11. Gasa

Gasa Dzong

It is located in the far north of the county and spans the Middle and High Himalayas.It is the least developed of all the dzongkhags and has a population of just over 3500 although it has become a hot tourist destination because of its pristine forests and notably, the hot springs. The high altitude makes farming difficult, although government programs seek to establish mustard and summer vegetable planting programs. Residents herd yaks and dzos, and a small number benefit from the nascient tourism industry. More recently a small feeder road is being constructed and it shall be completed by the end of 2007. Electricity is also being supplied to some of the geogs and all electrification programmes is expected to be complete by 2012.Gasa is most famous for its Layap people, and for the Snowman Trek, one of the most challenging treks in the Himalayas. Gasa is bordered by Tibet to the north and by Thimphu, Punakha, and Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhags to the south.