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11 Days Genekha to Dagana Trek in West Bhutan
Paro (2N) – Gyenekha – Gur (1N) – Labatama (1N) – Tsibsaba (1N) – Wangrapang (1N) – Kunga (1N) – Dagana (1N) – Thimphu (1N) – Paro (1N)
The Genekha to Dagana Trek is a stunning new trek route less known and largely undisturbed by tourists. Following the well-paved trail of ancient trade route, the trek will take you through wildlife rich forest and isolated villages. You will expect to see a variety of scenery from alpine meadows to grand Himalayan mountains to verdant broad pasture with yak herders. The trek starts at southern end of Thimphu valley and gently ascent to a high altitude, when you cross high passes over 4,000 meters, before descending through dense forest terrain – the home to wild tigers, leopard and bears. In addition to the trek, you will also enjoy relaxing days in Paro and Thimphu, to discover the great and important cultural sights including Taktsang Monastery, Punakha Dzong, National Memorial Chorten, Paro Rinpung Dzong etc.
- April, June, October, and November
- Trekking and Hiking, Cultural Sightseeing
- Private Tour for One and More
Highlights
- Visit famous Paro Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang.
- Hike to the holiest temple of the country, Taksang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest).
- Tour the landmarks in Punakha, including Punakha Dzong and Chhimi Lhakhang.
- Explore Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Memorial Chorten and National Textile Museum.
- Experience a genuine wilderness trek with the Genekha to Dagana Trek.
- Be one of the first trekkers to visit the remote region of Dagana.
- Cross passes over 4,000 meters with fantastic views of Himalayan peaks.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Paro
Highlight: Visit landmarks in Paro including Ta Dzong Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang after arriving in this amazing city by flight.
Upon your arrival in Paro by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national carrier, you will be picked up by your tour guide at the airport and then escorted to the hotel. After a short rest, you will go to tour the Paro city.
This first landmark in Paro you will visit is the Ta Dzong Museum, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, as well as textiles, jewelry etc., offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Then head to visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa, Tibet, the temple has the great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni.
After that, you will go to explore the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong. It is a large Dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress built in 17th Century to protect Paro valley. Rinpung Dzong houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Kyichu Lhakhang
Meals Included
- Lunch and Dinner
Please feel free to tell us any of your food requirement.
Day 2: Trek to Taksang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest)
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.
Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Paro – Gyenekha – Gur (Trek Starts)
(Trek distance: 7km; Time: 4 hours; Altitude: 2200m to 3330m; Ascent: 380m)
After breakfast drive to the remote village of Gyenekha under Thimphu district. Then take the main road and transfer to the farm road for another 8km up to Gyenekha primary school. From the school a short descent will take you to the small riverbank where you will meet with your trekking team. Your adventure begins from this riverbank.
The first day of the trek covers only 7km beginning with crossing the suspension bridge and gradually ascending uphill until you reach your campsite at Gur. The campsite is known for its winter pasturing ground for yaks, lies amongst abundance of wildflowers and surrounded by giant fig and juniper forest.
Camping at Gur.
Genekha to Dagana Trek
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Gur to Labatama
(Trek distance: 12km; Time: 5 hours; Altitude: 3330m to 4300m; Ascent: 1220m, descent: 110m)
Today you will follow the trail winding through forests of fir, spurce, birch and rhododendron. Then it is an uphill task till you reach Pagalaptsa pass (4250m). From here you will walk through gentle slope whiles enjoying the affordable view of the rugged mountain vegetation. Appreciate the beauty of the surrounding landscape and the far end view of the Mt. Kanchenjunga (Sikkim) and other Himalayan mountain peaks. As you continue you will sight yaks and yak herders stone house alone the trail with impressive view of the surrounding landscape. Your campsite is located close to Utsho Lake – a lake well known for golden trout.
Camping at Labatama.
Camping at Labatama
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Labatama to Tsibsaba
(Trek distance: 12km; Time: 5 hours; Altitude: 4300m to 4070m; Descent: 230m)
Leaving camp, you the cross a small river. From here your trek gradually ascend for an hour to a cairn. On clear day you will enjoy the magnificent view of Mt. Kangchenjunga. Leaving the pass you will reach the beautiful Langtsho (Ox) Lake and you then gradually ascend to Lawagu Pass (4200m). From the top you will have the breathtaking view of Mt. Jomolhari and the surrounding mountain peaks. Then descend to an open pasture. Continue the downhill trail and in one hour you will reach your campsite in an open pasture next to an old Daga Penlop (governor) guesthouse.
Camping at Tsibsaba.
Camping at Tsibsaba
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Tsibsaba to Wangrapang
(Trek distance: 11-12km; Time: 5 hours; Altitude: 4070m to 4000m; Descent: 70m)
Your trail begins with a slightly descent through rich forest of rhododendron. Continue downhill through rich forest of fir, rhododendron, spruce, hemlock and blue pine forest and gradually enter the warm broadleaved forest. You can see ruin of Daga Penlop’s guest house at Dompa and a few nomad’s camps along the trail. Wangrapang campsite will be potential spot for nature base tourism such as flora and fauna, bird watching and wildlife.
Camping at Wangrapang.
Forest of Rhododendron
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Wangrapang to Kunga
(Trek distance: 12km; Time: 6 hours; Altitude: 4000m to 2100m; Descent: 1310m)
Today’s trek begins with a downhill walk through broadleaf forest, which become denser as you progress. Then you will reach a small stream, crossing the stream the trail ascend a steep uphill for a short while and then continue through dense forest. You eventually reach your campsite at Kunga.
Camping at Kunga.
Camping at Kunga
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Kunga to Dagana (Trek Ends)
(Trek distance: 12km; Time: 5 hours; Altitude: 2100m to 1790m; Descent: 620m)
Leaving your camp, you will climb a bit to catch the main trail. As you process you really get a sense of being in the wild jungle, seeing wealth of colorful birds, monkeys and hopefully deer. As you continue you will soon meet up a water pipeline to Dagana, which runs parallel to your trail. After a short walk you eventually emerge at the road-head, the end of the trail. At your early arrival at Dagana make a short visit to the Dagana Dzong built in 1655.
Stay overnight in Dagana.
Dagana Dzong
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Dagana to Thimphu via Punakha
Highlight: visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.
Early in the morning drive to Thimphu. After arriving Punakha make a quick visit to Punakha Dzong, the second largest Dzong in Bhutan, built in 1657 at the onflunence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers. After that, you will go to visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Lhakhang. Located near Lobesa, it stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel.
After exploring the temple, go on driving to Thimphu.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Chimi Lhakhang
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Thimphu sightseeing; Thimphu to Paro
Highlight: Explore Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Memorial Chorten, National Textile Museum and Traditional Paper Making Factory etc.
Today, you will first explore the landmarks in Thimphu. You will first visit the National Memorial Chorten, constructed in memorial of the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in 1974. The King was generally regarded as the father of modern Bhutan and widely esteemed by the Bhutanese. Then head to National Textile Museum, which keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms. keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms.
After lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, to see the productive process of Bhutan’s traditional medicine, herbs mostly, and watch the medical practitioner training. Next, go to Traditional Paper Making Factory, which originated from the old tradition in the 8th century, Bhutan papermaking has been well preserved and listed as the valuable national heritage of Bhutanese culture.
After the sightseeing in Thimphu, drive to Paro following the Pachu River.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Thimphu National Memorial Chorten
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Tour Price
Add-on Activities
The general travel itineraries in Bhutan are usually leisure and relaxing. To make the most your time in Bhutan, you can choose to have more activities as you like, such as light hiking around the town or a featured culture experience.
Here we offer you the most popular travel ideas that most of our travelers choose to experience as an add-on activity during their trips in Bhutan. For more available activities or anything you want to add on to your trip in Bhutan, just feel free to contact us.
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Bhutan Hot Stone Bath
The popular Hot Stone Bath, a traditional healing process in Bhutan, is a great experience for you to relax and refresh yourself after one-day hiking or trekking. Different from hot spring, it is a kind of hot water bath offered in a traditional way with a wooden tub and herbs in the water. You can experience it in a local farmhouse or in a resort.
Please notice that you need to pay additional fees for the hot stone bath (usually within 30 minutes).
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Sightseeing Hiking
Even you don't take the trekking tour in Bhutan, you can also experience pleasant hiking on your travel days. Especially during your trips in western and central Bhutan, like in Gangtey, Bumthang, and Trongsa, there are some easy hiking and trekking trails around the town. You can take light hiking for 1 to 2 hours after general daily sightseeing. Just feel free to tell your guide if you are interested in an extra hiking experience.
Generally, you don't need to pay extra money for the hours' hiking.
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Cultural Exploration
Bhutan is a place that rich in culture and handicraft. If you want to experience more local culture and the real life of the locals, you can ask for more activities, such as a visit to a local weekend market, a class of traditional Bhutan archery or traditional weaving in Bhutan. Just feel free to let us know want you are looking for and want to experience during your Bhutan tour, we will help you find the best options to do.
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Farmhouse Homestay
All of our tour packages cover the accommodation from 3-star hotels to 5-star hotels and resorts. But if you want to get closer to the local Bhutanese' life, it is suggested to take one night stay in a farmhouse. It will be an unforgettable experience to eat ordinary food and dishes and live in the typical Bhutanese house just like a Bhutanese does.
Since the accommodation is required to be arranged in advance, if you are keen on a homestay in Bhutan, please tell us as early as possible.
Food and Drinks
Our Bhutan Trekking tour packages include three meals every day during your stay in Bhutan. And on the trekking days, your trek staff will cook for you. You don’t need to carry the food yourself. If you have any requirements on food, such as vegetarian, please feel free to tell your travel consultant or your local guide. The following are the general food and drinks you can have in an ordinary Bhutan tour.
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Bhutanese Food
Most of your meals are in local restaurants, which offers typicla bhutanese food. The most popular food among local people is the Chili Cheese.
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Western Food
Besides the traditional Bhutan dishes, you can also have western buffet or breakfast in some hotels in Bhutan.
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Water and Drinks
For every day trip, we offer one bottle of water for each tourists. There are also kinds of soft drinks you can buy in the restaurant, hotel or shops in the town in Bhutan. Also, you can taste the local beers if you want.
Bhutan Tour Planning FAQs
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