GASA HOT SPRING TREK ITINERARY

This is a great trip that visits all the important sights in Bhutan including the towns of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. Additionally, it offers a great trekking experience into the countryside of Bhutan where Buddhist folks live a simple but joyous and contented life. Highlight of the trek would be a relaxing dip in the Gasa hot springs.

At a glance:
DAY 1 Arrive - Paro by Druk-Air
DAY 2 Paro - Sightseeing
DAY 3 Paro - Thimphu
DAY 4 Thimphu - Punakha
DAY 5 Trek Day 1 Start of Trek - Punakha-Damji
DAY 6 Trek Day 2 - Damji-Gasa hot spring
DAY 7 Trek Day 3 - Hot spring-Halt
DAY 8 Trek Day 4 - Hot spring-Damji
DAY 9 Trek Day 5 End of Trek - Damji-Punakha
DAY 10 Punakha - Thimphu
DAY 11 Thimphu sightseeing - Paro
Day 12 Farewells and departure.

Day 1 Arrival Paro by Druk Air
On landing at Paro you will be met by our representative. After Customs and Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel.

Day 2 Sightseeing at Paro
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa-Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined Fortress which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasion. This Dzong was built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the spiritual leader of Bhutan. On a clear day one can view Mt. Jumolhari the sacred Mountain. On the way back we visit one of the Typical Bhutanese farm house. After lunch at the hotel, we drive to Ta-Dzong which was once the watch tower for Paro valley, now it houses the National Museum and then walk down hill pass the Paro Dzong and crossing the typical traditional roofed bridge to Paro town

Day 3 Paro - Taktsang - Thimphu
After an early breakfast, drive for an excursion to Taktsang. It is a 2-3 hours hike to Takshang. Riding ponies can arranged. Visitors are permitted to go upto the view point from where they can see the monastery built on a cliff. It is said that the 8th century the great tantric master Guru Padmasambhava flew from Tibet on a Tigress bringing Buddhist teachings to Bhutan.

Today this is a very important place of pilgrimage for the local people. Lunch will be arranged at the Takshang cafeteria. After lunch, walk down hill to the bridge and then drive back to the hotel. After refreshment we drive to Thimphu the capital.

Day 4 Thimphu - Punakha
After early breakfast and a 3 hour leisurely drive, we arrive via the Dochula pass (10,000 ft. ) to Punakha. Enroute you will see some of the highest peaks in Bhutan including the Gangkhar Puensum (24'000 ft).

The descent through the temperate forest colored with Rhododendrons and Magnolias takes you to the semi-tropical zone of orange, bananas and cactuses and to the valley of Punakha. We visit the sleepy town of Punakha and the Dzong. Campsite will be in Punakha.

Day 5 Punakha - Tashithang - Geon Damji
Trek Day 1 : Distance 16 km and walking time 5-6 hours.
After an early breakfast, you will be driving through the valley of Punakha on the Mo-chu side to Tashithang which will be approx. 18 km and 1-1/2 hours drive. We start your trek at Tashithang (1840m) with a gradual climb up above the Mo-chu into the lush semi-tropical forest filled with banana trees, creepers and different kinds of orchids. If you are lucky Takin the national animal can be seen on the other bank of Mo-chu. Geon Damji is a large village with rice terraces along side.

Day 6 Geon Damji - Gasa Hotspring
Trek Day 2 : Distance 16 km and walking time 4-5 hours.
Starting at Geon Damji (2430m), we will be trekking through oak forests seeing different and beautiful varieties of orchids. While on this trail to the Gasa Hot springs, you will be descending through thick forest and mini bamboo forests.

Day 7 Gasa Hotspring Halt
Trek Day 3 : The day will be at leisure and to try out the hot spring located by the bank of a stream . The day can also be spent going up to Gasa Dzong. (We shall pack a lunch for you). The trek to Gasa Dzong will be quite a tough climb and will take you about 2 hours upto an elevation of 2770m.

Day 8 Gasa - Geon Damji
Trek Day 4 : Distance 18 km and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Gasa (2770m), the days trek winds through rolling hillsides with vistas of fields, villages and Oak and Pine forests. Todays walk takes you through small settlements and finally on to camp of Geon Damji village - a large village with rice terraces on the hillsides.

Day 9 Geon Damji - Tashithang
Trek Day 5 : End of Trek : Distance 16 km and walking time 5 hours.
Today we start at Geon Damji (2430m) and end at the vehicle point which is at Tashithang (1840m) From here it is a rattling 18 km (1 hour drive) to Punakha.

Day 10 Punakha - Thimphu
Visit Chhimi Lhakhang - the temple of the devine madman (roundrtrip 1-1/2 hours walk ). Visit Wangdue and after lunch drive on to Thimphu.

Day 11 Thimphu Sightseeing
Morning start the sightseeing with Zelukha Nunnery, National Library, Memorial Chorten of Late King, Handicrafts Emporium, Post Office and walk around Thimphu city for shopping of souvenirs from Bhutan. If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to the Weekend Market is a must. After lunch drive to Paro enroute we visit Simtokha Dzong and then continue the journey following the Thimphu river towards Paro.

DAY 12 Farewell and Departure.