The Laya Trek and Thimpu Festival
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal.
Day 2: We take the spectacular flight along the chain of the Himalaya to Paro. We meet our Bhutanese guide and drive to Thimpu, where we check in to our hotel..
Day 3: Today is the opening day of the Thimpu Festival, held in the very impressive Tasichoedzong. We spend all day at this amazing event and have a second nght in our Thimpu hotel.
Day 4: We spend a second day at the Festival, joining the brightly coloured throngs who view the Tsechus both as religious duty and as an occaision to have fun in a holiday spirit. Overnight at our hotel in the capital.
Day 5: After a transfer to the ruins of Drugyel Dzong, we trek northwards beside the Paro River, passing through delightful farmland and forest to reach our camp at Shana.
Day 6: A longer trek, as we follow the river through lovely mixed forest. At a junction of 2 valleys, we turn north towards Chomolhari which is now visible. Camp at Soi Thangka.
Day 7: We continue our trek towards Chomolhari, passing a small herding camp and entering more open country with grazing yaks. Camp at the meadow of Jangothang (4040m / 13,255ft).
Day 8: A day for exploration above our camp at Jangothang. Even better views of Chomolhari and of Jitchu Drake's dramatic spire can be gained by walking above this camp.
Day 9: Great views during today's long trek, as we cross the prayer-flagged Nyele La and descend on a long pine forested ridge to a riverside camp below Lingshi Dzong.
Day 10: After a morning visit to Lingshi Dzong, we follow a traversing path with views of the Basingthang peaks, then descend via the picturesque village of Gang Yul to Chebisa.
Day 11: The day starts with a long climb to the Gobu La, then a descent to the river and a delightful afternoon's trek through juniper and silver birch woodland to Somothang.
Day 12: An early start for the ascent to the Jhari La (4720m / 15,485ft) for superb views of the 7000 metre peak, Kang Che Da. We then descend to another river and camp at Robluthang.
Day 13: Following a well marked yak herders trail, we climb to the high point of the trek at the Shinge La (4900m / 16,075ft) then drop down once again to the meadow camp at Limithang.
Day 14: A shorter day on an undulating trail through woodland, before a gradual ascent to the village of Laya. Afternoon free to explore the village and meet the friendly inhabitants.
Day 15: Starting our walk out through the valley of the Mo Chu, there is a fair amount of up and down, before we climb away from the river to a camp at Chamsa, below the Bale La.
Day 16: An hour's climb takes us to the Bale La, beyond which it is down, down, down into ever-more-luxuriant forest. We visit Gasa Dzong en route to our camp at Gasa hot springs.
Day 17: A lovely morning's trek through forest and farmland to the roadhead, then we drive via Punakha Dzong and the Dochu La to our hotel in the tiny Bhutanese capital of Thimpu.
Day 18: The morning is free for sightseeing in this quaint town, with the chance to visit the vibrant produce market, before making the short drive to our hotel in the Paro Valley.
Day 19: We take the morning flight to Kathmandu and transfer to the group hotel. We have a guided sightseeing tour of the city in the afternoon.
Day 20: KE Land Only package services end with breakfast at the hotel. Complimentary airport transfers are provided.
