LAYA &
LINGSHI TREKKING - 21 DAYS
Trip Profile: 21 Days Trip
03 Nights in Paro
15 Days Laya & Lingshi Trekking
01 Night in Punakha
02 Nights in Thimphu
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The popular Laya-Lingshi Trek yields spectacular mountain views
of Mt... Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tserim Gang, Gangchenta and
many others. Stops at the
hospitable village of Laya and Lingshi. A day in Gasa hot spring
to laze around in the hot springs - a useful activity to relieve
your muscle and join pains after many days of strenuous walking.
Similar to Chomolhari, you will encounter wildlife and varieties
of alpine flowers. This program also includes sightseeing in
the picturesque valleys of Punakha, Thimphu and Paro. The highest
pass you will be crossing during the trek is Shingela Pass at
an elevation of 5005 meter / 16,420 ft.
ITINERARY:
DAY 01: ARRIVE IN PARO
After arrival you will be meet by our representative and transfer
to hotel.
DAY 02: SIGHTSEEING IN PARO
After breakfast visit the National Museum (Taa Dzong), Paro
Rimpung Dzong, Kyichu Temple, and other places of interest.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 03: PARO SHANA ZAMPA -17Kms, 5-6 hours
After early breakfast we will drive to the ruins of Drukgyal
Dzong (2,580m / 8,591 ft) 16 Kms from Paro town. Explore the
ramparts, village and on a clear day experience the spectacular
view of Mt. Chomolhari (7,314 m / 23990ft). The trek starts
from here,Overnight camp will be at Shana Zampa, Alt 2,870 m
/9,557 ft, Overnight at camp.
DAY 04: SHANA ZAMPA - THANGTHANGKHA, 22 Kms, 6-7 hours.
The trail continues its gradual climb alongside the Paro Chhu
through conifers and rhododendron and entering into Jigme Dorji
National Park. Your camp for tonight will be at Thangthangkha,
elevation 3,630 m /12,088 ft.
DAY 05: THANGTHANGKHA - JANGOTHANG, 19 Kms, 5-6 hours.
This is not a long day, but there is 450 m /1,498 ft elevation
gain, and you will be comfortably worn out when you reach camp.
Your camp will be at Jangothang, Chomolhari base camp, alt.
4,090 m /13,415 ft.
DAY 06: JANGOTHANG
A day halt & exploration in Jangothang.Trek up to Tsophu
Lake for trout fishing or there is stupendous day-hike in three
directions-Chomolhari and its subsidiary is directly west, Jichu
Drake to the north, un-climbed summits and ridges to the east.
DAY 07: JANGOTHANG – LINGSHI, 18 Kms, 5-6 hours
Wide Yak pastures on the way up and down the pass, great views
of Lingshi Dzong as you come down into the Lingshi basin. If
the weather is clear Mt. Tserim Kang (6789m / 22268ft) and it's
descending glaciers at the north end of the valley can be vividly
seen. Today, the highest point you will be crossing is the Nyile
La Pass, alt. 4890m/16050ft). The camp is at 4010 m / 13,153
ft.
DAY 08: LINGSHI – CHEBISA, 10 Kms, 5-6 hrs.
Cross the stream below the camp on a wooden bridge
and climb up the opposite side to a Chorten just below Lingshi
Dzong. In the valley to the east is a cluster of wood shingled
houses which is one part of Lingshi village. If you look back
at Mt. Tserim Kang you can see a very distinct rock pinnacle
sticking up at the end of the east ridge. The climb is gradual
and easy. The camp site is on a meadow just opposite the Chebisa
village (3880 m /12,920 ft.).
DAY 09: CHEBISA - SHOMUTHANG, 17 Kms, 6-7 hrs.
The walk is through wild high pastures with few nomads
and yaks. Cross Gobula Pass (4440m / 14564ft). The camp will
be at a yak pasture, alt 4260 m /13973ft.
DAY 10: SHOMUTHANG – ROBMUTHANG, 18 Kms, 6-7 hrs.
The trail climbs from the camp up the valley, the white
flowers are edelweiss and the snow peak visible to the south-east
is Kang Bum (6526 m / 21,731 ft). The trail climbs out of the
valley through pretty desolate country up to Jhari La (4747
m /15,807 ft), about two hours from camp. During clear weather
you will also see the Mt. Gangchentag, Mt. Tserim Kang and Chomolhari.
Normally you will witness herds of Takin grazing on the slopes
of the nearby hills. You will be camped in a rocky meadow named
Robluthang at 4160m/13,645ft.
DAY 11: ROBLUTHANG -LIMITHANG, 19Kms, 6-7 hrs.
This is a long, hard day, crossing Sinchu La, the
highest pass on the trek. It's a tough climb from here to the
Sinchu La Pass (5005m / 16,417ft), about five hours from camp.
The snow covered peak of Gangchentag fills the horizon to the
north. It's then a short walk on a good trail through a cedar
forest interspersed with small meadows to Limithang (4140m /13,786ft),
a lovely camp site in a big meadow by the river. The peak of
Gangchentag towers over the campsite, even though it's quite
a distance away.
DAY 12: LIMITHANG – LAYA , 10 Kms, 4-5 hrs.
Today its mostly downhill along a winding river, the
trail splits, one going down with the river to the camp site
used by the army. The other stays high and takes you into the
West Side of Laya Village. We will camp on a high flat bench
above the East End of the Laya village (3800m/12464ft).
DAY 13: LAYA – KOINA, 19 Kms, 6-7 hrs.
Below the village the trail drops back to the river
and continues to Koina (3050m / 10,004ft), a muddy bog in the
forest by the bridge. There is a single stone house with some
muddy camping places scattered around.
DAY 14: KOINA – GASA TSACHU (Tsachu-hot spring), 14
Kms, 6-7 hrs.
You may think that because you are headed downstream
this trek is finished, but there's another major ascent to Bari
La at 3900m /12,987ft. Leaving behind the white Gasa Dzong you
will reach Gasa Tsachu (hot spring at 2240m /7,459ft), your
night halt for today will be here.
DAY 15: GASA TSACHU
Halt at Gasa TsachuToday you can laze around the nature
made Jacuzzi. The hot springs are by the bank of the stream,
below the hotel complex. There are five cement pools and a shower
room, with more under construction. The water temperature is
40 degree centigrade, which is comfortably warm, but not scalding.
The Jigme Dorji National Park administers the hot spring complex.
DAY 16: GASA - DAMJI, 18 Kms, 5-6 hrs.
After the climb away from Gasa Tsachu the trail winds
through rolling hillsides passing through fields, villages,
Oak and pine forests. Gasa Dzong will be visible behind our
trail, glued to the valley wall, seeming to float in space.
Overnight at Camp. 2380m / 7807ft.
DAY 17: DAMJI – TASHITHANG – PUNAKHA (16 Kms of trek
and one hour drive to Punakha)
After a long descent you will cross a wooden bridge
over a side stream at 1960m /6527ft. The trail now makes small
ups and downs close to the river, passing a big cave under a
rock. You may encounter rhesus monkey playing alongside the
river. The main valley is still very closed in with sub-tropical
vegetation such as wild banana trees, creepers and orchids.
After a short walk to forestry office of Tashithang you will
meet with your vehicle, which will drive you down south for
an hour and will be in your hotel at Punakha.
DAY 18: PUNAKHA – THIMPHU ( Capital city), apprx. 68
Kms, two and half hour drive.
After breakfast we will visit the Punakha Dzong ( at
1350m / 4495ft ), resume your drive to Mesina, hike to the small
Chimi Lhakhang (Temple). Return to your car and continue your
drive to Thimphu. Stop at Dochula Pass 3050m/10004ft. From here
you get a panoramic view of the snow capped peaks of Bhutan
during a clear weather. Continue your drive downhill until you
reach at Simtokha. Visit the Simtokha Dzong, next you will stop
at Lungtenzampa, Royal silversmith and Bhutanese traditional
paper factory. Drive to Hotel.
DAY 19: SIGHTSEEING IN THIMPHU
Thimphu SightseeingAfter breakfast National Memorial
Chorten, the Dupthop Lhakhang ( Monastery for the nuns), National
Library, painting school and other places of interest in the
valley. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 20: THIMPHU – PARO
Two hours of driving will take us to Paro from where
we will start our excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang
monastery (Tiger's lair). Overnight at hotel.
DAY 21: DEPARTURE
After breakfast, drop to paro airport for your final
destination.
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