Tour Overview
Grade: demanding
Time: 3 or 4 days
Distance: 18.6 miles/30km
Altitude gain: 1870ft/570m
Altitude loss: 2034ft/620m
From Laya, embark on a stunning 3- or 4-day round trip trek along the Togtserkhagi Chhu valley, near the Tibetan border. Camping at Masa Gang base camp for 2 nights allows for deeper exploration of the valleys and offers panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and hanging glaciers. The trail leads to Toma La/Ya La and Wagye La, well-used passes into Tibet. Masang Kang is the holy mountain of the Masang clan, original inhabitants of the region. It was climbed by a Japanese expedition in 1985 and attempted by a British-American team in 1993.
Day 1: Laya to Take Hankhar to Kulu Khar or further to Nulithang
Day 2: Day of exploring at Nulithang
Day 3: Nulithang to Take Hankhar
Day 1: Laya to Take Hankhar to Kulu Khar or further to Nulithang
Alternative route: Laya–Lungo–Kulu Khar (7hr) – moderate
From Laya, descend through the village and cross Zamto Nangi Chhu and Togtserkhagi Chhu rivers towards Masa Gang. Pass an army camp and climb to Tashi Makhang, then continue through forest parallel to the river. Reach Kulu Khar campsite for acclimatization. Afterward, trek for 2.5-3 hours to Nulithang camp, crossing Lungling Thethagi Chhu river. Enjoy views of Masa Gang summit and Tsenda Gang Peak before sunset.
Alternative route via Lungo
An alternative route from Laya to Kulu Khar (or Nulithang) camp via Lungo village offers a scenic trail. From Laya, ascend to a high-altitude meadow, cross streams, and descend into a forest. After crossing Zamto Nangi Chhu river, climb steeply to Lungo village. Follow a trail through forest to a ridge, then descend to Kulu Khar camp.
Day 2: Day of exploring at Nulithang
Sun reaches camp at 09:00hr. Explore various options:
- Climb the hill opposite camp for stunning views of Masa Gang (23,600ft/7194m) and Tsenda Kang (22,960ft/7000m).
- Follow the river up the valley to an old army camp ruin on the Taki Gang glacier moraine. Continue to a small camp with views of Masa Gang and Tsenda Kang, then to Phue Dong camp (14,104ft/4300m) with military dugouts.
a. From Phue Dong, one trail leads to Masa Gang base camp (16,480ft/5025m) and another to the Toma La pass (not crossable).
b. Cross a bridge from Phue Dong to reach Simdong Goi Tso lake, then ascend to Wagye La pass (c17,385ft/5300m).
c. Head northeast from Phue Dong to Sethag Burgi Tso lake below the Tsenda Gang range. Explore trails east-northeast, surrounded by towering mountains.
Day 3: Nulithang to Take Hankhar
Retrace your steps out of the valley back to the army camp (5–6hr)
What should I bring with me?
· Good walking shoes
· Sunglasses
· Sunscreen (highest possible)
· Woolen cap
· Prescription medications/ first aid (only basic first aid is/ can be provided)
· Sturdy and ‘broken-in’ trekking boots
· Rain gear
· Torch (flashlight)
· Insect Repellent
· Gaiters
· Gloves
· T-shirts
· Comfortable walking pants
· Down jacket
· Day bag (to carry your requirements while walking)
· Energy chocolate bars
· Water bottle
· Memory card and batteries for camera and flashlight
· Toiletries
Maximum recommended load for trekking is 25kgs (55 lbs), or 1/5th of body weight.
What will be the weather like in Bhutan?
Days are normally warm, nights can be quite chilly. In winter, the temperature is below freezing point. Monsoon shower in summer can be expected with heavy rains in July and August.
Preventing Altitude Sickness
· Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills or other narcotics, they may decrease ventilation, intensify hypoxemia and make symptoms worse.
· Drink plenty of fluids.
· Avoid heavy exercise at high altitudes. Mild exercise is okay.
· Diamox (acetazolamide) 125 mg. tablets taken twice a day is F.D.A. approved for prevention and treatment of A.M.S. Although it originally was released as a diuretic (water pill), it also helps you breath deeper and faster. This allows you to get more oxygen. Diamox is especially helpful with the sleeping problems and other symptoms of A.M.S.
· Home oxygen will relieve symptoms. Home oxygen is safe, cheap and easy to use. It can be used at night when symptoms are worse and off and on during the day as symptoms dictate.
· If nothing else works, you can return to lower altitude. Going down to lower altitudes will always help relieve the symptoms of AMS, it is also one of the best ways to overcome the sickness.
Acute mountain sickness is caused by lack of Oxygen when traveling to higher elevations. This usually occurs in individuals exposed to an altitude of over 7000 ft (2100 m) who have not had a chance to acclimate to the altitude before engaging in physical activities. Mountaineers, trekkers, skiers and mountain travelers are at the greatest risk. While individual tolerance varies, symptoms usually appear within several hours, with those in weaker physical conditions being more susceptible. Headache, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath and poor appetite are the initial symptoms. Inability to sleep is also frequently reported. In more severe cases, thinking and judgment may become impaired. An uncommon but potentially fatal complication called high altitude pulmonary edema, caused by fluid build-up in the lungs can also occur in rare cases.
The symptoms of acute mountain sickness can be prevented or minimized by gradually ascending (less than 500 meters/day) over several days to give your body a chance to acclimate to the higher altitude. Taking the prescription medication Diamox (acetazolamide) 250 mg three times a day has been shown to speed up the acclimatization process and can be taken shortly before and during the ascent. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to sulfa drugs. This medication is a mild diuretic and may work by changing the body’s acid-base balance and stimulating breathing. Dexamethasone 8 mg once a day has also been shown to be effective. However, this steroid medication may have more adverse effects. Once symptoms occur, they usually improve over several days without treatment. However, if they become severe, they can be relieved with the administration of oxygen or descent to a lower altitude.
Packing
A soft but strong duffel bag luggage is best suited on treks as it will be loaded on horse backs. A small back pack (day bag) to carry your essential things on the way like rain gear, wind stopper, camera, batteries, water bottle, candies etc.