Bhutan's iconic Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

Arrival transfer from Paro airport to hotel in Paro - Arrival transfer from Paro airport to hotel in Paro - Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) fortress

Day 1: Paro

Arrival transfer from Paro airport to hotel in Paro
Other Transfer: On arrival in Paro International Airport, our guide will welcome you and transfer to your hotel in Paro.


Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) fortress
Excursion: Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it. It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in the spring.


Ta Dzong - Paro
Excursion: A one-time watch tower built to defend Rinpung Dozng during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, since 1967 Ta Dzong has served as the National Museum of the country. It holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps. The museum's circular shape augments its varied collection, displayed over several floors.


Outdoor activities around Paro
Excursion: Today you will get to participate in some cultural outdoor activities at the Souvenir House in Paro. Experiment with a traditional Bhutanese costume, enjoy shooting some archery or playing darts. The more spa-focused among you may choose to enjoy a hot stone bath, followed by a delicious meal of freshly prepared organic food.

Tiger's Nest Temple - Taktshang Hike whole - Drukgyel Dzong - Kyichu Lhakhang

Day 2: Paro

Tiger's Nest Temple - Taktshang Hike whole
Excursion: One of the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries, the splendid Tiger's Nest is perched on the side of a cliff, 900m above the Paro valley floor, and with its somewhat perilous appearance (it's perfectly safe) is considered iconic to local people. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and in the caves around it; hence its name, 'Tiger's Nest'. This site has since been recognized as a most sacred place and is visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. A fire in 1998 severely damaged the main structure of building, but this Bhutanese jewel has since been restored to its original splendour. It is a truly stunning sight and a must-see on visiting this very sacred country. The hike can feel difficult at first, but when in view of this gorgeous building you will hopefully feel the energy to carry on! The views are worth it. Distance Approx: 7KM Time: 4 hours total Elevation: 3200m


Drukgyel Dzong
Excursion: This Dzong, with a delightful village nestling at its foot, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Historically and strategically this Dzong withstood all its glory and was featured in a 1914 video by National Geographic magazine. The glory of Drukgyel Dzong remained even when its was destroyed by fire in 1951. On a clear day, one can see the commanding view of Mount Chomolhari from the village below the Dzong.


Kyichu Lhakhang
Excursion: It is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom, dating back to the 7th century (the other is Jambey Lhakahng in Bumthang). The lhakhang complex is composed of two temples. The first temple was built by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and in 1968, H.M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in its original pattern.

Trek from Paro to Genekha-Gur

Day 3: Paro - Gur campsite

Trek from Paro to Genekha-Gur
Excursion: The trek begins with the little village of Genekha. Today you will see many varieties of alpine flora and also some animals and many birds. After two hours of walking gradually uphill, rest at huge rock platform, from which there is a picturesque view of the valley below. After another two hours the trek ends for the day. Camp at Gur, where flowers are abundant in spring. 15km, 4 hours

Trek from Gur to Labathamba

Day 4: Gur campsite - Labathamba campsite

Trek from Gur to Labathamba
Excursion: Today’s trek takes us across meadows where wild asparagus and other small plants grow, and if taking this trek in the spring, you will feel you are walking over carpets of flowers. The first pass, marked by a large cairn gives a spectacular view of the whole Dagala range, alpine meadows and yak herders’ camps. We will lunch at a nearby yak herder’s camp. After lunch we will walk across hills and over meadows, ending the day at Yutsho Lake. 12km, 5 hours

Labathamba halt

Day 5: Labathamba campsite

Labathamba halt
Excursion: A day halt in Labathama is worth visiting the lakes and hiking up to the top of the pass for the breath taking view. On a clear day, one can see the world’s third highest mountain, Mt. Kanchenjunga, and Mt. Jumolhari, the highest mountain of Bhutan.

Trek from Labathamba to Pangkha

Day 6: Labathamba campsite - Pangkha campsite

Trek from Labathamba to Pangkha
Excursion: Walk for 20 minutes upwards before beginning the descent at around 4,460m. There will be splendid views of the Himalayas on the descent. Your guide will help you in identify individual peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tserimgang, Khangbum, Masagang, Tsendegang and Gangchenta. Himalayan monal pheasants are a common sight. Overnight camp on a grassy meadow at Pangkha. 8km, 4 hours

Trek from Pangkha to Cherigang

Day 7: Pangkha campsite - Cherigang campsite

Trek from Pangkha to Cherigang
Excursion: This day involves the crossing of several increasingly impressive passes. You will see several varieties of the blue poppy (if trekking June-July) and also many mountain birds along the way. After lunch, an hour’s gradual climb brings us to the top of the last ridge on the Dagala range from where there is a spectacular view of Thimphu valley below. Camp at Cherigang. 10km, 6 hours

Thimphu weekend market - Tashichho Dzong

Day 8: Thimphu

Thimphu weekend market
Excursion: People from across the country (especially from the west) come to Thimphu to sell agricultural produce and a whole gamut of goods in the weekend market located next to the national playground, Changlimithang. The market is momentarily shifted to the school soccer ground alongside the river, to revamp the old one into something like that of a shopping precinct. The weekend market is a place where people from all walks of life congregate to buy the entire week’s rations. Besides being apparently exotic, some vegetables and fruits are also mouth-watering and delectable. Some customers, especially foreigners, are more interested in buying small traditional Bhutanese souvenirs with choices ranging from decoration pieces like carved wooden masks, wooden bowls, and hand loomed fabrics to beautiful and antique jewellery.


Tashichho Dzong
Excursion: Tashichho Dzong (the Fortress of Auspicious Religion), is located in the capital and is the seat of the government as well as the monk population. His Majesty the king has his office here. During the winter, the monks move to Punakha, the old capital of the country, where the weather remains moderate when it freezes in Thimphu. Re-erected in 1968, the fortress suffered several major conflagrations. The central tower around which the fortress is built around is an original section of the old fortress. The outstandingly complex and subtle architecture of the fortress is one of the finest in the country. The fortress stands with the perfect expression alongside the Wang Chhu River in the Thimphu valley.

Transfer from Thimphu to Paro - Transfer from Thimphu to Paro - Memorial Chorten

Day 9: Thimphu - Paro

Transfer from Thimphu to Paro
Car Transfer: The drive will pass through Chuzom and Paro Airport. Estimated travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes


Memorial Chorten
Excursion: This memorial structure forms an important historical landmark in Thimphu city. It was constructed by the revered Dung–se Rinpoche at the behest of the late Royal Grandmother (Ashi Phuntsho Chhodron) in 1974, in memory of her son - the third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who died in 1972. His remains are in Kuje Lhakhang in Bumthang, but people pay their respects to his photograph mounted on an altar inside. The Chorten has great significance in the religious life of the people, and symbolizes, as do all stupas, the levels of the Buddha’s mind and teachings. The Chorten contains three chapels representing the main spiritual themes of the Nyingmapa school. The three storeys contain enormous three-dimensional Mandalas of meditational deitiesl excellent paintings and sculptures reflecting the devout faith of the Bhutanese. Occasionally a religious ceremony is performed here. People throng to offer fragrant incense, butter for the lamps and white scarves (Khadars), and to receive blessings from venerated Lamas.


Buddha viewpoint
Excursion: The tallest Buddha image - which will perhaps be the 8th wonder of the world - is being built in Kuensel Phodrang, a hill overlooking the Thimphu Valley. This is an attraction exclusively designed to commemorate the centenary and the coronation of the fifth king, Druk Gyelpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in 2008. When it's finished, this Buddha will be an incredible work of extravagant architecture. The 169 foot bronze Buddha Dordenma image fits exactly on one acre of land, and is planned to have 17 storeys of different Lhakhangs (monasteries) within it, including the throne. These include three storeys within the throne - two each inside the lotus, waist, chest, face and shoulder and one each in the legs, neck and head. The Lhakhangs will contain, among other things; 25,000 12in copper images of Buddha Dordenma gilded with gold; eight 10ft standing bodhisattvas; sixteen 6ft high Arahats; King Hashang (Maitreya Bodhisattva), Dharmata Tiger, Sutra Holder and the four direction kings. The third storey to the top will accommodate 100,000 eight inch statues of Buddha Dordenma. There will be a meditation hall inside the throne.


Changangkha Lhakhang
Excursion: The temple is one of the oldest in Thimphu, built in the 12th century. The site was chosen by Lam Phajo Drugom Zhipo. After the death of his son Nyima, his descendants took care of the monastery. Its silhouette, perched high on a spur, is a landmark of Thimphu. The monastery houses Chenrizig (Avolokitesawara), an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation as the central statue. The prayer books in this monastery are larger than the usual Buddhist texts. There are large prayer wheels inside the monastery and small wheels on the walls outside. The main guardian deity is named Dom-Tshang. Tourists are not allowed inside the temple without a permit, but one can sit next to the prayer flag and enjoy a good vista over the Thimphu Valley.


Takin preserve
Excursion: Visit this fascinating preserve to see the takin - a goat-antelope creature seen as the national animal of Bhutan. Local legends attribute the breeding of these animals to a 15th century saint named Drukpa Kunley, popularly known in Bhutan as the Divine Madman. While originally a mini-zoo, the area was converted into a 8.4 acre preserve after it was discovered that the animals refrained from inhabiting the surrounding forest area, even when set free. A popular stop with tourists and locals alike, the preserve also houses a few native Bhutanese species of deer, including the barking deer and sambar.


School of Arts and Crafts
Excursion: Not far from the Indigenous Hospital, the Painting School and National Library are located close to each other. At the Painting School, children follow a course in religious drawing and painting, sculpturing, carving and mask making.

Departure from Bhutan - transfer from hotel in Paro to Paro airport. - Departure from Bhutan - transfer from hotel in Paro to Paro airport.

Day 10:

Departure from Bhutan - transfer from hotel in Paro to Paro airport.
Other Transfer: Check out from hotel and transfer to Paro Airport for your onward journey.