Laya Lingzhi Trek

Beautiful Laya Lingzhi Trek in Bhutan

Laya Lingzhi Trek is 217 kilometer long and thirteen days of strenuous trekking in Bhutan. A beautiful trek in Bhutan through high mountain passes (16,100 ft), and into the wilderness above the tree line.

Also called Lingshi–Laya or Jomolhari–Laya Trek is Bhutan’s premier high-alpine circuit trek, blending the Jomolhari Base Camp trek with visits to the remote Laya village at 3,800 m along the Tibetan border.

The Laya Lingshi Trek is one of Bhutan’s most stunning high-altitude treks. It combines the dramatic landscapes of the Jomolhari Base Camp—famed for its towering peaks and glacial vistas—with an immersive cultural experience in the remote Layap village.

Trekkers experience a blend of rugged alpine terrain, pristine Laya valley, and traditional culture of the Laya people, making it both physically challenging and culturally enriching.

The Laya Lingshi trek is the best in Bhutan for those looking to go beyond the more frequented trek routes, offering a sense of solitude and direct engagement with the Laya people, known for their distinctive lifestyle, yak herding, and traditional attire.

It’s also a trek of contrasts—lush forests, high alpine meadows, and stark, windswept passes—providing a complete Himalayan experience in one circuit.

Highlights of the trek

Major highlights of the Laya Lingzhi Trek is that the trek route crosses right through Laya village home to semi-nomadic yak herders with unique traditions, archery grounds, and centuries-old customs.

The other highlights are the close views of sacred Jomolhari (7,326 m) and remote Tiger Peak from the camp site at Jangothang Base Camp.

Also, the chances to encounter Takin (Bhutan’s national animal), and blue sheep is immense as the trek route traverses Gasa and Jigme Dorji National Parks with glacial streams and alpine meadows.

The Laya Lingshi Trek encompasses dramatic crossings, and high passes with 360° panoramas, steep scree descents, and narrow ridges paralleling Tibet.

The Laya Lingzhi Trek route in Bhutan also takes you through the therapeutic hot springs of Gasa and ends in the sub-tropical valley of Punakha.

Difficulty

The Laya Lingshi Trek is strenuous—second toughest after Snowman Trek—due to long days (6–9 hours), 1,000 m+ daily gain/loss, boulder/mud terrain, and constant 3,500–5,000 m altitude. Prior Everest Base Camp or Three Passes or Annapurna Circuit experience are recommended.

Best Time

The best time of the year for the Laya Lingshi Trek in Bhutan is late spring (April May) and autumn (late September–mid-November). These windows offer stable weather, clear Himalayan views, and minimal snow on high passes like Sinchey La.

• Style of Trek: Camping
• Trek Grade: Challenging
• Total Duration: 20 Days.
• No.of Days on the Trek: 13 Days.
• Highest Trekking Altitude: Jangothang (4240m).
• Highest Sleeping Altitude: Jangothang (4240m).
• Starting Point: Paro
• Ending Point: Shana
• Minimum No.of Participants required: Two Persons.
• Best Season: April-June and September–October.
• Trek Availibility: Only Private Treks for a minimum Two Persons.
• Customized private Treks can also be arranged for a minimum of two persons on request on a date of your choice.

Laya Lingzhi Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Paro. Receive and drive to Hotel.
Day 2: Paro – Sight seeing. Overnight Hotel.
Day 3: Excursion to Taktshang Monastery. Overnight Hotel.
Day 4: Trek Starts- Paro to Shana (2800m). Camp.
Day 5:   Trek Shana to Thangathangha ( 3860m). Camp.
Day 6: Trek Thangathangha to Jangothang (4240m). Camp.
Day 7: Rest Day at Jangothang. Camp.
Day 8: Jangothang to Lingshi(4000m) . Camp.
Day 9: Trek Lingshi – Chebisa (3780m). Camp.
Day 10: Chebisa–Robluthang(4100m)  Camp.
Day 11: Trek Robluthang – Lemithang(4040m) Camp.
Day 12: Trek Lemithang – Laya (3880m). Camp.
Day 13: Rest Day at Laya. Camp.
Day 14: Trek Laya – Koena (3300m). Camp.
Day 15: Koena – GasaTsachu (2638m) Via the Balela pass at 3,740 m. Camp.
Day 16: Gasa Tsachu – Goen Damji – Punakha. End of Laya Lingshi Trek Bhutan. Hotel.
Day 17: Punakha-Wangdue. After Breakfast Explore Punakha after Lunch Drive to Wangdue. Hotel.
Day 18: Wangdue – Thimphu. Hotel.
Day 19: Thimphu – Sight Seeing – Paro. Excursion of Thimpu. Hotel.
Day 20: Drive to Paro International Airport for Final Departure.
Extension can be made to Darjeeling, Sikkim or Nepal

How much does the Laya Lingzhi Trek Cost?

• Laya Lingzhi Trek Cost: US$5000 per Person
• Druk Airfare ( Extra as applicable)

Druk Air Daily Flights Between :

• Paro- Singapore
• Paro-Bangkok
• Paro-Kathmandu
• Paro-Kolkata
• Paro-Mumbai

Laya Lingzhi Trek Cost Includes :

• Airport Pick Up and Drop.
• Trekking support with an English Speaking Guide,Cook,Yaks,
• Porters etc.
• Twin Share Accomodation in Tents while Trekking.
• Twin Share Rooms in Hotel in Thimpu and Paro.
• Fixed Three Meals a day while Trekking/ Tour.
• Fees for :- a).Trekking Permit.
  b). National Park
  c). National Monuments etc.

Cost does not Include :

• Air Fare on Druk Airways.
• Alcohol,Telephone,Laundry.
• Any Evacuation Cost in Case Of Emergency.
• Clients Insurance.
• we do not provide Bottled Mineral water during the Trek
• we provide Boiled drinking water.
• Sleeping Bags.

Recommendation: Laya Lingzhi Trek is relatively strenuous and demands top physical form. A physical fitness check-up is a must.Even the experienced trekker should prepare for 2-3 months prior to the Trek.

Note: The above given Laya Lingzhi Trek Itinerary is a sample, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, physical ability of the participant/s etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of the trip participants’ safety, comfort and general well being.

(All relevant Terms & Conditions apply)