Bhutan High Trails via Laya Tour with 9 Reviews by World Expeditions

18 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Strenuous

Highly demanding activities designed for individuals with excellent physical fitness.

Starts

Paro, Bhutan

Ends

Paro, Bhutan

Highlights

Traverse five Himalayan passes - including Sinche La (5005m) - on one of Bhutan’s most demanding and rewarding trekking routes

Experience life in Laya, a high-altitude village home to the resilient Layap people and their distinctive culture

Begin and end your adventure with visits to Bhutan’s iconic dzongs and sacred sites, including Paro’s cliffside Taktsang Monastery

Camp deep in remote alpine wilderness, among yak pastures, birch forests and glaciated valleys framed by high ridgelines

Itinerary

For those who seek adventure at the roof of the world, the Bhutan High Trails via Laya trek is the ultimate challenge. Over 18 days, experienced travelers and adventurous seniors cross high passes near 5000 meters, camping beneath sacred peaks and traversing breathtaking alpine meadows. The journey leads through vibrant forests and yak herder settlements, offering both natural wonders and deep cultural immersion. Time in Paro and Thimphu rounds out the experience, highlighting Bhutan’s rich heritage.

The USP of this trekking tour is its rare opportunity to access Bhutan’s remote heartland, providing an unmatched combination of high-altitude adventure and authentic local encounters.

day 1 - Join Paro (2200m)

After clearing customs and immigration you will meet your Bhutanese leader and drive a short distance via the main street of Paro to our accommodation. At some stage of our visit, we have planned visits to the main part of town, and a visit to the National Museum. It will depend on our time of arrival into Paro, and when trek preparations are completed.

The touring program will take in the grand Paro Dzong which dominates the valley and is the most important Dzong (fortress) in Bhutan. It is the model by which all other dzongs are constructed. The watchtower above it, Ta Dzong, is also an impressive building that houses the National Museum that is very informative. Old costumes and battle dress, together with priceless jewellery and specimens of the kingdom's unique flora and fauna are included within the museum. Downtown, there is a mixed collection of shops selling basic goods, and also handicrafts of wood, cloth and metalware. Archery is the national sport and practised throughout the kingdom. Shooting ranges lined by willow trees can be seen during our travels, as well as some traditional style bridges.

Overnight Hotel.

Meals:Dinner

day 2 - Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery (3100m) & National Museum

Today is a really exciting and informative day as an introduction to this wonderful country. The Paro Valley is truly beautiful, being a location for various farming activities, including commercial quantities of asparagus, strawberries and shitake mushrooms for export, plus various grain and vegetable crops. It is a patchwork of colours delineated by well kept traditional design farm houses that are ornately decorated. All of the slopes surrounding the valley are forested and the hint of mountains beyond is alluring. Our morning is spent exploring and appreciating the Tigers Nest Monastery or Taktsang, as it is known in Bhutan, a short drive from our resort. It takes us about one and a half hours to walk up the winding trail steeply through chir pine forest to a tea house and excellent vantage point. Another half hour walk takes us almost directly opposite the cliffs where the monastery is set. The monastery is the divine resting place of the Guru Ringpoche, and although it was once accidentally burnt down it has now been restored to its former glory. We return back to our accommodation for lunch and then some touring in the afternoon. This evening you will need to repack, leaving behind things you will not require on the trek for safe storage with our local partner.

Overnight Hotel.