Dagala Thousand Lake Trek: The Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek in Bhutan is a captivating journey through pristine landscapes, alpine meadows, and high-altitude lakes. It is a 5-day trek near Thimphu, to a large number of lovely high-altitude lakes. The Trek is easy and most trekking days are short but there are some long steep climbs. It starts from Khoma (near Thimphu) and ends in Simtokha, Thimphu. The highest point is 4300 Meters.
Paro International Airport.
Thimphu Gaynekha and ends at Simtokha Thimphu
Moderate
4500 meters.
51 km from the starting point to the end Point.
As you enter Paro valley, you will sweep past green forested hills with the silvery Pa Chhu (Paro river) meandering down the valley. Our representative from Excursion to Himalayas will meet you at Paro airport and followed by visa formalities, collection of baggage, and transfer to the hotel. Spend your day relaxing. Take a stroll around and explore the town area. Your day will be at leisure.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel, Halt at Paro.
After breakfast, drive to the ruins of Drukgyel dzong, now in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in1644; the dzong name’s means indeed “ victorious Druk “. The Dzong was used as an administrative center until 1951 when a fire caused by butter lamp destroyed it. Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century and then visit Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses administrative offices. After lunch visit the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, which has been, since 1967, the national museum of Bhutan. In the evening a two hours drive to Thimphu, check in hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Route: Khoma – Geynikha:
Distance: 14Km
Time took: 4 Hours
Walk through terraced Paddy fields and coniferous forests to the settlement of Geynikha (2950 meters). The route then descends to a Chorten that marks a camping place alongside a stream at 2800 meters.
Route: Geynikha – Gur
Distance: 5Km
Time Taken: 4 Hours
Crossing a suspension bridge, the trail heads west for a while, then climbs steeply towards the south to a rock platform and a crest at 3200 meters. A further walk of about two hours leads to a camp in a forest clearing at 3350 meters.
Route: Gur – Labatamba
Distance: 12 Km
Time Taken: 5hrs.
Cross the pass at 4240 meters for a view of Spectacular Dagala village. Pass through several herders camps en route to the foot of the broad Labatamba valley at 4300 meters near Utso Lake, where plenty of Golden Trout flourishes. There are so many lakes in the vicinity. Camp near the lake.
Route: Labatamba – Panka
Distance: 8Km
Time Taken: 4 Hours
The trail climbs along the western side of the lake to the saddle at 4500 meters, where there are good mountain views. From the pass, there is a steep descent to another lake at 4350 meters. A short distance beyond the lake leads to the valley and then to Panka at 4000 meters.
Route: Panka – Talakha:
Distance: 8Km
Time Taken: 4 Hours
The route leads north crossing a pass at 4000 meters, then climbs along the side of the ridge to a crest at 4270 meters. From here there is a view of the Dagala range and a view of Thimphu, far to the North. It is then a long descent through forests to the Goemba and village of Talakha (3083 meters).
Route: Talakha – Simtokha
Distance: 3Km
Time Taken: 3 Hours
Walk downhill on a steep trail to Simtokha from where the Vehicle will pick you up and drive to Thimphu. After lunch, sightseeing in Thimphu includes the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts followed by a visit to the Painting School, famous for carving and free hand art, and the National Institute of Traditional medicine. After lunch visit the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built in 1627 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, a monument dedicated to the Third King of Bhutan.
Then visit Handicrafts Emporium to see the exquisite artistry of traditional crafts and textiles. Visit to TashichhoDzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion), built in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and reconstructed in 1961 by the Late King, His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wang chuck, who is regarded as the Father of Modern Bhutan. Evening free for shopping and leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Thimphu – Punakha – Wangdi: (72 Km, 3 hours drive). After breakfast, Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. While in Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river).
En route stop for a while to view Chimi Lhakhang also called the “Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as “Devine Mad man” in the 15th century. En route sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang, it includes a visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside) built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered an auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Overnight in Hotel.
Wangdi Phodrang – Thimphu – Paro: After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Lunch in Thimphu. After lunch, drive to Paro. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Depart from Airport
