Western Bhutan · Moderate
Dagala Thousand Lakes
High lake country an hour south of Thimphu, with a free day to wander between the lakes.
- Days
- 98 nights
- On trek
- 5 days4 nights camping
- Distance
- 41 kmon foot
- Highest
- 4,720 mviewpoint above Dala Tsho
- Best months
- Spring, autumnApril and May, September to November
- From
- USD 2,900per person, all fees in
Photo: Zoepa, CC BY-SA 4.0
Overview
Dagala Thousand Lakes: Genekha to Chamgang
Dagala is a high plateau south of Thimphu scattered with glacial lakes. The trek is short and quiet, and it starts less than an hour's drive from the capital.
You camp three nights between 4,000 m and 4,300 m, with a whole day at Labatama to walk between lakes. On the way out, a saddle above Dala Tsho (4,520 m) and an optional scramble to 4,720 m give one of the widest Himalayan views in western Bhutan.
Is it for you? Moderate
Good fitness and walking 5 to 8 hours. You sleep three nights above 4,000 m, so we acclimatise first and the free day helps.
Highlights
- A free day among the Labatama lakes: Utsho, Reli, Hen and Jagay Tsho
- Optional sunrise from 4,720 m, the high point of the trek
- Yak pastures and herders' camps, very few other groups
- Starts and ends within an hour of Thimphu
“So many lakes, everywhere you look, really beautiful. One morning we wake up very early and see the sunrise from 4,700 m, from there you can see almost all the Himalaya. I never forget this. And all the week we don't see any other trekking group, only us and the yaks!”
Route
Genekha to Chamgang
The line follows the trail as mapped in OpenStreetMap. Dashed sections are approximate, where the trail isn't mapped. Camps are green, passes orange.
The route map needs JavaScript. The stops are listed below.
- Genekha 2,400 m
- Gur 3,290 m
- Labatama 4,300 m
- Dala Tsho saddle 4,520 m
- Panka 4,000 m
- Tale La 4,180 m
- Chamgang 3,640 m
Elevation profile
Day by day
The itinerary
Distances, times and heights are typical. Your guide adjusts the plan to the weather and the group.
Day1Arrive in Paro
Fly into Paro (2,200 m). Airport pick-up, an easy afternoon walk and a kit check with your guide.
Night: Hotel, Paro
Day2Chele La hike, then Thimphu3–4 h
- Walking
- 3–4 h
Morning hike on the ridge above Chele La (3,988 m on the road sign) for altitude and views, then drive to Thimphu (2,334 m).
Night: Hotel, Thimphu
Day3Genekha to Gur7 km · 5–6 h
- Distance
- 7 km
- Walking
- 5–6 h
- Sleep at
- 3,290 m
About 45 minutes' drive south to Genekha. A gentle first day up through forest to yak pastures at Gur.
Night: Camp
Day4Gur to Labatama12 km · 6–7 h
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 6–7 h
- Sleep at
- 4,300 m
The big climb: over a 4,250 m pass and into the Labatama basin. Camp beside Utsho Tsho, a turquoise lake.
Night: Camp
Day5Lakes day at Labatama
- Sleep at
- 4,300 m
No packing up. Walk to Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jagay Tsho, climb a small peak, or rest in camp. Trout fishing needs a permit, which we can arrange.
Night: Camp
Day6Labatama to Panka8 km · 5–6 h
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 5–6 h
- Sleep at
- 4,000 m
Along the west shore of Dala Tsho to a saddle at 4,520 m. If the weather's clear, scramble to the 4,720 m viewpoint. Down to camp at Panka.
Night: Camp
Day7Over Tale La to Chamgang14 km · 7–8 h
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 7–8 h
Over Tale La (4,180 m), then a long descent through forest to the road at Chamgang. Drive back to Thimphu.
Night: Hotel, Thimphu
Day8Thimphu to Paro
Drive to Paro (about 1.5 hours). Free afternoon, or a hot stone bath in a farmhouse.
Night: Hotel, Paro
Day9Depart
Transfer to Paro airport for your flight out.
Dates and prices
Set departures
Groups of 2 to 8. Every departure runs with two trekkers; “Guaranteed” means it's already confirmed. Private dates are possible for any group.
| Start | End | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 17 Apr 2027 | Sun 25 Apr 2027 | USD 2,900 | Guaranteed |
| Sat 15 May 2027 | Sun 23 May 2027 | USD 2,900 | Guaranteed |
| Sat 9 Oct 2027 | Sun 17 Oct 2027 | USD 2,900 | Open |
| Sat 30 Oct 2027 | Sun 7 Nov 2027 | USD 2,900 | Open |
| Sat 15 Apr 2028 | Sun 23 Apr 2028 | USD 2,900 | Open |
Single room and tent: add USD 40 a night. Prices are per person, twin share.
Hold a placeAdd-ons
Make it your own
Chele La downhill by mountain bike
USD 120 pp
Swap the day 2 hike for a 35 km ride down the road from Chele La (3,988 m on the sign) to the Paro valley. Bike, helmet, bike guide and support vehicle included.
Hot stone bath in a Paro farmhouse
USD 45 pp
A wooden tub of river water heated with fire-baked stones, the traditional Bhutanese dotsho. Best on your last night, after the trek.
Sleeping bag hire
USD 40 per trip
A four-season down bag rated to -20 °C, cleaned between trips, with a cotton liner.
What's included
Everything on the mountain
Included
- A trekking guide certified by Bhutan's Department of Tourism, from arrival to departure
- Cook, kitchen crew and horsemen, with ponies (or yaks above Laya) to carry camp and bags
- All meals on trek; breakfast, lunch and dinner in town
- Two-person tents, dining and toilet tents, foam and inflatable sleeping mats
- Certified 3-star hotels in town, twin share
- Private vehicle and driver for every transfer
- Sustainable Development Fee (USD 100 a night) and your Bhutan visa (USD 40)
- National park and trekking permits, and 5% GST
- Satellite phone and full first-aid kit on every trek; portable altitude chamber on treks above 4,500 m
Not included
- International flights to and from Bhutan
- Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover (strongly recommended)
- Sleeping bag (hire one from us)
- Tips for the crew, drinks, laundry
- Single room and tent (USD 40 a night)
Questions
About this trek
Why is it called Thousand Lakes?
It's the local name for the area. There aren't a thousand, but there are lakes in almost every hollow of the plateau, and you'll pass or camp beside a dozen.
Is it busy?
No. Most visitors to Bhutan walk the Druk Path. On Dagala you might not see another group.
How cold are the camps?
In April and October, expect -5 °C to -10 °C at night at Labatama. Our tents and mats are rated for it; bring or hire a four-season sleeping bag.
More on visas, the SDF, altitude and kit in Plan your trip.
Also consider
Other treks
Ready for Dagala Thousand Lakes?
Tell us which departure suits you, or ask for private dates. We reply within a day.