21 Days Laya Gasa Trek

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Upon arriving at Paro International Airport, you’ll meet your guide at the arrival hall before taking an easy day to acclimatise. Begin with a short drive to Sangaygang for a panoramic view of Thimphu and a chance to spot the national animal, the Takin. Continue to Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang, home to the towering 169-foot Buddha Dordenma overlooking the valley. If time permits, stop at the Takin Preserve on the way, where you can observe this unusual and beloved creature up close.

Afterwards, explore Thimphu: visit the Textile Museum, Thimphu Dzong, National Memorial Chorten, the Paper-Making Factory, and Simtokha Dzong, the Kingdom’s oldest fortress.

Drive to Dochula Pass, where 108 memorial chortens stand against sweeping Himalayan views. Continue to Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s finest architectural masterpieces and the winter residence of the monastic body. Later, hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a remarkable structure built under the guidance of the Queen Mother, showcasing exquisite Bhutanese artistry.

Begin your adventure with a scenic drive to Tashithang, where the road fades into the wild and your trek truly begins. From here, follow the gentle rush of the Mo Chhu as the trail winds through deep, emerald forests alive with birdsong, orchids, and the earthy scent of untouched wilderness. 

The path feels wonderfully remote, guiding you across moss-covered bridges and beneath towering trees before the landscape slowly opens to the peaceful village of Damji. This is your first campsite — a quiet, humble corner of the mountains where prayer flags flutter in the breeze and the rhythm of river and forest becomes your lullaby. It’s the perfect introduction to the tranquil beauty that awaits in the days ahead.

Follow a gently undulating trail that winds through lush forest, where wild orchids cling to tree trunks and the air carries the cool scent of mountain earth. As the path descends, the sound of flowing water grows stronger, guiding you towards Gasa’s famed hot springs — a timeless sanctuary tucked beside the river. Here, slip into the warm, mineral-rich pools cherished by Bhutanese for generations. After a day on the trail, the soothing waters feel almost magical, easing tired muscles and inviting you to unwind beneath the quiet embrace of the surrounding hills.
Distance: 15 km | Duration: 4–5 hours

Depending on your travel dates, immerse yourself in the unforgettable Gasa Tshechu — one of Bhutan’s most vibrant festivals honouring Guru Padmasambhava. The day comes alive with masked dances, sacred rituals, richly woven costumes, and the dramatic unfurling of a giant thangka that fills the courtyard with colour and devotion. Locals gather in their finest attire, offering a beautiful window into Bhutanese culture and tradition. 

If the festival is not in season, spend the day exploring Gasa’s quiet charm, its hilltop dzong, and the serene mountain surroundings that make this region so captivating.

Begin the day with a steady ascent towards Bale La at 3,740 metres, a rewarding climb that lifts you above the tree line and into sweeping views of rugged ridges and distant snow peaks. Prayer flags flutter softly in the alpine wind as you approach the pass, marking a quiet but powerful moment of accomplishment. From here, the trail descends gradually into a wide, open valley where grazing yaks and wildflowers add touches of life and colour to the landscape. By afternoon, you’ll reach the peaceful campsite at Koena, a tucked-away spot surrounded by mountains — the perfect place to rest, recharge, and enjoy the stillness of the highlands.
Distance: 22 km | Duration: 5–6 hours

Follow the Mo Chhu as it winds through deep forest and open riverbanks before the trail begins its steady climb into the high valley of Laya. As you gain altitude, the scenery unfolds dramatically — vast alpine slopes, crisp mountain air, and the unmistakable silhouettes of peaks like Masagang rising in the distance.

Reaching Laya feels like stepping into another world. Here, the Layap people welcome you with their distinctive conical bamboo hats, intricate yak-hair garments, and a gentle grace that reflects centuries of life in the high mountains. It’s a rare and beautiful glimpse into a culture shaped entirely by the rhythm of nature and the majesty of the Himalayas.
Distance: 20 km | Duration: 5–6 hours

Enjoy a full day to wander through Laya at an unhurried pace, taking in the charm of one of Bhutan’s most remote and captivating highland communities. Stroll past traditional stone houses, watch yaks grazing against sweeping mountain backdrops, and meet the warm Layap people whose lifestyles, dress, and traditions have remained wonderfully preserved. With time to chat, explore, and simply soak in the quiet rhythm of village life, this day offers a rare chance to truly connect with a culture found nowhere else in the Himalayas.

Cross the river and follow a gentle, scenic trail that traces its shimmering banks before the climb begins in earnest, leading you through fragrant rhododendron, cedar, and fir forests. As the trees thin and the valley opens, Limithang reveals itself in all its beauty — a broad, dramatic landscape framed by towering peaks, with the sound of the river echoing softly through the expanse. It’s one of the trek’s most breathtaking approaches, where every step feels like moving deeper into Bhutan’s high-mountain wilderness.
Distance: 10 km | Duration: 4–5 hours

Climb steadily towards a soaring high pass at 5,000 metres, where the world feels vast and impossibly pure, and every breath reminds you that you’re truly in the heart of the Himalayas. From the crest, take in the sweeping panorama of jagged peaks and deep valleys before beginning your descent into the wide, open pastures of Robluthang. Here, glacial streams thread through the grasslands and yaks graze beneath towering cliffs — a rugged, beautiful landscape that captures the raw spirit of Bhutan’s high country.
Distance: 14 km | Duration: 6–7 hours

Enjoy a long yet deeply rewarding day as you cross the Yarila Chhu twice, following its clear glacial flow through a landscape that feels raw and untouched. The trail then rises steadily towards a 4,785-metre pass, where the air is thin and the horizon stretches into a breathtaking sweep of Himalayan peaks. From the summit, descend along a sharp series of zigzags carved into the mountainside, each turn bringing you closer to the quiet shelter of your campsite below — a well-earned resting place after one of the trek’s most memorable stages.
Distance: 22 km | Duration: 7–8 hours

Climb steadily towards Gombu La at 4,687 metres, where the pass opens to sweeping mountain views and the quiet stillness of the highlands. From here, descend into the enchanting village of Chebisa, a little cluster of stone homes tucked beneath cascading cliffs and prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Along the way, keep watch for herds of Himalayan blue sheep moving gracefully across the slopes and the majestic bearded vulture circling high above — wildlife encounters that make this stretch feel especially magical.
Distance: 17 km | Duration: 6–7 hours

Enjoy one of the gentlest and most scenic days of the journey as you follow a broad high trail that contours gracefully along the mountainside, its slopes dotted with medicinal plants long treasured in Bhutanese tradition. The views remain wide and uplifting throughout, and as you turn a bend, the magnificent silhouette of Lingshi Dzong rises in the distance — perched proudly on a rocky outcrop against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Continue onwards until you reach your campsite, set in a landscape that feels both historic and timeless.
Distance: 12 km | Duration: 4–5 hours

Cross a series of narrow gorges and charming little river crossings as the trail winds through rugged, dramatic terrain. Before long, the path begins to level out, easing into a broad, open stretch that leads you towards a natural viewing point. From here, the mountains unfold in all their majesty — sweeping ridgelines, snow-draped peaks, and vast valleys that invite you to pause, breathe deeply, and take in the full grandeur of the Himalayas.
Distance: 17 km | Duration: 6–7 hours

Take an essential rest day at Jangothang, giving your body time to adjust while still soaking in the beauty of the high mountains. You can choose from gentle acclimatisation hikes that reveal even more of the surrounding peaks, glaciers, and open valleys. With yaks grazing peacefully nearby and some of Bhutan’s most iconic summits towering all around you, Jangothang feels like a sanctuary in the heart of the Himalayas — easily one of the most breathtaking campsites on the entire trek.

Trek past the small army camp and follow the trail as it begins a gentle, steady descent into the valley, opening up to wider views and the soft sound of the river below. As you approach Thangthangka, the landscape becomes calmer and more expansive, offering a peaceful transition into one of the trek’s quieter and more scenic stretches.
Distance: 15 km | Duration: 5–6 hours

Cross a series of traditional wooden bridges and follow the river as it winds through a serene patchwork of forests and old farmhouses, each one hinting at the region’s long-lived way of life. This quiet valley once formed part of the ancient Tremo La trade route linking Bhutan and Tibet, and as you walk, you can almost feel the footsteps of traders and pilgrims who travelled these paths centuries ago. It’s a gentle, nostalgic stretch of trail that blends natural beauty with a deep sense of history.
Distance: 21 km | Duration: 7–8 hours

Enjoy a relatively gentle day as you follow the Paro River downstream, the trail guiding you through peaceful forests and open meadows towards the historic grounds of Drukgyal Dzong. As you approach the ruins, look up — on a clear day, the sacred summit of Mount Jomolhari rises magnificently behind the fortress, creating one of the most iconic and unforgettable sights in Bhutan.
Distance: 14 km | Duration: 5–6 hours

Begin your day at the storied Drukgyal Dzong, exploring its atmospheric ruins and imagining the battles and triumphs that once echoed through its walls. From here, set off on the hike to the legendary Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan’s iconic Tiger’s Nest. Pause at the cafeteria viewpoint, where the monastery appears almost suspended on the cliffside — a sight that never fails to stir awe. After a fulfilling lunch, make your way to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most revered temples in Bhutan, where quiet courtyards and ancient prayer wheels offer a peaceful end to a remarkable day.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. We hope your journey through Bhutan’s mountains and hidden valleys has been unforgettable, and we look forward to welcoming you back. Tashi Delek — and thank you for choosing Druk Asia for your Bhutan trekking adventure.