The Bhutan Dagala Thousand lakes trek takes you into an area adorned with a multitude of 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, Jomolhari, Masang Gang, Jichu Drake, Gangche Ta and many more.
During the trek an entire day will be dedicated to visiting some of the more picturesque lakes and resting. The trail also takes you through several Bhutanese villages so you can get a good idea of traditional Bhutanese village life as you make your way back from the lakes.
While this is a somewhat strenuous trek, it is well worth the effort because of the tranquility and beauty of natural landscape that you will enjoy during the journey. The best time to embark on this trek is between April-June or September –October.
- Trip / Tour Duration : Eleven Days
- Max Elevation : 4000 m
- Difficulty Level : Easy – Medium
- Best month : March – June, September – November
Trip Highlights
- Visit to fascinating Dagala Thousand lakes
- Experience nomadic life style of Yak herders
- Enjoy watching beautiful Thimphu valley from the top above
- Day hike to Tiger’s Nest of Bhutan
Day 01: Arrive Paro, Bhutan – Thimphu
Upon arrival in Paro, you are met and transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Visit to Buddha Dordenma, considered as one of the largest Buddha Stupa in the world. Visit to Changangkha Temple, the temple dedicated to new born child. Visit to National Library, where world largest book is preserved. Visit to Centenary Farmers Market, where organic vegetables as sold. In the evening visit to Tashichho Dzong, the office of the His Majesty the King of Bhutan and Monastic Body. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha – Thimphu (Day Excursion)
After early breakfast, we will enjoy a beautiful day excursion drive to Punakha. Enroute to Dochu La Pass. During clear weather one can able to witness the Panoramic view of Himalayan range. Visit to Chimi Lhakhang Temple, the temple dedicated to Lam Drukpa Kuenley and followed by a visit to impressive Punakha Dzong(fortress) Afternoon, drive back to Thimphu for overnight stay. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Thimphu – Gyenkha – Gur (Trek Begin)
(Distance 7 km, 5 hours, 550 m ascent, 210 m descent, camp altitude 3,290 m) Drive short distance to south of Thimphu for an hour to Gyenekha village. The trek starts at beautiful Gynekha 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 below. After another two hours you reach Gur, an area of yak pastures located just below the main trail. Overnight in tents.
Day 04: Gur- Lambatama
(Distance 12 km, 6 hours, 1,220m ascent, 110m descent, camp altitude 4,300m) 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 wild flowers and asparagus (in spring). The first mountain pass you cross is marked by a huge cairn and gives a spectacular view of Kanjenjunga (Sikkim in India) and 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. Overnight in tents.
Day 05: In Lambatama
This day will be dedicated to relaxing and recuperating at Labatama. It is an ideal to take an excursion to any of three nearby lakes: Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jama Tsho. There is an opportunity to engage in some trout fishing. Permits are required for fishing so you should let us know to make the necessary arrangements beforehand. Overnight in tents. (For those who are short on time, this day could be removed)
Day 06: Labatama- Panka
(Distance 8 km, 4-5hrs (+1hr for optional climb), 260m ascent, 520m descent, camp altitude 4,000m) 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. Overnight in tents.
Day 07: Pankha- Talakha-Chamgang- Paro
(Distance 10 km, 5-6 hours, 70m ascent, 1000m descent) This day entails the crossing of several passes but none of them require a major climb. Watch out for different varieties of blue poppy (June-July) and birds while in this area. After crossing the last pass, Tale La (4,180m) you start a long descent to Chamgang. However, the new dirt road has come up quite a bit. If the road condition is good, you may only have to walk till the monastery saving few kilometers on foot. Meet your vehicle and drive to Paro, which takes about 2hrs. This evening we hope to visit Rinphung Dzong and others as per available time. Overnight in hotel at Paro.
Day 08: (Day hike to Taktsang)
Transfer to the trail head and hike to famous Taktsang or Tiger’s nest monastery. Upon return visit the ruins of Drukgyel dzong and other sights in Paro. In the evening stroll around Paro town with option for farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in hotel.
Day 09: Departure / Exit
Transfer to Paro airport in time for your departure flight back home.
Upon arrival in Paro, you are met and transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Visit to Buddha Dordenma, considered as one of the largest Buddha Stupa in the world. Visit to Changangkha Temple, the temple dedicated to new born child. Visit to National Library, where world largest book is preserved. Visit to Centenary Farmers Market, where organic vegetables as sold. In the evening visit to Tashichho Dzong, the office of the His Majesty the King of Bhutan and Monastic Body. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha – Thimphu (Day Excursion)
After early breakfast, we will enjoy a beautiful day excursion drive to Punakha. Enroute to Dochu La Pass. During clear weather one can able to witness the Panoramic view of Himalayan range. Visit to Chimi Lhakhang Temple, the temple dedicated to Lam Drukpa Kuenley and followed by a visit to impressive Punakha Dzong(fortress) Afternoon, drive back to Thimphu for overnight stay. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Thimphu – Gyenkha – Gur (Trek Begin)
(Distance 7 km, 5 hours, 550 m ascent, 210 m descent, camp altitude 3,290 m) Drive short distance to south of Thimphu for an hour to Gyenekha village. The trek starts at beautiful Gynekha 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 below. After another two hours you reach Gur, an area of yak pastures located just below the main trail. Overnight in tents.
Day 04: Gur- Lambatama
(Distance 12 km, 6 hours, 1,220m ascent, 110m descent, camp altitude 4,300m) 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 wild flowers and asparagus (in spring). The first mountain pass you cross is marked by a huge cairn and gives a spectacular view of Kanjenjunga (Sikkim in India) and 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. Overnight in tents.
Day 05: In Lambatama
This day will be dedicated to relaxing and recuperating at Labatama. It is an ideal to take an excursion to any of three nearby lakes: Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jama Tsho. There is an opportunity to engage in some trout fishing. Permits are required for fishing so you should let us know to make the necessary arrangements beforehand. Overnight in tents. (For those who are short on time, this day could be removed)
Day 06: Labatama- Panka
(Distance 8 km, 4-5hrs (+1hr for optional climb), 260m ascent, 520m descent, camp altitude 4,000m) 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. Overnight in tents.
Day 07: Pankha- Talakha-Chamgang- Paro
(Distance 10 km, 5-6 hours, 70m ascent, 1000m descent) This day entails the crossing of several passes but none of them require a major climb. Watch out for different varieties of blue poppy (June-July) and birds while in this area. After crossing the last pass, Tale La (4,180m) you start a long descent to Chamgang. However, the new dirt road has come up quite a bit. If the road condition is good, you may only have to walk till the monastery saving few kilometers on foot. Meet your vehicle and drive to Paro, which takes about 2hrs. This evening we hope to visit Rinphung Dzong and others as per available time. Overnight in hotel at Paro.
Day 08: (Day hike to Taktsang)
Transfer to the trail head and hike to famous Taktsang or Tiger’s nest monastery. Upon return visit the ruins of Drukgyel dzong and other sights in Paro. In the evening stroll around Paro town with option for farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in hotel.
Day 09: Departure / Exit
Transfer to Paro airport in time for your departure flight back home.
Cost Information
For any Price related information do mail us at : bhutantravelmadness@gmail.com or Contact us at : +975 17113852
Service Included
- All room on twin sharing basis and tent on twin basis during trek
- All meals throughout the trip (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Accompanied by a good English speaking trekking tour guide throughout the trek
- Necessary trekking permit
- Boiled water during trek and bottled water during local sightseeing
- Trekking cook during the trek
- Pack and ponies / horse during the trek
- Mattress and Pillion during trek
- Trekking crew
- All hotel taxes / service charge
- Any required route permit
- Entrance fees to various monuments
Not Included
- Any airfare to / from Bhutan
- Any trekking gears such as sleeping bag, walking stick, sunglass, sunscreen & trekking shoe
- Any laundry
Any tips to guide / driver and the expedition team members
