Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek - 6 Days

The medium-level trek starts in the village of Geynizampa and takes you deep into the area with a great number of pristine and crystal clear lakes scattering around. Moreover, you are surprisingly treated with variety of splendid vegetation ranging from the gorgeous rhododendron at lower altitude to the eternally imposing and beautiful firs grown at higher altitude.

Walk between pristine, crystal clear lakes on this six-day trek, which gives walkers stunning views over glistening water towards the Himalayan mountain range and some of the world’s highest peaks including Mount Everest and many more. The best time to take Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek is from April to June and September to October.

Travel is the movement of people between relatively distant geographical locations, and can involve travel by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip. Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements.

The origin of the word “travel” is most likely lost to history. The term “travel” may originate from the Old French word travail, which means ‘work’. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century.

It also states that the word comes from Middle English travailen, travelen (which means to torment, labor, strive, journey) and earlier from Old French travailler (which means to work strenuously, toil). In English we still occasionally use the words “travail”, which means struggle. According to Simon Winchester in his book The Best Travelers’ Tales (2004), the words “travel” and “travail” both share an even more ancient root: a Roman instrument of torture called the tripalium (in Latin it means “three stakes”, as in to impale).

Day 1
Geynizampa (2,800 m) - Gur (3,290 m)

The trek starts at the suspension bridge in a small but beautiful village Geynizampa 40 km away from the capital city Thimbu. Go crossing the bridge then you begin to take the main trail. After passing through an oak forest, you need to keep climbing along the eroded trail until you reach an outstanding lookout point (3,220 m) from which a picturesque view of the entire valley can be enjoyed.

After another two hours trekking on the gentler trail, you eventually arrived at the top of the ridge where a sharp turn is made. The way to the campsite turns to be a downhill path direct to Gur. Along the small portion route, stunning yak pastures are observable below the trail.

Day 2
Gur (3,290 m) - Labatamba (4,100 m)

On the second day, the trail takes you across some high ridges where spruces, dead firs and larches are well forested. Looking into the distance on these ridges, distinctive vegetation changes are visible. Lush lower elevation wildflowers, asparagus, and trees turn into cedar-shaped plants, making the entire mountain diversified with totally different vegetation.

Standing on the first cairn-marked mountain pass, you can enjoy yourself by getting a spectacular view of Kanjenjunga (Sikkim) and a number of Himalaya peaks. With your uphill trekking steps, you will be able to appreciate a whole picture of the Dagala mountain range, meadows as well as yak herder camps at Pangalabtsa, a pass marked by cairns at 4,250 m.

Once you trek along a descending trail and arrive at Labatamba valley, you are approaching the campsite nearby the high-elevation Utsho Lake. Besides this trout-filled lake, a numerous of other stunning lakes are scattering around, which totally worth you spending another day to explore.

Day 3
Labatamba (4,100 m)

The third day is scheduled exclusively for visitors to enjoy the thousand lakes and a stunning panoramic view of the Himalaya mountain range and other world-class pinnacles. Trekking to any of three lakes during the day would be appropriate. Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jama Tsho are highly recommended. If you are in no hurry trekking as many lakes as you plan to, why not engage in some trout fishing held at the lakeside.

Insider tips:

Permits are required for high altitude lake fishing, so you need to contact your operator to get it prepared in advance.

Day 4
Labatamba (4,100 m) - Panka (4,000 m)

The fourth day brings you to enjoy a splendid view of solemn Himalaya peaks and experience yak herder’s life. Taking the lower possible route, you follow the trail up to the Dajatsho and finally reach a saddle at 4,520 m. For better mountain views, you can choose to ascend to the top of a 4,720 m peak with the trail nearby.

The descent route, with no exaggeration, turns to be surprisingly fantastic. The majestic Himalaya peaks are just like the picture scroll rolling up in front of your eyes. With isolated yak herder huts emerging in sight, you should realize you are approaching Doccha Chhu, the river guiding you to Pangkha. Then after climbing a few small ridges and going several descents along the river side, you reach Pangkha at 4,000 m.

Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia.

Day 5
Pangkha (4,000 m) - Talakha (4,180 m)

The relaxing day begins with several mountain passes and finds its way to a trail conjunction at which a few trails leading off in all directions. Trek the one heading to Tale La (4,180 m), the last mountain pass before your arrival at Talakha Monastery.

Keep your eyes open and explore as possible as you can to find a variety of blue poppy (In Jun. and Jul.) and the rare species of high altitude mountain birds along the descending trail after you have enjoyed the epic distant view of the Daigala range and the entire Thimphu at Tale La Pass.

After a long descending trek with a splendid scenery of spruce, birch, juniper, and rhododendron along the trail, you eventually reach Talakha Gompa. Camp beside the monastery and never worry about sleeping late the next day, for the early chanting of monks will awake you on time next morning. With a distant draw-dropping view observed from here, Bhutan’s capital city Thimphu is shining brightly under the sunshine.

Day 6
Talakha (4,180 m) - Chamgang (2,820 m)

Leaving from Talakha, the downhill trails are all unpaved dirt roads. You can choose to take a bumpy ride to Simtokha Dzong or just like most of the hikers do, trek another three hours down to the Chamgang to finish this Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek.

Insider tips:

From Nov. to Mar. the route up on high elevations may possibly be blocked out by heavy snows, compelling you to return or jeopardize the whole journey.

The Trip Cost Includes

  • Private guided tour
  • Visas for Bhutan
  • Airport transfers
  • Daily 3 meals (B/L/D) at designated restaurants or hotels
  • Accommodation at 3-star hotel
  • A qualified & licensed English-speaking guide
  • An experienced driver
  • A tour vehicle
  • Entry fees & road permits
  • Government fee, royalty, taxes & surcharges
  • Mineral bottled water
  • Set of traditional costume (to be returned at the end of your stay)
  • Full service & assistance before, during and after your Bhutan trip

The Trip Cost Excludes

  • Flight into Bhutan via Drukair (can be arranged with us)
  • The flight on another airline to catch Drukair Flight
  • Meals at 4-5 stars restaurants
  • Hotel stay outside of Bhutan
  • Expenditure of personal nature
  • Travel Insurance (can be arranged with us)
  • Tips for the guide and driver
  • Alcoholic drink

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek