Dagala 1000 lake Trek | Trekking in Bhutan

Trekking Itineraries

Dagala Thousand lake Treks: 13 days Cultural tour with trek

Day 1 : Arrive Paro

The Famous Dagala Thousand Lake Trek is a 6 days trek near Thimphu. The treks take you 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.

During your flight, you will experience from the left side of the plane a spectacular view of Mt. Everest, and other famous Himalayan mountains including the sacred Mt. Jumolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, the representatives of Zopa Adventure Travels will be receive you and escort you to your hotel. Lunch at the hotel. You may discuss your trekking itinerary with your tour guide so that you can understand the trek much better. Overnight at hotel at Tenzinling Resort.

Day 2 : Paro Excursion

A day excursion to view the spectacular Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery. Drive to Satsham Chorten (10 Km from Paro town) and walk up to the Taktshang Monastery. The name Taktshang means “Tiger’s Nest”. The Monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff drop of nearly 4000 ft and overlooks Paro valley and the river. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Refreshments will be served at the Taktshang Cafeteria and then walk uphill again till you see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktshang Monastery. It is said Guru Padmasambhava known as Second Buddha has meditated on this spot where the monastery is located. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tigress. Overnight in Paro Hotel.

Day 3 : Paro Sightseeing

Drive towards Drugyel Dzong, now in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in 1644; 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. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred monastries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 7th century and then visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses administrative office. After lunch visit Ta- Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which has been, since 1967, the national museum of Bhutan and walk down to the town on the way you, can see the traditional wooden bridge of ancient style. Overnight in Tenzinling Resort.

Day 4 : Paro - Thimphu

After breakfast drive to Thimhpu, the capital city of the country and visit Simtokha Dzong on the way. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 AD. It houses the largest monastic schools in the country. Visit the memorial Chorten (a great Stupa) built in the memory of the third king of Bhutan who reigned the kingdom from 1952-1972. Lunch in hotel in Thimphu

Afternoon: visit the Wood Craft and painting school where traditional arts and crafts are kept still alive through the instructions of painting and carving. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased if you wish to. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit Mini Zoo where the national animals are kept and drive to Sangyegang from where you can have a spectacular view of Thimphu Valley. Visit Nunnery at Zilukha. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government ministries, the office of the king and the Throne room. It also houses the central monastic body and the living quarters of the chief Abbot and the senior monks. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu at Hotel River View.

Day 5 : Thimphu- Khoma- Geynikha (14 Km, 4 hrs.)

Walk through the 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 along side a stream at 2800 meters. Overnight, campsite.

Day 06 : Geynikha- Gur (5 Km, 4 hrs)

Crossing a suspension bridge, the trailheads 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. Overnight at the campsite.

Day 7 : Gur- Labatamba (12 Km, 5 hrs.)

Crossing the pass at 4240 meters for a view of spectacular Dagala village. Pass through several herders camps enroute to the foot of the broad Labatamba valley at 4300 meters near Utso Lake, where plenty of Golden Trout flourish. There are so many lakes in the vincinity. Overnight at camp near the lake.

Day 8 : Labatamba- Panka (8 Km, 4 hrs.)

The trail climbs along the western side of the lake to 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. Overnight at camp.

Day 9 : Panka- Talakha (8 Km, 4 hrs)

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 Goempa and village of Talakha (3083 meters). Overnight at camp.

Day 10 : Talakha- Simtokha (3 Km, 3 hrs.)

Walk downhill on a steep trail to Simtokha from where the vehicle will pick you up and drive to Thimphu. After lunch, take a rest in the hotel or stroll around the town and do shopping. Night halt at Thimphu at Druk Hotel.

Day 11 : Thimphu- Punakha/Wangdue

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula to view higher Himalayas. While in Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an Elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Zhabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep infront of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, Zhabdrung took him in his dream to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Punagthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. After lunch, drive to Wangdue. Enroute stop a while to view Chimi Lhakhang also called the temple of Fertility built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as “Divine Madman” in the 15th century. Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdue, it includes: visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong 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 auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Night halt at Wangdue at Dragon Nest.

Day 12 : Wangdue to Thimphu- Paro

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Lunch at cozy restaurant at Thimphu and drive to Paro. Night halt at Paro at Hotel Olathang.