Bhutan Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

Upon your arrival at Paro, the only International Airport in Bhutan, our guide and the drive will receive you and transfer the hotel. After checking and settling yourself in the new surrounding, you'll be on your first adventure. You would be able to visit all the site listed below if you arrive in the country before noon.

Sangchoekhor Monastery: Sangchoekhor monastery is located on a hilltop ridge overlooking the Paro Valley. The monastery is turned into a Buddhist College with more than 100 monks studying Buddhist philosophy. You'll have an opportunity to pray and meet with the monks.

Dungtse Lhakhang: It is said that this temple was built in the 14th century by the great Tibetan Saint Thangtong Gyalpo who is popularly known for building many iron bridges across Bhutan. This temple has a unique shape is believe to have been built to protect the people in the valley from being afflicted by leprosy.

National Museum of Bhutan: Housed in the 17th-century watchtower called Ta Dzong, the National Museum displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions of the country. After this, we will visit Paro Dzong.

Paro Rinpung Dzong: Paro Rinpung Dzong (Rinpung Dzong means “fortress of the heap of jewels”) was originally built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and established as the administrative and monastic centre of the western region. Today, the Dzong serves as the office of the governor of Paro district and head of the district monk body in Paro. After visiting the dzong, we take a short walk to the traditional wooden cantilever bridge built across the Paro river (Pa Chhu) just below the Dzong. The roofed wooden cantilever bridge is built in a traditional style and this type of bridges are called Bazam.

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. The round trip hike usually takes 4-5 hours through the ancient pilgrimage route shaded by pine trees and great views of Paro valley. Taktsang Monastery is the most popular tourist attraction in Bhutan.

After lunch at the Taksang Viewpoint Cafeteria, we retrace our footsteps back to the base and drive back to Paro town. En route visit an auspicious 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang which is believed to have been built overnight in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in his mission to subdue an evil spirit that was obstructing the propagation of Buddhism in the region.

Leisure time to explore Paro town.

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 a traditional lunch at the Folk Heritage Museum or a similar one, 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

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 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

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 Utso Lake (Turquise Lake). The campsite is right next to the lake.

Distance 12 km, Time 6-7 hours, Ascent 1,220m, Descent 110m, Camp Altitude 4,300m

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.

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

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 Gonpa. 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

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 it’s 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. 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”.

Driving distance 55km, Driving time 2-hours

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.