BHUTAN’S PRISTINE WILDERNESS & SHIMMERING MOUNTAIN LAKES

• Journey to a little-traveled wilderness
• Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries
• A ‘Land of a Thousand Lakes’
• Glimpse of Bhutan’s nomadic lifestyle
• Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Temple

Since opening its doors to the outside world in 1975, adventurous souls have been drawn to Bhutan’s mystical charms and surreal mountainous landscapes. Our new Dagala Trek takes hikers into a region of exquisite wilderness dotted by a myriad of small beautiful lakes. Dagala is also known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Lakes”. While most trekkers head for the popular areas surrounding Chomolhari Base Camp, the Dagala Trek remains a relatively little-known region which follows several ridgelines separating the Thimphu Valley to the south and the snow-capped mountains making up Bhutan’s northern border with China.

Our trek begins above the village of Genekha, located on the slopes of a hill between Thimphu and Paro. As the trek progresses and we gradually gain elevation, the Dagala region reveals many of its treasures in form of beautiful alpine meadows, sparkling lakes, nomadic yak herder camps and a variety of flora and fauna all encompassed in a pristine wilderness environment.

The trails in this area are now mostly used by nomadic yak herders traveling between ancestral grazing lands. During the spring season (April through May), the forests along the lower ridges are ablaze with blooming rhododendron. September and October is when the upper alpine meadows come alive with the colors of fall.

The Dagala Wilderness Trek of Bhutan (Camping Trip) is part of our Himalayan Classic Trek Series. Our Classic Treks are led by an experienced, English-speaking Bhutanese Guide and full support crew. In 2024, we are able to arrange this trek starting on any day of the week during the months of late March through May and mid-September to early November for groups of 1 to 12 people. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a detailed day to day Trip Itinerary.

TRIP OUTLINE:
Day 1: Welcome to Bhutan! Fly from Bangkok to Paro. Hotel.
Day 2. Guided sightseeing in the Paro Valley. Hotel.
Day 3. Overland travel to Punakha with sightseeing en route. Hotel.
Day 4. Acclimatization hiking around the Punakha Valley. Hotel.
Day 5. Across the Dochu La Pass (10,000 feet) to Thimphu. Hotel.
Day 6. Trek to Gyenkha to Gur. 10,990 feet. 4.5 miles. Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours.
Day 7. The grazing lands of Labatama. 14,105 feet. 7.5 miles. Hiking time: 5 hours.
Day 8. Acclimatization and exploration around Labatama.
Day 9. To Pankha. 13,100 feet. 5 miles. Hiking time: 5 hours.
Day 10. Pass crossings to Chamgang. Drive to Paro. 9 miles. Hiking time: 6 hours.
Day 11. Transfer to Paro Airport. Return flight to Bangkok.