KE Adventure

Welcome Guest, sign in

tel +44 (0)17687 73966

Bhutan's Laya Trek

Book Trip
Laya woman Bhutan Bhutna the Laya Trek


  • Inspirational trekking in the Eastern Himalaya
  • Cross the 4900 metre Shinge La
  • The charming people of Laya
  • Descent of the Punakha Gorge
  • The hot springs at Gasa

This classic Bhutan trek, from Paro to Thimpu via the village of Laya and the Punakha Valley, is acknowledged to be one of the world's great treks.  It has everything; from picturesque farmland and ancient forest, to alpine pasture and quite challenging high mountain passes. Spectacular campsites beneath some of Bhutan's most impressive peaks, including Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake, are amongst the many highlights of this trekking circuit. Whilst a number of strategically located fortress-monasteries (dzongs) and scattered settlements including Laya Village, close to the Tibetan border, provide a full measure of cultural interest. The magical descent of the Punakha Gorge, via the imposing dzong and refreshing hot springs at Gasa, is a fitting climax to the trek. With time for sightseeing in the Paro Valley and at the winter and summer capitals of Thimpu and Punakha, this is a superlative 3 week trekking adventure.

If you would the opportunity to visit one of Bhutan's spectucular Festivals during your trip please see our special Laya Trek departure:

Autumn - The Laya Trek and Thimpu Festival

Trip Guide

Trekking conditions on this circuit are nowhere particularly difficult, since the trail has been well prepared for the ponies or yaks which are traditionally used to carry supplies on the route. In general this trek offers easy walking conditions, as there are no glaciers to negotiate and the passes that we cross should not be heavily snow covered. However, the trekking is quite sustained and does involve some long days and the crossing of four passes over 4500 metres (14,760 feet), including the Shinge La at 4900 metres (16,076 feet). There are some quite strenuous trekking days and a good degree of fitness is a necessity. This route presents a great variety of landscape types; ranging from fertile and intensively terraced farmland, through some of the finest mixed forest in the world, to open, alpine pastureland and high mountain valleys and passes.

You may also be interested in...

The Laya Trek and Thimpu Festival - Bhutan, Trekking 20 days

Trekking the High Passes of Lunana - Bhutan, Trekking 26 days

Makalu Basecamp Trek - Classic Nepal Trekking - Nepal, Trekking 20 days

Print Page
Sitemap
Website by Artavia Advertising
Africa
Algeria
Cape Verde
Ethiopia
Kenya
Libya
Madagascar
Morocco
Namibia
Reunion Island
South Africa
Tanzania
Uganda
Asia
Bhutan
China
India
Kazakhstan
Kirghizstan
Mongolia
Nepal
Pakistan
Russia
Sri Lanka
Tajikistan
Tibet
Europe
Albania
Bulgaria
Corsica
France
Georgia
Greece
Iceland
Italy
Norway
Poland
Romania
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Latin America
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Cuba
Ecuador
Guatemala
Patagonia
Peru
Venezuela
Middle East
Egypt
Jordan
Oman
North America
Canada
Mexico
USA
S E Asia & Japan
Borneo
Cambodia
Indonesia
Japan
Laos
Thailand
Vietnam
Africa
Morocco
South Africa
Tanzania
Asia
Bhutan
India
Kazakhstan
Nepal
Pakistan
Tibet
Europe
Belgium
France
Germany
Italy
Slovenia
Turkey
Latin America
Cuba
Guatemala
Peru
North America
Mexico
USA
S E Asia & Japan
Thailand
Africa
Morocco
Tanzania
Asia
India
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Europe
Bulgaria
France
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Turkey
Latin America
Costa Rica
Peru
Middle East
Jordan
Oman
North America
Canada
S E Asia & Japan
Thailand
Vietnam
Africa
Ethiopia
Kenya
Libya
Morocco
South Africa
Tanzania
Asia
India
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Europe
France
Greece
Iceland
Romania
Slovenia
Latin America
Costa Rica
Cuba
Ecuador
Peru
Venezuela
Middle East
Egypt
Jordan
S E Asia & Japan
Borneo
Thailand
Africa
Botswana
Ethiopia
Kenya
Morocco
Tanzania
Uganda
Asia
Bhutan
India
Nepal
Russia
Tibet
Europe
Bulgaria
Finland
France
Norway
Slovenia
Sweden
Latin America
Brazil
Costa Rica
Peru
Middle East
Oman
North America
USA