11 Days Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

On your arrival at the Paro International Airport, you will be met by your tour guide and driver, who will assist you with any concerns on your entry to Bhutan and show you to the vehicle they will use to take you to your hotel in Thimphu (2,320 meters). The 45-kilometer drive from Paro to the Bhutanese capital takes around 1 hour 15 minutes, and once in your hotel you will have a traditional Bhutanese lunch.

After lunch, we will first visit Buddha Dordenma Statue, the tallest Buddha statue in the world, then take a short hike from Kuensel Phodrang to Depsi, in the south of Thimphu. The hike is a very easy walk that takes us through pine, rhododendron, and oak forests, and lasts for around an hour and a half. Along the route of the hike you will get to see the great views of Thimphu and the Wang Chhu, and can even being some prayer flags to hang between the trees, like the locals do here.

Then, we will visit the Thimphu Tashichho Dzong, the Fortress of the Glorious Religion, which is also the seat of the national government of Bhutan and the Central Monastic Body.

In the evening, you are able to take a stroll in the town or visit the Local Crafts Bazaar. The bazaar is full of hand-woven textiles, thangka paintings, masks, ceramics, etc. If you like, you can choose some gifts for your friends and relatives here.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu Tashichho Dzong

(Trek distance: 7km; Time: 5 hours)

After an early breakfast in your hotel, we will depart from Thimphu to take the 27-kilometers drive to Genekha, where the trek will start. The drive takes just 50 minutes, after which we will meet the trekking staff and prepare to leave.

From the beautiful Genekha Village (2,550m), we make a short descent to the Thimphu Chhu, crossing the river and climbing up the hills on the other side to the huge rock platform, from where you can get some great views out over the valley below.

After a walk of anther two hours, we will reach the small pastures at Gur, where yaks graze constantly on the lush green grass of the meadows. The day’s trek covers a distance of around 7 kilometers, and takes around five hours at a steady relaxed pace. The campsite for the night is just below the pastures and the main trail.

Stay overnight at Gur Campsite.

Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

(Trek distance: 12km; Time: 5 hours)

The trek today takes us across some of the range’s higher ridges, covered with the lush vegetation of this beautiful countryside. The path winds its way through meadows of wildflowers, which are dotted with wild asparagus in the spring, and leads to the first mountain pass of the trek, at 4,400 meters. This unnamed pass is marked by a cairn of rough stones, and from the crest you get a great view of the entire Dagala Range, as well as a sensational view of Mount Kanchenjunga in Sikkim.

As we drop down from the pass into the Labatama Valley, the trail heads through lush meadows with yaks and herder’s huts, and once at the valley floor, we will head northeast up the valley a little way, past more yak herder’s huts, to the first lake of the trek, Uthso Tsho. A small clear lake that shimmers in the sunlight, the campsite is right by the lake, so you will have the rest of the day to explore and relax after the 12km, five-hour trek.

Stay overnight at Labatama Campsite.

Today is a relatively relaxing day, as we will spend the day resting at Labatama. Alternatively, you can take on the short excursions to the nearby lakes of Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho, and Jama Tsho, which are only an hour or two away. These lakes are renowned for their trout fishing, and you can take this opportunity to get in some relaxing fishing along the shores of one of these lakes if you wish to. Permits are required for fishing, so you will need to make sure that you inform us of your intent to fish before your trip, so the permits can be obtained ready for the trek.

Stay overnight at Labatama Campsite.

(Trek distance: 8km; Time: 6-7 hours)

After a healthy breakfast, our trail today starts with a climb up along the western side of Dala Tsho, to the saddle of the ridge above at 4,520 meters. From there, you can also take an additional short hike up to the peak nearby, which stands at 4,720 meters for a better view of the mountain peaks that are visible from the ridge. Views include Mount Everest in the distance, as well as Kanchenjunga, Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tshering Gang, Khangbum, Masang Gang, Tsende Gang, and Gangche Ta.

From the saddle, the trail descends through an area of meadows dotted with yaks and herder’s huts to the Doccha Chhu, following the river on the slopes above to reach the village of Panka (4,050m).

The trek today is around 8km, and takes around 6-7 hours, with the last section being undulating along the hillside to the village. 

(Trek distance: 8km; Time: 5-6 hours)

Today’s trek takes you up over a number of small passes through the mountains, though most of them are not arduous climbs, with the exception of the last one, the Tale La Pass at 4,180 meters. The trek follows a trail that takes you through several alpine meadows, and in June or July the famous Bhutanese blue poppies can be seen covering the meadows.

After crossing the Tale La, we will drop down from the pass on a gradual descent along a long ridge all the way to the beautiful Talakha Gompa (3,650m), where we will stop for the night in the monastery’s own campsite. The day’s trekking covers around 8km, which should take only 5-6 hours, leaving time to explore the monastery and its surroundings.

Stay overnight at Talakha Monastery Campsite.

(Trek distance: 8km; Time: 5-6 hours)

After waking to the early morning chanting of the monks outside the monastery, we will make the short hike down to the road, which will take us on to the small village of Chamgang, around 6km away from the monastery. The car and driver will be waiting in Chamgang, and we will drive back to the hotel in Thimphu for lunch.

After lunch, we will visit the Memorial Chorten, erected in 1974 in memory of the late king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The temple inside the Chorten has many examples of Tantric Buddhism and the main philosophies.

Then we will head for the Motithang Zoo, which is now a free-roaming Takin park where you can see the national animal of Bhutan. The Takin is said to have been created in the 15^th century by the Lama, Drukpa Kunley, who is commonly referred to as the “Divine Madman”.

In the evening, we will visit the Thimphu Tashichho Dzong, the Fortress of the Glorious Religion, which is also the seat of the national government of Bhutan and the Central Monastic Body. Then we visit the residence of the Chief Abbot of Bhutan, before taking a relaxing stroll around the city to build up an appetite for dinner back at the hotel.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Today, you will drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance between Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it will take you 3 hours to get there. One the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of the solemn Bhutan Himalaya Ranges and even take photos at the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).

After arriving at Punakha, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular shape fortress is also an honorable treasury where preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

After witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong, you will continue to visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. It sits majestically on a ridge above Punakha valley with an amazing view of the countryside and the hills below.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang

After breakfast, you will drive back to Paro, the home to Mount Jomolhari (7, 300m) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pa Chhu flowing through the valley. It will take you about 4 hours 20 minutes for the 125 kilometers.

Upon your arrival, your guide will bring you to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. It was built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father, and unifier of medieval Bhutan. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories. Nowadays, Drukgyel Dzong becomes a popular attraction in Paro, Bhutan.

Then, you will move to visit Dumtseg Lhakhang, a Buddhist temple in Jangtsa, Paro. With its golden umbrella-shaped peak gleaming against a backdrop of brown hills, Dumtseg Lhakhang is one of the most notable lhakhangs in Paro, Bhutan. The temple was built in 1421 by the Tibetan lama named Thangtong Gyalpo, also known as Chagzampa, who is remembered for his building of some eight iron bridges in Bhutan. It is said that he built this monastery to immobilize demons and proclaim the victory of Buddhism.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Dumtseg Lhakhang

Highlight: Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest.

Today, we will leave for Paro to enjoy the exciting trek to the Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest. Standing incredibly on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3210m) is the landmark of Bhutan and also the holiest temple of the country. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. The temple has therefore become the holy site worshipped by all Bhutanese devotees, and known as one of the world’s top ten temples. 

After the trek, we will head back to Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

After breakfast, our guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour service end.