Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek in Bhutan is a 5-day high-elevation trek in Thimphu, to a large number of lovely high-altitude lakes with breathtaking views.
Distance
Difficulty
Moderate
Best Months to Trek
End of March
Description
What's Included
What's Excluded
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Tour driver & vehicle
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Entry fees & road permits
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Daily 3 meals (B/L/D) at designated restaurants or hotels
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Visa for Bhutan
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Private tour guide
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Full service & assistance before, during and after your Bhutan trip
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Accommodation at 3 star hotel
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Licensed English-speaking guide
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Mineral bottled water
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Government fee, royalty, taxes & surcharges
Checklist
- Sunglasses
- Backpack with rain cover
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Hiking poles (to lessen the impact of walking on your joints)
- Cap/hat
- Winter hat and gloves
- Comfortable footwear
- Water bottles of at least 3 litres total capacity
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Thermal wear
- Trekking shoes (Comfortable and waterproof)
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Airport transfers
Checklist
- Sunglasses
- Backpack with rain cover
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Hiking poles (to lessen the impact of walking on your joints)
- Cap/hat
- Winter hat and gloves
- Comfortable footwear
- Water bottles of at least 3 litres total capacity
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Thermal wear
- Trekking shoes (Comfortable and waterproof)
Accommodation and Meals
Like most of the trekking, the accommodation during the trek is mainly camping in tents. Bhutan does not have any commercial guesthouse along the trekking trail, as many of them are in remote areas and are in environmental regions that are protected from development.
All meals are included and prepared/catered by the cook and staff that will accompany you along the trail throughout the entire trekking period. On the trek you are assisted by your local guide, a cook, 2-3 helping staff/porters depending upon the group size.
Important Notes
Provided on the trek:
- Sleeping tent
- Dining tent
- Kitchen tent
- Toilet tent
- Inflatable air mats or mattresses
- Carpets
- Hot water bags
- Table and chairs
- Sleeping bag liners and blankets
- Duffle bags
Dagala Thousand Lake Trek Itinerary
5 Days
Genekha (Geynizampa) (2,850 m) - Gur (3,350 m)
The trek starts from Genekha village which is 2 hour drive from Thimphu.
The village is famous for producing Matsutake and chantarelle mushrooms. You will walk over a mule path, through terraced fields and coniferous forests rich with alpine flora and plenty of birds.
You will then descend down to the river and after two hours of the gradual uphill climb, you reach the huge rock platform at 3350m, which offers a picturesque view of the valley. After another two hours of trekking, you will reach your campsite at Gur, amidst an abundance of wildflowers.
Highlight
Gur (3,350 m) - Labatama (4,280 m)
5-6 hours
12 KM
1220 m
110 m
Today the distance to be covered is 12 Km which takes about 5-6 hours with an ascent of 1220 m and descent of 110 m.
While trekking across the ridges, one enjoys the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation. Today’s trek is amidst flowers, wild asparagus (in spring) and large meadows, which freshens your mind. Weaving through tiny streams, you will climb gently through scattered birches and rhododendrons to arrive at Pagalabtsa pass (4170 m) marked by huge cairns.
From the pass, you will have spectacular views of Kanchenjunga (Sikkim) and most of the Bhutanese Himalayan peaks. Descending from the pass one will view whole Dagala range meadows and yak herders camp. Lunch at nearby yak herder’s camp.
You will descend into the Labatama valley and then ascend gradually through the valley passing some yak herder huts till you reach Utsho Lake (4,300m) where golden trouts are in abundance.
Highlight
Labatama (4,300 m)
Today will be dedicated to relaxing and recuperating at Labatama. It is also an ideal opportunity to take a short trek to some of the other lakes in the area.
There are three lakes nearby: Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jama Tsho.
Highlight
Labatma (4,300 m) - Panka (4,140 m)
6-7 hours
8 KM
260 m
520 m
After the relaxing day, today we continue with our trek. The distance to be covered today is 8 Km which takes about 6-7 hours with an ascent of 260 m and descent of 520 m.
You will walk along the western side of Dalatsho up to a saddle at (4520m) from where you have a majestic view of the prominent Himalayan peaks such as Everest (Nepal), Kanchenjunga (Sikkim), Masangang, Tiger Mountain, Tsendagang and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. From the saddle, the path descends, passing some yak herder huts to Doccha Chuu River. You will follow the river for a while, staying higher up on the slope until you reach Panka. Here the Himalayan monal peasants are a common sight, besides yaks and horses. We will camp at Panka.
Highlight
Panka (4,000 m) via Talakha (3,080 m) to Chamgang (2,820 m), End of Trek
7-8 hours
14 KM
180 m
1540 m
Today we will have to cover a distance of 14 km which will take about 7-8 hours which 180 m ascent and 1540 m descent.
Today, you will be crossing several passes, each one more impressive than the other. Different varieties of Blue Poppy (June-July) and mountain birds can be found on the trail. Lunch at the point, where one trail leads to Talakha and other to Wangduephodrang.
After lunch, an hour’s gradual climb brings you to the last pass, Tale La (4185 m a forest of spruce, birch, juniper and rhododendrons to Talakha Goempa (3080m).
From the Talakha Goempa, you will hike down through mixed vegetation, apple orchards and feeder road to the Village of Chamgang. Your car will be waiting here to transfer you to Thimphu.
Highlight
Trekking Map
