Gasa Hot Spring Trekking - 9 Days

Gasa Hot Spring trekking is one of the easier treks in Bhutan although it is advisable to connect the walking days and walk up to the tsachu from Tashitang road head in one day. Soon the road will reach Damji. Then the Gasa Hot Spring Trek will decrease to a three day trek. Although the altitude difference between starting and ending point is minimal, the many ups and downs on the way can make it more strenuous than it looks at first sight. However, the relaxation at the tsachu and the views and a visit of Gasa Dzong are absolutely rewarding. From April to September one will have lots of leeches en route. They love the warm and humid climate of Punakha valley, and they will love you!

Trek Level: Easy
Season : February to March and October to December

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Paro - Thimphu:
On arrival at Paro airport, received by our representative and transfer to Thimphu. Overnight Thimphu Hotel.

Day 2 In Thimphu:
Full day city tour visit; Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, National Library, Art School, Traditional Medicine Institute, Handicrafts Emporium and Textile and Folk heritage Museum. Overnight Thimphu Hotel.

Day 3 Thimphu to Punakha:
Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass (3,100 meters above sea level), through magnificent forests of rhododendron and magnolia. From the pass one can have the panoramic view of eastern Himalayan peaks. Overnight Punakha Hotel

Day 4 Trek Start Punakha to Gasa:
The path leads through sub-tropical forests and villages up to Gasa Tsachu (hot spring). The Tsachu is a famous place where people from all over the country come to have bath. Overnight Camp below the Dzong at an altitude of 2,900 meters, walking time 3 to 4 hours.

Day 5 A Day at Gasa Tsachu:
You can either laze around in the hot spring or take a pack lunch and climb about two hours to visit Gas village and the Dzong, the Gasa Dzong glued to the valley wall seeming to float in space. Camp

Day 6 Trek End Gasa to Punakha:
Our trek follow same route and arrive at Damji. Drive to Punakha. Overnight Punakha Hotel.

Day 7 In Punakha:
After breakfast, you will drive 12 kilometers north of the valley and hiketo Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, which is situated on a beautiful hillock, called Nizergang. It houses the paintings that belong to Nyingmapa Tradition of Mahayana Buddhism. You will serve hot lunch at Mo- chu (female river) side. After lunch drive back to Punakha and you will visit Punakha Dzong, the formal capital of Bhutan. It was built by Shabdrung in 1637 and situated in between the male and female rivers. From there take 5 minutes walk to suspension bridge. Overnight Punakha Hotel.

Day 8 Punakha to Paro:
After breakfast drive to the Paro valley en-route you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple, where you may receive a special fertility blessing if you wish and visit the Semtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in the country built by the Zhabdrung Rinpoche in 1627 ad. which now serves as a school for language and literature. Overnight Paro Hotel

Day 8 In Paro:
Morning 2 hours hike to reach Taktshang monastery, the name Taktsang means Tiger's Nest, the Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhawa, believed as the second Buddha or Precious Teacher flew to the site of the monastery on the back of tigress and then meditated there in the cave for three months. The main building of the monastery was destroyed by fire on 19 April 1998 and the Bhutan Government had re-constructed it in original form. Later visit Drugyel Dzong, the ruined victorious fortress of the Drukpas, which once defended Paro from Tibetan invasion. The Dzong was built in 1649 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel to commemorate the victory of Bhutan over Tibetan Invaders in 1644. It was destroyed by fire in 1951. On a clear day you can see spectacular view of sacred Mt. Jumolhari from the vicinity of Dzong area. Visit Kychu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the Kingdom built in 659 AD by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Visit National Museum popularly known to the local Bhutanese as Ta Dzong or Watch Tower, originally built in 1656 as the Watch Tower (Ta Dzong) of Paro Dzong and the Valley was renovated and converted into National Museum in 1968. Evening stroll around Paro town. Overnight Paro Hotel

Day 9 Depart from Paro:
Early breakfast at the hotel and then drive to the airport to Departure your Onward destination

Note: Designed itinerary is a sample itinerary intended to give you a general idea of trip to Bhutan. We can create an itinerary to suit as your needs and interest one you give your interest and travel timeframe.

Trekking in Bhutan