A four-room family-run highland home in Laya, 3,800m in the Himalayas of Bhutan.
Featured in TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2026
This is Passang Choki, Passang Tenzin, and their daughter Tshering Om, the heart and soul of Home Tale Laya.
It is the story of a humble horseman, his beloved wife, once a tourism poster girl of Laya, and their adorable young daughter.
Under a decade ago, Passang Tenzin, affectionately known as O Tenzin in his community, met a group of Bhutanese trekkers during their journeys across the highlands. What began as a simple meeting soon blossomed into a deep friendship built on trust, love, and care for one another. Together, they shared countless moments on mountain paths, weaving bonds that would one day give birth to a shared dream.
That dream became Home Tale Laya, a four-room premium lodge built with friendship, faith, and the enduring spirit of Laya at its core. Constructed primarily from stone and wood, it embodies the strong natural elements of the region while maintaining a simple, authentic structure that beautifully reflects Bhutanese architecture. Within its humble frame, modern facilities have been fitted thoughtfully and practically, blending comfort with tradition.
Through this journey, O Tenzin began to shift from the conventional highland way of living, where wealth was often measured by stacks of rice bags or bundles of blankets, toward a more mindful and sustainable lifestyle. He chose to invest in meaningful comforts, a home with running water, a warm kitchen, and a sense of dignity rooted not in possessions but in purpose.
Today, Home Tale Laya is a quiet reflection of transformation, where friendship meets resilience, tradition meets modernity, and the essence of true wealth is redefined by love, care, and a better way of living.
Step 1: Thimphu to Gasa (via Punakha)
Your journey begins with a scenic drive from Thimphu to Gasa, passing through the beautiful valley of Punakha. The total distance is approximately 150–160 km, and the drive usually takes about 5–6 hours, depending on road conditions and stops along the way.
From Thimphu, the road descends through forested mountain passes toward Punakha, offering views of terraced rice fields, traditional Bhutanese farmhouses, and the winding Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Many travelers choose to pause in Punakha to visit the majestic Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful fortresses.
Continuing north toward Gasa, the landscape gradually changes. The road climbs through dense forests of pine, fir, and rhododendron, with occasional glimpses of high Himalayan peaks. You will also pass small villages, prayer flags fluttering along ridges, and quiet mountain streams that mark the transition into Bhutan’s remote highland region.
Step 2: Gasa to Taktsi Makey (Farm Road)
From Gasa, travelers can continue by vehicle toward Taktsi Makey, which takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. This stretch is a farm road—more rugged and adventurous than the main highway. While the road can be rough in places, it offers stunning views of the dramatic mountains surrounding Gasa and the deep valleys carved by glacial rivers.
The drive itself becomes part of the experience, as the road winds along steep slopes with sweeping views of forested ridges and towering peaks.
Step 3: Taktsi Makey to Laya (Hike)
From Taktsi Makey, the journey continues on foot. The trail to Laya Village is a moderate uphill hike and typically takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes for an average hiker.
Distance: approximately 4–5 km
Altitude gain: roughly 300–400 meters
Starting altitude (Taktsi Makey): about 3,500 m
Laya Village altitude: about 3,800 m
The trail gradually climbs through alpine forest and open highland pastures. Along the way, you may encounter yak herders, prayer flags marking sacred spots, and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. As you approach Laya, the landscape opens to reveal the unique Layap village with its traditional stone houses and the dramatic Himalayan peaks rising beyond.
Optional Stop in Gasa
Many visitors prefer to spend a night in Gasa before continuing the journey. Staying in a farmhouse or lodge allows travelers to acclimatize to the altitude and enjoy the peaceful mountain environment before heading further into the highlands the next morning.
A Note on the Road Conditions
While the road from Punakha to Gasa is officially classified as a highway, sections may not always be in perfect condition due to the mountainous terrain. The Gasa to Taktsi Makey stretch is a farm road—narrow, adventurous, and best traveled with an experienced local driver. Despite this, the route offers spectacular scenery and a true sense of Bhutan’s untouched wilderness.
The journey to Home Tale Laya is not just about reaching a destination—it is about experiencing Bhutan’s landscapes, villages, and mountain culture along the way.
At Home Tale Laya, our four rooms take their names from the mountains that stand around Laya — Gangchhen Tag, Masagang, Tsenden Gang, and Gangla Karchung. These peaks are part of the stories, weather, and daily life of the highlands, shaping the landscape in quiet, constant ways. The rooms carry their names simply, as a way of grounding each stay in the place itself.
When you’re here, you choose one of these four rooms and rest in the presence of the mountains that define this corner of Laya.
Due to the remote location of Laya and Bhutan’s travel regulations, visits to Home Tale Laya are usually arranged as part of a wider Bhutan itinerary.
Rates & Reservations
Indicative Rate
From USD 220 per room per night + 10% service charge
Rate Includes
* Accommodation for two guests (two queen-size beds)
* MAP Plan – Breakfast and dinner included
* Lunch available at USD 20 per person + applicable taxes
* Tea and refreshments
Rate Excludes
* Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
* Visa processing fees
* Transportation and guide services
* Travel insurance
To secure the reservation, 100% payment is required prior to check-in. Please contact our reservation for any information.
Where Meals Become Stories
For most of her life, Passang Choki never imagined having a kitchen inside her home. In Laya, cooking was always done outside — vegetables washed in the cold mountain air, dishes carried back and forth between spaces shaped by necessity rather than comfort. It was simply the way things had always been.
Today, that story has gently changed.
Inside Hometale Laya, beside the warm glow of the bukhari, Passang now stands at her own kitchen sink, with hot and cold water flowing — a quiet luxury in the high mountains. It has eased her daily chores, but more than that, it has brought her joy. What was once done in the cold and wind is now part of the warmth of her home.
This same space becomes the heart of gathering.
A simple dining table rests nearby, where guests may sit on wooden benches or choose the place closest to the bukhari, where the fire breathes its steady warmth. Here, meals are not rushed. They unfold slowly — accompanied by stories of Laya, of winters, of mountains, of journeys. Passang cooks each dish herself, with the care and rhythm learned over a lifetime.
Above, bamboo lamps cast a soft golden light. These lamps were handcrafted by the Tarayana community in Mongar, far to the east. Their presence here is more than decoration — it is a quiet union of two distant villages, connected through shared hands, shared traditions, and shared purpose.
In this room, warmth comes not only from the fire, but from the feeling of being welcomed into a living story.
One of Bhutan’s most remote and culturally unique Himalayan villages. Home of the distinctive Layap highland community. Surrounded by peaks such as Masagang, Gangchen Tag and Tshenden Gang. Gateway to the legendary Snowman Race. Host village of the Royal Highland Festival.
Home Tale Laya sits in one of Bhutan’s most remote highland communities at nearly 4,000 meters. Life here follows the rhythm of nature, and part of the experience is embracing the simplicity and authenticity of the mountains.
Electricity
Electricity supply in Laya is limited and may occasionally be affected by weather or local conditions. Short power interruptions can occur, though our team manages usage carefully to ensure guest comfort as much as possible.
Heating & Hot Water
The village operates on a two-phase electrical system, therefore heaters and geysers are operated sequentially to maintain system stability. Our team will coordinate usage so that guests can enjoy warm rooms and hot water comfortably.
Traditional Highland Architecture
Home Tale Laya is built using traditional wood and stone construction, reflecting the authentic architecture of the Layap community. As with most heritage homes, complete sound insulation cannot be guaranteed, and some natural sounds may travel through the structure.
Cold Highland Mornings
During colder periods, sudden drops in temperature may cause water pipes to freeze temporarily in the early morning hours. Water flow usually resumes once temperatures rise with the morning sun.
These small realities are part of the beauty of experiencing life in one of Bhutan’s most extraordinary high mountain villages, where nature, culture, and simplicity come together in a truly rare way.
What the days here look like.
Laya is a highland village in northern Bhutan’s Gasa District, set at an elevation of about 3,800 metres (12,500 feet) above sea level. From the nearest farm road, it’s roughly a 2–3 hour walk to reach the village, following a steady mountain path into the highlands. Surrounded by open alpine valleys and some of Bhutan’s tallest peaks, Laya sits in a landscape shaped by altitude, weather, and seasonal movement. The air is crisp, the skies wide, and life here follows the rhythms of herding, walking routes, and long winters in the mountains. Those who make their way up arrive in a place that feels both remote and quietly lived-in, set firmly within the high Himalaya.
Planning a journey to Bhutan?
If you are considering a visit to Bhutan and would like to include Home Tale Laya in your itinerary, we would be delighted to hear from you. Our reservations team can share suggestions on how a stay in Laya may be thoughtfully incorporated into your Bhutan journey — whether as part of a trekking experience, a cultural exploration of the highlands, or simply a unique overnight stay in one of Bhutan’s most remote Himalayan villages.
We are happy to guide you on the possibilities and assist in connecting you with trusted travel partners who can arrange the necessary permits, transportation, and wider Bhutan travel arrangements, ensuring your visit is both seamless and meaningful.
Please feel free to reach out if you would like more information or assistance in planning your journey.
Please fill out the form or contact us directly, someone will be in touch.
+975 17911273 (Whatsapp) reservations@hometalelaya.com
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Photographs: Through the lens of Karma T Dorji | Instagram @ktdorji