Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek | 9D

[Day 1]

PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – Your first glimpse of Bhutan

• On arrival at the Paro International Airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide and driver. After checking into your hotel, visit the impressive Rinpung Dzong/fortress of Heaped Jewels, a fine example of the ostentatious Bhutanese art and architecture. Located above the Dzong is the National Museum showcasing various artifacts and relics of ancient Bhutan.
• In the evening visit a traditional farmhouse replete with paddy fields, vegetable garden and farm animals. Enjoy a hot stone bath in a wooden tub, get some cooking tips and help in preparing your dinner which you will eat in the traditional Bhutanese style with the whole family.

[Day 2]

TAKTSANG MONASTERY/TIGER’S NEST/ Acclimatizing Hike– The highlight of your holiday to Bhutan

• Your highlight of the tour and a day excursion to one of the most petrified sites in Bhutan, Taktsang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest which is about 3 hours uphill and 2 hours down. It is located around 900 meters above the Paro valley. In the 8th Century Guru Padmasambhava – the patron saint of Buddhism established the most sacred place in Bhutan and meditated with his consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal. It is believed that Guru flew on a female tigress in pursuit of a demon which he subdued at the current site of the Monastery.
• You can have your lunch, tea/snacks at the cafeteria midway.
• Before you drive back to your hotel visit the Kyichu Lhakhang/temple, one of the oldest temples built in the 7th Century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gyembo.

After your Acclimatizing hike you will drive to Thimphu.

• Overnight in Thimphu

[Day 3]

GENEKHA – GUR (Trek Begins)

Walking Distance: 7km, 5 hours, 550m Ascent, 60m Descent Camp Altitude: 3,290 m

• Your first day of the beautiful Dagala trek starts from the beautiful Gynekha village. The trail will take you through picturesque valleys and clear fresh rivers.

[Day 4]

GUR – LABATAMA

Walking Distance: 12km, 5 - 6 hours, 1040m Ascent, 110m Descent, Camp Altitude: 4,300 m

• Today the trek is a little more strenuous. However the landscape on the way is awesome. The highlight of today is a spectacular view of mount Kanchenjunga (Sikkim) and other Bhutanese Himalayan peaks. You will come across refreshing cool meadows, yak herders’ camps and Uthso Lake. Tonight you will camp near the lake.

[Day 5]

ACCLIMATIZATION

Walking Distance: 0.00 Camp Altitude: 4,300 m

• Today is relaxation day at Labatama campsite near Uthso Lake. You have the choice for an excursion to either one of the three lakes : Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jama Tsho. The lakes are populated with trout fish, try catching a trout or two for dinner.

[Day 6]

LABATAMA – PANKA

Walking Distance: 8km, 6-7 hours, 260m Ascent, 520m Descent, Camp Altitude: 4,080 m

• The trail will give you majestic views of the mountain peaks including Everest (Nepal), Kanchenjunga (Sikkim), Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tshering Gang, Khangbum, Masang Gang, Tsende Gang and Gangche Ta. You can get an even better view if you climb a peak close to the saddle. You will pass through Dala Tsho Lake and follow the Doccha Chhu river.

[Day 7]

PANKA-TALAKHA

Walking Distance: 8km, 6 hours, 180m Ascent, 1100m Descent, Camp Altitude: 3,080 m

• You will traverse across a lot of mountain passes but none of them entail heavy climbing. The highlight of this day’s trek is the Blue Poppy, the national flower of Bhutan, different mountain birds and a spectacular view of Thimphu valley, the capital city of Bhutan. You will camp near Talakha Monastery and early morning prayers will wake you in the morning.

[Day 8]

TALAKHA – CHAMGANG

Walking Distance: 6 km, 3 hours, 440m Descent,

• A short walk will take you to a feeder road leading to Chamgang village. Your vehicle and driver waits to take you to the Hotel.
• Overnight in Thimphu.

[Day 9]

DEPARTURE Thimphu - Paro (1hr30min)

• After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport where your guide and driver will bid you farewell and hope you had a pleasant holiday and hope to see you in Bhutan again.

TASHI DELEK