Trek to the Laya Valley,
Kingdom of Bhutan
19 - 26 October 2024
8 days / 7 nights
Spots available: 4 out of 10
8 days / 7 nights
Spots available: 4 out of 10
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The best of Bhutan, including hiking to Laya villages
The Kingdom of Bhutan is a delightful destination for experienced travelers. The number of foreign visitors to the country is strictly regulated through entry fees and visas. The remote mountain Kingdom of Bhutan, nestled between India and China, meticulously preserves its Buddhist traditions and Himalayan nature. Bhutanese people lovingly wear the national costumes of Kiru and Gho in everyday life, and respect Buddhist holidays and traditions; almost every Bhutanese home has its own altar room.
In Bhutan, nature is safeguarded as much as its traditions. Climbing the Himalayan peaks is strictly prohibited here to avoid disturbing the gods believed to reside there. However, trekking is highly encouraged, and for trekking enthusiasts, everything is organized at its best. I have never seen camping more comfortable anywhere else. Tents for sleeping with mattresses and pillows, separate tents for dining, kitchen, and toilets. Exceptional mountain chefs prepare traditional Tibetan dishes, and there is always a menu adapted for Europeans.
Bhutan is like a time machine to the Himalayan past, a country that is definitely worth visiting!
Magical green valleys, crystal-clear blue rivers, snow-white peaks, and the inhabitants of Bhutan in vibrant costumes make this journey undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences of your life.
In Bhutan, nature is safeguarded as much as its traditions. Climbing the Himalayan peaks is strictly prohibited here to avoid disturbing the gods believed to reside there. However, trekking is highly encouraged, and for trekking enthusiasts, everything is organized at its best. I have never seen camping more comfortable anywhere else. Tents for sleeping with mattresses and pillows, separate tents for dining, kitchen, and toilets. Exceptional mountain chefs prepare traditional Tibetan dishes, and there is always a menu adapted for Europeans.
Bhutan is like a time machine to the Himalayan past, a country that is definitely worth visiting!
Magical green valleys, crystal-clear blue rivers, snow-white peaks, and the inhabitants of Bhutan in vibrant costumes make this journey undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences of your life.
Tour price - $ 3300
"All images were made by me during my previous visits to Bhutan. ©Tanya Sharapova.
- What is included in the price:
- Bhutan stay fees
- Full accommodation: hotels in Thimpu, Punakha, Gasa, Paro, comfortable camping on the trek
- Full-board meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Horses for carrying things during the trek
- Services of an English-speaking Bhutanese guide throughout the trip
- Chef and horseman services throughout the trek
- Tent camp during camping (sleeping tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, shower tent)
- Meals and travel for trekking staff and guide
- Accompanying English-German-Russian-speaking group leader (Tanya Sharapova) throughout the entire trip, photographing the trip
- All transfers and transfers to the route by individual transport
- Meeting at Paro airport
- Advice on preparation and equipment
- Group first aid kit
- What is not included in the price ≈ $1180
- Flight to Paro via Delhi (flight to Delhi $500, flight to Paro $600)
- Medical insurance ($40)
- Visa ($40)
What is included in the price:
- Bhutan stay fees
- Full accommodation: hotels in Thimpu, Punakha, Gasa, Paro, comfortable camping on the trek
- Full-board meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Horses for carrying things during the trek
- Services of an English-speaking Bhutanese guide throughout the trip
- Chef and horseman services throughout the trek
- Tent camp during camping (sleeping tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, shower tent)
- Meals and travel for trekking staff and guide
- Accompanying English-German-Russian-speaking group leader (Tanya Sharapova) throughout the entire trip, photographing the trip
- All transfers and transfers to the route by individual transport
- Meeting at Paro airport
- Advice on preparation and equipment
- Group first aid kit
What is not included in the price ≈ $1180
- Flight to Paro via Delhi (flight to Delhi $500, flight to Paro $600)
- Medical insurance ($40)
- Visa ($40)
What to expect?
I've never hiked in my life. Will I be able to do that at these attitudes?This 4 days trekking is doable by any healthy person. Contraindications include excessive weight and heart problems. And, of course, it's essential to understand that we are going to the mountains, where there will be physical exertion. Everyone goes at their own pace.
How many people are in the group?There are 6-10 people in the group. This is an optimal number for a cohesive and cheerful team, ensuring there's neither boredom nor excessive noise.
What will the weather be like?The weather will range from +25 to 0 degrees Celsius. During the day, we'll be in T-shirts, and in the evening, after sunset, we'll layer up with fleeces and jackets.
What to bring?You will have a detailed list of necessary items that we are taking with us. Additionally, there will be a video where I show the items and explain their purposes.
Where will we sleep and what will we eat?We will be staying with local residents and in lodges officially approved by the Ministry of Tourism for trekkers' accommodation. Here, we will be provided meals based on a menu that includes traditional Tibetan dishes, rice, noodles, simple soups, and in some places, even pizza and pasta.
A Bhutanese visa must be obtained in advance from the Bhutan Ministry of Tourism. I take care of it - the visa application and all fees for it are included in the tour price.
Travel itinerary day by day:
Day 1
Early arrival in Paro (2300m). Check-in at the hotel, lunch, we will explore the Paro city and visit local colorful market. We will also visit the National Museum in a 17th century watchtower and will go to Dzong Rinpong.
Day 2
We wake up early to go on our first trekking. We will walk to the Taktsang-Lakhang temple, or as it is also called, the Tiger's Nest. The hike there and back will take around 4-5 hours. After lunch, we will get into our cars and head to the capital of Bhutan, the city of Thimpu (2340m). The transfer will take 2 hours. In the evening we will walk around Thimpu.
Day 3
We will drive from Thimpu to the start point of our trek in the village of Gasa. On the way, we will pass through the picturesque Dochula La pass (3100m), which offers scenic views of the Himalayan valleys. We will visit on a way the famous Dzong in Punakha and stay overnight in Gasa (2900m) to begin our trekking to the villages of Laya early in the morning.
Day 4
Trekking from Gasa to Tongshidrak. Today we will walk 13 kilometers along the Himalayan trails. We will climb along the Mo Chu River through a pine forest and pass the camp at Tashi Mark at an altitude of 3400 meters. We will cross the river and hike to the beginning of the Lai villages. Camping in a village at an altitude of 3730m.
Day 5
We will spend the day in the village of Laya, visit the hospitable locals for the traditional Tibetan butter tea and hike around.
Day 6
Transfer from Laya village to Tongshidrak, from where we will get to the hot springs by car. Overnight in camp at an altitude of 2900 meters.
Day 7
Today we return to Paro via the Dochula Pass, stopping along the way to see the local villages and temples.
Day 8
Farewell to the magical kingdom of Bhutan and departure from Paro.
Reviews about travels in the Himalayas with Tanya Sharapova:
The beauty that opened up to the eyes was simply endless. Most of the time, I felt like a happy spaniel with a sideways tongue. And we were so lucky with the team - it just happened that all strangers were such a great team - comfortable, supportive, not intrusive, but always walking alongside when needed.
Now I want to trek, see higher mountains, and come to the Himalayas again. Thank you, Tanya Sharapova, for this miracle, the discovery of a new world, the extremely friendly team, and a new feeling about myself. It was one of the most beautiful, divinely beautiful places in the world I've ever seen. It was one of the most remarkable trips in my life.
Wild untouched nature and spectacular mountains, the opportunity to be alone and at the same time in the company of such nice people. Tanya showed us incredible places. Now I can't imagine myself lying on the beach for two weeks, staying in the same hotel, when there are so many fascinating things in the world. I want to have time to see everything!
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