Laya Gasa Trek - 18 Days

Passports, Visas, and Entry Requirements for Bhutan

PASSPORT

A valid passport is mandatory if you’re looking to travel to other countries. Just keep in mind that your passport should have 6 months of validity remaining before you arrive here for the trek.

VISAS

Visa processes need to be carried out earlier because it normally takes several weeks to process. Therefore, you should keep a note of the requirements as soon as possible, right after booking the following trek.

All travelers must have a pre-approved Bhutan visa before they pack their bags for this trek. Interestingly, Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian citizens don’t require a visa to visit Bhutan. We take care of all these visa processes for you, so you don’t have to worry about that.

You just have to send us a copy of your passport and a passport-sized photo. Make sure to send a bit earlier. We don’t charge you extra for handling all the visa processing. The cost is included in the tour package itself.

Bhutan Flight Information

Flight runs to Paro on a daily basis if you’re a citizen of one of these South Asian countries or cities. This includes Nepal, Kathmandu, Delhi, Singapore, and Thailand.

Druk Air, also called Royal Bhutan Airlines and Bhutan Airlines, both provide direct flights from these South Asian nations on a regular basis.

Most specifically, Druk Air runs the most frequent direct flights from Kathmandu to Paro. Bhutan Airlines is equally good, too, as it also provides direct flights. It only runs on specific days like Mondays and Fridays.

Key Permits & Requirements for the Laya Gasa Trek

Independent trekking is not allowed in Bhutan. Therefore, you must get all these required permits and documents from the licensed Bhutanese trek operator. Some of the required permits or documents are as follows:

Visa

The first and foremost is the tourist visa. It is required for the majority of international travelers.

Trekking Permit

Since the Laya Gas trek goes to the villages of Laya and Gasa, you need to obtain a special permit. This is because the Laya and Gasa falls on the restricted areas of Bhutan.

National Park Entry Permit

This permit is only required if you walk towards the path of protected areas such as Jigme Dorji National Park. Otherwise, it is not required.

All these permits and documents are taken care of by the tour operator you’ve chosen. They are responsible for taking care of all these aspects so that your entire focus remains only on experiencing and enjoying the trek.

In this case, Access Nepal Tour and Trekking takes care of these documents and permits to make your trekking experience memorable and fun. A licensed guide is also a must for this trek, and we assign you one, too.

Best Time/Season for Laya Gasa Trekking

The best times or the season for the Laya Gasa Trek are spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October). In general, the spring and autumn are considered the trekking seasons in Bhutan. This is because the weather remains clear, with the sky opening up beautifully, and the visibility is top-notch.

Trekking in spring means you’ll get to see the trails blooming with rhododendrons and the wildflowers. The weather is ideal for trekking with clear blue skies and a perfect atmosphere. You may experience a bit of cold during the morning and at night, but a very good time to do the trek.

If you do the trekking in the autumn season, you’ll experience authentic fresh mountain air, and the panoramic mountain views don’t get better than these months. The weather is also ideal, not too cold nor too hot. The ideal temperatures make it a perfect time to do the trek.

You should avoid trekking during the summer and winter seasons in Bhutan. This is because the summer (June to August) months bring heavy rainfall here, making it extremely difficult to do trekking.

Another time you should not do trekking at all is the winter season (December to February). At higher altitudes, the weather remains freezing cold with heavy snow, too. The high passes also remain closed during this time.

So the best time to arrive for this Gasa to Laya trek is during the autumn or spring season.

Major Festivals of Bhutan

There are several festivals that the people of Bhutan celebrate. Some of the major ones are:

1) Paro Tshechu

Paro Tshechu is one of the major festivals of Bhutan that is vibrant and equally exciting. It is basically a spring festival celebrated by wearing masks and dancing enthusiastically.

The following festival is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the renowned figure of Buddhism, Guru Rinpoche. It usually falls in the months of March and April, widely celebrated inside the building of Rinpung Dzong.

2) Thimphu Tshechu

The Thimphu Tshechu is another popular and also the biggest festival of Bhutan. It runs for exactly three days, falling in the months of September and October. Similar to the Paro Tshechu, masked dances are performed by the monks, remembering the Tibetan legend, Guru Rinpoche.

3) Punakha Drubchen & Tshechu

Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu are widely celebrated annual festivals of Bhutan. During the Punakha Drubchen, a popular act is conducted, remembering the 17th century war against the Tibetan invaders.

Guru Rinpoche is also honored here with the celebratory dances, wearing masks. It usually falls in the months of February and March.

4) Jambay Lhakhang Drup

Jambay Lhakhang Drup is celebrated inside the oldest temple of Bhutan. This usually runs for around 4 to 5 days, where plenty of enthusiastic dances are performed. These mainly include fire and naked dance.

The celebration takes place to honor the founder of the Jambay Lhakhang temple, King Songtsen Gampo, and Guru Rinpoche, too. It usually falls in the months of October or November.

Culture and Lifestyle of Bhutan

You would be aware that the number one religion that is widely followed is Buddhism, especially the Vajrayana Buddhism in Bhutan. The country is rich in history and culture and is one of the epicenters of spiritual beliefs.

Bhutanese people are warm in nature and treat foreigners with immense respect. They wear a Gho as a male, which is basically a knee-length cloth. Whereas the females wear an ankle-length dress called a Kira.

Mahayana/Vajrayana Buddhism is immensely followed here. The numbers also suggest that way, as almost 70 to 80% of Bhutanese locals follow this religion. Hinduism holds the second place here.

This is why there are numerous dzongs or stupas, ancient temples in Bhutan, along with an immense population of monks. The majority of people here are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. The production of rice, maize, wheat, and potatoes is common.

Accommodation Available during the Laya Gasa Trek Bhutan

For this Laya Gasa trek, you will be staying in comfortable 3-star hotels, especially at Paro and Punakha. These hotels feature relaxing, big rooms with all the modern amenities, such as attached bathrooms, ceiling fans, and many more.

Mainly, these hotels have a great ambience and a quiet atmosphere, which you will simply love. These will make your stay fun and memorable. Additionally, the toilets will also mostly be of a western-style. There is also a higher probability of getting showers with both hot and cold water.

Once you head higher on the trek, you have to stay in tented camps because of the shortage of facilities like lodges and hotels. You will stay in tented camps once you reach Shana up until you get back down to Punakha.

We also assign you a separate team with you. They will be responsible for setting up the camp, preparing food, etc. The tents are of high-quality to tackle any type of weather. They are pretty big as well (two trekkers can adjust and sleep comfortably in a single tent).

To make the stay comfortable, we even provide a sleeping mat, a toilet, dining, and kitchen tents.

Internet Facilities

• Internet services will be available during your stay at the 3-star hotel in Bhutan. During the tented camps, there won’t be internet services. You might have to depend on the mobile data connection there.

Communication During Trekking

• Please buy a local SIM card from the streets in Bhutan.
• Buy a data package during your stay in tented camps to communicate with your near and dear ones.

Meals on the Gasa to Laya Trek

Meals on the Gasa to Laya trek will be nutritious and yummy at the same time. These meals are a bit different in taste and more flavorful. Some of the meal options are buckwheat pancakes, Tibetan breads, toast, eggs, Ema Datshi, momos, red rice, vegetable soups, vegetable curry, Phaksha Paa (pork and radish), mushroom stew, pasta, etc.

Besides the day of arrival and departure, every single day there will be full board meals provided by us, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Tea, coffee, and fruit juice will also be provided to provide a morning refreshment.

Currency in Bhutan

The currency used in Bhutan is Bhutanese Ngultrum (NU). The INR is accepted as the currency is tied to the Indian Rupee. Foreign currency, such as USD and EUR, can be exchanged at the Paro International Airport easily.

We recommend that you carry your money in the form of Traveler’s Checks (American Express or US dollars in cash). Banks in Bhutan may not accept credit cards. There is some chance that the Visa Card and the American Express credit card will be accepted.

Bhutan’s country code is + 975. Free Wi-Fi and internet service will be available in the 3-star hotels where you stay.

Tipping Culture in Bhutan

Generally, tipping is not a must. It’s fully upto you, you can provide some extra cash to drivers, cooks, or guides on the tour.

Roads and Transportation during the Laya Gasa Trekking

The road condition is pretty good, with mostly paved roads. Muddy and uneven roads may only be found when trekking at higher altitudes. You’ll arrive at the Paro International Airport first. For the airport transfers and sightseeing tours, a private vehicle will be used.

This will be a private four-wheeler jeep with enough space, making your journey comfortable and relaxing.

Travel Insurance for Laya Gasa Trek

Travel insurance is not mandatory for the Laya Gasa trek, but we recommend that you purchase it, given the altitude at which you’re going. Anything can happen when trekking at such high altitudes; travel insurance is there to cover any unforeseen events or circumstances.

The trek is long, too, so you can’t afford to get any travel-related risks. We don’t provide the facility of travel insurance on any kind of tour or trek packages. Thereby, you must purchase it on your own. Here are some of the things you need to consider before purchasing. Make sure it covers things like medical needs, cancellations of tour, injuries, etc.

How Safe Are You on the Laya Gasa Trek With Us?

We, Access Nepal Tour and Trekking, take the safety of our clients seriously. We try our best to make sure safety protocols are intact. Our trek guides are experienced and have tremendous knowledge of the entire roads and routes of Bhutan.

Firstly, our trek guides are highly experienced and are knowledgeable about the routes of Bhutan. Only local guides are assigned.

Not only that, but they also carry knowledge regarding high-altitude trekking and first-aid training. Even if you get injured or any emergency situation arises, our guides will take care of the essential rescue operations.

Altitude Gain During the Gasa to Laya Trek

The altitude gain will be immense during the Gasa to Laya trek. The trek begins with an altitude of 2,200m in Paro, which is the starting point. The trek reaches the maximum height, which is 4,160m, at Robkuthang.

On the majority of the days, you’ll be doing the ascents and descents of around 500 to 1000m. Since we reached an altitude of over 4000m, there is a good chance of getting caught by altitude sickness.

The acclimatization schedule is also maintained in the itinerary, and the acclimatization is only done through ‘Climbing high but sleeping in a lower altitude.’ Proper hydration is another element that needs to be followed strictly.

Altitude Sickness and the Need for Acclimatization

A person gets caught by altitude sickness only when he/she can”t get adjust to the thinner oxygen levels, especially when ascending to the higher altitudes. This is caused by ascending to the higher altitudes quickly without giving your body enough rest.

Proper rest and acclimatization are all required to prevent it. Some of the common symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, nausea, vomiting, sleep difficulty, loss of appetite, etc.

Descending is the best option if you feel any of these symptoms. The guide should be informed as soon as possible, as they will take immediate rescue action.

Things to Do

• Walk at a normal pace.
• The altitude gain will be around 500 meters
• Don’t hurry or give your body extra pressure.
• Follow the guide’s instructions seriously.

Laya Gasa Trek Difficulty

The Laya Gasa trek is graded as challenging and is ideal for trekkers with some experience. You should have good physical fitness to achieve this trek successfully. A good high-altitude experience is needed. Even the beginners with solid physical preparation might try out this trek.

How to Prepare for the Laya Gasa Trek in Bhutan?

Months or more of extended physical preparation are needed for the Laya Gasa trek in Bhutan. The preparation should mainly focus on cardio & strength training.

The exercises that you should focus on are running, walking, jogging, cycling, and swimming. For strength training, it is better to do exercises such as lunges, squats, and planks, giving the main attention on leg area.

Packing List for Gasa to Laya Trek

You’ll be trekking at higher altitudes, so there are plenty of items that are needed. You should be fully ready to conquer the weather and everything for that. Here are some gears and items that you need:

Gears & Clothing

• Down Jacket
• Fleece Jacket
• Waterproof Jacket
• Thermal wears
• T-shirts
• Trekking pants
• Underwear and bras (for women)
• Woolen or synthetic gloves
• Warm gloves
• Pairs of socks
• Trekking boots
• Walking shoes
• Sunglasses

Other Equipments

• Sleeping bag
• Duffel bag
• Daypack

Facility of Guides for Laya Gasa Trek

For this Laya Gasa trek, we provide a local guide with experience. They have immense knowledge of roads and routes in Bhutan. Similarly, we also provide different guides for the sightseeing tour.

They are also trained for high-altitude, too. They will also provide information regarding the major attractions of Bhutan, such as dzongs and monasteries. On top of that, they will also help you to navigate the trails.

What Documents Should You Carry For Laya Gasa Trek?

• Valid passport with at least six months of validity period.
• Take 4-5 passport-sized photographs.
• Proof of travel insurance. (if purchased)

Laya Gasa Trek Cost

Our Laya Gasa trek package is all-inclusive and has a price of USD 6980 per person. All-inclusive, meaning we take care of every trekking needs covering visa, accommodation, meals, transportation, etc.

The cost depends on the group size and preferences.

Why Book This Laya Gasa Trek With Access Nepal Tour and Trekking?

Here’s why Access Nepal Tour and Trekking is the best choice for the Bhutan trek:

• All the visa processes for Bhutan are handled by us.
• All-inclusive trek package, managing all aspects such as accommodation, meals, guides, and much more.
• We provide experienced, licensed guides.
• We provide safety and emergency support.
• No hidden charges included.

How to Book the Laya Gasa Trek Package?

The booking process is simple for the Laya Gasa trek package. Simply follow these steps:

• There lies a package details section on the right side. On the lower part lies the Book Now button; click on it.
• By clicking that button, you will be redirected to the booking procedure.
• Keep in mind that you have to pay 30% of the total amount of the trek cost in advance.
• The rest of the payment should be made within 24 hours after arriving here.

We accept wire transfers and card/online payments. If you are interested in booking the Laya Gasa trek package, follow this link: Book Laya Gasa Trek in Bhutan.

If you’re looking for more classic treks to Bhutan, the Jomolhari Trek provides magical Himalayan scenery, and the route is also somewhat similar. For trekkers with a short time and less difficulty, the Druk Path Trek in Bhutan is perfect.