Beautifullaya/Gasa Trek 19 Days:

After breakfast, we begin our tour of four amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These
include the architecturally rich Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati
Nath, the interesting ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambunath) and Buddha Nath Stupa which
is one of the largest stupas in the world. After completing our tour late in the
afternoon, we drive to High Spirit office for a brief meeting about our trek and
get to know our team leader (guide) and fellow travelers.

Arrival at Paro on national carrier Druk Air. It is the most exciting mountain flights and befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of Bhutan. In clear weather, there are magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks. On arrival, you will be welcomed by the representative of Experience Bhutan Travel at the airport, assist you with your luggage and drive through the lush valley of Paro to your hotel. Check in to the hotel and take rest until lunch time. After lunch, visit the National Museum, Paro Rinpong Dzong and Dungtse Lhakhang which is nearby the town. Stroll in the town for the rest of the evening. Overnight at Hotel.

Following breakfast, drive 15 km north through the fascinating valley of Paro and turn to the right, cross the river and drive further up till the dead end of the road from where the hike to Taktsang starts. Taktsang (tiger’s Den) monastery seems to like hanging on a cliff some 700m above the valley. It takes about 2 hours up and an hour down. In the 8th century, Guru Rimpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in one of his eight forms called Guru Dorje Drolo and meditated for 3 months in a cave and converted Paro valley into Buddhism. Later in the 17th century, the 4th temporal ruler of Bhutan Tenzin Rabgye built this present temple and named it Taktsang meaning; tiger’s nest/den in the same spot where Guru meditated. This temple is one of the most sacred and also a pilgrimage center for Buddhists from all over the world.
Stop at tourism café situated half way for refreshment. The way back is quick downhill. You can have your lunch at the café on your way back. After lunch, descend down to the valley below and drive to visit Druk Gyal Dzong (ruined fortress of victory) built in the 17th century at the time of Tibetan Invasion. En route, visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest and the most sacred temple in Bhutan built in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gompo. The legend says that he built 108 temples throughout the Himalayan regions in a single day to subdue the demoness who was terrorizing the whole of Tibet, Nepal & Bhutan. Drive back to Hotel Aman Kora Resort. BLD

Early at dawn go to witness the display of Thongdroel (huge Thanka) at the festival ground. Come back to the hotel for breakfast. After b/fast, drive to the north of the valley to Drugyel Dzong where the road ends and the trek begins, following the river gently uphill through a narrow agricultural valley, passing by village houses and agricultural land to the camp. It is a well-worn trail with lots of round stones and irrigation water running down it. Cross Gunitsawa army camp and then cross the river to the left and continue for another 20 minutes to the camp in Sharna at 2850m. Overnight in Camp. B/L/D, Distance: 17km, Time: 6 hours

Following early breakfast, continue your trail through the river valley. The river narrows and closes in and the trail winds along the drainage. It is a long hard day with many ups and downs. One should have a good balance to hop from one stone to another to avoid mud especially when it rains. The trail makes a continuous but gentle climb through oak rhododendrons and ferns, birch and firs, crossing several small streams and rivers and finally arriving to Thangthangkha campsite at 3619m. B/L/D. Distance: 20km, Time: 8-9 hours.

Folowing breakfast, continue up the Pa Chhu (river). Pass a small army post where the valley begins to widen again. Now views of high ridges and snow-capped peaks can be seen all around. You may see yak herders’ winter homes depend on time of year you are there. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mount Jhomolhari. Distance: 16km, Time: 5-6 hours

Following breakfast, trek up to Tsophu (lake) for fishing or do any one of the three hiking excursions. Mount Jhomolhari and its subsidiary are due west, Mount Jichu Drake is to the north, and unclimbed summits and ridges are to the east. You can take pack lunch from the camp or do only half day excursions come back to camp for lunch and afternoon, relax in the tent, do wash up as you like. Overnight in camp. B/L/D.

Following your breakfast, continue to follow the trail, past yak herder’s high altitude stone house and cross the stream towards the right and start your climb all the way till you reach Nylela Pass. Wide yak pastures are visible both on the way up and down the pass. You may encounter some nomads in their yak tents depending on the time of year you are there. After about 4 hours of walk, you arrive at Nylela pass (4,870m). The pass is very windy so you need to head down quickly to avoid the chilly wind. Great views of Lingshi Dzong, Mt. Tsherim Gang are visible as you come down into the Lingshi basin. Camp inside the stone shelter or in a tent. Overnight in a tent. B/L/D, Distance: 16km, time: 5-6 hours.

Today is the shortest walking day and you can take it easy. At Chebisa village you can visit village houses. The camp site is just opposite to Chebisa village. B/L/D. 11km, 3-4 hours.

The route leads through wild high pastures. Cross Gobula Pass at an altitude of 4,440 m. From the pass, the trail descends into a side valley through a deep forest of rhododendrons and then climbs again over a small ridge passing several places where hillsides have been burned. The trail crest the ridge at 4210m then descends to a muddy path in a deep forest of fir and birch to Shakshepasa and a helipad. The trail from here goes steeply north and after some time of the hard walk, it levels and heads into a side valley passing a couple of yak huts on a river right to Chachim, a yak pasture at 4220m. The camp is in a cluster of bushes beside a stream. B/L/D. 17km, 7 hours

An early start is needed for trekking to the Jarela Pass, an altitude of 4,750 meters, then descend to Tsharijathang, the valley where takin, the national animals of Bhutan are usually seen. Overnight in camp. B/L/D. 18km, 7 hours.

This is a long hard crossing over Sinhala pass (5005m). The trail climbs through the burned forest and up the hillside through some boggy patches. Follow the stream for a while crossing to river right through a log bridge. About 5 hours from camp you will reach to the Sinchela pass. The trail from the pass is downhill and it is rocky and sometimes twists your ankles. Cross the stream to the left on a small log bridge. A short distance beyond the stream crossing is a yak pasture and a camping spot but you need to continue to a usual campsite at Limithang. B/L/D 19km, 7-8 hours.

The route descends along a closed-in winding river alley. The trail splits, with one trail following the river down. The other stays high leading to the west of Laya village. Camp overnight on a high flat bench above the east end of Laya Village. B/L/D 10km, 4-5 hours.