Dagala Thousand Lakes

Overview :

The Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek offers a captivating journey through Bhutan’s breathtaking landscapes. This moderate trek takes you past stunning lakes, vibrant meadows, and diverse wildlife, surrounded by majestic mountains. It provides a unique opportunity to explore high-altitude lakes teeming with trout and steeped in mystical history. Along the way, you’ll encounter yak herder camps, gaining insight into the local nomadic lifestyle. The trek also includes visits to Thimphu and Paro, where you can immerse yourself in the fascinating cultural sites of Bhutan. It’s an ideal choice for nature enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable experience, glimpses of local life, and encounters with Bhutan’s flora and fauna.

Highlights Of The Trek :

Embark on a captivating journey through Bhutan’s diverse landscapes, including alpine meadows, mountain passes, and lakes teeming with wildlife.
Immerse yourself in the rich history of high-altitude lakes, where trout abound, and gain a glimpse into the nomadic lifestyle of the local communities.
Explore some of the Himalaya’s most sacred Buddhist monasteries and temples, connecting with Bhutan’s unique cultural heritage.
Discover the essence of Bhutan’s culture through immersive experiences like farmhouse visits and village excursions.
Marvel at the awe-inspiring views of the Himalayan peaks while trekking and driving over high mountain passes.

DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO

Embark on an awe-inspiring journey to Paro with a flight that offers a constantly changing panorama of the world’s highest mountains. Upon arrival, our Touring Bhutan Adventures representative will warmly welcome you and assist with customs procedures. Delve into Paro’s cultural richness by exploring the Ta Dzong Museum, home to religious relics, artwork, and handicrafts that provide valuable insights into Bhutan’s history and traditions. Visit the Rimpong Dzong, a former strategic fort transformed into a magnificent monastery and administrative center, adorned with a famous painting of the revered saint Milarepa. Enjoy a comfortable overnight stay at your Paro hotel, ready for more captivating experiences in Bhutan’s enchanting realm.

DAY 02: PARO

After breakfast, embark on a hike to Taktsang Monastery, a significant pilgrimage site perched on a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the Paro valley floor. The approximately 1.5 to 2-hour uphill walk offers breathtaking views, and for those unable to hike, a horse can be arranged for transportation to the cafeteria. In the afternoon, visit the reconstructed Drukgyel Dzong, originally built to commemorate a historic victory. Enjoy the mesmerizing backdrop of Mount Jomolhari before returning to Paro and exploring other attractions in the valley. Rest for the night at your Paro hotel.

DAY 03: PARO – GUR

Begin the trek by driving to Genekha village (2800m) and crossing a bridge over the Wang Chu (Thimphu River). Follow a well-defined track that gradually ascends through oak forest until reaching a rocky platform, offering a pleasant resting spot. From there, continue the ascent at a leisurely pace, passing through birch and bamboo forest until reaching the campsite located in a picturesque meadow at Gur (3350m). Spend the night at the campsite.

DAY 04: GUR – WATACHING

From Gur, we ascend on a well-marked trail, entering the alpine zone and enjoying panoramic views down the valley. After a couple of hours of walking, we reach the potential campsite at Gibze Kebze (3710m), where we can choose to camp or continue further to Pagalabsta La Pass (4170m) for stunning vistas of the Dagala range, before descending to Wataching (4100m), a stone yak herders hut, where we spend the night at the campsite.

DAY 05: WATACHING – LABATAMA

We traverse several ridges, gradually transitioning into rugged terrain as we follow the Labatama valley, passing yak herders’ huts. Finally, we reach a stunning campsite near Utsho Lake (4250m), renowned for its golden trout, where we have the opportunity to explore the area and potentially climb Jomo Peak for remarkable views of Kanchenjunga and Chomolhari, honoring the revered female deity that protects animals, with juniper burned as a sign of respect, before spending the night at the campsite.

DAY 06: LABATAMA – PANKA

After departing from Labatama, we traverse Labajong La Pass (4400m), with an optional detour to a scenic viewpoint, and depending on water availability, we will aim to camp at Panka, with the possibility of taking a different route if we decide to climb, spending the night at the campsite.

DAY 07: PANKA – TALAKHA MONASTERY

With a clear morning, witness awe-inspiring views of Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari, and Jichu Drake, among other Himalayan peaks, before continuing through a rhododendron forest teeming with Himalayan pheasants. Passing enormous cairns at Chole La Pass (4100m), we descend to Kiwi Chowa (4030m) and follow the northern route, passing a ruin that once served as a dzong. A ridge leads to Talakha Peak (4300m) offering panoramic views of the Thimphu Valley, and then we descend through a diverse forest to reach Talakha Monastery, where shy monks, stunning valley views, and even an outdoor bathtub provide a memorable experience at the campsite nearby.

DAY 08: TALAKHA MONASTERY – THIMPHU

Within an hour’s walk, we reach the road head and proceed by car through apple orchards to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, where we check into our hotel, have lunch, and then embark on sightseeing, including visits to the National Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Temple, and Zilukha Nunnery, experiencing the transformation of Thimphu from a rustic village to the thriving capital it is today, before spending the night at our hotel.

DAY 09: THIMPHU

Explore more of Thimphu’s attractions, including the School for Arts and Crafts, the National Library with its ancient Bhutanese scriptures, the Traditional Paper Factory, the Folk Heritage Museum showcasing a replica of a medieval farmhouse, and optional visits to the nursing pen for Takin, Tashichhodzong fortress, and the scenic hike to Tango and Cheri Monasteries, before ending the day with a stroll through the vibrant Thimphu Market if it falls on a weekend, and spend the night at your hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 10: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA

Embark on a scenic drive over Dochu-La pass, offering breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks, before descending into the pleasant Punakha valley, where you’ll visit Punakha Dzong, the historic palace built in 1637, situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu rivers, and later explore Chimi Lhakhang, the temple associated with the Divine Madman, who challenged orthodox Buddhism and is considered a symbol of fertility, before spending the night at your hotel in Punakha/Wangduephodrang.

DAY 11: PUNAKHA – THIMPHU

Embark on a morning drive to Yabesa village and hike through rice fields to reach Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, a beautiful hilltop stupa built by Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk, featuring paintings from the Nyingmapa tradition, followed by a riverside picnic lunch and a pleasant walk along the river bank back to Punakha Dzong, before driving back to Thimphu where you can explore handicraft and souvenir stores, and spend the night at your hotel.

DAY 12: THIMPHU – PARO

Enjoy a leisurely day in Thimphu or return to Paro to continue exploring the scenic valley before spending the night at your hotel, followed by breakfast and a drive to the airport for your onward flight. Tashi Delek!