Alpine lakes among rocky ridges on the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek in Bhutan.

Private high-altitude Bhutan trek · 12 days

12-Day Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

Six days among alpine lakes and open ridges, five supported nights under canvas, then time to recover in Punakha before the pilgrimage to Tiger’s Nest.

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Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Route: Thimphu · Dagala lakes · Punakha · Paro
Style: Private & handcrafted
Best suited: Fit walkers comfortable with altitude & camp life

The journey in one thought

High lakes. A softer rhythm afterwards.

The Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek leads from Genekha through forest and yak pastures into the high lake country above Thimphu. At its heart are six mountain days: five travelling stages and a flexible lake-exploration day, with two nights at Labatama and five nights under canvas altogether.

This private 12-day Bhutan journey gives the trek room to breathe. Begin with a forest walk and local life in Thimphu; return from the highlands to Punakha’s warmer countryside, monastery encounters and unhurried meals. Tiger’s Nest comes after those gentler valley days.

Who it suits

Fit, confident walkers who enjoy consecutive mountain days, uneven trails and camp life. Previous multi-day hiking is helpful; technical climbing is not required.

Trek profile

Six trekking days and five supported camp nights. Approximately 44 km across the five moving stages, plus flexible lake walks; the highest ridge is around 4,520 m.

How it feels

Open ridges, cold camp mornings and quiet lakes, supported by a mountain team. Afterwards, the pace softens into countryside meals and time with Bhutan’s living culture.

The story of the journey

Five moments between forest and lake

The journey rises through the Dagala highlands, pauses among the lakes and returns to the valleys with room for rest and connection.

Two trekkers following a hillside trail in Dagala with distant snow-covered Himalayan peaks. — **Walk into the Dagala highlands**Follow the trail from Genekha through Gur’s forest and pastures towards the open country around Labatama.

Trekkers sharing a meal beside a blue camp tent, with pack horses at the forest edge in Bhutan. — **Make camp beneath wide skies**Five supported mountain nights, with warm sleeping arrangements, freshly cooked meals and the overnight load carried by the team.

Stone shrine and prayer flags beside a Dagala alpine lake beneath snow-dusted ridges. — **Stay longer among the lakes**Two nights at Labatama leave a day for rest and flexible lake exploration, with the pace set by weather and your response to altitude.

A trekker on a rocky Dagala viewpoint with distant Himalayan mountains. — **Cross the high ridge**The stage towards Pangkha reaches approximately 4,520 metres before the trail continues towards the forests of Shophu Thang.

Golden fields, prayer flags and a village path in Bhutan in soft evening light. — **Return to a gentler valley rhythm**Punakha brings nourishing food, monastery encounters and optional short walks before Paro and Tiger’s Nest.

The route, before the detail

From Genekha to the Hetsoka roadhead.

Six trekking days connect Gur, Labatama, Pangkha and Shophu Thang, with two nights at Labatama and a road transfer to Punakha after the descent.

Dagala trekking route from Genekha to Gur, Labatama, Pangkha, Shophu Thang and Hetsoka. Six trek days with five camp nights, followed by a drive to Punakha. — Route schematic, not to scale or for navigation. Trek days 1–6 correspond to journey days 3–8. Distances, elevations and camp positions are approximate; the mountain team confirms the route and conditions.

Day by day

Twelve days, with the trek at their heart.

The mountain stages follow altitude, trail conditions and the guide’s judgement. After five nights under canvas, Punakha provides a gentler interval before the final hike in Paro.

Day01

Paro → Thimphu

A gentle welcome to Bhutan.

Meet your Raven guide at Paro Airport and continue to Thimphu. Keep the first evening light, with a relaxed Bhutanese dinner and time to settle in. Your flight arrival sets the day’s rhythm.

Travel: ~1–1½ hours by road
Pace: Relaxed arrival
Sleep: Thimphu hotel

Day02

Thimphu · Wangditse

Forest paths and living traditions.

Walk through pine and rhododendron forest towards Wangditse Monastery. Afterwards, choose one or two encounters in the capital: traditional art, a local market, astrology when arranged, or a quiet café. Leave time for your trekking briefing and a careful kit check.

Walking: ~4 km return · 1–1½ hours
Activity: Easy forest walk
Sleep: Thimphu hotel

Day03

Genekha → Gur

Leave the road for the mountain trail.

Drive to Genekha and meet the trekking team. Descend briefly towards the river, then begin the climb through oak and conifer forest. Yak pastures and open meadows mark the approach to Gur and your first supported camp.

Trek: ~7 km · 5–6 hours
Camp altitude: ~3,290 m
Sleep: Gur camp

Day04

Gur → Labatama

Rise into the lake country.

Climb through open ridges and alpine meadows towards Labatama. The change in height is substantial, so walk steadily and keep the guide informed of how you feel. Settle into the high basin for the first of two nights among the lakes and yak-herder country.

Trek: ~12 km · 5–6 hours
Camp altitude: ~4,280–4,300 m
Sleep: Labatama camp

Day05

Labatama · Lakes & rest

Let the mountains set the day.

Remain at Labatama for a flexible day of rest and nearby lake exploration. Weather, energy and your response to altitude decide how far to walk. The second night at the same camp gives the day space, without another camp move or a fixed hiking target.

Walking: Flexible lake exploration
Pace: Rest and altitude adjustment
Sleep: Labatama camp

Day06

Labatama → Pangkha

Across the high Dagala ridge.

Continue through exposed grazing country and the high ridges of Dagala. The route reaches approximately 4,520 metres before descending towards Pangkha. Take the stage at the guide’s pace, with time to pause when conditions allow.

Trek: ~8 km · 4–5 hours
High point: ~4,520 m
Sleep: Pangkha camp

Day07

Pangkha → Shophu Thang

Follow the trail towards the forest.

Leave the exposed alpine country and descend through changing vegetation towards rhododendron, fir and mixed forest. The team selects the final mountain camp in the Shophu Thang or Chumikeypa area according to local conditions.

Trek: ~11 km · 5–6 hours
Terrain: Highland trail into forest
Sleep: Shophu Thang / Chumikeypa camp

Day08

Hetsoka roadhead → Punakha

A warm valley welcome after the trek.

Complete the forest descent to the road point near Hetsoka, then meet your driver for the journey to Punakha. Keep the rest of the day restorative: a shower, nourishing food and a comfortable countryside stay. A quiet conversation with Lopen Chokyi or another Buddhist practitioner can be arranged when availability and your energy allow.

Trek: ~6 km · 2–3 hours
After walking: Road transfer to Punakha
Sleep: Punakha countryside

Day09

Punakha · Neyzergang

Make room for the quieter encounters.

Wake without an early trekking start. Visit Punakha Dzong, share a farmhouse or countryside lunch, and continue to Neyzergang for tree planting, butter lamps and time with the monastery community when arrangements permit. A short village or riverside walk is entirely optional.

Walking: Light and optional
Pace: Restorative cultural day
Sleep: Punakha countryside

Day10

Punakha → Dochula → Paro

Return west at an unhurried pace.

Travel through Dochula, stopping for tea, prayer flags and mountain views when skies are clear. Choose a short forest walk if your legs feel ready, or simply linger at the pass. Continue to Paro and leave the remainder of the day free before Tiger’s Nest.

Travel: Private valley transfer
Walking: Short optional forest walk
Sleep: Paro hotel

Day11

Paro · Tiger’s Nest

A final pilgrimage above the valley.

Climb through pine forest towards Paro Taktsang, with time for rests and the cliffside monastery. This is a substantial hike, even after the mountain trek; take it at your own pace with your guide. A traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath brings the day to a restful close.

Hike: ~6.5 km return · 5–7 hours
Elevation gain: ~520 m
Sleep: Paro hotel

Day12

Paro → Departure

Carry the lake country home.

Enjoy breakfast as your flight schedule allows, then transfer privately to Paro International Airport. Leave with memories of lake reflections, camp mornings and the people who welcomed you back into the valleys.

Travel: Private airport transfer
Timing: According to your flight
Stay: Journey concludes

Why Raven designed it this way

Support matters most when the road is gone.

Across five mountain nights, the guide, chef, camp crew and horsemen take care of the work behind each day’s walking. Your main trekking luggage travels with the pack horses, while you carry the layers, water and personal essentials you need on the trail.

Two nights at Labatama provide time to assess how you are responding to altitude, rather than a promise that everyone will acclimatise on schedule. Raven reviews your preparation before departure; the mountain guide may shorten a walk, adjust camp, descend or turn back when conditions require it.

Trekking tents on a misty forest hillside in Bhutan.

Where you may stay

Mountain camps. Countryside calm. A warm bed.

The eleven-night journey combines five supported camp nights with two hotel nights in Thimphu, two countryside nights in Punakha and two hotel nights in Paro. Exact properties, room categories and camp locations are confirmed in your private proposal.

Mountain camps: five nights at Gur, Labatama (two nights), Pangkha and Shophu Thang or Chumikeypa, with sleeping, dining and private toilet arrangements.
Thimphu & Paro: two nights in each valley, with comfortable hotels chosen for preparation, location and rest.
Punakha: two nights in a countryside stay or eco lodge, with local food and a gentler rhythm after the trek.

Camp locations can change with weather, water, grazing activity and trail access. Selected valley stays may be upgraded, subject to availability and your preferred comfort.

Read Raven’s approach to stays

Practical clarity

What Raven takes care of

Your private proposal confirms accommodation, camp equipment, luggage allowance, meals, permits, visa arrangements and the applicable Sustainable Development Fee.

Included in the journey

Private journey design, visa processing, trekking permits and applicable SDF as confirmed
Private airport transfers and road transport before and after the trek
Certified Raven guide plus an experienced trekking guide
Trekking chef, camp helpers, horsemen, pack horses and main luggage movement
Five supported camp nights with sleeping, dining, kitchen and private toilet arrangements
Fresh trekking meals, hot drinks, snacks and filtered drinking water
Two nights each in Thimphu, Punakha countryside and Paro, in the confirmed accommodation plan
Confirmed meals, Wangditse, Punakha Dzong, Neyzergang, Tiger’s Nest, a hot stone bath and listed site fees

Not normally included

International flights to and from Bhutan
Travel insurance and medical evacuation coverage
Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses
Credit-card and bank-transfer processing fees
Tips and gratuities
Hotel upgrades beyond the confirmed accommodation plan
Optional activities not listed in the final itinerary
Personal shopping and services not specifically included

Prayer flags beside a winding road through misty forest in Bhutan.

Optional extensions

Add time where it matters to you.

Extend Punakha for the full Jiligang hike, allow more time for a longer Lungchutse forest walk, or add a monastery stay subject to permission. An outdoor private dinner can also be arranged when weather and your chosen stay allow. Extra walking is a personal choice, while the core journey preserves recovery.

Questions before you travel

Mountain questions. Clear answers.

Practical answers for a private Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek, from the six-day walking route to supported camping and time in the valleys.

How difficult is the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek?

This is a challenging high-altitude trek for fit, confident walkers. The five moving stages total approximately 44 km, alongside a flexible day at Labatama. Several days involve five to six hours of walking, and the highest ridge is around 4,520 m. Uneven ground, cold nights and changeable weather add to the effort; no technical climbing is planned.

Does the 12-day journey include six days of trekking?

Yes. Journey days 3–8 form the six-day trek: Genekha to Gur, Gur to Labatama, a Labatama exploration day, Labatama to Pangkha, Pangkha to Shophu Thang, and the descent to Hetsoka. Five nights are spent in supported mountain camps.

Why are there two nights at Labatama?

Labatama is a high camp, approximately 4,280–4,300 m. Staying a second night creates time for rest, flexible lake walks and the guide’s assessment of how you are responding to altitude. Any exploration depends on conditions and wellbeing; the plan can change if more rest or descent is needed.

What does fully supported camping mean?

Raven provides the trekking guide and mountain support team, sleeping tents and warm sleeping system, camp dining and toilet arrangements, freshly cooked meals, hot drinks, filtered water and pack-animal support for the main overnight load. Guests normally walk with a daypack.

What happens after the trek ends?

From the Hetsoka roadhead, continue by vehicle to Punakha for two countryside nights. The programme favours nourishing meals, Punakha Dzong and Neyzergang, with short walks optional. You then travel through Dochula to Paro for two nights, with Tiger’s Nest and a hot stone bath before departure.

When can I plan the Dagala trek?

Raven’s itinerary uses late April–June and late September–November as planning windows. These are not guarantees of clear passes or dry trails. The team checks the date against snow, rain, trail access and camp conditions before confirming your departure.

Can the journey be adapted to our walking experience?

Yes. Share your recent hiking, previous time at altitude, preferred pace and comfort needs. Raven can discuss additional preparation or recovery nights and keep post-trek walks optional. The mountain route still depends on conditions, permits and the guide’s judgement, so flexibility does not mean bypassing the demands of altitude.

Your journey starts with a conversation

Tell us how you walk in the mountains.

Share your walking experience, previous time at altitude, travel dates and preferred comfort. Raven will shape your Dagala journey with thoughtful preparation, full mountain support and room to recover.

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