Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek
- By admin
- 11 days
- relish tours bhutan
Upon arrival at Paro International airport, you will be welcomed by our company representative and the tour guide will receive and escort you to designated Hotels in Paro.
In the afternoon drive to the ruins of the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, an historic monument built by the Zhabdrung to commemorate his victory against invading Tibetans in 1644. In fine weather the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Overnight at Paro.
Hike to Tiger's Nest, one of the most sacred Taktshang monasteries in Bhutan. It is perched on the cliff where Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery.
The trek starts from the beautiful Geynekha village. After crossing a bridge over the Wang Chu (Thimphu River), we follow a good track steadily upward through oak forest to a huge rocky platform, which offers a picturesque view of the valley. We continue slowly up through birch and bamboo forest to reach our camp in a meadow at gur. Overnight in campsite.
While trekking across the ridges, one enjoys the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation. Today's trek is amidst flowers and wild asparagus in spring and meadows are refreshing and inspiring. The first pass symbolized by a huge cairn gives a spectacular view of Kanchenjunga and most of the Bhutanese Himalayan peaks. Descending from the pass one will view the whole Dagala Range, meadows and yak herder's camp. Lunch at nearby yak herder's camp. After lunch you will walk across hills and meadows, ending the fourth day of trek. Overnight in campsite nearby Yutsho Lake where golden trout's are in abundance.
Walk for 20 minutes upwards and later you will have majestic view of Himalayan peaks during descent. This point is around 4,460m. The mountains peaks include Everest, Kanchenjunga, Jumolhari, Jichu Drake, Tshering Gang, Khangbum, Masang Gang, Tshendegang and Gangchen Ta. Here the Himalayan monal peasants are common sight. Overnight in campsite.
The path continues on through a forest of rhododendrons populated by Himalayan pheasants. We reach enormous cairns at Chole La Pass (4100m). From here, we drop down to Kiwi Chowa (4030m). Our route then continues to a pass at 3960m where four tracks converge. We follow the northern route past a ruin said to have once been a dzong to monitor the movement of locals between Wangduephodrang & Thimphu districts. A ridge leads to Talakha Peak (4300m) revealing great views of the Thimphu Valley. If there is a good weather, we can even view Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari and Jichu Drake from here. An hour's walk, you are at the last camp, little above the Talekha Monastery.
Passing through alpine and mixed vegetation, one reaches Talekha monastery and village and once again Thimphu view is superb. From here it's only an hour's walk down to the road head and soon we are driving through apple orchards to reach Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Night at Thimphu.
We will start our sightseeing tour visiting Memorial Chorten built in memory of the 3rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Further, we will visit the Zorig Chusum - 13 Arts & Crafts Institute where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive. The visitors can see students of different trades at work like: Sculpting, Thanka Painting, Wood Carving and other skills.
Afternoon visit to the Textile Museum, Handicrafts Emporium, Crafts Bazaar where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. In the evening free for a leisure walk to explore Thimphu. The walk around the city is easy and would be enjoyable to experience the Bhutanese way of life.
In the morning drive to Punakha, the former Capital of Bhutan (77 Km) from Thimphu. Enjoy panoramic view of Black Mountain range at Dochu La, Visit Druk Wangyel Lhakhang, and Royal Botanical Garden on the way. Dochu La is a paradise for photographers.
On arrival to Punakha we will visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, "the unifier of Bhutan" to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region. It is placed strategically at the junction of the Pho chu and Mo chu rivers. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored in recent years by the present monarch and displays some of the best works of Bhutanese arts and crafts.
After lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility, blessed by the Divine Mad Man in the 1500s. The walk to the temple will take about 45 minutes one way through rice paddy fields. Night at Punakha/Wangduephodrang.
In the morning drive upstream of Phochu for a short hike/return from the view point. Depart for Paro after Lunch.
Evening: Take a stroll through Paro town. The town is flooded with handicraft shops catering to tourist interest. There also fake jewelry shops. Bargaining is accepted and part of business deals.
The guests will be Seen Off by a Representative of our company and the Tour Guide at the Exit Gate. Wish Bon Voyage!!!