Gasa Sangwa Camp

Few travelers will venture as far as Bhutan. Even fewer will reach Gasa—less than half of one per cent of those who enter the Kingdom. Cradled by Himalayan peaks and almost entirely encompassed by Jigme Dorji National Park, Gasa is home to The Snowman Trek, described as the world’s most challenging hiking route. To say there are few tourist facilities would be an understatement—let alone five-star luxury lodges. But the recent arrival of Gasa Sangwa Camp, an exclusive-use tented camp brings a meaningful level of comfort to travelers looking to overnight in the region.

Enveloped by Bhutanese wilderness, Gasa Sangwa is described as “an overnight luxury journey into the wild Himalayas.” Luxury, in this sense, is less about the finishings and amenities, than the opportunity to immerse yourself in a serene Himalayan far off the beaten path. A low-impact, eco-camp snug in a secretive forested location, you’ll be well cared for by attentive Bhutanese hosts for the duration of your adventure.

Depending on the size of your party, the configuration of Gasa Swangwa might include a large Dome Room, double tent, and/or single tent(s). Tents range from 96 to 167 square feet, and the interiors feature Bhutanese adornments, plush linens, and lounge areas. Expect bucket showers.

Meals served at Gasa Sangwa are a moveable, al fresco feast. Take breakfast on a low table while seated on cushions in the gentle morning light that bathes a meadow. At the riverside, graze a lunch spread that sits atop a woven Bhutanese textile. You may also break bread with a local family in their farm home, chatting with the home chef about how they prepared their specialties.

Gasa Sangwa is not merely a tented camp, it also serves as a base camp for exploration and cultural encounters. In the morning, you might enjoy guided yoga or forest bathing. Watch as artisans craft textiles on a loom, using yarn dyed with forest-foraged ingredients. Mid-morning, you might pedal along a pastoral road for some invigorating cycling. After lunch, go for a hike with a forest ranger, and then try your hand at Bhutanese archery and darts. Close out the evening at a bonfire while admiring Layap folk song and dance, chorused by traditional instruments. If you fancy a nightcap, try a Bhutanese whiskey tasting.

Additional activities can be made upon request/reservation:

In a wilderness setting steeped with spirituality, soak in a natural hot spring with waters that are reputed to treat various ailments

Relax with a private massage

Receive a personalized astrology reading from a Tsip (a trained monk)

Don night vision goggles for some after-dark guided wildlife tracking in hopes of spotting boar, fox, leopard, and other elusive nocturnal creatures

Hike five hours to Laya village to meet a community of Layaps, semi-nomadic Indigenous yak herders who occupy one of the highest-elevation human settlements in the world

Set out on a strenuous but rewarding technical trek beyond Laya village

Gasa Sangwa operates during spring, summer, and fall, and has a sister camp in the Haa Valley: Haa Sangwa Camp.