Dagala Trek (12 Nights 13 Days)

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

The Dagala Trek unfolds as a captivating high-altitude adventure in Bhutan, immersing trekkers in the pristine wilderness of the Dagala range. Beginning at the picturesque Geynikha Chhorten, the trail winds through alpine meadows adorned with vibrant wildflowers, revealing breathtaking views of serene lakes and snow-capped peaks. The trek spans diverse landscapes, from lush forests to open yak pastures, providing encounters with nomadic yak herders and their traditional way of life. Crossing several mountain passes, including the highest at nearly 4,500 meters, the Dagala Trek offers a challenging yet rewarding journey, allowing explorers to appreciate Bhutan's untouched natural beauty and unique cultural tapestry.

02 / WHY GO

The memorable moments

Days Activities Accommodation Meals Day 01 Arrival in Paro Hotel [-/L/D] Day 02 Paro Tiger’s Nest (Monastery) Hike Hotel [B/L/D] Day 03 Paro – Genekha – Gur (Trek Start) Camping [B/L/D] Day 04 Gur – Labatama Camping [B/L/D] Day 05 Halt At Labatama Camping [B/L/D] Day 06 Labatama – Panakha Camping [B/L/D] Day 07 Panakha – Chamgang – Thimphu Hotel [B/L/D] Day 08 Thimphu – Punakha Hotel [B/L/D] Day 09 Punakha – Phobjikha Hotel [B/L/D] Day 10 Phobjikha – Thimphu Hotel [B/L/D] Day 11 Drive From Thimphu To Paro Hotel [B/L/D] Day 12 Final Departure [B/-/-]

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1:: Arrival in Paro — Upon your arrival at Paro Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative from Journey DMC who will assist you with the necessary arrival formalities. Paro is the gateway to Bhutan and offers a picturesque introduction to the country with its stunning landscapes and serene atmosphere. After completing the arrival formalities, you will be transferred to your hotel in Paro. Take this time to relax and unwind from your journey and get settled into your accommodation. Paro is a charming town located in a beautiful valley and is known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. You can explore the town in the evening, maybe take a stroll, and enjoy the local cuisine at one of the restaurants in the area. Overnight at the hotel. [-/L/D] Day Day 2:: Paro Tigers Nest (Monastery) Hike — Immediately after breakfast, drive towards the road point Totaktshang. Bhutan's most famous monastery, Taktsang Monastery, is perched on a cliff at an altitude of 900 meters in the Paro Valley. Taktsang means "tiger's nest" and is so named because Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the monastery grounds on the back of a flying tiger at the end of the first millennium. The monastery is located on a cliff about 800 meters above the floor of Paro Valley. It takes about an hour and a half to drive to the cafeteria and it offers great views of the Tiger's Nest. If you still want to hike, you can also take an additional hour to reach the temple. Then return to the cafeteria for lunch and walk downhill after lunch. Return to hotel by car. Overnight at the hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 3:: Paro – Genekha – Gur — Drive 45 km from Thimphu to the starting point of the trek. Today's path takes us through terraced fields and coniferous forests. The hike begins in the picturesque village of Geneca (2800 m above sea level) and descends a short distance to the river. From here, after crossing the river, we begin our climb to a huge rock platform at an altitude of 3350 meters. From there you can enjoy picturesque views of the valley below. After another 2 hours, he will reach Gur, at an altitude of 3290 m in the middle of a yak meadow. Overnight at Camping. [B/L/D] Day Day 4:: Gur – Labatama — Hiking along the mountain ridge allows you to enjoy the beauty of rugged mountain flora. The path winds through flowers and wild asparagus (spring). The grassland is refreshing and moving. The first pass, symbolized by a huge stone mountain, offers spectacular views of Kanchenjunga (Sikkim) and all of Bhutan's Himalayas. Descending into the Ramatama Valley, we gradually climb up the valley, passing several yak herders' huts, and arrive at Lake Utso, which is rich in golden trout. The campground is located directly above the lake at 4100 block. Overnight at Camping. [B/L/D] Day Day 5:: Halt at Labatama — Today we will go on a day trip to Lake Sertso and Lake Jagetso. The uphill hike to Lake Selzo is easy and interesting. From there, you will cross a small ridge and descend to Lake Jagetsu. Or, when there's no snow on Mount Jumo, try climbing the 5,000-meter peak Aum Jomo. If the weather is good, you can get a great view of the Dagara Mountains from the top. At night, we return to camp and prepare for the next day. Overnight at Camping. [B/L/D] Day Day 6:: Labatama – Panakha — The trail follows the western side of Dharaso to a saddle at 4520 meters above sea level, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Himalayas as you descend. This point is approximately 4460 m above sea level, and the peaks include Mount Everest (Nepal), Kanchenjunga (Sikkim), Jumolari, Jitchu His Drake, Tseringan, For even more spectacular views of Kambum, Masa Gan, Tsenda Gan, and Ganche Ta, you can climb the 4720m peak near the saddle. From the saddle, the road goes downhill past some yak herders' huts to Docac You will continue along the river for a while, but with some ups and downs along the way, you will continue up the hill until you reach Pangka. Camping at Panca at 4000 meters. Optional note: If you are trekking in the spring, there is no drinking water at Pangkahe camp. Therefore, you can continue hiking for about an hour and a half from Pangka to reach your current camp. That way your last day will be easier and a little shorter. Overnight at Camping. [B/L/D] Day Day 7:: Panakha – Chamgang – Thimphu — They are scheduled to start early this morning. We have to cross several passes on this day, each more impressive than the last. Look for different species of blue poppies (June-July) and mountain birds. After crossing the last small ridge, we gradually descend towards the main junction pass, which intersects the roads to Chamgan, Tareja, Ganeka, and Gasero. So we make a very short descent to the right and then a horizontal turn for a few minutes towards the Chamgan trail. You will have to climb up and down three to four small ridges before starting the steep descent until you reach Chamgan Village. Eventually, we reach the motorway, and transport to Thimphu is waiting. Overnight at the Hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 8:: Thimphu – Punakha — Head to Punakha via the beautiful Dochula Pass (3100 meters). Weather permitting, the pass offers spectacular views of Bhutan's Himalayas. Upon arrival in Punakha, first check in to your hotel. After lunch in Punakha town, we will visit: Punakha Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. Devine Madman Temple (also known as Fertility Temple) Overnight at the Hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 9:: Punakha – Phobjikha — After breakfast, drive to the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, and upon arrival, check into your hotel and go on a short hike. Next, visit the Black-necked Crane Information Center, located on the edge of the forest and wetlands along the Phobjikha Valley main road. The Black-necked Crane Information Center has an observation room equipped with a high-performance telescope and spotting scope, so you can see the cranes up close. The center also provides exhibit information about the natural and cultural history of the area. Overnight at the Hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 10:: Phobjikha – Thimphu — After breakfast, visit Gangati Goenpa and begin your journey from Phobjikha to Thimphu. Along the way, you can stop for photos and enjoy the picturesque scenery and nature. If time permits then visit Wangdue town and drive to Punakha to have lunch. After reaching Thimphu, check into the hotel and take a rest for a while, and stroll through town. Overnight at the Hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 11:: Drive from Thimphu to Paro — The drive from Thimphu to Paro in Bhutan is approximately 55 kilometers and usually takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on road conditions. The journey offers stunning views of Bhutan's landscapes and is known for its scenic beauty. Starting from Thimphu, the capital city, you'll likely head westward on the winding mountain roads. The route takes you through picturesque valleys, traditional villages, and lush greenery. Along the way, you might catch sight of the Paro River and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The road conditions are generally good, but weather conditions can affect travel times, especially during monsoon or winter seasons. Always check for the latest information on road conditions and weather before embarking on the journey. Overnight at the Hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 12:: Final Departure — The last day morning will be free and near the time of your flight. You will be at the airport within the time to board your flight for the onward trip.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Paro — Upon your arrival at Paro Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative from Journey DMC who will assist you with the necessary arrival formalities. Paro is the gateway to Bhutan and offers a picturesque introduction to the country with its stunning landscapes and serene atmosphere.+