Trip Highlights
Duration 4 Nights | 5 Days
Best Season March – June & September – November
Difficulty Level Easy - Moderate
Highest Altitude 4520m
Avg Walking Distance 10 km
Avg Walking Time 6 hrs
Trek Overview
Dagala Trek is the off beaten track as you hardly see trekkers on the trail. As this moderate short day trek passes through various shimmering high altitude lakes, it is often named as the Thousand Lakes Trek. Trekking amidst the picturesque lakes, one will be treated with stunning views of some of the world’s highest Himalayan ranges including Mount Everest in Nepal, Jumolhari, Masanggang, Jichu Drake, Tiger Mountain in Bhutan and many more. The trail also takes you through bird rich areas, alpine flowers, attractive meadows and several traditional Bhutanese villages.
Itinerary
Day 1: Genekha to Gur
17KM | 5-6 HOURS | 230M ASCENT | DESCENT 60M | CAMP ALT 2870M
You will begin the day by driving for about 45 min to the beautiful Genekha Village from where your trek starts. The villages is famous for producing masutake and chantarelle mushrooms. You will walk over mule path, through terraced fields and coniferous forests rich with alpine flora and plenty of birds. You will then descend down to the river and after two hours of gradual uphill climb you reach the huge rock platform at 3350m, which offers a picturesque view of the valley. After another two hours of trekking you will reach your campsite at Gur (3,290m), amidst abundance of wild flowers.
Day 2: Gur to Labatama with views of Kanchenjonga and Dagala range
12KM | 6 HOURS | 1010M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 4300M
While trekking across the ridges, one enjoys the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation. Today’s trek is amidst flowers, wild asparagus (in spring) and large meadows, which freshens your mind. Weaving through tiny streams, you will climb gently through scattered birches and rhododendrons to arrive at Pagalabtsa pass (4,250m) marked by huge cairns. From the pass, you will have spectacular views of Kanchenjunga (Sikkim) and most of the Bhutanese Himalayan peaks. Descending from the pass one will view whole Dagala range meadows and yak herders camp. Lunch at nearby yak herder’s camp. You will descend into the Labatama valley and then ascend gradually through the valley passing some yak herder huts till you reach Utsho Lake (4,300m) where golden trouts are in abundance. Our campsite is right next to the lake.
Day 3: Exploration halt at Labatama
You will spend the day exploring any one of nearby lakes such as Relitsho, Hentsho, Setsho and Jagetsho Lakes. These lake are full of trouts and your trekking leader will tell you mystic stories about these lakes. Lunch by the lakeside with spectacular view around can be a memorable experience. After lunch, you can also attempt to climb the Jomo peak at an altitude of 5,050m. Return to camp by dusk and prepare for the next day. You will spend the day exploring any one of nearby lakes such as Relitsho, Hentsho, Setsho and Jagetsho Lakes. These lake are full of trouts and your trekking leader will tell you mystic stories about these lakes. Lunch by the lakeside with spectacular view around can be a memorable experience. After lunch, you can also attempt to climb the Jomo peak at an altitude of 5,050m. Return to camp by dusk and prepare for the next day.
Day 4: Labatama to Panka
8KM | 5-6 HOURS | 220M ASCENT | 520M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4000M
You will walk along the western side of Dalatsho up to a saddle at (4520m) from where you have a majestic view of the prominent Himalayan peaks such as Everest (Nepal), Kanchenjunga (Sikkim), Masangang, Tiger Mountain, Tsendagang and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. From the saddle the path descends, passing some yak herder huts to Doccha Chuu River. You will follow the river for a while, staying higher up on the slope until you reach Panka. Here the Himalayan monal peasants are common sight, besides yaks and horses. We will camp at Panka (4,000m).
Day 5: Panka via Talakha and Chamgang to Thimphu
14KM | 8 HOURS | 180M ASCENT | 1540M DESCENT
Today, you will be crossing several passes, each one more impressive than the other. Different varieties of Blue Poppy (June-July) and mountain birds can be found on the trail. Lunch at the point, where one trail leads to Talakha and other to Wangduephodrang. After lunch, an hour’s gradual climb brings you to the last pass, Tale La (4180m) from where the views of Dagala range and Thimphu is superb. Start a long descent through forest of spruce, birch, juniper and rhododendrons to Talakha Goempa (3080m). From the Talakha Goempa, you will hike down through mixed vegetation, apple orchards and feeder road to the Village of Chamgang. Your car will be waiting here to transfer you to Thimphu.