Detail Itinerary for 4 Days Trek in Bhutan (Dagala Trek)
Day 01. Arrive at Paro:
Upon arrival at Paro airport, received by our representative of Yak Holidays and transfer to the hotel.
After lunch, visit the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower which has been since 1967, the National museum of Bhutan and visit Rimpung Dzong, the administrative center of Paro valley. Dinner and overnight at the Tashi Namgay Resort.
Day 02. Paro sightseeing:
After breakfast, hike to Taktsang Monastery: a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, from there a 2 hour walk till the viewpoint point of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favorite consort.
After lunch, drive to the ruins of Drukgyel dzong, now under construction/ renovation, in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in 1644; the dzong name’s means indeed “The victorious Druk”. The Dzong was used as an administrative center until 1951 when a fire caused by butter lamp destroyed it. Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century. Dinner and overnight at the Tashi Namgay Resort.
Day 03. Paro – Gur:
After a relaxed breakfast, drive to Geynikha Gur. On the way, view Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15th century.
- Thang Thong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464) was a wonder working saint from Tibet who came to Bhutan in 1433 looking for Iron Ore. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum (Tashi Yangtse in Eastern Bhutan).
Drive further to Chuzom. Chuzom means where the rivers meet. The bridge is built on the confluence of the Paro river and the Thimphu river. The bridge connects the four districts of Paro, Haa, Chhukha and Thimphu. One will witness the three Stupas, built in Bhutanese, Tibetan and Nepalese style at Chuzom.
After lunch in Thimphu, drive to Genekha Gur for an overnight halt (Camp).
Day 04. Gur – Labatamba (Trek Day 01):
Cross the pass at 4240 meters for a view of Spectacular Dagala village. Pass though several herders camps en-route to the foot of the broad Labatamba valley at 4300 meters near Utso Lake, where plenty of Golden Trout flourish. There are so many lakes in the vicinity. Camp near the lake at 4300 meters. Dinner and over night in Camp.
Walking Distance: 12 Km, 5hrs, Ascent 1040 meters, Descent 110 meters
Day 05. Labatamba – Panka (Trek Day 02):
The trail climbs along the western side of the lake to saddle at 4500 meters, where there are good mountain views. From the pass there is a steep descent to another lake at 4350 meters. A short distance beyond the lake leads to the valley and then to Panka at 4000 meters.
Walking Distance 8 kms, 6-7 hours, Ascent 260 meters, Descent 520 meters. Camp at 4000 meters.
Day 06. Panka – Talakha (Trek Day 03):
The route leads north crossing a pass at 4000 meters, then climbs along the side of the ridge to a crest at 4270 meters. From here there is a view of the Dagala range and a view of Thimphu, far to the North. It is then a long descent through forests to the Goemba and village of Talakha (3080 meters).
Walking distance: 8 kms, 6-7 hours, Ascent 180 meters, Descent 1100 meters, Camp at 3080 meters.
Day 07. Talakha – Chamgang (Trek Day 04): – Thimphu:
Walk downhill on a steep trail to Chamgang (2640 meters) from where the Vehicle will pick you up and drive to Thimphu. After lunch, Rest and free to stroll in the town. Dinner and over night in Hotel Pedling.
Walking Distance: 6 Km, 3 Hrs, 440 meters descent.
Day 08. Thimphu Sightseeing:
The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honor of our 3rd King, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (The Father of Modern Bhutan), Tallest Statue of Buddha, Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin Preserve center, Sangaygang view point, and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
After lunch, we then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls) and Folk Heritage Museum. In the evening, visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan) and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Pedling or similar.
Day 09. Thimphu – Punakha – Thimphu: (76 Km, 3 hours drive).
After breakfast, Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas.
En-route visit to visit Chime Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. He subdued the demons with his “ Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
- Lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529) was one of the Bhutan’s Favourite Saints who was born in Tibet, trained at Ralung Monastery and was a contemporary and a disciple of Pema Lingpa. He Travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi) using songs, humour and outrageous behavior to dramatise his teachings of Salvation through sex.
After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. In the evening, drive back to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Pedling.
Day 10. Departure:
After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell.
