Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek is a powerful yet soul soothing treks in Bhutan. Your eyes get to enjoy the snow in a grand way with its richness in the landscape and the greenery making you feel connected to the nature like never before.
The trek takes you on a journey of crossing lakes and passing through the beautiful landscape which in a way itself is like a mediation.
Days: 13 days
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO
DAY 02: PARO
DAY 03: PARO – GUR (4-5 hours)
DAY 04: GUR – WATACHING (5 hours)
DAY 05: WATACHING – LABATAMA (4-5 hours)
DAY 06: LABATAMA – PANKA (5-6 hours)
DAY 07: PANKA – TALAKHA MONASTERY (5-6 hours)
DAY 08: TALAKHA MONASTERY – THIMPHU
DAY 09: THIMPHU
DAY 10: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA
DAY 11: PUNAKHA – THIMPHU
DAY 12: THIMPHU – PARO
DAY 13: DEPART PARO
As you get on with your adventure, the Paro Valley invites you warmly with the scenic view from the skies above and when the flight touches down the Shan-Ri-La airport, it assures you that your adventure is going to be new every day like how you are embraced by its air. Followed by a very authentic welcome section to officially let you embark the adventure.
Your afternoon session takes a very smooth yet relaxing spin including a hearty lunch and then visits to the local sites to explore Paro’s richness starting with the visit to Ta Dzong Museum. The tour helps you to understand the religious aspect of Bhutan and how its culture is inclined in it, in the form of arts and crafts.
The next visit takes you to visit your very first dzong known as the Rimpong Dzong. Bhutan holds a unique identity whereby this so-called ‘dzongs’, the combination of monastic body and administrative body, plays a significant role. It is also known as the ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’. The fort was one of the important structure to defend invasion by Tibet.
As the day surrenders itself to the night, your dinner awaits you at the hotel.
DAY 02: PARO
After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometer above the Paro valley floor (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to cafeteria). The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is an important pilgrim site for Buddhists. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. Afterwards drive to the ruins of the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, and 7th Century Kichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
DAY 03: PARO – GUR 4-5 hours
The day starts with a short drive to Genekha Village right after your breakfast, the point where the trek will commence. The trail is an ancient route which takes you through the bountifulness of the village. As you progress your climb, the clean air pulls you up from within and lets you to enjoy the serenity. There is a massive rock platform which hints that you are almost there to your destination, Gur, a popular yak grazing pasture just below the trail, there you will spend the night.
DAY 04: GUR – WATACHING 5 hours
White Mountain tops and flowers takes your attention as you climb up from Gur, placing you in the alpine zone. There is a possible campsite at Gibze Kebze (3710m) where we may camp if the altitude tends take over you. If not, moving on the path takes us into the rhododendron meadows to Pagalabsta La Pass (4170m) for fine views of the Dagala range. Continue downwards to a stone yak herders hut at Wataching (4100m). Overnight at campsite.
DAY 05: WATACHING – LABATAMA 4-5 hours
From Watching we cross several ridges gradually entering more rugged terrain, and follow a broad valley known locally as Labatama, dotted with several yak herders’ huts. We follow the valley to its end to a dramatic campsite below cliffs near to Utsho Lake (4250m), famous for its golden trout. There is time to explore this area and perhaps to climb Jomo if weather and energy allow. The route to Jomo Passes Setsho Lake and from its summit in fine weather are views of Kanchenjunga and Chomolhari. Jomo represents the female deity which protects animals and is much revered, as most people in the vicinity rely on cattle or horses for their livelihood. Juniper will be burned and locals may request that we stop at the lower peak (4530m) as a mark of respect. Overnight at campsite.
DAY 06: LABATAMA – PANKA 5-6 hours
Leaving Labatama, we cross Labajong La Pass (4400m). Around this altitude and above, you get a good view of the Mounts. For instance, Mount. Jumolhari and Mount. Kanchenjunga. Slowly, you descend down and pass towards the Doccha Chhu river and then you ascend up until you reach Panga. The yak herders would be there during summer time to let their yak gaze but during winter, they will shift to their winter stay.
DAY 07: PANKA – TALAKHA MONASTERY
5-6 hours
A clear early morning will reveal breathtaking views of Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari and Jichu Drake amongst many more Himalayan peaks. The path continues on through a forest of rhododendrons populated by Himalayan pheasants. We reach enormous cairns at Chole La Pass (4100m). From here, we drop down to Kiwi Chowa (4030m). Our route then continues to a pass at 3960m where four tracks converge. We follow the northern route past a ruin said to have once been a dzong to monitor the movement of locals between Wangduephodrang & Thimphu districts. A ridge leads to Talakha Peak (4300m) revealing great views of the Thimphu Valley. If there is a good weather, Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari and Jichu Drake should be visible from here. From Talakha peak we drop down steadily, sometimes steeply, to reach a mixed forest of fir, juniper, rhododendron, rose, bamboo and birch. Finally we reach Talakha Monastery whose shy monks, tremendous views over the Thimphu valley and outdoor bathtub make for a memorable stay. Overnight at a campsite near the monastery.
DAY 08: TALAKHA MONASTERY – THIMPHU
It’s only an hour’s walk down to the road head and soon we are driving through apple orchards to reach Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. After checking into your hotel and enjoy some time to unwind and eat lunch, enjoy sightseeing around Thimphu, once a rustic village sitting in a broad river valley and today the nation’s capital. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, completed by the Royal Queen Mother as a memorial stupa for the Third King. Continue on to 12th century Changangkha Temple and the Zilukha Nunnery. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
DAY 09: THIMPHU
Continue sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit the School for Arts and Crafts, The National Library housing the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century, the Traditional Paper Factory and a fascinating replica of a medieval farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum. If there is time, you may visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, and Tashichhodzong, ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’ housing some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Other options for the day include a hike to Tango and Cheri Monasteries (45 mins), two of the most ancient monasteries in the Thimphu region. If your visit coincides with the weekend, you can walk through the Thimphu Market. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
DAY 10: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA
Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms. In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour.
Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’. It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. It was here in 1907 that Bhutan’s first king was crowned.
After lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the Drukpa Kuenly who is also known as the Divine Madman. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is also considered a symbol of fertility and most childless couples go to his temple for blessing. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha/ Wangduephodrang.
DAY 11: PUNAKHA – THIMPHU
In the morning drive to Yabesa village and hike to through rice fields and up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions.
Take a picnic lunch on a riverside before enjoying a pleasant walk through farmland and along the picturesque river bank back to Punakha Dzong.
Drive back to Thimphu where you will have an opportunity to visit handicraft and souvenir stores. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
DAY 12: THIMPHU – PARO
The day is at leisure to relax in Thimphu before departing for Paro, or return to Paro early to further explore the beautiful Paro valley. Alternatively, day 12 could be spent on a day trip to the Haa Valley, one of the most picturesque districts in Bhutan. Reached via the beautiful Chelila Pass, Haa Valley is characterised by its surrounding rugged and mountainous terrain. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
DAY 13: DEPART PARO
Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.
Tashi Delek.