Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek in Bhutan
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💎 Why we love it ?
On this 10 Days 9 Nights journey including a 6-Day trek through the pristine environment home to some of the world’s most endangered species of fauna and shimmering crystal-clear mountain lakes, you will discover what sets Bhutan apart from the rest of the world. On Day 2, you’ll hike to the most recognized and a ‘must visit’ sacred site in Bhutan, Paro Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest, hanging on the face of a steep rock cliff. The six-day trek from Day 4-9 will take you through an area adorned with several pristine, crystal clear lakes. As you walk amidst the shimmering lakes you’ll be treated to stunning views of the entire Himalayan mountain range and some of the world’s highest peaks including Mt. Everest, Mt. Jomolhari, Mt. Masang Gang, Mt. Jichu Drake, Mt. Gangchen Ta, and many more.
🏁 Tour Itinerary: Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek in Bhutan
Day 1: Arrive Paro International Airport – Sightseeing in Paro (2195m)
Arrive Paro International airport by either of only two airlines operating in and out of Bhutan; Drukair, the national flag carrier, or Bhutan Airlines, a private airline that was started in 2011. You will be received by our guide and driver at the exit gate and then transfer to the hotel. After checking in and settling yourself in the new surroundings, you will be taken on your first adventure into ‘The Thunder Dragon Kingdom’. You’ll visit a unique 14th-century temple called Dungtse Lhakhang, the National Museum of Bhutan, and an impressive 17th-century Paro Dzong.
Paro Altitude 2,195m/7,200ft
🏚️ Hotel Option: Overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Hotel Olathang.
Day 2: Acclimatization – Hike to the famed Tiger’s Nest (3120m)
After breakfast, drive to Ramthangka, the base of the Taktsang monastery. Taktsang monastery is located on the face of a sheer 800-meter rock cliff in Paro. It normally takes about 2 hours to reach the monastery from the road head. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Bhutan. On the way back to Paro town, visit an auspicious 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang which is believed to have been built overnight by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 A.D.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Hotel Olathang.
Day 3: Paro / Transfer to Thimphu (2334m)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. It is a 55km road journey and it should not take more than 2 hours including stopovers on the way. You’ll visit Bhutan Postal Museum if you are interested in philatelic and stamp collection. You can also have stamps printed with your own photo. Visit Royal Textile Museum to get insight into Bhutan’s rich textile traditions and the way of life, the National Institute of Zorig Chusum where 13 traditional arts & crafts of Bhutan are taught.
After lunch, visit the giant Buddha Dordhenma Statue on a hilltop overlooking Thimphu Valley and explore Thimphu streets which boasts of being the only capital city in the world without traffic lights and billboards.
Distance 55 km
Time 2 hours
Thimphu Altitude 2,334m/7,655ft
🏚️ Hotel Option: Overnight at Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara.
Day 4: [Trek Begins] Thimphu Genekha Village / Gur (3290m)
After early breakfast, drive to Genekha village, the starting point for an adventurous 6-day trek which is the main highlight of this 10-day trip. Genekha village is located about 45 minutes drive (33 km) from Thimphu main town along the Thimphu – Phuentsholing highway before Chuzom (confluence). While the horses and mules are being loaded with trekking paraphernalia and supplies, you can visit the community temple and explore the village.
The trek starts at a beautiful Genekha village and begins with a short descent to the river. After crossing the river you start climbing until you reach a huge rock platform from where you have a picturesque view of the valley below. After another two hours, you reach Gur, an area of yak pastures located just below the main trail.
Distance 7 km
Time 5 hours
Ascent 550m
Descent 210m
Camp Altitude 3,290m
🏚️ Accommodation: Campsite.
Day 5: Gur / Labatama (4300m)
On the second day, the trail takes you across the high ridges from where you can truly appreciate the rugged beauty of your surroundings and the mountain vegetation. The path winds through refreshing meadows adorned with wildflowers and asparagus (in spring). The first mountain pass you cross is marked by a huge cairn and gives a spectacular view of Kanjenjunga (Sikkim) and a number of the Bhutanese Himalayan peaks. As you descend the pass you will be able to see the entirety of the Dagala mountain range including meadows and yak herder camps. Once you have descended into the Labatama valley you begin climbing gradually through the valley, passing several yak herder huts before you arrive at Uthso Tsho. The campsite is right next to the lake.
Distance 12 km
Time 6-7 hours
Ascent 1,220m
Descent 110m
Camp Altitude 4,300m
🏚️ Accommodation: Campsite.
Day 6: Rest Day in Labatama (4300m)
This day will be dedicated to relaxing and recuperating at Labatama. It is an excellent opportunity to take an excursion to any of three nearby lakes: Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho, and Jama Tsho, and appreciate the pristine environment. If you are interested, you’ll have an opportunity to engage in some trout fishing in the pristine mountain lake as the location is ideal. Permits are required for fishing so you should let us know of your interest for us to make the necessary arrangements in advance. The one-day fishing permit will cost USD7 for one person.
🏚️ Accommodation: Campsite.
Day 7: Labatama / Panka (4000m)
The trail climbs along the western side of Dala Tsho up to a saddle at 4,520m. From here onwards you will have a fantastic view of the majestic Himalayan peaks all through the descent. The mountain peaks visible include Mt. Everest (Nepal), Mt. Kanchenjunga (Sikkim), Mt. Jomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drake, Mt. Tshering Gang, Mt. Khangbum, Mt. Masang Gang, Mt. Tsende Gang and Mt. Gangche Ta. If you want an even better view, you can climb a peak close to the saddle with an altitude of 4,720m. From the saddle, the path descends, passing some yak herder huts to Doccha Chhu. You follow the river for a while, but stay higher up on the slope to reach Panka with ascents and descents along the way.
Distance 12 km
Time 6-7 hours
Ascent 1,220m
Descent 110m
Camp Altitude 4,000m
🏚️ Accommodation: Campsite.
Day 8: [Trek Ends] Panka / Talakha Monastery (3040m)
This day entails the crossing of several passes but none of them require a major climb. You should keep your eyes open for different varieties of blue poppy (June-July) and mountain birds while in this area. After crossing the last pass, Tale La (4,180m) you start a long descent to Talakha Gompa. You will camp right beside the monastery and wake up to the early morning prayers of the monks. From here you will be treated to a great view of Bhutan’s capital Thimphu.
Distance 8 km
Time 5-6 hours
Ascent 180m
Descent 110m
Camp Altitude 3,080m
🏚️ Accommodation: Campsite.
Day 9: Talakha Monastery / Chamgang Village / Transfer to Paro (2195m)
Today after leisurely breakfast, our trekking crew will bid you farewell. We will then drive to Paro. En route, visit Tamchog Lhakhang dedicated to the 15th century Tibetan saint Thangthong Gyalpo popularly know as the iron bridge builder. It is located across the Pachhu river along the Paro – Thimphu highway. To visit the temple you will have to cross an iron chain bridge over the Pachu river, one of the very few remaining of the many iron chain bridges built by Thangthong Gyalpo. The temple’s location on the ridge and the high rocky barren hills which serve as its backdrop makes this a good location to take pictures.
After lunch in Paro town or at the hotel, spend some leisure exploring the streets of Paro. Towards the late afternoon, visit one of the beautiful farmhouses and get insight into local culture and cuisine. A delicious dinner of authentic home-cooked local cuisine will be served. If you are interested, you can soak in a therapeutic and revitalizing traditional hot stone bath for an additional fee of about USD15 per person. Specially selected river stones believed to contain minerals are heated in a wood-fired fireplace and dropped into a chamber of wooden tub releasing minerals. If desired, you can lighten up with a warm cup of locally brewed liquor known as “Ara”.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort.
Day 10: Transfer to Paro International Airport for Departure
After breakfast, transfer you to Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Your guide will assist you to complete all exit formalities before you check in.
Terms & Conditions
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation for up to 30 days prior to departure date
- 20% will be charged if cancelled 16-29 days prior to departure date
- 30% will be charged if cancelled 08-15 days prior to departure date
- 50% will be charged if cancelled 03-07 days prior to departure date
- No refund will be available if No Show or cancelled 0-02 days prior to departure date
Flights
The flight tends to get fully booked months ahead especially during the peak season. We highly recommend you book flights a few months ahead of your departure date. We can help with the arrangement of flights to and from Bhutan. There are only two airlines operating in and out of Bhutan:
- Drukair, the national flag carrier of Bhutan (www.drukair.com.bt) operates from and to these cities/International Airports: Bangkok, Bagdogra, Bodhgaya, Dhaka, Delhi, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Singapore.
- Bhutan Airlines, a private airline introduced in 2011 (www.bhutanairlines.bt) operates from and to these cities/International Airport: Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu
Other Important Information
- Airport pick-up and drop-off time will be coordinated depending on your flight timings
- For the purpose of processing a visa, you must send us a clear passport copy of all the participants after you book the tour. A whole biodata page including the machine-readable zone must be seen clearly. It can be either scanned or just a mobile photo shot as long as it is clear and legible. Passports should have a validity of at least SIX MONTHS from the day you depart from Bhutan.
- You’ll receive a copy of your approved e-Visa Clearance letter in PDF format within 3-4 business days from the day the visa application is submitted. You MUST print a copy of this letter and present it at the check-in counter of the airline flying into Bhutan. Without the proof of an e-Visa Clearance letter, you may be denied boarding the flight to Bhutan. The actual visa will be stamped on your passport on arrival at the Paro International Airport.
- Child(ren) below 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult
- All participants between the age of 13 – 18 years old must send us a valid copy of the Student Photo ID Card/document after booking the tour.
- All our tour guides speak very fluent English. Guides speaking other major languages (Chinese, Japanese, French & German) can be arranged at an additional fee of $120 per day.
- You must let us know prior to your arrival if you have any dietary restrictions/preference.
General Inquiries
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From: $3,090.00
