Trekking
Druk Path Trek
Six days along the ridge between Paro and Thimphu, past a ruined dzong and a chain of high lakes, with Jomolhari on the skyline in clear weather.
Price on request
Trekking
Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek
Five days through high yak pasture south of Thimphu, among the small lakes that give the trek its name.
- Length
- 10 days / 9 nights
- On the trail
- 5 days
- Highest point
- 4,300 m, the highest camp, at Labatamba
- Grade
- Moderate
- Best months
- March to May and September to November
- Price
- Price on request
Overview
The Dagala range lies south of Thimphu, close to the capital on the map and a long way from it in every other sense. The trek crosses yak pasture dotted with small lakes, the "thousand" of its name, and you are unlikely to meet many other walkers.
It is the quiet alternative to the Druk Path: a little shorter, about as high, and far less used. After the first morning the trail passes no villages, only the camps of yak herders.
The route climbs above 4,000 m and stays there for two nights, so it rewards steady legs more than speed.
Highlights
- Two nights at 4,000 m and above, among the lakes around Labatamba
- Yak herders' camps and open pasture, with few other walkers
- Long views to the Himalaya from the high ground on clear days
- A finish close to Thimphu
- The Tiger's Nest beforehand, to help you adjust to the height
Route
- Paro
- Camp at Gur
- Camp at Labatamba
- Camp at Panka
- Camp at Talakha
- Thimphu
- Paro
Day by day
Day 1 Arrive in Paro
Your guide meets you at the airport. The rest of the day is for settling in at 2,250 m: a visit to Rinpung Dzong and a walk through the town are enough.
- Night altitude
- 2,250 m
- Night in
- Paro
- Meals
- L, D
Day 2 The Tiger's Nest
The walk to Taktsang is the best preparation for the trek, taking you to about 3,100 m and back down to sleep low. Allow four to five hours. Your trek gear is checked in the evening.
- Night altitude
- 2,250 m
- Night in
- Paro
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 3 Paro to Genekha, and on to Gur
You drive to the village of Genekha, where the crew is waiting. The path climbs past terraced fields and then through oak and rhododendron forest to the camp at Gur.
- Walk or drive
- By road to Genekha, then about 4 hours on foot
- Night altitude
- 3,290 m
- Night in
- Camp at Gur
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 4 Gur to Labatamba
The main climb of the trek. The trail rises across high ridges and over a pass at 4,240 m before the country opens into the basin of Dagala. Camp is at Labatamba, beside the lake of Utsho Tsho.
- Walk or drive
- 12 km, about 5 hours, about 1,000 m of climbing
- Night altitude
- 4,300 m
- Night in
- Camp at Labatamba
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 5 Labatamba to Panka
A day among the lakes, staying at about 4,000 m or higher throughout, with the mountains to the north in view whenever the cloud allows.
- Walk or drive
- About 8 km
- Night altitude
- 4,000 m
- Night in
- Camp at Panka
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 6 Panka to Talakha
The trail climbs once more, to a crest at about 4,270 m, then begins a long descent into forest. Camp is beside the small monastery of Talakha, looking down towards Thimphu.
- Walk or drive
- About 8 km, with about 1,200 m of descent from the crest
- Night altitude
- 3,080 m
- Night in
- Camp at Talakha
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 7 Talakha to Chamgang, and Thimphu
A short walk down through forest to the road at Chamgang, and a short drive into Thimphu. The afternoon is free.
- Walk or drive
- 6 km, about 3 hours
- Night altitude
- 2,334 m
- Night in
- Thimphu
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 8 Thimphu
A day in the capital: the Memorial Chorten, the Buddha Dordenma, the crafts school and, later in the day, Tashichho Dzong.
- Night altitude
- 2,334 m
- Night in
- Thimphu
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 9 Thimphu to Paro
An hour back to Paro, for the National Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang.
- Walk or drive
- 54 km, about 1 hour
- Night altitude
- 2,250 m
- Night in
- Paro
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 10 Depart from Paro
Transfer to the airport for your flight.
- Meals
- B
What is included
Included
- The Sustainable Development Fee, US$100 a night for each adult at the current rate
- Visa fee of US$40 and the visa application made for you
- 5 nights in hotels and 4 nights in camp
- All meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 10
- A licensed trekking guide, a cook and camp crew, and pack animals for the baggage
- Sleeping tents, mats, a dining tent, a kitchen tent and a toilet tent
- A private vehicle and driver for all road travel
Not included
- Flights to and from Paro
- Travel insurance. Cover for emergency evacuation is strongly advised on any trek
- A sleeping bag
- Entry fees at monuments
- Drinks, tips and personal spending
Practical details
- Accommodation
Hotels in Paro and Thimphu, and four nights in two-person tents on the trail.
- Meals
Cooked meals on the trek, prepared by the camp cook, with tea brought to your tent in the morning. Boiled water is provided for your bottles.
- Transport
A private vehicle with a driver between the airport, the hotels and the two ends of the trail.
- Guide and trek crew
A licensed trekking guide walks with you. The cook, helpers and horsemen go ahead to set up camp. Treks in Bhutan may only be undertaken with an accredited guide or operator.
- Equipment we supply
Tents, sleeping mats, dining, kitchen and toilet tents, and all cooking gear. Your main bag is carried by the pack animals; you carry a day pack.
- Visa and permits
No army or national-park permit is needed for this route. We arrange your visa and the trek's paperwork.
- Fitness and preparation
Daily distances are short, but the second trekking day climbs about 1,000 m to a camp at 4,300 m, and two nights are spent at 4,000 m or above. You should be used to walking five or six hours on rough ground. Altitude is the main risk: the two days in Paro help, and your guide will bring you down if you show signs of sickness.
What to bring
- Walking boots that are already broken in
- A sleeping bag rated to about minus 10°C
- Warm layers, a down or synthetic jacket, hat and gloves
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- A head torch and spare batteries
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Two water bottles of one litre each
- Walking poles, if you use them
- A day pack of 25 to 30 litres
- Any medicines you take, and a small first-aid kit
Questions about this trip
Is altitude a problem in Bhutan?
On a cultural tour, rarely. Paro and Thimphu are at 2,200 to 2,350 m, where most visitors notice only shortness of breath on stairs for a day or two. The road passes are higher, at 3,100 to almost 4,000 m, but you cross them by vehicle and do not stay.
Treks are different. Camps on the Druk Path are above 3,500 m and the northern treks cross passes near 5,000 m. Our trek itineraries build in days to adjust, and your guide will take you down if you show signs of altitude sickness. If you have a heart or lung condition, speak to your doctor before booking any trip to Bhutan.
What is provided on a trek, and what do I bring?
We provide the tents, sleeping mats, a dining tent, a kitchen tent and a toilet tent, and all the cooking gear, with a guide, a cook and helpers. Pack animals carry the baggage, so you walk with a day pack.
You bring your own boots, clothing and sleeping bag. Each trek page has a packing list.
Do I need a visa for Bhutan?
Yes, unless you are an Indian national, in which case you need an entry permit instead. The visa costs US$40, is applied for online, and is normally decided within five working days.
When you book with us we make the application for you. You send a scan of your passport, which must be valid for at least six months, and a recent passport photo. See Bhutan visa and entry permits.
What is the Sustainable Development Fee?
A fee every visitor pays to the government of Bhutan for each night in the country. It is US$100 a night for adults and US$50 for children aged 6 to 11; children under 6 pay nothing. Indian nationals pay Nu. 1,200 a night.
It is paid with your visa application. When you travel with us we collect it with the tour payment and pass it on. See the Sustainable Development Fee.
Places on this trip
More treks
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Price on request
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Price on request
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