The Laya Lingshi Trek

 LAYA-LINGZHI TREK: TWENTY NIGHTS ITINERARY
1. Two Nights Thimphu 2. Two Nights Punakha 3. Two Nights Gasa 4. 12 Nights Camp Laya-­‐Lingzhi 5. Two Nights Paro DAY 1 ARRIVAL
Arrive in Paro, Bhutan. Then head on to Thimphu (7,600'), Bhutan’s official national
capital. The itinerary in Thimphu would start with the visit to the National Memorial
Chorten, a beautiful stupa built in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk
and the Takin Zoo to take a glimpse of the national animal of Bhutan.
Overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 2
In the morning we visit Thimphu’s Folk Heritage Museum, the National Library and
the Arts and Crafts School, where children are trained in traditional Bhutanese
painting, sculpture, and woodcarving. After Lunch, head to Punakha, with a
spectacular drive across the Dochu La. On a clear day, you can have views of the
Bhutanese Himalayas. We descend to Punakha, the ancient winter capital of
Bhutan.
Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 3
From the village of Lobesa, a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, a small monastery and
fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley,
a Tibetan Buddhist saint known
popularly as “the divine madman” and considered a folk hero in Bhutan for his
unconventional ways. A visit to the Punakha Dzong, Bhutan’s former winter capital,
built in 1637.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 4
Today we head toward Gasa and the beginning of our trek. Along the way, we visit
the Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten, a shrine built recently by the royal family.
After we drive straight to Damji eventually stopping at Gasa Tshachu (“Hot
Springs”), where Bhutanese enjoy the curative powers of this hot spring.
Overnight at camp.
DAY 5
From camp we hike up a steep hill to the Gasa Dzong, built by the 17th century king
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to protect the valley from invaders from Tibet.
Overnight at camp near Gasa Dzong. Hiking Time: 1.5 hours
DAY 6
Trek starts today. There are views of waterfalls and the rushing waters of the Mo
Chu as we hike to Koena. Camping is not possible at Koena due to the boggy
ground, so we continue another 1.5 hours past Koena to a more suitable campsite.
Today’s hike is quite long and hard, so we begin early.
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours, 8.5 miles
DAY 7
Hiking continuee to Laya (12,610'), one of the highest settlements in Bhutan, with a
population of about 800. The Layap (people of Laya) are yak herders.
Overnight at camp. Hiking Time: 7-8 hours, 11.5 miles
DAY 8
Today is an Exploration Day around the village, visiting and interacting with the local
people. An optional hike of 3-5 hours brings us to a ridge with good views of Mount
Masang Kang (23,604').
Overnight at camp. Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
DAY 9
A short but hard trekking day takes us through an uninhabited area along a tributary
of the Mo Chu and through rich, moss-filled forests of rhododendron and silver fir. We
camp in Limithang (13,473'), a wide valley where the people of Laya take their yaks to
graze. The Limithang Valley is directly beneath the huge peak called Gangchen Tak
(22,291'), “The Great Tiger Mountain,” which dominates our views today. Camp is in a
lovely spot on the river bank at an elevation of about 13,615 feet.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours, 6 miles
DAY 10
On this hard trekking day, probably the longest and most difficult of our trip, we climb
slowly to the Shinche La (16,420'), the highest pass on our trek. Our reward is
stunning mountain views, including the spectacular snow peak of Gangchen Tak at
the head of the valley. On a clear day, practically all the high peaks on Bhutan’s
northern border with Tibet are visible. Eagles, griffons, bharal (blue sheep), and herds
of grazing yak can be seen in this area. We descend over glacial moraine and rocky
trails to our camp at 13,648 feet.
Overnight at camp. Hiking Time: 7-8 hours, 11.5 miles
DAY 11
Continuation of trekking. We first descend to the Tsarijathang Valley, a summer
feeding ground for herds of takin, the national animal of Bhutan. From here we climb
to the Jari La (15,574'). A long afternoon descent through rhododendron forests
brings us to our riverside camp at 13,976 feet.
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours, 11 miles
DAY 12
After ascending through a forest of dwarf rhododendron to the Gombu La (14,566'),
we make a steep descent through high yak pastures to Chebisa Valley, home to
barley fields, a huge waterfall, and a Shangrila-like village. We camp by the riverside
near the village of Chebisa (12,729').
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours, 10 miles
DAY 13
Trek to Lingshi village (13,156'), with views of its dzong standing alone atop a high
hill in the middle of the wide valley Overnight at camp.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours, 6 miles
DAY 14
We make a morning climb to the Nyele La (16,338'), enjoying views of Chomolhari,
Jichu Drake, and Tsering Kang (mountain peaks) from the top of the pass. A long
descent brings us to Jangothang (13,340'), which serves as the base camp for
Chomolhari (23,997'), Bhutan's second highest peak.
Overnight at camp. Hiking Time: 6-7 hours, 11 miles
DAY 15
An Exploration Day for optional hikes. The vision of Soi Dzong, a ruined fortress built
to guard Bhutan against invasion from Tibet, adds to the mystique of the setting, and
we may be able to spot wildlife, including musk deer and blue sheep, and many
species of birds. An optional day hike is to the beautiful twin lakes of Tsophu
(14,140').
Overnight at camp. Hiking Time: 2-4 hours
DAY 16
Descending through a beautiful valley where yaks often graze, we pause for lunch at
the settlement of Tegethang, the winter home of yak herders. Later we reach the
next camp at Thangthanka (12,073') in what is now preserved as Jigme Dorji
National Park.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours, 8.5 miles
DAY 17
Next trek is less strenuous. We trek to reach our last campsite at Shana (9,416').
Beyond Shana is the small army post of Gunyitsawa, the last stop before Tibet.
Overnight at camp. Hiking Time: 7-8 hours, 13 miles
DAY 18
Vehicles await us at Shana for our drive along the Pa Chu to the famous ruin of
Drukgyel Dzong (8,465'), built in the 17th century to defend against attack from
Tibet. We continue to our hotel in Paro (7,500'). After lunch and freshing up, we visit
the National Museum of Bhutan, housed in the Ta Dzong, with its collection of
ancient artifacts, weapons, and silver teaware, and a visit to the nearby Paro Dzong,
Overnight at Hotel.
Total Driving Time: Approximately 1 hour
DAY 19
We hike up to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest (9,600’), built into a sheer cliff face about
2,700 feet above the Paro Valley. It is believed that Padmasambhava, the great 8th
century Buddhist saint, landed at this spot after flying over the mountains from
Tibet on the back of a tigress, thus bringing the teachings of Buddhism to Bhutan.
Lunch is at a teahouse midway with fantastic views of the monastery.
Overnight at Hotel. Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
DAY 20 DEPART
After breakfast, we take you to Paro Airport for homeward-bound flights. Please
note: Travel times vary depending upon local conditions, and the itinerary may
change while you are in Bhutan due to government regulations and local climate
conditions.