DAGALA THOUSAND LAKE TREK
This six days trek offers experience on both wilderness and cultural aspects of Bhutan. During this trek, you will come across many pristine, crystal clear beautiful small lakes and nomadic yak herders camp.
The trek is off the beaten track and offers ample opportunity to witness birds and flowers in spring. Besides, you will be treated to stunning views on a clear day of the entire Himalayan mountain range and some of the world’s highest peaks including Mt. Everest, Jomolhari, Masang Gang, Jichu Drake, Gangche Ta and many more.
The trek is mostly short trekking days but few steep climbs. The trek follows a trail along the ridge-line of Dagala range that separates Thimphu valley from the lower hills to the south. The trek begins above a village of Genekha (2800m), located on the slopes of a hill, and between Thimphu and Paro.
You might not meet any other trekkers during the whole trek because it is still not a very popular trek but it is an irresistible mystically charming trek. We will also have an entire day dedicated to visiting some of the more picturesque lakes, resting and simply enjoying the beauty of the surrounding. The best time to embark on this trek is between April-June and September-October.
Day 1- Thimphu to Gur
Day 2- Gur to Labatama
Day 3- Labatama (Halt)
Day 4- Labatama to Pangkha
Day 5: Pangkha to Pangsechu
Day 6- Pangsebhu to Thimphu
Day 1- Thimphu to Gur
Trek Rating: Moderate
Maximum Altitude: 3500m
Duration: 4 hours
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Camping
Today after breakfast we drive to Genekha village where you meet your camping crew members with ponies. The trek start from beautiful Genekha village and from here, after crossing the river, you have to climb steeply, then more steadily through the beautiful oak forest until you reach a huge rock platform. You will have a scenic view of the valley below and a good resting spot at the rocky platform.
The trail becomes less steep, skirting around the hillside through a big birch that gradually gives way to the bamboo forest to reach our campsite in a meadow at Gur.
Day 2- Gur to Labatama
Trek Rating: Moderate
Maximum Altitude: 4300m
Duration: 6 hours
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Camping
On the second day, the gradual climb begins through thick rhododendron shrubs and thick oak forest till you reach Pagalaptse pass (4170m) marked by the huge cairns giving you the view of Kanchenjunga (Sikkim in India) and a number of Bhutanese Himalayan peaks. The path winds through flowers and wild asparagus (in spring) and the meadows are refreshing and inspiring.
As you descend from the pass you will view whole Dagala range meadows and yak herders camp. You further descend into the Labatama valley and the gradually climbing up through the valley passing yak herder huts till you reach Utsho Lake (4300m). The campsite is right next to the lake, where plenty of golden trout flourishes.
Day 3- Labatama (Halt)
Camping Altitude: 4280m
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Camping
Today is all about relaxing and recuperating at Labatama. You can visit any of the three nearby lakes: Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jama Tsho or go to Jomique pass and climb Aum Jomo till the summit (5050m) which will take about 5-6 hrs.
Day 4- Labatama to Pangkha
Trek Rating: Moderate
Maximum Altitude: 4600m
Duration: 6 hours
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Camping
After a day of relaxing by the lake, the next morning hike begins after breakfast climbing up the grassy ridge to reach a trail. The climbs along the western side of Daga Tsho and cross a saddle at 4520m.
If the weather is fine you will have a good view of Himalayan Mountain peaks and another mountain peak such as Everest (Nepal), Kanchenjunga (Sikkim), Jomolhari, Jitchu Drake, Tshering Gang, Kangbum, Masang Gang, Tshenda Gang and Gangche Ta.
After the saddle the trail descends steeply to another lake at 4350m, passing several herders camp. It rejoins the lower route at about 4160m near a stream called Dochha Chhu. Staying higher up on the slope to reach Pankha with some ups and downs on the way. There is plenty of loose stone on the trail.
Day 5: Pangkha to Pangsechu
Trek Rating: Moderate
Maximum Altitude: 4030m
Duration: 5 hours
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Camping
We climb to a pass at 3960m indicated by several large cairns. Four trails meet here: your own from the south; to the east; to the north Talakha Gompa and to the west just below the ridge, reaching another crossing point leading to Serbithang and Zamto.
Climb a steep slope to a yak herders place, next to an enormous ruin at 3980m. Climb into a valley to the top of a ridge 4185m. Where the path leaves this ridge the locals call this jili la; other sources call it Tale la. The pass, which is decorated with prayer flags, gives a full view of the Thimphu valley and far below on the ridge. On a clear day, there are stunning views towards the Himalayas, including Kanchenjunga 8586m, Jomolhari 7315m, Jichhu Drake, Tsheri Kang and in the east the mountains of Lunana. It is another 20-30min climb to Talakha Peak 4300m with an even better view.
Day 6- Pangsebhu to Thimphu
Trek Rating: Moderate
Maximum Altitude: 3830m
Duration: 3 hours
Lunch: Picnic
Overnight: Hotel
Eventually, the last glace of the trek for entire trekking comes to the end with long memories of Himalayas. It leads through the dwarf bamboo bush, further goes into Oak trees with the sloppy landscape, overviewing the Chamgang valley and Talakha Goempa (monastery). Far into the valley have a nice view of Thimphu town with spotted houses, Wangchhu River and the nets of roads.
You will walk for 1.5km till Chamgang valley and there you find our representative for your fluent transportation till Thimphu via Simtokha Dzong (this fortress was built by famous Rinpoche called Zhabdrung and it is believed to be one of the oldest fortresses in the Kingdom)