Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

Dagala thousand lake treks consist of six day and trek starts from Gynekha leading through some of the beautiful Bhutanese villages and then up to plenty of beautiful high altitude mountain lakes and provides dramatic views of the great Himalayan mountain ranges. You can see some of the highest mountains of the world in the kingdom of Bhutan.

Day 01: ARRIVE AT PARO
Your ‘Bhutan Sangay Tours’ guide will welcome you at the airport and drive you to the hotel. After lunch visit Rimpung Dzong built by the Unifier and then Kyichu Lhakhang one of the oldest temple in the country. By evening, walk around in the town of Paro. Dinner and halt in the hotel in Paro.

Day 02: PARO-DAY EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG
In the morning after breakfast, a short drive from the hotel to Ramthangka (start point). To avoid the hot sun an early start is advisable for the two-hour climb, via the cafeteria, to the tigers nest viewpoint. Descend steeply, and then climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall. One of the amazing and important pieces of architecture in Bhutan, Taktsang Goemba defies logic, gravity, and reason. Legend has it that cliff side was where Guru Rimpochoe (Padmasambhava) landed on the back of the flying Tigress, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet. Dinner and halt in the hotel.

Day 03: PARO-GYNEKHA-GUR (TREK BEGINS)
Today after breakfast, drive to the starting point from Paro which would take approximately 1hour to Gynekha.
Hike time: 5 hours   Estimated distance: 7km    Elevation: 700m ascent, 60m descent.  Camp at 3290m
The trek starts from beautiful Gynekha village with a short descent down to the river. From here – after crossing the river – you start climbing till you reach a huge rock platform from where you have a picturesque view of the valley below. After another two hours you reach Gur, some yak pastures below the main trail.

Day 04: GUR-LABATAMA
Hike time: 5 hours    Estimated distance: 12km   Elevation: 1040m ascent, 110m descent. Camp at 4300m
While trekking across the ridges, one enjoys the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation. The path winds through flowers and wild asparagus (in spring). The meadows are refreshing and inspiring. The first pass symbolized by a huge cairn gives a spectacular view of Kanjenjunga (Sikkim) and more or less all the Bhutanese Himalayan peaks. Descending the pass one will see the whole Dagala range, meadows and yak herders camp. Once descended into the Labatama valley you ascend gradually through the valley passing some yak herder huts till you reach Uthso Tsho. The campsite is right next to the lake.

Day 05: REST DAY AT LABATAMA
This day is ideal for an excursion to any of three lakes: Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jama Tsho. The day and place is also ideal for trout fishing.

Day 06: LABATAMA-PANKA
Hike time: 6 hours      Estimated distance: 8km    Elevation: 260m ascent, 520m descent. Camp at 4000m
The trail climbs along the western side of Dala Tsho up to a saddle at 4,520m from where you have again a majestic view of Himalayan peaks during descent. This point is around 4,460m. The mountain peaks include Everest (Nepal), Kanchenjunga (Sikkim), Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tsherim Gang, Khangbum, Masang Gang, Tsende Gang and 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 some ups and downs on the way.

Day 07: PANKA-TALAKHA
Hike time: 6 hours     Estimated distance: 8km    Elevation: 180m ascent, 1100m descent. Camp at 3080m
This day entails the crossing of several passes, none of them affording a major climb. Search for different varieties of blue poppy (June-July) and mountain birds. 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 with the early morning prayers of the monks. One has a great view of Bhutan’s capital Thimphu.

Day 08: TALAKHA-CHAMGANG-THIMPHU
Hike time: 3 hours    Estimated distance: 6km    Elevation: 440m descent.
From the monastery it’s a short walk down to the feeder road which will lead you to the village of Chamgang. Your car will be waiting for you. Drive to Thimphu.

Day 09: THIMPHU
Morning visit the memorial stupa that depicts the Buddhist teachings in form of paintings and statues. Originally the Third King who is known as the “Father of Modern Bhutan” initiated this temple to protect the nation against negative elements. His son the fourth King and the Grand Queen Mother completed the temple.
Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, where life in medieval Bhutan is still showcased; the National Library, the repository of all ancient books and manuscripts; and the Zilukha Nunnery and the 12th century Changangkha temple. Drive up to the highest viewpoint overlooking Thimphu valley and while returning, the Takin research center. Should time permit, visit Tashichhoe Dzong, the center of both spiritual and temporal powers.Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: THIMPHU-PARO
Today after breakfast, visit kuenselphodrang for the Buddha statue, Paper factory, Painting school collectively known as Zorig chusum and then; the National Handicraft Emporium for antique textile collections. Evening, drive back to paro. Dinner and halt in the hotel in Paro.

Day 11 DEPART FROM PARO
After early breakfast drive to Airport. Representative from Bhutan Wisdom Liberty will bid you farewell for your onward destination.

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