Laya Lhingshi trek

Day 01 | Start of the Laya Lingshi Trek

• Paro to Shana (Easy)
• Distance: 15k
• Walking time: 6h
• Sleeping altitude: 2800m

The Drugyal Dzong was built in 1654 by the Shabdrung to commemorate one of the many war victories against the Tibetans. Over the centuries, it guarded the trail from Tibet into the Paro valley. We will be met at this historic site by our trekking crew for the start of our trek. Follow the Paro Chu upstream through the village of Tshento and a small school on a dirt road for about an hour. Once the dirt road ends, cross the suspension bridge and follow the valley. Just before reaching our camp, we will have to pass through an army check post, where your guide will produce your trekking permit. The camp is just at the opposite side of the army camp.

Day 02 | Shana to Thangthangkha (Moderate)

• Distance: 21k
• Walking time: 8h
• Sleeping altitude: 3630m

The trail from Shana to Thangthangkha is a very rocky series of small ups and downs along the Paro Chu and it can be very muddy if it rains. There are few houses on the other side of the river as the trek begins.  About 3 hours into the trek, you will come at a junction where a trail branches to go to Tibet, But DON’T go to Tibet. Cross the small bridge and have lunch, after the lunch the trail can get pretty tiring. Finally once you cross the last bridge you will reach your camp site.

Day 03 | Thangthangkha to Jangothang (Easy)

• Distance: 16k
• Walking time: 6h
• Sleeping altitude: 4090m

Today you will come across small sparse settlements, and herds of yaks. You will also be crossing the tree line (4000m). Shortly you will be coming across a small army checkpoint and the valley slowly opens up with few settlements just before the camp site. Our camp at Jangothang will bring us face to face with the majestic Mt. Juomolhari. Jangothang means the land of ruins; you will see ruins of some old settlements, which no one seems to know much about.

Day 04 | Halt

Acclimatization and rest day. Early morning you will be greeted with Mt. Jumolhari over looking at you. A good optional hike is to climb to the Tshophu Lake at 4300m, which is about 2 hrs hike from the camp. After lunch relax or could got for another hike to see the glacier at the base of Mt. Jumolhari, which will take about another 2 hrs. Both the hikes offer a good opportunity to see herds of blue sheep.

Day 05 | Jangothang to Lingshi (Moderate-Strenuous)

• Distance: 17k
• Walking time: 7h
• Sleeping altitude: 4090m
• Pass to cross: Nyele La, 4890m
• Sleeping altitude: 4010m

Heading uphill from Jangothang we cross the first of the many passes. As you start climbing up the view behind of Mt. Jumolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey is spectacular. 4 hours of uphill climbing will take us over the very windy Nyele La pass at 4890m. Scree makes it a little tricky to go down the pass on the other side. The descend is steep till we arrive the lunch spot. After 30 mins of walk from lunch point, Lingshi dzong will soon be visible in a distance located at a hilltop. The final descend through thick rhododendrons bushes for 30 mins will lead you to the campsite, which is just before arriving Lingshi village (60 houses).

Day 06 | Lingshi to Chebisa (Easy)

• Distance: 12k
• Walking time: 4h
• Sleeping altitude: 3880m

Morning you will be greeted by Mt. Jichu Drakey and Mt. Tshering gang. Since today’s hike will not be as long, we can afford to wander around a bit. We will start off by visiting the Lingshi dzong, built on a commanding hill by the Shabdrung in the 1600s. About 3 hours into our trek is the dramatic village of Gangyul, surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of cliffs. Our camp is in windy Chebisa, a small village with 20 storey stone houses.

Day 07 | Chebisa to Shakaypasa

• Distance: 16k
• Walking time: 6h
• Pass to cross: Goku La, 4350m
• Sleeping altitude: 3880m

2 hours of climbing from Chebisa will get us over the Goku La pass at 4350m. From the pass we descend into a rhododendron filled valley, and continue past some yak herder camps to Shakaypasa.

Day 08 | Shakaypasa to Tsheringyangu

• Distance: 17k
• Walking time; 7h
• Pass to cross: Jari La, 4747m
• Sleeping altitude: 4000m

An early morning start will get us on the way to Jari La pass at 4747m. From the pass, its all the way downhill into the picturesque valley of Tsharijatha where herds of takin (the national animal of Bhutan) are normally seen in the summers. From here a small climb will take us to our camp at Tsheringyangu.

Day 09 | Tsheingyangu to Limithang

• Distance: 18k
• Walking time: 7h
• Pass to cross: Sinche La, 5005m
• Sleeping altitude: 3890m

Snow Leopard country. Being highly elusive animals, it is very rare to spot one but their paw marks can be seen occasionally. Starting early, a strenuous hike will get us over the Sinchey La, the highest pass on our trek. Descending to Limithang we’ll see the snow covered peak of Gangchenta (6840m) and the glacially carved Gangchenta valley. Gangchenta means Great Tiger Mountain.

Day 10 | Limithang to Laya

• Distance: 10k
• Walking time: 5h
• Sleeping altitude: 3840m

Since we are nearing Laya, we will come across Layaps going to tend to their yaks. We will be entering Laya from the west, through narrow cobble stone paths between houses, to camp in the wheat field that belongs to a friend.

Day 11 | Rest day. Explore Laya.

• Day 12 | Laya to Koina
• Distance: 16k
• Walking time: 6h
• Sleeping altitude: 3010m

2 hours downhill from Laya is Taktsimakhang, a small army check post. A little further from the army camp the trail branches and the left trail is to go to Lunana, on the Snowman trek. Koina has often been described as the worst camp site in Bhutan, especially when it rains.

Day 13 | Koina to Gasa Tshachu (Hot spring)

• Distance: 18k
• Walking time: 7h
• Sleeping altitude: 2200m

Junipers and spruce give way to pine tress. The circular Gasa dzong can be seen as you as you climb down the very rocky trail. Despite its remoteness and lack of motor roads, Gasa is an administrative district, with the office of the district governor in the Gasa dzong. The hot springs are a good 1½ hour downhill from the dzong.

Day 14 | Rest day. Soak in the Gasa Tshachu.

Day 15 | Gasa Tshachu to Punakha

• Distance: 17k
• Walking time: 7h

Last day of the trek. Gasa dzong can be seen as you look back. After lunch at the village of Damji, a further 2 hours trek our trekking crew will wave us goodbye at Kabina, where our transport will be waiting for us. From Kabina, it is about 2 hours drive on a dirt road to our hotel in Punakha.

• Overnight in Punakha | Altitude: 1250m