Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

Itinerary of the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek Tour Package:

DAY 1 - ARRIVE AT PARO.

• - Our Truly Bhutan Team will greet you at the flight terminal and ride you to the hotel. Right after the lunch visit, Rimpung Dzong was developed by the Unifier, and then Kyichu Lhakhang one of the oldest sanctuaries in the country.
• - Through the evening, walk in the town of Paro. Dinner and halt in the hotel in Paro.

DAY 2 - PARO-DAY EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG.

• - In the morning hours soon after breakfast, a short drive directly from the hotel to Ramthangka (start point).
• - To avoid the very hot sun's heat an early beginning is recommended for the two-hour hike up, via the cafeteria, to the tiger's nest viewpoint.
• - Descend steeply, and after that climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall.
• - One of the amazing and important examples of architecture in Bhutan, Taktsang Goemba defies common sense, gravity, and reason. Myth has it that cliffside was where Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) landed on the back of the flying tigress, carrying Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet. Dinner and rest in the hotel.

DAY 3 - PARO-GYNEKHA-GUR (TREK BEGINS).

• - Today after breakfast, we are driving to the starting point from Paro which would take roughly 1 hour to Gynekha.
• - Hike time: 5 hours.
• - Approximated distance: 7 km.
• - Elevation: 700m ascent, 60m descent.
• - Camp at 3290m.
• - The trek starts from gorgeous Gynekha village with a short descent down to the river. From here, right after crossing the river, you start climbing till you achieve a massive stone platform from where you have a picturesque perspective of the valley beneath.
• - Soon after some other 2 hours, you get to Gur, some yak pastures below the main path.

DAY 4 - GUR - LABATAMA.

• - Hike time: 5 hours.
• - Estimated distance: 12 km.
• - Elevation: 1040m ascent, 110m descent.
• - Camp at 4300m.
• - While trekking across the ridges, one enjoys the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation.
• - The path winds through flowers and wild asparagus (in spring). The meadows are refreshing and inspiring.
• - The first pass symbolized by a huge cairn gives a spectacular view of Kanjenjunga (Sikkim) and more or less all the Bhutanese Himalayan peaks.
• - Descending the pass one will see the whole Dagala range, meadows, and yak herders' camp.
• - Once descended into the Labatama valley you ascend gradually through the valley passing some yak herder huts till you reach Uthso Tsho. The campsite is right next to the lake.

DAY 5 - REST DAY AT LABATAMA.

• - This day is ideal for an excursion to any of three lakes: Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho, and Jama Tsho. The day and place are also ideal for trout fishing.
• DAY 6 - LABATAMA-PANKA.
• - Hike time: 6 hours.
• - Estimated distance: 8 km.
• - Elevation: 260m ascent, 520m descent.
• - Camp at 4000m.
• - The trail climbs along the western side of Dala Tsho up to a saddle at 4,520 m from where you have again a majestic view of Himalayan peaks during descent. This point is around 4,460 m.
• - The mountain peaks include Everest (Nepal), Kanchenjunga (Sikkim), Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tsherim Gang, Khangbum, Masang Gang, Tsende Gang, and Gangche Ta.
• - If you want an even better view, you can climb a peak close to the saddle with an altitude of 4,720 m.
• - From the saddle, the path descends, passing some yak herder huts to Doccha Chhu. You follow the river for a while, but stay higher up on the slope to reach Panka with some ups and downs on the way.

DAY 7 - PANKA - TALAKHA.

• - Hike time: 6 hours.
• - Estimated distance: 8 km.
• - Elevation: 180m ascent, 1100m descent.
• - Camp at 3080m.
• - This day entails the crossing of several passes, none of them affording a major climb.
• - Search for different varieties of blue poppy (June-July) and mountain birds.
• - After crossing the last pass, Tale La (4,180 m) you start a long descent to Talakha Gompa.
• - You will camp right beside the monastery and wake up with the early morning prayers of the monks. One has a great view of Bhutan's capital Thimphu.

DAY 8 - TALAKHA-CHAMGANG-THIMPHU.

• - Hike time: 3 hours.
• - Estimated distance: 6 km.
• - Elevation: 440m descent.
• - From the monastery, it's a short walk down to the feeder road which will lead you to the village of Changing.
• - Your car will be waiting for you. Drive to Thimphu.

DAY 9 - THIMPHU.

• - Morning visits the memorial stupa that depicts the Buddhist teachings in the form of paintings and statues. Originally the Third King who is known as the 'Father of Modern Bhutan' initiated this temple to protect the nation against negative elements. His son the Fourth King and the Grand Queen Mother completed the temple.
• - Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, where life in medieval Bhutan is still showcased; the National Library, the repository of all ancient books and manuscripts; and the Zilukha Nunnery and the 12th-century Changangkha temple.
• - Drive up to the highest viewpoint overlooking Thimphu valley and while returning, the Takin research center.
• - If time permits, we will visit Tashichhoe Dzong, the center of both spiritual and temporal powers.
• - Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10 - THIMPHU-PARO.

• - Today after breakfast, visit Kuenselphodrang for the Buddha statue, Paper factory, Painting school collectively known as Zorig chusum, and then; the National Handicraft Emporium for antique textile collections.
• - In the evening, drive back to Paro.
• - Dinner and rest in the hotel in Paro.

DAY 11 - DEPART FROM PARO.

• - After an early breakfast drive to Airport & our Team will bid you farewell for your onward destination.