Much of this trek is now drivable, thanks to a new road that crawls up from Trashigang to Damji. Since 2009, after a deluge caused by heavy rains washed away the hot spring and laid the site to waste, people have found little reason to come on this trek. However, there has been talk of restoring the site (owing to it therapeutic qualities and religious significance), and it’s possible that the hot spring may soon be revived through collective effort. Being at a lower elevation, this trek is possible for February to March and October to December. There are leeches in the lower part of trek, making it particularly unpleasant during the rainy season.
DAY 1: DAMJI TO GASA TSACHHU
16KM / 4-5 HOURS / 470M DESCENT
Follow Day 13 of Laya-Gasa trek in reverse direction along the side of valley, then drop to large steam below Gasa. A trial leads north from here, following the steam directly to the hot spring at 2240m. The Jigme Dorji National Park administers the hot-spring complex an offers various kinds of accommodation in a grove of large birch trees. There are some houses that can be rented, a new buildings that can be used as kitchens, a dormitory and numerous good camping places. It is a pleasant place to spend a day. Women often sell souvenirs around the site; its mostly Tibetan-style jewellery made in Nepal.
DAY 2: A DAY AT GASA TSACHHU
You can laze around the site of hot springs or take a packed lunch and climb about two hours to Gasa village and dzong.
DAY 3: GASA TSECHHU TO DAMJI
Follow Day 13 of the Laya-Gasa trek.