Gasa Dzong
Gasa is the district in the northwest of the Bhutan. Its main village / town is located near Gasa Dzong. It has the smallest population with just about 3000 inhabitants. This region is inhabited by the Layaps, nomadic herders with a unique culture. Their main sources revenue come from trading products made from their yaks, such as yak hair textiles, cheese, butter and yak meat.
They also harvest and sell Cordyceps, (a fungus of extremely high value that is frequently used in oriental medicine).
Locally known as the Tashi Thongmon Dzong, the fortress served as a defending barrack in the 17th century. It was named after the region’s protecting deity Tashi Thongmon. The fortress is unique with a circular shape and three watch towers that are placed at strategic points. The beauty of the dzong is heightened during clear days with view of Mt. Gangboom.
Time your trip there during the annual autumn festival.
Gasa Dzong was built by Zhabdrung in 1646 to commemorate the victories over the Tibetans and it later defended the country against several invasions in 17 and 18 century.
They also harvest and sell Cordyceps, (a fungus of extremely high value that is frequently used in oriental medicine).
Locally known as the Tashi Thongmon Dzong, the fortress served as a defending barrack in the 17th century. It was named after the region’s protecting deity Tashi Thongmon. The fortress is unique with a circular shape and three watch towers that are placed at strategic points. The beauty of the dzong is heightened during clear days with view of Mt. Gangboom.
Time your trip there during the annual autumn festival.
Gasa Dzong was built by Zhabdrung in 1646 to commemorate the victories over the Tibetans and it later defended the country against several invasions in 17 and 18 century.
Gasa Tshechu
Gasa Tshechu is the biggest festival in this small district of Gasa in northwestern Bhutan. At Gasa Tshechu you will witness many mask dances performed by the monks and local folk dances that are unique and distinct to the highlander community. It is the biggest festival in the district of Gasa where you can witness highlander's lifestyles that are also unique to general Bhutanese culture. Their folk dances, however, are unique and are performed by the locals.
Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP)
Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) is the second largest national park in Bhutan with an area of 4316 sq. km. Located in the north western park of the country, the park also shares international border with the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. JDNP is rich in biodiversity with a present record of 36 mammals, 328 birds, 5 reptiles, 300 medicinal plants, and 39 butterflies. It was in JDNP where tigers were first sighted above 4000 meters sharing habitat with snow leopards. Besides the rich floral and faunal diversity, the sources of four major rivers, Pachhu, Wangchhu, Phochhu and Mochhu lie in the park as well.
JDNP is one of Bhutan's conservation jewels. It is the home to many globally endangered species of flora and fauna, such as Tiger, Snow leopard, Asiatic wild dog Himalayan musk deer etc. A distinct culture of Layap, a semi nomadic community is also preserved in the park. It is a conservation heritage of culture and nature in harmony.
Endowed with high number of endangered plants and animals supported by huge range of vegetation types and climatic regimes, JDNP is undoubtedly the conservation jewel in the Eastern Himalayas. It is also the treasure trove of medicinal plants, natural hot springs, medicinal waters, and jaw-dropping sceneries, highly unparalleled in the country. JDNP is the only park in the country that has all the four national symbols: blue poppy, takin, raven, and cypress. It is also the only park where the Royal Bengal Tiger meets the Snow Leopard.
Administratively, the park covers five Dzongkhags, viz., Gasa (entirely), Paro, Punakha, Thimphu, and Wangduephodrang, and 15 geogs.
JDNP is one of Bhutan's conservation jewels. It is the home to many globally endangered species of flora and fauna, such as Tiger, Snow leopard, Asiatic wild dog Himalayan musk deer etc. A distinct culture of Layap, a semi nomadic community is also preserved in the park. It is a conservation heritage of culture and nature in harmony.
Endowed with high number of endangered plants and animals supported by huge range of vegetation types and climatic regimes, JDNP is undoubtedly the conservation jewel in the Eastern Himalayas. It is also the treasure trove of medicinal plants, natural hot springs, medicinal waters, and jaw-dropping sceneries, highly unparalleled in the country. JDNP is the only park in the country that has all the four national symbols: blue poppy, takin, raven, and cypress. It is also the only park where the Royal Bengal Tiger meets the Snow Leopard.
Administratively, the park covers five Dzongkhags, viz., Gasa (entirely), Paro, Punakha, Thimphu, and Wangduephodrang, and 15 geogs.
Gasa Hotspring
To get to the Gasa Hot Spring visitors must trek for approximately 40 minutes from the nearby road to the springs located on the valley floor. The option to travel half way by vehicle until the village of Damji were it is a beautiful six hour trek to Gasa through gorgeous hills covered in verdant forests of pine and oak..
In Bhutan, hot springs are known as Tshachus and are found all over the Kingdom. The medicinal properties of these hot springs have been used by the Bhutanese people for centuries to cure various ailments ranging from arthritis to body aches and even sinuses. It is a popular tradition among Bhutanese to visit hot springs during the winter months.
There are three bath houses at the Gasa Tshachu. One of the bath houses contains a large bathing pool and the remaining two each have two smaller pools. The water temperature varies in each of the pool so visitors can choose the one that they like best. Bathing facilities have also been provided to ensure that the Hot Springs remain clean and hygienic.
In Bhutan, hot springs are known as Tshachus and are found all over the Kingdom. The medicinal properties of these hot springs have been used by the Bhutanese people for centuries to cure various ailments ranging from arthritis to body aches and even sinuses. It is a popular tradition among Bhutanese to visit hot springs during the winter months.
There are three bath houses at the Gasa Tshachu. One of the bath houses contains a large bathing pool and the remaining two each have two smaller pools. The water temperature varies in each of the pool so visitors can choose the one that they like best. Bathing facilities have also been provided to ensure that the Hot Springs remain clean and hygienic.
Mount Gangkar Puensum
The elevation of Gangkhar Puensum was first measured in 1922 but, until recent years, maps of the region were not at all accurate and the mountain was shown in different locations and with markedly different heights. Indeed, because of inadequate mapping, the first team to attempt the summit was unable to find the mountain at all.
Gangkhar Puensum lies on the border of Bhutan and Tibet, although the exact boundary line is disputed. Chinese maps put the peak squarely on the border whereas other sources put it wholly in Bhutan. When the mountain was first mapped and surveyed in 1922, maps of the region were shockingly inaccurate. Until very recently, maps of the region showed the mountain at different locations and marked with different heights. In fact, one of the first team to attempt the summit was unable to find the mountain at all.
Gangkhar Puensum is the highest mountain in Bhutan, and at 7,570 meters, it is the 40th highest peak in the world. As surprising as it may sound, Gangkhar Puensum still remains unclimbed, especially when most peaks in the Himalaya have already been scaled decades ago.
Gangkhar Puensum lies on the border of Bhutan and Tibet, although the exact boundary line is disputed. Chinese maps put the peak squarely on the border whereas other sources put it wholly in Bhutan. When the mountain was first mapped and surveyed in 1922, maps of the region were shockingly inaccurate. Until very recently, maps of the region showed the mountain at different locations and marked with different heights. In fact, one of the first team to attempt the summit was unable to find the mountain at all.
Gangkhar Puensum is the highest mountain in Bhutan, and at 7,570 meters, it is the 40th highest peak in the world. As surprising as it may sound, Gangkhar Puensum still remains unclimbed, especially when most peaks in the Himalaya have already been scaled decades ago.