DAGALA THOUSAND LAKES TREK
13 days
12 nights
GRADE Easy
None
DAGALA THOUSAND LAKES TREK
The short trek starts near Thimphu, which crosses picturesque high altitude lakes. It is a moderate trek with many short trekking days mostly but with only few steep climbs.
Seasons: The favourable months for this trek are April, September and October.
DAY 1: Arrive Paro. 2250M.
The flight to Paro will offer a life time experience trip-you can see a spectacular sight of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan such as the Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsrim Gang. Upon arrival, our guide will receive and escort you to the hotel for check – in & Lunch.
Afternoon, visit the National Museum of Bhutan built in 1651 as watchtower for Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong). In 1968, it was converted to National Museum. The museum boasts of quite a collection of ancient Bhutanese arts, artefacts, weapons, coins, stamps and a small natural history collection. Drive to Paro Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in order to defend Paro Valley from the Tibetan invaders. It is now the head quarters of Paro District and Paro’s monastic community.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
DAY 2: Paro sightseeing.
Morning, drive northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyal Dzong (1646)-a ruined fortress – 16 kms away from the Paro Town. The dzong has historical signifance as it was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory of Bhutan against the Tibetans invaders. On a clear day, the peak of Jhomolhari “Mountain of the Goddess”, alt. 7329 m (24,029 ft) can be visible. On the way back, visit a typical Bhutanese farm house; visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple built by first King of Tibet Songsten Gembo. After lunch at the hotel, visit Ta Dzong built as watch tower for Paro Dzong now converted to National Museum. The collection includes art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, as well as a small natural history collection. Walk down to Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) meaning ‘Fortress of the heap of Jewels”. Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.
DAY 3: Paro -Thimphu. 68 KM. 2 Hours. 2350M.
Head to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take around less than 2 hours. On the way back, visit the oldest fortress in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong (built in 1627). Drive towards Thimphu, check in at the hotel. After lunch, visit the National Memorial stupa of the Late King, built in 1974, visit the Indigenous Hospital, where traditional medicine (outside only) is still practiced, and finally visit the Institute of Zorig Chusum (the Painting School), where students learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan, visit National Library which preserves ancient Buddhist literature and many ancient Buddhist texts in block-printed format. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
DAY 4: Thimphu - sightseeing.
Full day Thimphu sightseeing: after breakfast, visit the following as time permits: visit Sangyegang (viewpoint) overlooking Thimphu, way back make a visit to mini zoo, where the National animal of Bhutan (Takin) is kept, drive further down to Dupthop Nunnery, make a visit to Traditional Paper factory. After lunch visit Changangkha monastery, visit Tashichhodzong, (“the fortress of the glorious religion”), houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and finally if time permits make a visit to folk heritage museum and Textile museum, towards evening stroll in town. Overnight stay at hotel in Thimphu.
DAY 5: Thimphu - Genekha. 14km, 4 hours
Drive for 45 minutes to the starting point of the trek. The first day’s walk takes you over a mule path, passes by terraced fields and abundance coniferous forest, and ends after four hours at the sign board of Genekha School. Overnight Genekha Camp (2,800m) alongside a stream.
DAY 6: Genekha - Gur. 15Km. 4 hours.
The trial leaves Genekha (the village of medieval metallurgists) and begins true communion with nature as you will come across rich varieties of alpine flora and also some animals and several birds. Climb uphill for 2 hours, then a rest at a huge rock platform, offers picturesque view of the valley below. Walk for 2 hours more, to end the day’s trek. Camp at Gur, in the heart of the wood and is ideal for an afternoon stroll. Flowers grow in abundance in spring. Altitude: 3350m.
DAY 7: Gur - Labatama. 12 Km. 5 hours.
Trekking across the ridges, one enjoys beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation. The trek today is leads you across meadows, amidst flowers and wild asparagus. If the trek is taken in spring, one almost feels as if one’s is walking over carpets of flowers. The first pass is indicated by a huge cairn which provides a spectacular view of the whole Dagala range, alpine meadows and the yak herder’s camps. We rest for lunch near a yak-herder’s camp. After lunch walk pass hills and meadows. The trek ends at Yutsho Lake (golden trout abound), after almost 5 hours. Overnight Camp. Altitude: 4050m.
DAY 8: Labatama halt.
You have three options of explorations of any three lakes: Relitsho, Hentsho andJamatsho. Your trekking leader may brief you about the mystical stories of these lakes. It is also ideal for some trout fishing. Go back to camp and take rest in preparation for next Day.
Day 9: Labatama halt
Extension by one more day to visit Setsho and nearby lakes. The excursion to Setsoi lake is very easy (15 minutes), one can spend whole day trout fishing with packed lunch. Or one could also cross over a small ridge and go down to Jagetsho lake, or afterwards walk over a small ridge and then down to Jagetsoí Lake or if ambitious, attempt climbing Jomo, a 5050m peak. Take lunch at the summit, where spectacular view surrounds this place. Go back to camp and take rest in preparation for next Day.
DAY 10: Labatama - Panaka. 8 Km. 4 hours.
The walk takes 20 minutes upwards, before the descent at around 4,460m above sea level. Your trekking guide will identify peaks like Everest, Kanchenjunga, Jhomolhari, Jichu Drakey, Tsrim Gang, Kangbum, Masagang, Tsendaygang and Gangchen Ta. The trail passes through meadows, shrubs and lakes. The Himalayan monal pheasants are a common sight apart from yaks and horses. Overnight camp on a grassy meadow at Panka. Altitude: 4000m.
DAY 11: Panaka - Talekha. 8 Km. 4 hours.
Today you will cross several impressive passes. You will also come across many varieties of blue poppy (June-July trek), and mountain birds on the way. Take lunch at the point where the trail divides into two paths leading to Talekha and Wangduephodrang respectively. After lunch, the an hour of gradual climbs takes you to the top of the last ridge of the Dagala range from where one can witness spectacular view of Thimphu below. It looks as though Thimphu is spread in the palm of the observer's hand. An hour walk downhill takes you to your last camp, a little above Talekha monastery. Overnight Camp. Altitude: 3080m.
Day 12: Talekha – Thimphu – Paro 6km, 2 hours
Today’s trek, takes you through alpine and mixed vegetation (bamboo thickets and wild flowers) till you reach Talekha monastery and village. The view of Thimphu is superb from here. Passing through mixed vegetation and apple orchards, one finally reaches the main motorable road to Thimphu where your transport awaits. The trek ends here and the total hour of trekking is 3 to 4 hours. Drive to Paro, about an hour. Afternoon, take your own leisure time for relaxing. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 13: Depart Paro
Drive to air port after your breakfast for your onward destination. Our guide will bid you farewell at the air port.
