A wonderful way to experience the diversity of Bhutan without traveling to extreme altitudes or taking a long trip from Thimpu, the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek is an excellent option for trekkers short on time or those looking for a more relaxed trekking experience. We will pass through a series of high altitude lakes offering tranquil water that have been used by locals for agriculture and fishing for generations. Hike along these traditional routes and experience the life source of countless people as you admire the wonderful mountain scenery and stunning lakes of Dagala.
DAYS 1-4
- Day 1: Paro Airport – Hotel
Arrival, check in to your hotel and lunch. After Lunch, visit the Ta Dzong, once a fortified lookout tower that is now the National Museum. Overnight hotel in Paro.
- Day 2: Paro (Acclimatization to Tiger’s Nest)
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which stands at 3180m. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Explore the Monastery and hike back to Paro. In the evening, drive to Thimphu. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
- Day 3: Thimphu – Genekha – Gur (3290 M)
From Thimphu drive 45km to the starting point of the trek. Today’s trail is all through terraced fields and conifer vegetation. The trek starts from beautiful Genekha village (2800m) with a short descent down to the river. From here you start climbing till you reach a huge rock platform at 3350m from where you have a picturesque view of the valley below. After another two hours reach Gur amidst yak pastures at 3290m.
- Day 4: Gur – Watachen (4300 M)
Today’s trek is amidst flowers, wild asparagus (in spring) and large meadows. Weaving through tiny streams, climb gently through scattered birches and rhododendrons to arrive at Pagalabtsa pass (4250m) 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 the view is of the whole Dagala range meadows and yak herders camp.
DAYS 5-9
- Day 5: Watachen – Utsho Lake – Labatama (4300 M)
Explore lakes after lunch, (4300 M) Hike uphill to Sertsho Lake is easy and interesting. Afterwards walk over a small ridge and then down to Jagetsho Lake Descend into the Labatama valley and then ascend gradually through the valley passing some yak herder huts till you reach Utsho Lake (4300m). Our campsite is right next to the lake.
- Day 6: Labatama – Pankha (4000 M)
The trail climbs along the western side of DalaTsho up to a saddle at 4520m from where you can have a majestic view of Himalayan peaks during descent, including Everest, Kanchenjunga, Jumolhari, Jitchu Drake, Tshering Gang, Khangbum, Masang Gang, Tshenda Gang and Gangche Ta. From the saddle the path descends, passing some yak herder huts to Docha Chu. You follow the river for a while, but stay higher up on the slope to reach Pankha with some ups and downs on the way. Camp at Pankha at 4000m.
- Day 7: Pankha – Tso Zhong
Today we climb impressive pass goes gradual all the way to the top, 4300 M and after lots up and down all the way to camp.
- Day 8: Tso Zhong – Paro
After crossing the last pass, Tala La (4180m) start a long descent to Talakha Monastery. Continue walking through mixed vegetation and apple orchards. Arrive at the main motorable road of Chamgang (2640m) where your transport will be waiting to transfer you to Paro. Overnight in a hotel in Paro
- Day 9: Paro
Transfer to Paro Airport for the flight out. Trip ends!
Inclusions:
- All transfers in a non-AC vehicle as per the itinerary
- All arrangements for staying and camping while on trip
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis in tents / hotel
- All meals as mentioned in itinerary & safe drinking water
- All trip arrangements with India’s most experienced guiding team, camp staff and cooks
- All common camping and trekking equipment
- A guide for all monastery sightseeing
- Peak fee / sanctuary fee / royalty / permits where applicable
Exclusions:
- Sleeping bag
- Flights not included in the above-mentioned cost
- Any transfers or meals outside of itinerary
- Bottled water
- Items of personal clothing
- Expenses of any personal nature (laundry / phone calls / alcohol / cigarettes / insurance / camera fee / etc.)
- Any expense incurred due to force of nature such as landslides, bad weather or reasons beyond our control
- Tips & gratuities (we recommend 5-10% of your trip cost- to be distributed among the team) – personal choice
- Travel & cancellation insurance
FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS
Take a look at photos & videos from previous journeys. Read testimonials from our new & regular clients.
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WHY GO WITH AQUATERRA ADVENTURES
A question easy to answer, you may wonder, in an age where adventure travel is apparently booming. Varying costs are available and there is no shortage of operators willing to run your trip. This is possibly the most important decision for you to make, after you have chosen to take on an adventure trip.
An Experienced Team
Our team of guides has years of experience of travel throughout the Indian Himalaya, from running rivers to leading treks – from the barren Zanskar to the tropical rainforest of Arunachal Pradesh. They speak English, have completed graduate school, are current with First Aid and CPR certification and form the most experienced guiding team in the country today.
Value for Money
The prices of our trips provide a high value for money returns. They are priced to keep our standards high and your trip, smooth. Cost usually is a deciding factor for many a trip, but for an adventure trip, the deciding factor should be confidence in your operator. We combine high operator confidence with a pricing balanced to give you a trip to remember.
Best Equipment
Equipment on all our adventure travel trips matches worldwide standards. On treks, we use 4 season 2-person tents, which can withstand the harshest weather conditions, and keep you dry and protected from the elements. Outfitter wings accompany all mountain trips for dining under.
Great Food
Our staff is trained in hygienic preparation of meals and offers a great variety of food on an outdoor trip. Good equipment, food and guides is what makes an outdoor trip an experience to savour.
WHAT TRAVELLERS SAY ABOUT US
Uday Bengal
Musician & Lead Band Member – Indus Creed
A bunch of us friends recently got in touch with Aquaterra Adventures to set up a whitewater rafting trip on the Tons River in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Aquaterra team were excellent in every way: they were superbly efficient, highly reassuringly safe and extremely warm, friendly and hospitable.
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Pooja Dhameja
Avid Trekker
There isn’t a more classy example of a team that is so well organised, courteous, warm and welcoming! The arrangements right from the camping sights, food, refreshments and stay were so extremely comfortable, of-course the food and the variety offered just beat everything else.
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Mr. Rajesh
Avid Adventurer
Camp Bagi (near Mori, Uttarakhand) is a beautifully located and professionally maintained wilderness camping site. Operated by Aquaterra, the gold standard in adventure tours in India, it offered us a highly memorable rafting, hiking and camping experience over the 4 days that we stayed there (May 28-31, 2019)
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Geetika
Adventure Enthusiast from Gurgaon
Great job by the team, especially Rana. We went with 2 kids aged 2.5 yrs and 6.5 yrs and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. My elder one loved the trek and the rafting experience was great too! Definitely recommend it for others.
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