Dagala Thousand Lakes

Overview

Dagala trek is the only trek in Bhutan which offers the view of all the high mountain peaks of Bhutan including the world’s third highest peak, Mt. Kenchenjunga at 8586 mts and few other high peaks of Nepal.

This is also a trek where ou will see lots of lakes and the name, Dagala thousand lake trek comes from it. The trek starts between Thimphu and Paro highway and ends in Thimphu.

The first two days of the trek is quite difficult and it’s all uphill. But the view on the way is worth the climb.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01| Arrival in Paro

Your flight to Paro will offer you a beautiful mountain views. On this flight the views of the Everest, Kanchen Junga and other Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drakey in Bhutan are awesome. On arrival in Paro our guide will receive you and check you into your hotel. After lunch we will see the rich history of Bhutan exhibited in the 17th century National Museum. The Paro Dzong, a massive fortress built in the 17th century now houses the monastic body. A tour of this beautiful Dzong will introduce us to the unique aspects of the Bhutanese Buddhism. A lovely stroll downhill from the Dzong over an old cantilever bridge wraps up an eventful first day in this magical kingdom.
Overnight at Paro | Altitude: 2200m

Day 02| Paro sightseeing

Taktsang or the tiger’s nest temple is the most revered temple to the Buddhist. This magical temple clings to a vertical granite cliff 800m above the valley. Legend has it that in the 8th century, Guru Rimpochey, a tantric master flew here on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave around which the temple is built. A hike to this temple will take up most of our morning. In the afternoon, we will host a special Buddhist prayer ceremony at the beautiful 1200 year old Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, to bring us good luck for the rest of the journey.
Overnight in Paro

Day 03| Paro – Genekha (1 Hr) – Kepchen
Distance: 8 km
Walking time: 6 hours
Sleeping altitude: 3710 m

The trek begins with the little village of Genekha. Today you will see many varieties of alpine flora and also some animals and many birds. After two hours of walking gradually uphill, rest at huge rock platform, from which there is 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 04| Kepchen – Labathama
Distance: 9 km
Walking time: 4 hours
Sleeping altitude: 4300 m
Pass to cross: Pagalabtsa la, 4200 m

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 herders’ camps. We will lunch at a nearby yak herder’s camp. After lunch we will walk across hills and over meadows, ending the day at Yutsho Lake.

Day 05| Labathama (Halt)

A day halt in Labathama is worth visiting the lakes and hiking up to the top of the pass for the breath taking view. One a clear day, one can see the world’s third highest mountain, Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Jumolhari, the highest mountain of Bhutan.

Day 06| Labathama – Pangkha/Khere Gewa
Distance: 11 km
Walking time: 6 hours
Sleeping altitude: 4050 m
Pass to cross: Labajong La, 4400 m

Walk for 20 minutes upwards before beginning the descent at around 4,460m. There will be splendid views of the Himalayas on the descent. Your guide will help you in identifying individual peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga, Jumolhari , Jichu Drake, Tserimgang, Khangbum, Masagang, Tsendegang and Gangchenta. Himalayan monal pheasants are a common sight. Overnight camp on a grassy meadow at Pangkha.

Day 07| Pangkha – Talakha
Distance: 7 km
Walking time: 5 hours
Sleeping altitude: 3100 m
Pass to cross: Tale La, 4185 m

This day involves 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. After lunch, an hour’s 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. Camp, at the Talakha monastery.

Day 08| Talakha – Thimphu (trek ends)
Distance: 4 km
Walking time: 2 hours

We walk through mixed vegetation and apple orchards, finally reaching the main motorable road to Thimphu where our transport will be waiting for us. Our transport will meet us just as we start emerging from the forest and drive to Paro for our departure flight next day. The drive will take slightly more than a hour.
Overnight Paro

Day 09| Departure

Morning transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Our tour staff will bid you farewell at the airport.