiders. Doug Scott successfully climbed Jichu Drake in 1988 on his third attempt, demonstrating that conditions are not so easy on this far east location of the Himalaya being first in line geographically for monsoonal influences.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 7 Cross Nye La (4870m) to Lingshi village (4025m) (18kms, approx 6/7
hrs)
From camp we commence our ascent over rolling slopes of grassland and small brush to the Nye La (4850 metres). This stage is not unduly demanding and if this is your first Himalayan pass just take your time, particularly on the final steeper stages just below the pass, where grasses give way to scree and sand. The views enroute to Jichu Drake will inspire you xcolreturnxFrom the Nye La we leave Chomolhari and Jichu Drake behind and make a steep descent through stands of pure rhododendron to Lingshi village. Of particular note is the Lingshi Dzong, built to protect this and the other outlying villages of Bhutan from the periodic raids from Tibet.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 8 Trek to Chebisa (3980m) village (14kms, approx 5/6 hrs)
While those trekking just to the base of Chomolhari head out towards the roadhead today, we continue to head northeastward, ascending past the Lingshi Dzong across high alpine pastures dotted with rhododendron and daphne to Chebisa. It is a picturesque valley of pastures and shingle roofed, stone houses. At its head, a short stroll from camp, is a tall waterfall cascading from a gap in rocky cliffs with a suspected hanging lake behind. Beneath are stands of very tall, gnarled juniper trees. Above Chebisa are the alpine pastures of the blue sheep and bharal that graze to the margins of the snowmelt during the summer months and descend way below the villages during
the winter.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 9 Cross Gobu La (4450m) to Shomuthang (3990m) camp (16kms, approx 7/8 hrs)
From Chebisa the trail gradually ascends to the Gobu La (4450 metres). The views back to Lingshi and the surrounding peaks are spectacular. Here, hill partridges have been sighted, while the griffons may be seen soaring above the alpine pastures. The descent to our camp beside the farm village at Shomuthang is through a forest of cypress then spruce and birch with large stands of rhododendron - griffithianum and campylocarpum. Iris and edelweiss may also be in flower. Our camp is set right beside the river in a small clearing surrounded by dense bushes.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 10 Cross Jare La (4785m) to Robluthang (4165m) (18kms, approx 8/9 hrs)
Our route takes us directly upwards this morning, traversing around many grassy slopes to the Jare La. Blue sheep and griffons can often be seen here. Once at the gap, marked by flags and several cairns we can look expansively across to the adjacent valley and our next pass, the Shinge La which is the highest and perhaps the hardest of our trek. The trail winds down through rhododendron, spruce, cypress and birch towards a broad valley floor where animals may be seen grazing. This may well be our first encounter with the people of Laya whom differentiate themselves by wearing the distinctive woven conical hats with a spike in the top and colourful beads draped around the
back. Their 'mobile accommodation' as with all high altitude animal herders in this part of the world, is in heavy woven tents, usually made from yak wool. We trek several hundred metres in height up the opposite side of the valley to our camp in a hollow at Robluthang.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 11 Cross Shinge La (5005m) to Lemithang (4150m) (16kms, approx 8/9 hrs)
It will take us approximately four hours to make our ascent of Shinge La. A slow steady pace is essential to gain it comfortably and make the long descent on the other side. At the pass itself there are glimpses of peaks to our left including Gangchenta. Descending, through boulders and grassy slopes, unparalleled views open out before us. Glacial blue lakes and white ribbon streams are set beneath the dramatic peaks of the 'Tigers Ears' Gangchenta. Further down, classic glacial erosion is at work, with fresh lateral and terminal moraine filling the valley floor along with an enormous milky grey lake. The forests are thick here, and our lovely riverside camp is surrounded by very tall conifers and the Tigers Ears as our backdrop.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 12 Trek to Laya village (3800m) (13kms, approx 5/6 hrs)
This morning we walk directly away from the mountain environment before us, descending the valley to Laya and our first principle village of the trek. The forests are thick for the several hours; and the trail winds down beside the river steeply, until we reach pastures of the farmers of outer Laya. A swing in the trail brings us up to the main settlement which is spread out over a broad spur several hundred metres above the Mo Chu river. There are approximately 800 inhabitants in this high set village, and there is a school, hospital several small shops and a gompa to meet their needs. Life is not easy in this cooler, isolated location that is snowed in winter. Much of their living is reliant on yaks (meat, wool and dried cheese), and one annual crop of barley, mustard and turnips. Beneath the village is an army post protecting the frontier with Tibet, whilst above us to the east are spectacular views ahead to Masang Gang (7194m) and the region of Lunana where the 'Snowman' trek passes. With good luck, we will be able to synchronise our change of animal porterage some time soon after our arrival. Yaks will be swapped for horses for our last trekking days.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 13 Trek to Thongsha Jarko (3500m) (approx 5/6 hrs)
Initially our route takes a broad trail down fairly steeply through tall conifers to the river and army post. It then follows the course of the Mo Chu to the roadhead over the next four days. It is a major Himalayan river that flows on through Punakha and then directly south to form the border between Assam and West Bengal, on into the Brahmaputra/Ganges and into the Bay of Bengal. The trail undulates down through beautiful forest of spruce, larch, birch, maple and rhododendron (sanguineum, cinnabarinum and arboreum). Be prepared for plenty of mud underfoot; these black fertile soils receive regular traffic of horse trains laden with goods/supplies travelling between Laya and the roadhead. Impressive waterfalls cascading over large boulders complete the setting as we trek to our campsite. This area between here and Gasa is also the habitat of the local red pheasant.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 14 Trek to Gasa village (2770m) (approx 9/10 hrs)
Today is a long trekking day, and so an early start is necessary. On this stage the rhododendrons are particularly impressive including the giganteum, falconeri, arboreum, sanguinium and cinnabarinum species. They are found in the midst of a mixed conifer and deciduous forest together with many alders and oaks. This stage also includes an ascent to a minor pass - the Bale La (3950 metres). From the pass the trail winds downhill to the substantial village of Gasa (2850 metres), the local administrative and monastic headquarters and also the site of an impressive Dzong guarding the trade route to Tibet. Below the village is the site of the Gasa hotsprings which have recently been
washed away.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 15 Trek to Damji (2430m) (18kms, approx 5/6hrs), drive to Punakha (approx. 3/4hrs)
Although we are descending the valley, there are still numerous ups and downs as we traverse from one side to the other passing chortens and prayer flags at each high point. The views back towards Gasa and it's dzong, and the snowy peaks beyond near Laya, are still visible. The forests are now
temperate and subtropical with thickets of bamboo interspersed with alders and oaks. Damji itself is set in a side valley overlooking a cascading expanse of rice terraces.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 16 Punakha Dzong, to Wangdue Phodrang (drive approx. 1/2hrs)
In the morning we may have time to make a quick visit to the local bazaar before our excursion to the Punakha Dzong with its 21 temples, Administrative buildings and Assembly Hall. It remains the winter residence of the 'Je Khenpo' - the head monk of the Drukpa sect - the Tibetan Buddhist sect that constitutes the official religious school of Bhutan. Overnight will be spent at Wangdue
Phodrang.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 17 Drive to Paro via Thimphu (approx 5/6hrs driving)
We aim to stop in Thimphu for enough time to get a feel for the country's capital. The main Secretariat building, the Tashichho Dzong is the most prominent building consisting of the main Secretariat, the National Assembly Hall, the Office of the King and the Throne Room. Its
remarkable construction is in traditional Bhutanese style completed without the use of nails or metal of any kind. There is a large Stupa dedicated to the late King HM. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, regarded as the founder of modern day Bhutan. Then there is the Handicraft Emporium with famous weaving, woodcarvings and paintings and also the Post Office - Bhutan's exquisite stamps are worldrenowned. Our last night in Bhutan is spent at the comfortable and relaxing environs of Kichu resort.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 18 Trip concludes
Depart Paro and onward arrangements.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Good quality accommodation in Paro.