Dagala Trek 16N 17D
Duration
Tour Type
Explore Tours
Dagala is a mountain range that divides two prominent valleys of Thimphu and wangdi. The altitude of the plateau is around 4000 meters. It has many lakes of different sizes and in most lakes’ one can find brown trout fish. Alpine flowers, rhododendrons, different species of pheasants, musk deer are found in abundance. The plateau is also a grazing ground for yaks in summer. Best times for trekking in these parts are May/June and Sept/Oct.
This is a short trek, near Thimphu, to a large number of lovely high altitude lakes. You pass through terraced paddy fields and through coniferous forests, to the settlements of Geynikha, 2,500 meters. The trail leads up the ridge and across meadows to a pass at 4,240 meters with a spectacular view of the whole Dagala range. You will pass through several yak herders camps en-route the broad Labatama valley at 4,050 meters. The lakes are flourished with brown trout. Near the lakes is a mass of wild alpine which flowers in September. The routes are not well marked; it is more of a cross-country traverse. The trail descends steeply through mixed forest of rhododendron. The trek is not difficult and most trekking days is short but there are some long steep climbs.
Included/Exclude
- SDF (Sustainable Development Fees) & Taxes for above said duration of stay in Bhutan.
- Visa process and E-permits arrangement as per the itinerary mentioned here.
- All accommodations on twin/double sharing basis or as per the group size.
- Breakfast & your choice of lunch and dinner.
- Full-time English-Speaking License Guide from Medieval Bhutan Tours.
- Transfers and sightseeing as per your itinerary by comfortable imported vehicles.
- Applicable entrance fees to those sightseeing indicated in the itinerary only.
- Farmhouse experiences for those interested guests.
- Cultural experiences and activities for those interested.
- Complimentary bottled water throughout the journey.
- Flight Fares (domestic & internationals).
- Additional/Extra room supplement and room upgrade charges.
- Bank charges for payment transfers. Card payment charges are higher than wire transfer.
- Any alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages taken from the hotels/restaurants
- Personal expenses or shopping, phone calls, use business center in the hotels etc.
- Travel Insurance covering COVID expenses & refund for unforeseen trip cancelation.
- Gratuities to guides and drivers.
- Activities like (Cycling, River Rafting, Motor Biking, Horse Riding, Cultural Program etc.).
- Anything which is not mentioned under inclusion are not included in the cost.
Tour Plan
During this flight, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, KanchanJunga and other Himalayan Peaks including sacred Chomolhari and Mt Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by a representative of Destination Bhutan Adventure, then drive to a Hotel. After lunch you will be taken to Ta-Dzong(Museum). Overnight at Hotel.
Drive winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined Fort. This fortress, now a burned shell, was once strategic in Bhutan's defense against the Tibetan invasion. MountChomolhari, the sacred summit, reaches skyward beyond the Dzong. This can be viewed on a clear day. On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farm house.
The morning follow the winding road by the Pa Chu (Chu means river or water) down stream to its confluence with the Wangchu then up-valley to Thimphu, the capital. After lunch, visit the Memorial Chorten, here the people circumambulate the shrine dedicated to the Late King telling their prayer beads as they walk. Overnight in Hotel.
A full day of sightseeing and shopping in Thimphu. Wander in the town, visit the handicraft emporium. Visit the workshop where all the handicrafts are produced if you like. Afternoon visit Tashichho-Dzong. Overnight at the Hotel.
45 minutes drive to the starting point of the trek. An unmetalled road with a sign board reading Genekha Pry. School is a trail for the day 4hourswalk. All through the trail, terrace farms and coniferous vegetation are abundant. Camp at Genekha.
On this day we leave Genekha (the village of Medieval metallurgists). The communication with nature starts with alpine flora and fauna (birds are common). Two hours of gradual uphill walk and rest at a huge rock platform reveals the beauty of nature below. Another 2 hours walk ends the days trek. This camp is in the heart of the wood, ideal for afternoon stroll. Flowers are abundant in spring.
Trekking across the ridges, one enjoys the beauty of the mountain with a green lush vegetation. The trek today is amidst flowers and wild asparagus (in spring). The mountain side meadows freshens the trekkers with the poetic sentiments. The first pass symbolised by a huge cairn gives a spectacular view of the whole "Dagala" Range, meadows and the yak- herder's camps. Lunch at a nearby yak-herder's camps. Then walk across hills and meadows. Camp near "Utso" lake where golden trout flourish.
This day is an ideal excursion to the three lakes namely "Relitso, Hentso and Jamatso" your trekking escort will reveal the mystic stories of these lakes. Trout fishing on your own can add delicacy to your meal in this wild mountain country.
Excursion to "Setso" and nearby lakes. Hike to "Setso" is very easy (15minutes). Later, walk over a small ridge and then down to "Jagetso" lake. Whole day trout fishing with packed lunch by lake side hives a typical Himalayan mood. The "Ahimsa" (non-violence) group can attempt climbing "Jomo", a peak which is 5050m. Lunch at the summit with spectacular view around can be memorable for a lifetime. Return to camp by dusk and prepare for the next day.
20 minutes uphill and before descending down the valley take a good view of the great "Himalayan" peaks. This point is around 4460m above sea level. Your escort will identify the peaks from Everest, Kanchanjunga, Chomolhari, Jichudrake. Tsevingang, Gangbom, Masagang, Tsendaygang and Ganchen Taa. Passing through meadows, shrubs and lakes the day is made as you camp at Panka". 4hours walk and one should be attentive to natives complexities. The Himalayan monal pheasants are common sight apart from yaks and horses.
On this day one meets several passes each reveal its own beauty. Look out for blue poppy varieties (June – July ) and mountain birds. lunch at the point where one trail leads to "Talekha"
and other to Wangdiphodrang". After lunch an hours gradual (easy) climb bring you to the tip of the last "Dagala"range from where Thimphu view is spectacular. The view is like looking at Thimphu in your palms. An hours walk down hill terminates at your last camp of the Dagala Trek:(a little above Talekha Monastery).
Passing through alpine and mixed vegetation (bamboo tickets and flowers like wildness) one reaches Talekha village. Once again Thimphu view is superb. Passing through mixed vegetation and apple orchards, one reaches the main motorable road to Thimphu where your cars awaits. Today's trek is 3-4 hours. The trek ends and a memory added. Drive to Thlimphu. Afternoon leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
About 45 minutes from Thimphu lies Dochula pass at an altitude of 3100M. The pass offers the most spectacular view of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day. From the pass have panoramic view of the eastern Himalayan peaks over 6000m to 7551m snow Cap Mountains. After pass stop at cafeteria for Tea and biscuits. The road then descends a long way to Punakha. After your lunch at the hotel in Punakha, later visitPunakha Dzong known as Palace of great Happiness, a massive structure built in 17th century at the junction of two rivers Pho Chuu and Mo Chuu.Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955, and Punakha still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body. Bhutan’s first king, Ugyen Wangchuk was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood several damages from fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. The latest flood, in October, 1994, caused great damages to the fortress but miraculously spared its most holy statue. After lunch hike to Chimi Lakhang15 century temple (temple of fertility), Here we take a short walk through rice field to see Divine madman (1555-1529) temple. It is known a temple of fertility as barren women who visit this temple are blessed with children. We will also visit a local village farm house, to gain insight into the lifestyle of the people.
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha/ Wangdue.
After breakfast drive 68 km its 3 hours to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang, where we will stop to visit the remarkable Wangduephodrang Dzong which was built in 1639 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Since then it served as a spiritual and temporal seat. Then drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forest, and over a high pass down into the Phobjikha valley. Phobjikha valley with 162 km square area is Bhutan largest wetland making it the most favored wintering habitat of very rare black-necked cranes in the country. The birds migrate from Tibet to Bhutan to winter here (from November -March). The global population of cranes is estimated to be at 11,000 (2005, Mary B.) of which about 500 of them winter in Bhutan every year. Visit Gangtey Gompa, the 15th century monastery one of the oldest Nyingmapa monasteries that look like a small Dzong located on a hillock from where you can enjoy the views of Phobjikha valley. The monastery houses an Institute of Buddhist Studies.
Overnight at the hotel in Phobjikha.
Morning we do good short walk is the Gantey Natural Trail (2 hours). It is a gradual pleasant walk where we can see Black-necked Cranes feeding and visit Crane information center, Carpet factory. Lunch and drive back to Thimphu with a short stop at Dochula cafe for tea, coffee.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu
Early in the morning drive to Paro and excursion to Taktshang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is a whole day program. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, founding father of the Bhutanese form of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the cave for three months and subdued a demon. Taktshang Monastery, tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, rebuilt later. It will demand half a day to hike up to the monastery and return. If time permits on the way visit the Drugyel Dzong(Bhutanese victory over the Tibetans) built sometimes in 1647, Though largely destroyed by fire in 1951, the ruins still present an imposing sight this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Jomolhari "Mountain of the Goddess" can be seen on a clear day (Alt. 7,314m). also visit Kichu Lhakhang which was built sometimes in mid 7th century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. It is believed to be one of the 108 temples built to subdue a demoness residing in the Himalayas. It is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan reflecting the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. There offer prayers of thanks for a beautiful visit to Bhutan. Later stroll in the Paro town to buy last minute presents and souveniours.
Overnight at the hotel/ Home Stay in Paro
Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
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