Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

Day 1: Arrive Paro

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth.

On arrival at Paro airport, you will met by our representative and transferred to hotel after completion of arrival formalities. Evening visit to Paro market and town. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro

Begin this day with a short drive to the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. From this fort Bhutanese repelled several invasions by Tibetan armies. Nearby visit traditional Bhutanese Farm House which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people. Then take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the spot where Guru Rinpoche arrived on the back of a tigress and meditated. The temple is perched on a sheer rock face. The excursion to monastery’s view point takes about 5 hours for round trip. While return to Paro town visit enroute Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom. In the evening visit local market and overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 3: Paro – Thimphu

Drive to Thimphu. En-route visit Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan built in 1629 A.D. Thimphu sightseeing includes visit to The Largest and Tallest Statue of Buddha in the world, Buddha Point; Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple; the traditional Hand Made Paper Mill; Zilukha nunnery to meet the nuns and interact with them.

Evening toll around local town. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu

After breakfast visit Trashichhodzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government’s office and King’s Throne room. Then visit National Library which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. After that visit Painting School, famous for traditional thangkha paintings. Also visit to Traditional Medicine Institute is worthwhile where centuries old healing arts still practiced. Later visit, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.

After that, visit the Handicrafts Emporium and local shops for souvenirs ranging from Bhutan’s fine traditional arts, textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and woodcarvings, jewelers to other interesting items made from local materials. Then drive to Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s Third King who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5: Thimphu – Geynekha, 14km, 4 hours

Drive for 45 minutes to reach the starting point for the trek. The first day’s walk is along a mule path and will end after four hours at the signboard of Genekha School. Overnight camp at Genekha (2,800m) alongside a stream.

Day 6: Geynekha – Gur, 15km, 4 hours

On today’s trek the true communion with nature begins, and you will see many varieties of alpine flora and also some animals and many birds. Two hours of gradual uphill walk and rest at huge rock platform, offers a picturesque view of the valley below. After another two hours, the trek ends for the day. Camp at Gur, where flowers are abundant in spring.

Day 7: Gur – Labatamba, 12km, 5 hours

While trekking across the ridges, one enjoys the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation. Today’s trek takes us across meadows where wild asparagus and other small plants grow, and if taking this trek in the spring, you will feel you are walking over carpets of flowers. The first pass, marked by a large cairn gives a spectacular view of the whole Dagala range, alpine meadows and yak herder’s camps.

Lunch at nearby yak herder’s camp. After lunch, walk across hills and meadows, ending the third day of trek. Camp near Yutsho Lake where golden trouts are in abundance.

Day 8: Labatamba Halt

Enjoy a day at leisure relaxing and exploring Labatamba valley. For the energetic choose from a range of day excursions to either Relitsho, Hentsho or Jametsho Lake. Camp at Labatamba (4300m) This would also be an ideal time and place for some trout fishing. Overnight camp.

Day 9: Labatamba Halt

Extension to Setsho and nearby lakes. Hike to Setsho Lake is easy and interesting. Afterwards walk over a small ridge and then down to Jagetsho Lake. Whole day trout fishing with packed lunch at lakeside. Or you could try climbing Jomo, a 5,050m peak. Lunch at the summit, with spectacular views all around, can be memorable experience. Return to camp by dusk and prepare for the next day.

Day 10: Labatama – Panka , 8km, 4 hours

The trail climbs along the western side of Dala Tsho up to a saddle at 4520m from where there will be a majestic view of the prominent Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga, Masang Gang, Gangchhenta, Tsenda Gang and Jichu Drake. Overnight camp on a grassy meadow at Panka.

Day 11: Panka – Talekha, 8km, 4 hours

This day entails the crossing of several increasingly impressive passes. You will see several varieties of the blue poppy (if trekking June-July) and also many mountain birds along the way. Lunch at the point where the trail divides into two paths leading to Talekha and to Wangduephodrang respectively.

After lunch, an hour gradual climb brings us to the top of the last ridge on the Dagala range from where there is a spectacular view of Thimphu valley below. Another hour walk and you are at the last camp, a little above Talekha monastery.

Day 12: Talekha – Thimphu – Paro, 6km, 2 hours

Passing through alpine and mixed vegetation (bamboo thickets and wild flowers) one reaches Talekha monastery and village and once again the view of Thimphu is superb. We walk through mixed vegetation and apple orchards, finally reaching the main motor able road to Thimphu where our transport is waiting for you. Drive to Thimphu in time for lunch, and in the evening drive back to Paro. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 13: Depart Paro

After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination. Our representative will bid you farewell.