The Dagala Thousand Lakes trek goes through plenty of beautiful high altitude mountain lakes and provides stunning views of the whole Bhutanese Himalayan range as well as Kanjenjunga (3rd highest mountain of the world, Sikkim). The chance to meet other trekkers during the entire trek is very slim. It is also possible to start and end the trek in Gynekha. The optional route back to Gynekha leads through beautiful Bhutanese villages. The trek from Gur to Labatama involves a lot of climbing and is pretty strenuous.
Note: The trekking tour program does not include the total duration. Please select the trek of your choice and contact us. We will send you the program and duration. You can also combine the trek with the cultural tours. The trek which is less than five nights is the cultural trek that is done with the cultural tours.
Duration: 6 days
Maximum elevation: 4520m
Highest Camp: 4300m
Standard: Medium
Best Seasons: April-June & September-October
Start: Geynekha, Thimphu
Finish: Chamgang, Thimpu
Day 1: Gynekha – Gur
(Distance: 7 km, Duration: 5 hours, Ascent: 550m, Descent: 210m, Camp altitude: 3290m)
The trek starts from beautiful Gynekha village with a short descent down to the river. After crossing the river you will climb until you reach a huge rock platform from where you can enjoy a picturesque view of the valley below. From here you will trek for two hours to reach Gur and some yak pastures below the main trail.
Day 2: Gur – Labatama
(Distance: 12 km, Duration: 6 hours, Ascent: 1220m, Descent: 110m, Camp altitude: 4300m)
While trekking across the ridges, you will enjoy the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation. In spring, the path takes you through the flowers and wild asparagus. The meadows are refreshing and inspiring. The first pass symbolised by a huge cairn gives a spectacular view of Kanjenjunga (Sikkim) and other Bhutanese Himalayan peaks. Descending the pass one will see the whole Dagala range, meadows and yak herder’s camp. From Labatama you will ascend gradually through the valley and trek across some yak herder huts before you reach Uthso Tsho. The campsite is right next to the lake.
Day 3: Labatama
This day is ideal for an excursion to any of three lakes: Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jama Tsho. The day and place is also ideal for trout fishing.
Day 4: Labatama – Panka
(Distance: 8km, Duration: 6-7 hours, Ascent: 260m, Descent: 520m, Camp altitude: 4000m)
The trail is along the western side of Dala Tsho up to a saddle at 4520m from where you have again a majestic view of Himalayan peaks during descent. This point is around 4460m. The mountain peaks include Everest (Nepal), Kanchenjunga (Sikkim), Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tshering 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 4,720m. From the saddle the path descends, passing some yak herder huts to Doccha Chhu. Follow the river for a while, but stay higher up on the slope to reach Panka. You will experience some climbs up and down on the way.
Day 5: Panka-Talakha
(Distance: 8km, Duration: 5-6 hours, Ascent: 180m, Descent: 110m, Camp altitude: 3080m)
On this day you will cross several passes but none of them are demanding. The flower lovers can search for different varieties of blue poppy in June-July and capture the sights of the mountain birds. After crossing the last pass, Tale La (4180m) you start a long descent to Talakha Gompa. You will camp right beside the monastery. The monks wake you up with their early morning prayers. From the monastery, you will enjoy the great view of Bhutan’s capital Thimphu.
Day 6: Talakha – Chamgang
(Distance: 6km, Duration: 3 hours, Descent: 440m)
From the monastery it’s a short walk down to the feeder road that will lead you to the village of Chamgang.
