Bhutan Treks

Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Paro International Airport

Day 2 Paro - Sightseeing
Morning: Drive to Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16 klms away from Paro town). The dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means "The Victorious Bhutanese." This spot unfolds a magnificent vista of Mount Chornolhari, "Mountain of Goddess" (Alt. 7329 mtrs). Visit a typical Bhutanese farm house on the way back. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 Paro - Shana
Distance 17 kms. About 5-6 hours journey.
Altitude of Shana - 2,800 mtrs.
Drive upto to road end at Drugyel Dzong where the trek begins. The trail follows the river gently uphill through narrowing valley and agricultural fields. The night's camp is just beyond an army outpost.

Day 4 Shana - Soi Thangthangkha
The trail continues uphill through the river valley. The valley narrows so much that the path takes to the slopes. There is quite a lot of descending along this stretch. Camp in a meadow.

Day 5 Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang
Distance - 19 kms. About 5-6 hours journey.
Altitude of Jangothang - 4040 mtrs.
The trek starts up the Pa Chu. An army outpost is crossed along the way. The valley begins to widen again. All around high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks come into view. Yaks and yak herders' winter homes become a regular feature of the landscape. The night camp is beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Chomolhari.

Day 6 Jangothang - Halt
Trek upto Tsophu or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Chomolhari and it subsidiary mountain chains lie directly West, Jitchu Drake to the North and a number of unscaled peaks to the East. Overnight halt at camp

Day 7 Jangothang - Lingshi
Distance - 19 kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey.
Altitude of Lingshi - 4150 mtrs.
Trek through wide yak pastures and up and down passes. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on a clear day. Tsarim Kang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. Night halt is a choice between a stone hut or the tent.

Day 8 Lingshi - Halt
A day excursion to Tsokha (Lake) which is at the base camp of Jitchu Drake. Blue sheep and musk deer are plentiful along the trek route. Distance 15 kms. About 3 - 4 hours journey. Altitude of Tsokha - 4500 mtrs.

Day 9 Lingshi - Shodu
Distance - 22 kms. About 7-8 hours journey.
Altitude of Shodu - 3963 mtrs.
The trail climbs up to the Yalila Pass at an altitude of 4820 mtrs. From the pass, you can get an excellent view of Mt. Chomolhari, Tserim Gang and Masagang on a clear day. The trek from the pass to camp site at Shodu is steep down hill. Camp can be made in a stone shelter or in tent.

Day 10 Shodu - Barshong
Distance - 13 kms. About 3 - 4 hours journey. Altitude of Barshong - 3785 mtrs. The trail follows the Thim - Chu through forests of Rhododendron. Waterfalls can be seen along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to reach the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Camp can made in stone shelter or tent.

Day 11 Barshong - Dolam Kencho
Distance - 11 kms. About 3-4 hours journey. Altitude of Dolam Kencho - 3628 mtrs. The trail descends through thick forest of Rhododendron to meet the Thim- Chu and then ascends to pasture lands. Camp is in a meadow.

Day 12 Dolam Kencho - Thimphu
Distance - 14 kms. About 4-5 hours.
The trail continues through forested areas winding up and down and through a small pass. Langurs (monkeys) can be seen along the way. Overnight halt in Hotel.

Day 13 Thimphu - Day excursion to Punakha and Wangdi
Drive to Punakha and Wangdi for a day's excursion. Visit Punakha Dzong. Pack lunch will he arranged. Return to Thirnphu. Overnight halt in Hotel.

Day 14 Thimphu - Sightseeing
Visit Tashichho Dzong - the main Secretariat Building. It is from here that the the country is administered. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer. Wander through the town, visit shops and the Handicrafts Emporium, where Bhutanese textiles and other handicrafts are available. Visit the workshop where the handicrafts are made. Visit the painting and woodcrafts schools where traditional painting and other arts are kept alive. Visit the National Library and see the ancient manuscripts preserved there. Visit the Simtokha Dzong (6 kms. from Thimphu), the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1629 AD. The Simtokha Dzong houses the largest monastic school in the country.
Evening :

Day 15 Thimphu - Paro International Airport