- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Trekking tour · 16 days, 15 nights
16 Day Laya Gasa Trek: Jomolhari, Lingshi and the Highland Village of Laya
A high, wild trek from Paro to Gasa: Jomolhari base camp, Lingshi Dzong, five high passes including Sinche La at about 5,000 metres, the yak-herding village of Laya and the hot springs of Gasa.
- 16 days, 15 nights
- 11 days on trek
- Highest pass about 5,000 m
5,000 m
Sinche La, highest pass, about
11
Days on the trail
5
High passes
Strenuous
Grade
Trip overview
One of Bhutan's great treks
The Laya Gasa trek is one of the finest high-altitude treks in the Himalaya. It begins on the same path as the Jomolhari trek, climbing from the Paro valley along the Paro Chhu to Jangothang, the base camp below Mount Jomolhari, at about 4,050 metres. From there it turns north and east into some of the most remote country in Bhutan, crossing a string of high passes and staying in yak-herders’ pastures far from any road.
On the way you pass Lingshi Dzong, perched on a ridge above a wide valley, and the small villages of Chebisa and Lingshi, where people still live by herding yaks. After crossing Sinche La, the highest pass at about 5,000 metres, you descend to Laya, a village at about 3,850 metres famous for its people. Layap women wear conical bamboo hats and long dark woollen dresses, and the village hosts the Royal Highlander Festival in some years.
The trek ends with a long descent through forest to Gasa, where hot springs wait at the bottom of the valley. It is a serious trek, with long days and high camps, and it needs good fitness and some trekking experience. In return it shows you a side of Bhutan very few visitors ever see.
- Jomolhari base camp and Lingshi Dzong
- Five high passes up to about 5,000 metres
- The village of Laya and Gasa hot springs
Highlights
Highlights on the trail
Jomolhari
Camp below Bhutan's sacred mountain at Jangothang.
Lingshi Dzong
A small fortress on a ridge above a wide valley.
Yaks and blue sheep
Herds in the high pastures; blue sheep on the slopes.
Sinche La
The highest pass, about 5,000 metres.
Laya
A highland village with its own dress and customs.
Gasa hot springs
Hot pools at the end of the trek.
Itinerary at a glance
Sixteen days, eleven on trek
A rest day at Jangothang helps you acclimatise before the high passes.
Day 1: Arrive in Paro
Land in Paro, gear check.
Day 2: Tiger's Nest
Acclimatisation hike to Paro Taktsang.
Day 3: Drukgyel to Shana
Start the trek along the Paro Chhu.
Day 4: Shana to Soi Thangthanka
Through forest up the river valley.
Day 5: To Jangothang
Past yak herders’ settlements to Jomolhari base camp.
Day 6: Rest day at Jangothang
Acclimatisation hikes to the lakes or ridges.
Day 7: Over Nyile La to Lingshi
Cross Nyile La, descend to Lingshi.
Day 8: Lingshi to Chebisa
Lingshi Dzong, Goyul village, Chebisa.
Day 9: Over Gobu La to Shomuthang
Cross Gobu La to Shomuthang.
Day 10: Over Jhari La to Robluthang
Cross Jhari La to Robluthang.
Day 11: Over Sinche La to Lingmithang
Cross Sinche La, the highest pass.
Day 12: To Laya
Short walk down to Laya village.
Day 13: Laya to Koena
Down the Mo Chhu valley to Koena.
Day 14: Over Bari La to Gasa
Cross Bari La, descend to Gasa and the hot springs.
Day 15: Gasa to Thimphu
Drive down to Punakha and on to Thimphu.
Day 16: Depart
Drive to Paro airport.
Day 1
Arrive in Paro
Your trekking guide meets you at Paro airport. In the afternoon you visit Rinpung Dzong and check your gear together. Paro is at about 2,200 metres, a good first step for acclimatisation.
- Overnight: Paro
- Meals: lunch and dinner
- Note: gear check and briefing
Day 2
Warm-up hike
The hike to the Tiger’s Nest, at about 3,120 metres, is the ideal warm-up. It takes five to six hours return and helps your body adjust before the trek.
- Overnight: Paro
- Hike: 5 to 6 hours return
- Altitude: about 3,120 metres
Day 3
Trek day 1: to Shana
You drive to Drukgyel Dzong at the end of the road, meet the crew and pack animals, and start walking up the Paro Chhu valley through farms and forest to Shana, at about 2,850 metres. About 17 km, six to seven hours.
- Camp: Shana, about 2,850 m
- Walk: about 17 km, 6 to 7 hours
- Meals: all meals by the trek cook
Day 4
Trek day 2: to Soi Thangthanka
The trail follows the river through forest of oak, rhododendron and pine, with many small ups and downs, to Soi Thangthanka, a meadow at about 3,750 metres. A long day: about 19 km, seven to eight hours.
- Camp: Soi Thangthanka, about 3,750 m
- Walk: about 19 km, 7 to 8 hours
- Note: muddy after rain
Day 5
Trek day 3: to Jangothang
You climb above the tree line, passing yak herders’ winter homes, to Jangothang at about 4,050 metres, the base camp below Mount Jomolhari. The view of the mountain from camp at sunset is unforgettable.
- Camp: Jangothang, about 4,050 m
- Walk: about 19 km, 7 to 8 hours
- View: Mount Jomolhari
Day 6
Acclimatisation day
A rest day to acclimatise. You can walk up to the Tsophu lakes or a ridge above camp for views of Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, then come back down to sleep. Blue sheep often graze the slopes around camp.
- Camp: Jangothang
- Walk: optional, 3 to 5 hours
- Purpose: acclimatisation
Day 7
Trek day 4: over Nyile La
A big day over Nyile La, at about 4,850 metres, with views of Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsherimgang. Then you descend to the Lingshi valley, with Lingshi Dzong on its ridge. About 18 km, six to seven hours.
- Camp: Lingshi, about 4,000 m
- Pass: Nyile La, about 4,850 m
- Walk: about 18 km, 6 to 7 hours
Day 8
Trek day 5: to Chebisa
A shorter day. You visit Lingshi Dzong, then walk past the stone village of Goyul to Chebisa, a small village with a waterfall behind it, at about 3,850 metres. About 12 km, five to six hours.
- Camp: Chebisa, about 3,850 m
- Walk: about 12 km, 5 to 6 hours
- Highlight: Lingshi Dzong
Day 9
Trek day 6: over Gobu La
You climb steeply to Gobu La, at about 4,400 metres, where blue sheep are often seen, then descend through rhododendron to Shomuthang, a camp beside a river at about 4,100 metres.
- Camp: Shomuthang, about 4,100 m
- Pass: Gobu La, about 4,400 m
- Walk: about 17 km, 6 to 7 hours
Day 10
Trek day 7: over Jhari La
The trail climbs to Jhari La, at about 4,750 metres, with views of Gangchenta, the Great Tiger Mountain. You descend to Tsheri Jathang, a summer pasture for takin, and climb to camp at Robluthang, at about 4,150 metres.
- Camp: Robluthang, about 4,150 m
- Pass: Jhari La, about 4,750 m
- Walk: about 15 km, 5 to 6 hours
Day 11
Trek day 8: Sinche La
The hardest day: a long climb to Sinche La, at about 5,000 metres, the highest point of the trek, then a steep descent past moraines and a glacial lake to Lingmithang, at about 4,150 metres, below Gangchenta. About 19 km, seven to eight hours.
- Camp: Lingmithang, about 4,150 m
- Pass: Sinche La, about 5,000 m
- Walk: about 19 km, 7 to 8 hours
Day 12
Trek day 9: to Laya
A short walk of three to four hours brings you to Laya, at about 3,850 metres, one of the highest villages in Bhutan. The afternoon is free to walk around the village, meet Layap families and see their homes, their distinctive dress and their yaks.
- Camp or homestay: Laya, about 3,850 m
- Walk: about 10 km, 3 to 4 hours
- Afternoon: village visit
Day 13
Trek day 10: to Koena
You descend along the Mo Chhu through forest and past waterfalls to Koena, at about 3,050 metres. It is a long day of ups and downs. The vegetation changes fast as you lose height.
- Camp: Koena, about 3,050 m
- Walk: about 19 km, 6 to 7 hours
- Note: muddy in places
Day 14
Trek day 11: to Gasa
The last climb of the trek takes you over Bari La, at about 3,900 metres, then down through forest to Gasa, with its dzong on the hillside. In the afternoon you soak in the Gasa hot springs, one of the most popular in Bhutan.
- Overnight: Gasa camp or guesthouse
- Pass: Bari La, about 3,900 m
- Highlight: Gasa hot springs
Day 15
Back to the road
You say goodbye to the crew and drive down to Punakha, then over Dochula to Thimphu, about six hours with stops. A hot shower and a soft bed have never felt better.
- Overnight: Thimphu
- Drive: about 6 hours
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 16
Fly home
After breakfast you drive about an hour and a half to Paro airport for your flight.
- Transfer: about 1.5 hours
- Meals: breakfast
Where you stay
Where you stay
Hotels before and after; full camping on the trek.
| Nights | Place | Where you stay | Why we chose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | Paro | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Before the trek |
| 3 to 13 | On trek | Tents, with dining and toilet tents | Crew, cook and pack animals |
| 14 | Gasa | Camp or guesthouse | Near the hot springs |
| 15 | Thimphu | 3-star or 4-star hotel | After the trek |
Our crew sets up camp, cooks and carries everything. You carry only a day pack.
What the price covers
Included and not included
Included
- Bhutan visa (USD 40) and the Sustainable Development Fee for every night
- Hotels as listed, 3-star as standard, with 4-star and luxury upgrades on request
- All meals in hotels and on the trek, cooked by our trek cook
- A licensed trekking guide, plus a cook and camp crew
- Pack animals for the luggage, tents, mattresses, dining and toilet tents
- Trekking and park permits
- Private car with driver for the road sections
- Hotels before and after the trek
Not included
- International flights into and out of Paro (we can book them for you)
- Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend
- Sleeping bag and personal trekking gear (we can rent a sleeping bag)
- Emergency evacuation costs, which your insurance should cover
- Tips for the trek crew, guide and driver
Price on request
Tell us your budget and we will send our best price
We don’t publish one fixed price, because hotels, season and group size change the total a lot. Tell us your dates, who is travelling and the budget you have in mind. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this Laya Gasa trek.
How we price
What decides the cost of this trip
Government fees
The SDF is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, plus a USD 40 visa. These are fixed by the Government of Bhutan and paid through us.
Hotels you choose
Group size changes the total most, because the crew and pack animals are shared.
Season and dates
Spring and autumn are peak season. Winter and summer dates are often easier to price well.
Group size
Guide and car costs are shared, so the price per person drops for two, three or four travellers.
We send a written, itemised quote before you pay anything. No booking fees.
Good to know
Planning the Laya Gasa trek
How hard is it?
This is a strenuous trek. You walk six to eight hours on most days, sleep above 4,000 metres for several nights and cross five high passes, the highest at about 5,000 metres. You should have done multi-day treks at altitude before, and be in good physical shape. Train with long hikes carrying a day pack for several months before you travel.
Laya and the Layaps
Laya is home to the Layap people, yak herders with their own dialect, dress and customs. Women wear conical bamboo hats with a spike on top, long dark woollen dresses and silver jewellery. The village has hosted the Royal Highlander Festival, a celebration of highland life with yak events and cultural shows. Ask before taking photographs, and buy a small craft if you can; it helps the village.
Best seasons
The best months are April to early June, and late September to early November. Autumn has clearer skies. The high passes can close with snow at other times, and the monsoon makes the lower trails very muddy. We keep a spare day in reserve for bad weather.
Fitness and safety on trek
You walk six to eight hours on most trek days, often above 4,000 metres. Regular hiking in the months before makes a real difference. Your guide carries a first aid kit and watches for altitude sickness; the only cure for serious symptoms is to go down, and we always plan an escape route. Tell us about any heart, lung or knee problems when you book, and make sure your insurance covers trekking at altitude and evacuation.
What to bring on trek
Broken-in waterproof boots, a down jacket, thermal layers, a waterproof shell, a warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, trekking poles and a four-season sleeping bag (we can rent one). Our crew carries tents, mattresses, the kitchen and all food. See our packing list for the basics.
Wildlife
The trek passes through Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan’s largest protected area. Blue sheep are common near the passes, takin graze the summer pastures, and marmots and many birds live in the high meadows. Snow leopards live here too, but they are very rarely seen.
Visa, SDF and guide rules
Every visitor except Indian nationals needs a visa, which costs USD 40 and is issued online before you fly. The Sustainable Development Fee is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, with half rates for children aged 6 to 11. A Department of Tourism notice from April 2026 confirms that visitors travel with a licensed guide. We file the visa and pay the SDF for you. Read more in our Bhutan visa guide and SDF guide.
Laya Gasa trek: questions
It depends on your hotels, group size and dates. Tell us your budget and we will reply within 24 hours with our best price, including the SDF, visa, hotels, meals, guide and car.
Strenuous. Long days, several nights above 4,000 metres and a highest pass of about 5,000 metres.
Sinche La, at about 5,000 metres.
Yes. Previous multi-day treks at altitude are strongly recommended.
April to early June and late September to early November.
Yes. You spend two nights at Jangothang below Mount Jomolhari.
In years when it is held in Laya, yes. Ask us for the dates.
Four to six months ahead.
Price on request
Ask for your best price
Tell us your dates, your trekking experience and your budget. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for the Laya Gasa trek.
- Share your budget, we shape the trip around it
- No booking fees, ever
- A reply within 24 hours
- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- +975 17533776
- +975 77495028
- info@deyabhutantours.com
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Let's plan your Bhutan journey
Tell us a little about your trip. Our team in Thimphu will reply with ideas, a day-by-day plan and a full price.
We’ll reply within 24 hours. No booking fees, and no obligation to book.