Located in the extreme north west of Bhutan, shares its borders with districts of Punakha, Thimphu, Wangduephodrang, and autonomous region of Tibet to the north. The total area is 3081.77sq.km. Elevations in the district range between 1,500 and 4,500 meters above the sea level. The region experiences extremely long and hard winters and short but beautiful summer. The dominant language of the district is Dzongkha, which is the national language. Related languages, Layakha and Lunanakha, are spoken by semi-nomadic communities in the north of the district. and it had a population of 3,116 as of the 2005 census, making it the largest, least populated, and thus least densely populated of all the dzongkhags; it is also the least developed.
Gasa Fort
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 a view of Mt. Gangboom. Time your trip there during the annual autumn festival.
Hot Spring Bath
The hot springs at Gasa in Western Bhutan are situated close to the banks of the Mo Chhu River. This is one of the most popular springs in the country and is frequented not only with tourists but with local people as well. 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. There is also an 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.The route also takes you through small villages, bamboo forests and across sparkling mountain streams. Along the way, trekkers will cross a mountain pass from which there is an absolutely stunning view of Gasa Dzong seated below majestic snow covered mountains.
Laya Village
Let your adventurous spirit take you on a three nights trek to Laya. Situated at an altitude of 3800 m, this village will mesmerize you with their unique culture. It is amazing how a small pocket of ethnic groups survived for so long in the northern part of the country. Anyone on the Snow Leopard trek or the grand Snowman Trek will converge through Laya. To experience the maximum cultural richness, time your trip during their Owlay festival. This festival only takes place once in three years. To reach Laya have to trek 2 days along the local trials and there is famous trek called snowman trek take this route too.
Luna Village
The valley of Lunana is the most remote of Gasa district. To see Lunana is to experience the culture of the Himalayan people residing amongst the glaciers. The people here make their living from yaks and sheep. The nomads here know a lot on medicinal herbs and have benefited a lot from cordycep harvesting. This wonder worm (Cordyceps sinensis) has given the nomads an extra income which will eventually lead to preservation of this nomadic culture. To reach Lunana have to trek 2 days along the local trials and there is famous trek called snowman trek take this route too.