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9 Days Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek
The Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek is often described as one of Bhutan’s most enchanting high-altitude journeys — and for good reason. This is a trail where silence feels sacred, where the world opens up in every direction, and where nature shows you just how magical Bhutan can be when you wander off the usual routes.
Starting just outside Thimphu, you climb gradually into a landscape shaped by grazing yaks, alpine flowers, and sweeping valleys. As you gain altitude, the views begin to change — distant Himalayan giants like Kanchenjunga and Jomolhari rise on the horizon, giving you that unmistakable feeling of walking above the clouds.
But the true highlight is the lakes themselves. Scattered like mirrors across the high plains, each lake has its own character — some deep and still, others ringed with wildflowers, and a few perfectly placed to catch the reflections of snow-capped peaks. Locals believe these waters are blessed and protected, and when you sit by the shore watching the ripples move across the surface, you understand why.
Along the way, you’ll cross gentle passes, wander through yak herder camps, and stop at viewpoints that make you pause just to take it all in. Unlike the more rugged treks in the north, Dagala feels softer, quieter, more meditative — ideal for anyone who wants the beauty of the Himalayas without extreme difficulty.
Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or simply someone who loves nature’s quiet poetry, the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek offers an experience that feels refreshingly pure, deeply peaceful, and wonderfully remote. It’s the kind of adventure that doesn’t just show you Bhutan — it lets you breathe it in.
Distance: 35–40KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Months: April — June, September — mid-November
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9 Days Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek Itinerary
1 Arrival in Bhutan – Thimphu
Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Upon landing at Paro International Airport, your guide will be waiting as you exit the arrival hall. We’ll keep today light to help you settle into the altitude. Enjoy a scenic drive to Thimphu, check in to your hotel, and savour your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine. If time and energy permit, we’ll explore a few highlights of the capital:
- Takin Enclosure – Meet Bhutan’s unusual national animal.
- Textile Museum – Discover the intricate art of Bhutanese weaving.
- Thimphu Dzong – The Kingdom’s largest dzong and the seat of the King’s office.
- National Memorial Chorten – A revered landmark built in honour of the Third King of Bhutan.
- Paper-Making Factory – Witness Bhutan’s traditional paper craft.
- Simtokha Dzong – The Kingdom’s oldest fortress, perched on a ridge just outside Thimphu.
2 Thimphu to Geynikha – Start of the Trek
This morning, drive from Thimphu to Geynikha, where your adventure begins. The trail climbs gently towards a ruined structure before descending through forest to the Geynitsang Chhu. You’ll pass a small waterfall and an irrigation channel balanced on wooden stakes before reaching your first campsite. If you arrive early, take a short walk to the nearby villages of Zamto and Chhochhekha.
Distance: 2 km / 1.25 miles
Duration: 5 hours (including 2-hour drive)
3 Geynikha to Gur
Leaving camp, the trail rises steeply before easing into a steady climb through oak forest. The path becomes gentler as you skirt the hillside, making your way into a beautiful birch forest that eventually opens to bamboo groves. By mid-day, you’ll arrive at Gur. Although close enough to reach in a day from Geynikha, Gur sits nearly 1,000m above Thimphu, making this an important acclimatisation stop.
Distance: 3.5 km / 2.2 miles
Duration: 2 hours
4 Gur to Labatama
A wide and clear trail leads you into a stunning high-altitude landscape, dotted with gentians and framed by views of the Dagala Range. The path eventually opens into a broad valley filled with yak herders’ huts. Continue to the end of the valley and camp just below the cliffs near a serene alpine lake. Travellers with a fishing permit may enjoy golden trout fishing in the late afternoon.
Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Duration: 5 hours
5 Labatama to Kiwi Chowa
Today offers two beautiful route options.
• Lower Route (4300m Pass): Used by pack animals and horsemen, this gentle trail crosses a 4,300m pass.
• Higher Route (up to 4520m): For the adventurous, a spectacular high trail leads to panoramic viewpoints. You may even climb Jomo Peak (4,716m) for breathtaking vistas of Jumolhari and Kanchenjunga, weather permitting.
The trail continues with short climbs across small valleys before reaching a cairn-topped saddle, followed by the final ascent to your campsite at Kiwi Chowa next to a narrow stream.
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Duration: 3–4 hours
6 Kiwi Chowa to Talakha Gompa – Drive to Thimphu
Begin with a gentle climb to a pass where four trails meet, then follow the route towards Talakha Gompa. This section requires caution due to loose rocks, especially for horses. Soon the landscape softens into a meadow before you make a long descent through a beautiful mix of fir, juniper, and rhododendron. You’ll reach the charming Talakha Gompa, known for its well-kept garden and sweeping views of Thimphu Valley. Your vehicle will be waiting just below the monastery to take you back to Thimphu.
Distance: 9 km / 5.5 miles
7 Thimphu to Paro – Exploring the Valley
This morning, journey to Paro Valley, home to some of Bhutan’s oldest and most iconic landmarks. Dominated by Mount Jomolhari and blessed with alpine rivers and terraced fields, Paro is a scenic and cultural highlight. Explore:
• Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong): A 15th-century fortress of deep historical significance.
• Ta Dzong (National Museum): Once a watchtower, now a beautifully curated museum displaying thangkas, artefacts, and ancient relics.
8 Drukgyal Dzong & Taktsang Monastery
Start with a visit to Drukgyal Dzong, the evocative ruins of a fortress built in 1647, standing as a reminder of Bhutan’s historic victories. Afterwards, begin your hike to the iconic Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). A pleasant walk brings you to the cafeteria viewpoint for your first postcard-perfect glimpse of the monastery clinging to the cliffside — the sacred site where Guru Padmasambhava arrived on the back of a tigress. After lunch, continue to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most significant temples.
9 Departure
Bid a fond farewell to Bhutan as you catch your early morning flight. We hope you leave with lasting friendships, cherished photographs, and memories that stay with you for years. Until we meet again — Tashi Delek, and thank you for choosing Druk Asia for your Bhutan trekking adventure!
Community Partners
Your journey contributes directly to local communities. Complete a feedback form after your tour and Druk Asia will donate to your chosen cause.
Gyalyum Trust
VAST Bhutan
Museums of Bhutan
Let's Customise Your Dream Bhutan Adventure
Join over 22,940+ happy travellers who've trusted our Bhutan experts to craft journeys that are anything but ordinary.
- Visa guaranteed — or your money back
- Pick your perfect stay — charming farmstay or luxe hotel
- Design your day — change activities even while you're in Bhutan
- Add a vibrant festival — timing around Bhutanese celebrations is pure magic
- Hike more, or hike less — totally your pace
- Experience Bhutan like a local — hot stone bath, cooking session, astrology reading
What Our Travellers Say
Druk Asia has strong networks with DrukAir and local tour agencies, making logistics a total breeze. The itinerary was well-planned yet flexible enough to accommodate different needs. We could decide when we wanted to get up, which places to visit or simply recuperate in solitude. Will go with Druk Asia again if I were to go back for spring or autumn. Won’t have it any other way!
My trip to Bhutan was pleasant and well organized by Druk Asia. I was very happy and comfortable with my tour guide, Tshering, and had absolute confidence in my driver, Chimmi. Tshering kept me entertained throughout the trip with histories and stories about Bhutan while Chimmi was an excellent driver. Bhutan is a very beautiful country with its unique Buddhist culture and a nation of very warm people. The sceneries were spectacular and its culture charming. I will definitely visit Bhutan again and recommend Druk Asia to my friends.
I knew this Druk Asia through my friend who initially asked me to go to Bhutan. I have to say this travel is excellent. We went to Bhutan through Thailand and the next day we missed the flight. Bhutan’s flight is a bit strange in a sense that we need to be at Thai’s airport 2 hours before departure. The gate closed quite early. Druk Asia helped us a lot to arrange our next day flight. During our time in Bhutan, this travel agent frequently asked our condition there whether we were alright or not. This sense of caring is simply excellent, particularly for the country like Bhutan which is in the Himalayan continent. I really grateful to go to this country with Druk Asia. Excellent!
Just wanted to let both of you know that we had a great time in Bhutan. Thanks for looking into the details. Both our guide and driver were great. Thanks again!
Back from Bhutan, I wanted to let you know that this has probably been the best holiday I ever had. Bhutan is really a wonderful place, the people are so friendly and the landscape gorgeous. We also had the best weather one could ask for, and that helped. We have been very happy the whole tour. One suggestion I would give you is to propose your future clients to spend 1 night in a farmhouse. We did, and we loved it. The host was absolutely nice and the experience of sharing dinner, breakfast and the ordinary life of a Bhutanese family was absolutely fantastic.
An unique experience! We had wonderful time in Bhutan. Though it was a short trip, we enjoyed natural beauty, spectacular view and warm friendly people. We have been many countries but this trip was something different, ...memorable and nostalgic.
