Dagala Thousand Lakes Trekking
Best Season : March to November
It is a 5-day trek near Thimphu, to a large number of lovely high altitude lakes. The Trekking is easy and most trekking days are short but there are some long steep climbs. It starts from Simtokha and end at Genekha. The highest point is 4300 Meters.
It's also a botanical trek, and late spring is arguably the best time of the year to do it. At the height of spring which is end of April, the whole valley comes to life with flaming red, pink and white rhododendron blossoms. From the beginning of June to end of August there will be different kinds of flowers in bloom. You could really enjoy the real beauty of alpine summer and can have your flower trip in the summer.
In the summer monsoon different varieties of mushroom can be found including the famous Masutake Mushroom (Sangay Shamu in Bhutanese). The route takes you through Yak herders camps, villages, monasteries and countless lakes. This is one of the largest grazing camp for the yaks. The snowcapped peaks can be best viewed in winter, spring and autumn seasons.
Day 1 Arrive Paro
Day 2 Excursion to Tiger’s Nest
Day 3 Drive from Thimphu to Talekha
Day 4 Talekha to Japhuna
Day 5 Talekha to Japhuna
Day 6 Jaduna to Labatama
Day 7 Labatama (halt)
Day 8 Labatama to Genekha
Day 9 Genekha to Paro
Day 10 Breakfast and depart for Paro International Airport
Day 1. Arrive Paro
Depart from International airport by our druk-Air (Royal Bhutan Airline). On arrival at Paro international airport, you will be received by our representative and escorted you to hotel. After an early lunch, you'll visit the national museum (Ta-dzong). Once it was the watch tower of Paro valley from 1616 A.D to 1907 and it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley/y.
Also visit the Paro dzong and watch festival. Today, the dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (utse) of the dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the country. The dzong was built in 1645 A.D. Overnight at Hotel/Resort.
Day 02. Excursion to Tiger’s Nest
Taktshang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries. Taktshang means "Tiger's Nest," so named because Guru Rimpoche reportedly flew to the site of the monastery on the back of a flying tiger in the late centuries of the first millennium. The monastery is perched on a cliff nearly 3,000 ft above the Paro valley floor. This day hike is not only historically and culturally interesting, but also incredibly scenic! It takes about two hours to reach the cafeteria, which gives a breathtaking view of the Tiger’s Nest. If you still feel like hiking then you can take another hour to reach the temple. In the late afternoon, drive to Thimphu. Over night at Hotel/Resort.
Day 03. Drive from Thimphu to Talekha
The trek starts from Simtokha Dzong where the ponies, camp gear and our cook will be waiting. Pack up the horses. Your trek includes the finest of high altitude tents and warm sleeping bags. You only have to carry a small pack for your daily needs. Water of course is provided. The Talekha village consists of five houses and a huge temple called Tale-Lhakhang. Overnight at Talekha campsite.
Day 04. Talekha to Japhuna.
The trek leads you through thick forests of blue pine and evergreen oak trees into soft pine and spruce forests for about two and one-half hours. For lunch we halt at a yak camp site. Here the tree line ends. After lunch you cross a pass called Jelezela, Altitude at 13,000 ft. From the pass, one can enjoy a breathtaking view of Thimphu valley and its surrounding mountain ridges. After crossing two ridges, you arrive at the second campsite, Japhuna.
Day 05. Japhuna to Jaduna
The trail from Japhuna takes you up and down over several ridges for about four hours till you come across a small stream where you will find two trails which will lead you to the same destination. Along the route, there are many small lakes. After another hour and a half climb through rhododendron shrubs, you reach the third campsite which is also a yak camp. Altitude 13, 200 ft.
Day 06. Jaduna to Labatama
There are two trails, one going on the left side of Aum Jomo ( highest peak in the Dagala range ), and the other onto the right side of Aum Jomo over the Jomigue pass and Setso Yumtso lakes. We follow the trail that goes on the right side of Aum Jomo and climb up to the Jomigue pass after passing the Dungka Tso lake. From the pass, you can see beautiful views of the high mountains towards the northern Bhutan. After the pass, you descend for about 2 hours to reach Labatama yak camp by the side of the Yumtso lake, where you camp for the night.
Day 07. Labatama (halt)
You can visit several lakes and enjoy a good fishing day in the lakes or go back to Jomigue pass and climb Aum Jomo to the summit, at 16,500 ft. This trek will take about 5-6 hrs. Overnight and relax at campfire. Bhutanese song, gourmet food, and local brew - ARA anyone!
Day 08. Labatama to Genekha
Today, you leave the lovely pasture of Labana and move out of Dagala range. The trail ascends gradually through beautiful landscape until you reach Pagalaptsa pass at 13,600 ft. This is the highest point of the day. From the pass, you have beautiful views of the Genekha village and a portion of the Paro valley. After the pass, you gradually climb down through thick Rhododendron shrubs and thick oak forest till you reach Genekha. Overnight camp in Genekha.
Day 09. Genekha to Paro
A short walk will bring you to the motor road where your transport will be waiting. Drive about one hour to Paro. Enjoy hot stone bath at local farmhouse and sumptous dinner at hotel. Refresh yourself.
Day 10. Paro - Flight departure
Our guide and driver will drop you to the airport and bid you goodbye.
Tashi Delek!