Trekking Through The Wilderness, Exploring The Dagala Thousand Lakes

After breakfast, you will hike to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. The uphill hike takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and takes you almost a kilometre above the Paro valley floor. For those who cannot hike, a horse can be arranged to transfer up to the cafeteria. The view of Taktsang Monastery, built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor, is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is an important pilgrim site for Buddhists. According to legend, the great Guru Rimpoche and his consort mediated in a cave here for three months when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. After meditation, they manifested themselves in the forms of Guru Dorji Drolo and a tigress to subdue demons in the valley below.

In the afternoon, drive to the almost fully reconstructed Drukgyel Dzong, built by Shabdrung 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 other sights in the Paro valley. Overnight hotel 

After breakfast, drive to the village of Genekha (2800m) to start your trek. After crossing a bridge over the Wang Chu (Thimphu River), you will follow a good track steadily upwards through oak forest to a rocky platform and good resting spot. You will continue slowly up through birch and bamboo forest to reach your campsite in a meadow at Gur (3350m). You will spend the night at the campsite.

You will head upwards from Gur on a good trail to reach the alpine zone with open views down the valley. You will soon reach a possible campsite at Gibze Kebze (3710m), where you may camp. Although you have only been walking for a couple of hours, the height gain is 360m, and you will start to feel the altitude. If everyone is acclimatizing well, you may carry on across hillsides lined with rhododendron to Pagalabsta La Pass (4170m) for fine views of the Dagala range. Continue downwards to a stone yak herders’ hut at Wataching (4100m). You will spend the night at the campsite.

After departing from Labatama, our journey takes us across the stunning Labajong La Pass, which stands tall at an impressive elevation of 4400 meters. For those who are feeling adventurous and have some energy left, there is an exceptional viewpoint located close to the pass, which is only a 30-minute detour away. From this viewpoint, one can marvel at the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, which is truly a feast for the eyes.

Once we have crossed the pass, there are several campsites to choose from, depending on the availability of water. It's worth noting that the choice of campsites may differ slightly between the pre and post-monsoon seasons. However, our primary aim is to reach Panka, and we will make all necessary efforts to ensure that we get there. In case we opt for a climbing expedition, we will take an alternate route to Panka.

At the end of the day, we will settle down at our chosen campsite and spend the night in the tranquil wilderness of this beautiful region.

We continue on our trek and an early morning on a clear day will reveal more stunning views of the Himalayan peaks such as Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari, and Jichu Drake. We make our way through a forest of rhododendrons that are populated by Himalayan pheasants. Enormous cairns await us at Chole La Pass, which is at an altitude of 4100m. From here, we drop down to Kiwi Chowa, which is at an altitude of 4030m. Our path then continues to a pass at 3960m, where four tracks converge. We take the northern route, and as we follow the path, we pass by a ruin that was once a dzong. This dzong was used to monitor the movement of locals between the Wangduephodrang and Thimphu districts. A ridge leads us to Talakha Peak, which is at an altitude of 4300m. From here, we are treated to a stunning view of the Thimphu Valley, and if the weather is good, we can see Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari, and Jichu Drake.

Our descent from Talakha Peak is steady, but sometimes it can be steep. We pass through a mixed forest of fir, juniper, rhododendron, rose, bamboo, and birch. Finally, we reach Talakha Monastery, where the shy monks, stunning views over the Thimphu valley. From there we will drive to Thimphu for overnight at hotel 

Following a delicious breakfast, our adventure takes us to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, a city full of history and culture. We begin our journey with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, an impressive stupa that was built in honor of the Third King of Bhutan by the Royal Queen Mother. The serene surroundings and peaceful ambiance of this monument offer a perfect introduction to Thimphu. Next on our itinerary is the ancient Changangkha Temple, which dates back to the 12th century and holds immense religious significance for the people of Bhutan. Here, you can witness the spirituality and devotion of the Bhutanese people as they go about their daily prayers and rituals. Our journey then takes us to the Zilukha Nunnery, a quiet and peaceful enclave that offers a glimpse into the daily lives of Buddhist nuns and their spiritual practices. You can spend some time here, observing their routines and learning about their way of life. The School for Arts and Crafts is our next destination, where skilled artisans demonstrate traditional Bhutanese crafts such as weaving, painting, and carving. You can witness their intricate work and even purchase souvenirs to take back home. The National Library is another fascinating place to visit, with its rare collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century. The Traditional Paper Factory is also a must-see, where you can observe the unique process of making Bhutanese paper from the bark of the daphne plant. Our itinerary also includes a visit to the Folk Heritage Museum, which is a remarkable replica of a medieval farmhouse and provides a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the Bhutanese people. If time permits, we can also visit the Takin nursing pen, where we can observe the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin. Alternatively, we can explore the majestic Tashichhodzong, a grand fortress that houses several ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Finally, if we happen to be in Thimphu over the weekend, we can explore the bustling Thimphu Market and soak in the local energy and vibrancy. Towards the evening, we can take some time to explore Thimphu city on our own before returning to our hotel for a restful night's sleep.

After enjoying breakfast, the next destination is Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. During the journey, we will stop at Dochula Pass (3050m) to take in the breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayan range on a clear day. Here, you can walk around the 108 stupas built by the Queen Mother in honor of Bhutanese soldiers who lost their lives fighting insurgents in 2003.

Upon reaching Punakha, we will visit Punakha Dzong, built in the 17th century at the confluence of the Pho and Mo Chu Rivers. The dzong is one of the most impressive in Bhutan and houses important relics of the Drukpa Kagyu School of Buddhism. From there, we will drive further north and embark on a hike across the suspension bridge before reaching the Khamsum Yuley Namgyel Chorten. This temple dominates the rice fields of Punakha, and is a sight to behold.

As the evening approaches, we will embark on another hike through the lush rice fields to reach the Chimi Lhakhang temple. This temple is situated amidst serene surroundings and offers a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Overnight accommodations will be provided at a hotel.

On this day of our itinerary, we will retrace our journey back to Paro. Along the way, we will make a stop at a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse where we can experience the Bhutanese way of life. Here, we will have the opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their unique culture and customs.

Once we reach Paro, we will visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan. Built in the 7th century by the Tibetan emperor Songtsen Gampo, it is one of the 108 temples that he is said to have built to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region. The temple is home to several important relics and artworks, including a statue of Jowo Sakyamuni, the Buddha of the present era.

After our visit to the temple, we will break for lunch. Following that, you will have some free time to explore the charming town of Paro on your own. You may choose to browse through the local handicrafts and souvenir shops, take a leisurely walk around the town, or simply relax and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of this picturesque Bhutanese town.

After breakfast, drive to airport for departure