Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

The Dagala range south of Thimphu carries a plateau of rolling pasture at around 4,000 metres dotted with lakes, and the trek crosses it in four to six days from Genekha, climbing quickly to camps by Utsho Tsho, Relitsho and others, several of which hold trout. The lakes are not literally a thousand but there are dozens, and the appeal is the combination of open high ground, yak herds and a Himalayan panorama that on clear days runs from Jomolhari eastward to peaks on the Tibetan border. It is much less used than the Druk Path, so the route is quiet, and it is short enough to fit into a normal itinerary. Some sections cross trackless pasture and route-finding is the guide's job rather than a matter of following a path.

What you actually see

• Scattered alpine lakes - dozens across the high pasture.
• The Himalayan panorama - border peaks on clear days from the ridges.
• Yak herds - grazing across the plateau in summer.
• Open trackless ground - pasture rather than a defined trail.

When to go

April to June and September to October. Spring brings flowers on the pastures; autumn gives the clearest mountain views. Monsoon closes the views and makes the ground boggy. Winter is too cold and snowy for camping here.

Honest expectations

Camps are at around 4,000 metres and nights are cold. The first day climbs hard from Genekha. Water sources can be limited in a dry autumn. The route is unmarked in places. As with all trekking here it runs through a licensed operator with a full crew.

Nearby

Thimphu lies north; Chele La is west across the valleys.