Dagala Thousand Lake Trek
Dagala Thousand Lake Trek
If you love alpine lakes, this is the trek for you. You will see several alpine crystal clear lakes along with stunning views of the Himalayan mountain range such as Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, Gangche-Ta and many more. It is a moderate trek with mostly short trekking days, but includes a few steep climbs. This trek is a good opportunity for those with a desire to experience the variety of flora and fauna in Bhutan, and capture a glimpse of the local nomadic lifestyle.
- Tour Duration
- 12 Days
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Start
- Geynizampa, South Thimphu
- End
- Chamgang, North Thimphu
- Maximum Elevation
- 4720m
- Highest Camp
- 4300m
- Best Seasons
- March to June, September to November
What’s included?
All meals, tea and snacks, complementary bottled water in car, hotels, transport, guide, government levy, visa fee, entrance fees, permits and sightseeing. On trek includes – sleeping tents, dinning tents, toilet and shower tents, toilet seats, mats, duffle bags, cooking utensils, all meals, guide, trek chef assistants and horses.
What’s NOT included?
Flight tickets, insurance, tips, drinks and beverages, sleeping bag on trek, laundry, internet, phone and other bills of personal nature.
Distance: 7 km, walking time: 5 hours, ascent: 550m, descent: 210m, camp altitude: 3,290m
The trek begins from the beautiful village of Genekha(2,800m) in Thimphu. This village is popular for the matsutake and chanterelle mushrooms. Start our walk with a short descent to the river. After crossing the river, we start climbing until we reach a huge rock platform from where we will have a picturesque view of the valley below. After another two hours we will reach Gur, an area of yak pastures located just below the main trial. Overnight at camp.
Distance: 12 km, walking time:6-7 hours, ascent:1,220m, descent: 110m, camp altitude:4,300m
On the second day, the trials take us across the high ridges from where we can truly appreciate the rugged beauty of our surroundings and the mountain vegetation. The path winds through refreshing meadows adorned with wild flowers and asparagus (in spring). The first mountain pass we cross is marked by a huge cairn and gives a spectacular view of Kanchenjunga(Sikkim) and a number of the Bhutanese Himalayan peaks. As we descend the pass, we will see the entire Dagala mountain range, meadows and yak herders camps. Once we have descended into the Labatama valley we begin climbing gradually through the valley, passing several yak herder huts before we arrive at UthsoTsho. The campsite is right next to the lake.
Distance: 8km,walking time:5-6 hours, ascent:260m, descent: 520m, camp altitude: 4,000m
The trial climbs along the western side of DalaTsho up to a saddle at 4,520m from where we will again have a majestic view of the prominent Himalyan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga, Masagang, Gangchen Ta and Jichu Drake (angry bird peak). If you want even better view, we can climb to a peak close to the saddle with an altitude of 4720m. From the saddle path descends passing some yaks herder huts to DochaChuu. We follow the river for a while, staying higher up on the slope until we reach Panka. On this route, Himalayan monal pheasants are common sight.
Distance: 8km, walking time: 5-6 hours, ascent: 180m, descent: 110m, camp altitude: 3,080m
Today we will cross several passes without much of a climb. You should keep your eyes open for different varieties of blue poppy(June-July) and mountain birds some of which are endangered. After crossing the pass, Tale La at 4,180m, we start a long descent to TalikhaGoempa. We will camp beside the monastery and wake up to the early morning prayers of the monks. From here, we will have a great view of Bhutan’s capital- Thimphu.
Distance: 6km, walking time: 3 hours, descent: 440m
From the monastery it is a short walk down to the feeder road which leads us to the village of Chamgang. We will then transferred by road to our hotel in Thimphu.
