Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek
Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek takes you into the high foothills of the Himalayas inside Bhutan to
an area full of clear lakes. This trek is one of the iconic trekking trails in Bhutan, where one can
hardly see trekkers on the trail. This trek takes five days to complete, starting from Thimphu
and ending at Thimphu. Why choose this trek? If you trek Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek, you
will come across many crystal-clear lakes and can find a stunning view of the highest unclimbed
peaks. This trek takes you to bird-rich areas, wild alpine flowers, amazing meadows, and
marshland.
- Tour Facts
Tour Name: Dagala Thousand lakes Trek
Tour type: Trek and Cultural tour
Duration: 11Days/10Nights
Grade: Easy and Moderate
Season: March to June and September to November
Date: Flexible
Place: Tiger Nest, Paro, Thimphu, Dochu La pass, and Punakha
- Tour and Trek Highlights
❖ Trek starts from Geynekha village and ends at Chamgang in Thimphu
❖ An ancient trail is used by Daga Penlops (Governor) to travel Thimphu and vice versa
❖ In a day, the average walking distance is 11 KM and the average walking time 7 hours
❖ Duration of the trek six days and highest camp altitude will be at 4300m
❖ Max elevation 4000M and Min elevation 1500M
❖ Moderate trekking in Bhutan and Panoramic Mountain views.
❖ Attraction: High Mountain passes, ruins of Daga Penlop guest house, variety of
wildflowers, yak pastures, amazing mountain view, and beautiful Dagala lakes
❖ One can find the homes of local herders
❖ Includes visiting Tigers nest, Cultural sightseeing in Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha
- Itinerary highlights
Day 01: Arrival at Paro airport and do local sightseeing at Paro
Day 02: Paro sightseeing (Tiger nest hike)
Day03: Drive from Paro – Geynekha, Trek: Geynekha –Gur
Day 04: Trek: Gur – Labatama
Day 05: Trek: Labatama – Kheri Khewa
Day 06: Trek: Kheri Khewa -Tshokam
Day 07: Trek Tshokam -Chamgang, Thimphu
Day 08: Thimphu Local sightseeing
Day 09: Thimphu to Punakha
Day 10: Punakha to Paro
Day 11: Departure
Day 01: Arrival at Paro airport and do local sightseeing at Paro
The flight to Paro is one of the eye-catching of the highest mountains in the world. You will see great Himalayan peaks like Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu. Take the first glimpse of a happy country. On arrival at Paro Airport, you will be welcomed and escorted by company representatives from Bhutan Travel Light Tours and taken to the hotel. Start your first sightseeing trip to Bhutan through Nyima Zam Bridge and Rinpung Dzong, a castle and a monastery. One of Bhutan’s tentative sites in the UNESCO plan lists for future World Heritage Sites. This is where Bernardo Bertolucci’s film “Little Buddha” was shot. Just above the dzong stands Ta dzong (watchtower fortress), now converted into the National Museum of Bhutan. If you have a morning flight, you will take a short hike to Zuri Dzong, home to the valley’s local protector. On the way to town, stop at the Iron Bridge Maker temple and visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the first-ever built temple in the country. The day ends up exploring the elegant traditional houses of Paro town
Day 02: Paro sightseeing (Tiger nest hike)
Today, after breakfast, you will be prepared to visit the notable landmark of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Nevertheless, your day will be exciting during your stay in Bhutan. You will be hiking the top icon of Bhutan, sitting more than 800 meters above Paro Valley; the most heart-touching ‘Taktsang’ (Tiger Nest monastery) perches on a cliff face of the mountain. It is renowned to the outside world for its uniqueness and spectacular position. Overnight stay at Paro.
Day 03: Drive from Paro – Geynekha, Trek: Geynekha – Gur
TREK 7KM |4 – 5 HOURS| 550M ASCENT|210M DESCENT| CAMP ALT 3350
Today, we will drive to Geynekha village, the starting point of the Dagala Thousand Lake trek, which takes a 2-hour drive. After 40 minutes of the drive, we will reach Chuzom, the confluence of two rivers (Paro River and Thimphu River). From here, the vehicle will start ascending until we reach Geynekha village. In the past decades, the people of Thimphu and Paro used the trail in this area to connect. Since this area has been rich in minerals, watch the ruined caste of Geynekha. From here, your trek will start; after crossing the river and climbing up for an hour, you will reach the picturesque views of the valley (3200m). After another 1 – 2-hour hike, you will get to your campsite at Gur—overnight camp at 3350M.
Day 04: Trek: Gur – Labatama
TREK 12KM |5 – 6 HOURS| 1220M ASCENT|110M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4050 This morning, you will start climbing up through beautiful forest unless you reach pastures land at the top of the mountain at an elevation of 3440m. Further climbing (3710m) leads to a herder settlement called Gibze Kebze. Some people use this place for the campsite too. As you keep on ascending, you will soon reach a pass called Pagalabtsa La pass (4170m). From here, you can see the scattered panorama mountain landscape of the Dagala range. Don’t get confused about the trail at this point; take the east direction, where you can see a herder house with stone. Continue on your trek; as you descend gently, you will soon reach Labatama village (4050m) for today’s campsite. This is a junction of trails between northwest to Thimphu and south to Dagana. This place is a summer home for local herders. Explore the surrounding areas; overnight will be here only—overnight camp at 4050M.
Day 05: Trek: Labatama – Kheri Khewa
TREK 11KM |6 – 7 HOURS| 440M ASCENT| 690M DESCENT | CAMP ALT3800M
Today, you will trek from Labatama to Kheri Khewa, but you can take an easier route along with your trekking staff or trek a challenging path. We always recommend that our guests take a difficult trail. When you trek this demanding route, you can come across 108 small lakes in this area. Start climbing to a high trail unless reaching around Serbho Lake and other lakes nearby. Continue climbing to a pass at 4520m, and further climb leads to the Dagala peak (Jomo peak) at 4715m. This is an area of Aum Jomo (Goddess of Dagala). From here, in clear weather, you can also see a view of Jomolhari and Kanchenjunga (one of the highest peaks of Bhutan). After having a good time there, continue descending, crossing Herder’s campsite. You will still come across a small stream, then continue descending down and later join with the lower route. After a pleasant walk, you will come across beautiful pastures with amazing views, and your camp will be waiting for you all at Kheri Khewa—an overnight camp at 3800M.
Day 06: Trek: Kheri Khewa – Tshokam
TREK 10KM |6 – 7 HOURS| 400M ASCENT|450M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 3770M
Today, you will be hiking in the beautiful landscape of Dagala and covering a moderate distance. Take it easy. You will be crossing passes over 4200m for a better view. There also wants to be much elevation change, but vegetation will definitely change at Tshokam (dried lake). We will spend our last night of the trek at this place. Overnight camp at 3770M.
Day 07: Trek Tshokam – Chamgang, Thimphu
TREK 08KM |4 – 5 HOURS| 50M ASCENT|1500M DESCENT |
Today, you will keep descending unless reaching Chamgang, where your vehicle will be waiting for you to pick up. Say goodbye to your trekking staff and proceed to your hotel. On the way, visit the first-ever fortress built in the country and drive back to your hotel.
Day 08: Thimphu Local sightseeing
In Thimphu, your day begins with visiting Buddha Point (gigantic bronze Buddha Dordenma statue) on the mountain overlooking the southern approach of Thimphu town. Take a short hike from Kuensel Phodrang to Changangkha fortress-like temple. This is a temple where parents come to get auspicious names for their newborns and blessings for their young children. Just notice yourself. Join with Buddhist devotees performing their daily rituals and prayers at the whitewashed semi-spherical Memorial Chorten. Visit the painting school where you can see the students specialising in painting (furniture and thangkas). On the other side stands a folk heritage museum which gives you a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle. Take a walk from Norzin Lam Street to see the clock tower of Thimphu; interestingly, you will see the traffic police signalling in the heart of the town junction. Continue your walk to the handicraft market, where varieties of Bhutanese souvenirs are displaced and bought for reasonable prices.
Day 09: Thimphu to Punakha
Drive to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan, pausing at Dochula Pass to see the panoramic view of Bhutan’s most astounding, highest snow-clad Himalayan peaks. It is the best place for a photographer to take a picture of a 360-degree aerial view of 108 Stupas and snow-clad Himalayan peaks. Walk to Chime Lhakhang (fertility temple). This temple is dedicated to a 15th-century famous saint called Lam Drukpa Kunley, also known as the “Divine Madman”, who flourishes Buddhism through outrageous and scandalous sexual exploits. After that, visit Punakha dzong, the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan, through the traditional cantilever bridge. This fortress has high, whitewashed walls and towers. Later, you can take a short walk to see the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan.
Day 10: Punakha to Paro
The morning starts your short hike from the white-water rafting point to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which stands regally on the hillside above Punakha Valley. Take a walkthrough paddy field with a fantastic view of Punakha Valley. Later on, if you are interested in water rafting at your own cost, we can arrange for the rafting crew to memorialise your trip. After completion of sightseeing at Punakha, drive back to Paro. Stop at Tachog Lhakhang on the way to see the ancient iron chains bridge. En route, the eye viewpoint of the airport. You can do your final shopping at Paro town if you were left with. Drive to your hotel and prepare for tomorrow’s departure.
Day 11: Departure
Drive to Paro Airport, where your tour guide and driver will bid you goodbye. It was nicemeeting you. We enjoyed it and hope to see you again in Bhutan.
Tashi Delek, have a safe flight back home!
Tour extension and combinations
You can spend one more extra day to this trek. Spend one more day in Labatama camp and explore the beautiful thousands of Dagala lakes and nearby sites too.
- A sustainable tourism Royalty (SDF) to the Royal Government of Bhutan which goes towards the economic developmental works such as in the education , health, roads, etc.
- Bhutan Visa
- Accommodations in 3- star properties. (Can be upgraded to 4 & 5-star with additional Premium)
- All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Certified English Speaking Bhutanese Guide.
- All ground transportationAll internal taxes and charges including Entry Fees
- Mineral Water while traveling
- Complimentary from company : Traditional Hot Stone Bath
- Airfare ( Can be arranged with us)
- Travel Insurance
- Any Expenses of Personal Nature
- Tips for the guide and driver