Bhutan Laya-Ghasa Trek Planning
BhutanPaperwork
Please return the requested paperwork as soon as possible.
- Application
- Flight itinerary
- Passport Copy
Trip Insurance & Evacuation Coverage
We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance. Even with the best planning, unexpected circumstances — such as an injury or family emergency — may prevent you from joining your trip.
Trip Insurance Info (opens in new tab)Meet Times & Transport
Getting to Pharo, Bhutan
Please note the arrival date in Paro on your day-to-day itinerary listed on your confirmation letter. Note that trip dates include travel time from your home country.
Please schedule your flights to Bangkok or Delhi based on the day to day itinerary. We will then arrange for your flight from these cities to Paro, Bhutan. Once the flights are confirmed we will bill you accordingly and send etickets. This last leg of the flight can only be made by Alpine Ascents with our local outfitter in Bhutan. We are happy to make arrangements for those who would like to enter Bhutan early or stay after the trek. Please email a copy of your flight itinerary before booking. We will review your itinerary to ensure you will arrive on time.
Flight reservations for your expedition should be made as soon as possible. Please forward a copy of your flight itinerary before final purchase so we can review departure and arrival dates.
If traveling through India please note that that you cannot bring a satellite phone or two-way texting device into India as per the India government. Failure to comply can result in immediate arrest, large fines, the confiscation of the device, deportation, and significant travel delays.
If you would like the assistance of a travel agency, we can recommend our friends at Exito Travel.
Alpine Ascents can make pick-up, hotel, and transport arrangements to meet individual itineraries.
Flying to Pharo, Bhutan
Arrival: We will pick you up at the airport. Please look for an Alpine Ascents sign upon leaving the terminal. It is very rare that we miss a pick up. If you have waited more than 45 minutes for a pick up please proceed directly to the hotel in Paro (see hotels and lodging).
Early Arrival/Late Departure: We are happy to arrange an airport pick up for you if arriving early. For those arriving early or departing after the scheduled itinerary, we can make hotel and transport arrangements at an additional cost. Please contact our office in advance if you would like us to make additional reservations.
Visas & Passports
Bhutan visas have to be pre-arranged. You are required to email us a scanned copy of your passport for the visa process. Passport photographs are not required. The validity of the passport should be at least 6 months from the date of travel. Upon registration, we will process your visa with the government. After your visa is cleared, we will email you the Visa Clearance Letter (VCL). You will have to carry this VCL while traveling to Bhutan. Based on your VCL, the actual Bhutan visa will be stamped on your passport on arrival at Paro airport.
Lodging
Hotels
For trekkers who prefer single room accommodations, these arrangements can be made for an additional fee. Be aware that private rooms are available at hotels during our trip, but not on the mountain.
For trekkers choosing double room accommodations every effort will be made to pair you with another climber. A Single Room Supplement Fee will apply if a match cannot be made or there is a last minute cancellation. This will help keep our overall program pricing down since unlike other companies we do not charge more for smaller groups. Hotel selection and reservations will be finalized within the months leading up to departure.
In Cities
In Paro
Tashi Namgay Resort www.tnr.bt
Khangkhu Resort www.khangkhuresort.com
In Thimphu
Hotel Migmar www.hotelmigmar.bt
Hotel Galingkha www.hotelgalingkha.com
For the lodging during our trek we sleep in tents. We work hard to have a diverse menu but this can be limited by availability and remoteness of region.
Gear List
Please refer to your Gear List:
Bhutan Laya-Gasa Trek Gear List (opens in new tab)
You are required to bring every item on this list as described, so be as precise as possible when packing. We are happy to work closely with you on finding the proper gear.
If you plan to rent gear, your rental form must be submitted at least a month prior to expedition start date. Please call our office or e-mail [email protected] with any questions.
Gear Lexicon
If you’re confused by items and/or language on the Gear List, we encourage you to refer to our Gear Guide for explanations on layering systems, differences between boots, etc.
Gear Guide (opens in new tab)
Other Resources
Below are articles written by veteran Alpine Ascents guides that you may find helpful in preparing and packing for your expedition.
Medications & Prescriptions for Mountain Climbing
Not on the Gear List, but in our Backpacks
Packing Tips
People generally take too much “stuff” rather than too little. Study each item before you pack it. Eliminate redundant items, extra changes of clothing, and excessive “nice to have” luxuries. You will benefit from traveling light because of the costs of excess baggage and because of the frequent loading and unloading of bags. Remember to review your airline’s weight limits and pack accordingly. Traveling light may be your key to summit success. Take everything on the required equipment list and little else.
Luggage
Stage 1 – Travel to Bhutan
Pack everything (except for a few items mentioned below) into your large duffels and check it in with your airline. We recommend packing your empty trekking pack inside one of these duffels.
Pack your small duffel as your carry-on, and remember any usual comfort items for international air travel. Staying relaxed prior to your expedition will contribute to your enjoyment of the trek!
Stage 2 – Trip Prep in Pharo
It’s nice to have a small selection of town clothes with you, suitable for touring the city, going out to dinner, etc. While in Pharo, we complete a thorough gear check and reorganize our luggage. Here’s how we pack:
- Small duffel – anything not coming into the mountains, like your town clothes. You’ll check this in with your hotel and it will be stored until you return.
- Trekking duffel – 1 large duffel of the gear you need at night while on the trek.
- Trekking pack – the gear you will carry on your back while trekking.
Stage 3 – Trekking
While trekking, you will have access to all your gear except the small duffel of items left at our hotel in Pharo. Your guides will advise on what gear to pack each day for the rest of the trip.
Expenses
With regards to personal expenses, please note that American dollars are the preferred method of payment. Cash or cash in conjunction with a small amount of travelers checks is usually the best option. Credit Cards are fine at bigger hotels. Smaller places do often accept credit cards, but charge a fee. We will work with you in Bhutan to change money to Bhutanese Ngultrum/Rupees for the trek.
Money: Most trekkers change $500 in Bhutan before departing on the trek (for drinks, purchases along the trek and shopping.) Trekkers generally take an additional $500-$1000 for expenses, some tips and emergencies.
Drinks: We provide bottled water during the city tours. We provide boiled water throughout the trek.
Early Departure/Evacuation
If you need to leave the expedition early, you are responsible for all incurred expenses (evacuation fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc). A comprehensive trip insurance plan is recommended, which can cover these costs in the event that they occur.
Tipping
It is customary for trekkers to tip about $300 for the trekking staff. Western guides can accept and will greatly appreciate tips with a rough tipping guideline as 10-15% of the trip cost for both local and western lead guides.
On the Mountain
Physiology Of Mountaineering
Dehydration, hypothermia, frostbite, and altitude illness are all important health conditions to be aware of while climbing. Please read our overview of these physical factors:
Physiology Of Mountaineering (opens in new tab)
Food & Water
We are all aware of the potential monotony of expedition food and Alpine Ascents makes every effort to have expedition food as enjoyable as possible. We usually ship food from the US and spend days food shopping in Paro and Thimphu. We recommend bringing a personal selection of energy bars and GU for the trek (1-3 snack items per day for 14 days of trekking). We provide bottled mineral water on the city tour. On the trek, boiled water will be provided for drinking. All trekkers need to bring water purification in the form of a Steri-pen.
Health Tips
You may want to consult your physician for advice on treatments for gastrointestinal upsets that you may encounter on your trip. In the past, climbers have relied on antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin. Your doctor may recommend medications such as Lomotil or Imodium to stop diarrhea, and Compazine to prevent nausea.
Leave No Trace
Alpine Ascents International practices Leave No Trace principles on all expeditions. We believe that given the proper information most people will do all they can to help protect and maintain the environment. Before your climb, please become familiar with Leave No Trace:
7 Principles of Leave No Trace
As guides, we spend time teaching the environmentally appropriate Leave No Trace principles and practices. There is nothing more rewarding than working hard to get high into the mountains, reaching a pristine campsite, witnessing incredible views, and having the feeling that no one has been there before.
Conversely, there is nothing more disheartening than working hard to climb a mountain, reaching a site and encountering trash, food waste, and toilet paper. Please read the seven LNT principles, and call the office if you have any questions about what you can do to plan ahead.
