DAGALA THOUSAND LAKES TREK

After completing the necessary formalities at the Paro airport, you will be met by our agent and driven to our hotel. Stroll the town and market of Paro in the evening. Spend the night at the Paro hotel.

Drive up the valley in the morning to the Drukgyel Dzong (1646), which used to guard this valley against Tibetan incursions. Despite being mostly burned down in 1951, its majestic tall outside walls are still visible. The approach road to Drukgyel Dzong offers a stunning vista of Mount Jomolhari on a clear day. Travel back through the valley to the 7th Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most revered temples, before stopping at a traditional farm house. Visit Ta Dzong in the afternoon. It was originally constructed as a watchtower in 1651 and opened as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968. In addition to a minor natural history collection, the collection consists of works of art, artifacts, religious thangkha paintings, postal stamps, coins, and handicrafts. Then descend a short hillside trail to Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), which was constructed in 1646 and today houses the district administration’s and Paro’s monastic body’s offices. Stopover the night in a hotel in Paro.

Drive down the valley in the morning, following the Pa Chu (Paro river) to where it meets the Wang Cnu Ulnimphu river. Turn left to enter the valley leading to Thimphu, the nation’s capital. On the way, stop at Simtokha Dzong (1627), the oldest fortification in the kingdom and current home of the Institute for Language and Culture Studies. Visit the National Tribute Chorten after lunch. It was constructed as a memorial to Bhutan’s third king (the founder of modern Bhutan) and as a symbol of global peace. Then go to Tashichhodzong, the Wang Chu’s closest spectacular structure in Thimphu. In addition to housing the central monastic body during the summer, it also houses several ministries and His Majesty’s secretariat. Wander through the market and town of Thimphu in the evening. In Thimphu, spend the night at the hotel.

Visit the following locations as time permits after breakfast: The National Library, which has a sizable collection of Buddhist literature, some of which date back several hundred years; the Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan; the National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside only), where medicinal herbs are compounded and dispensed and traditional medicine practitioners are trained; and the Folk Heritage and National Textile Museums, for fascinating displays of folklore and textiles. After lunch, browse the many hand-woven fabrics and craft items available at the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and the town’s many smaller handicrafts stores. For a beautiful view of Thimphu and the valley, drive up to a viewing point in the early evening. It is decorated with prayer flags. Spend the night at a hotel in Thimphu.

45 minutes and a 14 km drive will get you to the trek’s starting site. The first day’s hike follows a mule trail via terraced farms and a coniferous woodland before arriving at the Genekha School sign. Set up camp for the night along a creek in Genekha (2,800 meters).

The actual communion with nature starts on today’s hike, when you’ll witness a wide variety of alpine plants as well as some animals and several birds. After two hours of steadily ascending a hill, stop to rest on a sizable rock platform with a beautiful view of the valley below. The walk comes to close for the day after another two hours. Spend the night at Gur, where the flowers are in bloom.

Trekking across the ridges allows one to take in the splendor of the untamed mountain plants. Asparagus and other small plants grow wild in the meadows where we will be strolling today. If you take this hike in the spring, it will feel as though you are walking on a carpet of flowers. The entire Dagala range, alpine meadows, and yak herder’s camps are visible from the first pass, which is marked by a sizable cairn. At a nearby yak herder’s camp, we shall have lunch. The third day of our adventure will culminate at Yutsho Lake, where golden trout are abundant. We will hike across hills and through meadows after lunch. Camp nearby for the night.

Relitsho, Hentsho, or Jamatsho are the three lakes that can be visited on an expedition today. You’ll hear ethereal tales about these lakes from your tour leader. Additionally, now would be a great time and location to go trout fishing. Camp for the night.

Extension to the lakes at Setsho. The hike to Setsho Lake is intriguing and simple. With a packed lunch, you could spend the entire day trout fishing here. As an alternative, you might arrive at Setsho, cross a little slope, and descend to Jagetsho Lake. Or you may try scaling the 5,050-meter summit of Jomo. Lunch at the summit, with its breathtaking surroundings, might be a special occasion. By dusk, return to camp and get ready for tomorrow.

8 kilometers in 4 hours Before starting the descent at about 4,460m, walk for 20 minutes upwards. On the way down, the Himalayas will be magnificently visible. Your guide will assist you in recognizing specific peaks, including Everest, Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tserimgang, Khangbum, Masagang, Tsendegang, and Gangchenta. Because to the local environment, Himalayan monal pheasants are frequently seen. Camp out the night at Panka on a green meadow.

8 kilometers in 4 hours Several passes, each more magnificent than the last, must be crossed today. If you hike between June and July, you’ll observe many different blue poppy kinds in addition to numerous mountain birds. Lunch is served at the fork in the route where the two pathways heading to Talekha and Wangduephodrang, respectively, split. After lunch, a steady climb of an hour takes us to the summit of the last ridge of the Dagala range, from which we get a breathtaking view of the valley of Thimphu below. Your final tent is a little above Talekha monastery after another hour of walking.

Once again, the view of Thimphu is outstanding as one approaches the monastery and settlement of Talekha after passing through alpine and mixed vegetation (bamboo thickets and wild flowers). We stroll through a variety of landscapes, including apple orchards, before arriving at the main road leading to Thimphu, where our transportation is waiting for us. Drive to Thimphu in time for lunch, then return to Paro in the late afternoon. Spend the night at the Paro hotel.

Drive to the airport after an early breakfast at the hotel to catch a flight to your next location.