Dolpo is a remote region of far western Nepal, most of which is now protected by Shey-PhoksundoNational Park. Lying midway between the Tibetan Plateau and the Dhaulagiri Himal is one of the highest inhabited plateau on earth - Dolpo. Geographically a Southern extension of Tibet, lies within the borders of the kingdom of Nepal. Dolpo has been bypassed by development and by tourism. Although a few anthropologists and geographers had explored the region, the entire district was closed to trekkers until 1989 when the southern part of Dolpo was opened to organized trekking groups.
Trekking in upper Dolpo includes Tibetan style ‘inner Dolpo’ village in Tarap and at Phoksundo Lake (Nepal's deepest lake). Much of Dolpo remains culturally and religiously linked with Tibet and the people continue to trade with Tibet and on the ancient ‘grain for salt' trade routes, but the southern part of Dolpo is a region of Hindu Influence.
The landscapes of Dolpo can only be described as stark, although the villages with their irrigated terraces of barley appear as green jewels amid barren craggy hillsides, topped by the high snowbound Himalayan peaks of Kanjiroba and the six summits of the Dhaulagiri range. Once you have trekked in Dolpo other regions pale by comparison. Little wonder that in the whole vastness of the Himalayas, it remains the most treasured trekking region.
One great opportunity that comes in a lifetime to explore this interesting remote village and lakeshores of the Bon-Po and legendary Gompas (Monestry) situated on the edge of the lake.
DETAILS ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel and briefing
After you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will have to go through custom formalities. You will be greeted by our representative who will be anxiously waiting for you with a placard displaying your name in his hand. You will be transferred to the 3-Star category hotel in a private vehicle. Once you get refreshed, you will get briefing regarding the itinerary and you will also be introduced with your crewmembers and other trekkers who are going to join you on the trip. Enjoy welcome dinner in the evening where you can taste authentic Nepali dinner. Stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 2
Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour, Trek preparation and Packing
In the morning after breakfast, we will organize half day sightseeing tour during which you will be taken on memorable UNESCO Heritage Tour. Tour begins with visit to Nepal’s holiest Pashupatinath Temple Complex and takes us through Nepal’s largest Bouddhanath Stupa and 2500 years old Swoyambhunath Stupa. We will return to hotel in the afternoon and time for shopping of any missing items, packing and getting ready for the trip.
Day 3
Flight to Nepalgunj, 45 min flight
We will drive to Tribhuvan Airport, domestic terminal. One and half hour of flight from Kathmandu will take us to Nepalgunj.Located near to southern Nepal- India border, Nepalgunj is an important trade hub. We will explore Nepalgunj town in the evening as the temperature gets hot and during afternoon. Stay overnight in a hotel in Nepalgunj.
Day 4
Flight to Jupal - Trek (3 hours) / Drive (1 hour) to Dunai (2,140m)
We will reach airport in Nepalgunj early in the morning. 45 minutes of pleasant flight will take us to Juphal. Enjoy the aerial views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountains to the north. Upper Dolpo trek begins at Juphal. Once our crew is ready, with the camping gear, we will take couple of hours of walk to Dunai village. Leaving airstrip, we will follow the descending trail through terraced field to Bheri River. Walking through the gorges, we will reach Dunai. Dunai is a large village and headquarter of Dolpo region. Otherwise we could drive by a local jeep within an hour time from Juphal to Dunai, stay overnight at Dunai.
Day 5
Trek to Chhepka (2,830m) - 5 hours
Leaving Dunai, we will cross the suspension bridge. The trail heads west. Walking past hospital, we will follow the ascending trail through Thulo Bheri valley. Moving further, we will reach Phoksundo River valley. We will climb to the ridge marked by cairns and lower down to the river. The trail continues to Dhera which is a winter settlement. We will climb further to Rahagaon which is a Thakuri village. Walking past canyons, we will enter forested area which will take us to Chhekpa. The gate to Shey Phoksundo National Park is located at Chhepka where we will stay overnight.
Day 6
Trek to Rechi (2,940m) - 5 hours
From Chhepka, we will cross Suli River and pass through landslide area. After crossing river at few points, we will enter the dense forest. Climbing further, we will reach to the lush green meadow area. After following the straight path for brief moment, we will lower down to River from where we will continue our walk to Rechi. Stay overnight at Rechi.
Day 7
Trek to Phoksundo Lake (3,641m) - 5 hours
After an early morning breakfast, we will take an easy walk to Sumdovillage. The path beyond Sumdo is little bit challenging as we need to climb the slope. Leaving Suligad River, we will climb to the top of ridge. Enjoy the views of 300 m waterfall and Phoksundo Lake from the ridge. We will lower down through birch forest toPhoksundoRiver. Moving further, we will reach the pretty village of Ringmo. Brief walk from Ringmo will take us to Phoksundo Lake. Stay overnight at Phoksundo Lake.
Day 8
Explorations to Phoksundo Lake - Rest day
Phoksundo is the deepest and second largest lake of Nepal. This is rest day. We will explore around Phoksundo Lake. We will also take short trek to Ringmo village where we will visit local Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. Stay overnight at Phoksundo Lake.
Day 9
Trek to Phoksundo Khola (3,630m) - 5 hours
We will walk along the edge of Phoksundo Lake and walk through rocky ledge along western edge. We will then walk through Devil’s trail which is named for its extreme remoteness where the path is stretched on pegs passing through crevasses. Passing through the green meadow, we will reach to the floodplain of Phoksundo Khola. We will cross the river and prepare our camp at the edge of Phoksundo River for overnight stay.
Day 10
Trek to Phoksundo Bhanjyang (4,717m) - 5 hours
After an early morning tea, we will take an hour long walk through glacial valley.We will arrive at the meeting point of Phoksundo Khola with small tributary river. Crossing the old wooden bridge, we will lead north east from the valley. Stick close to your guide and follow his instructions carefully as there is no definite path. We will follow the raised path through the meadow from where we can see Kang-La pass. Stay overnight at Phoksundo Bhanjyang
Day 11
Trek to SHEY GOMPA (4,160m) via Nangdala Pass (5,350m) - 6 hours
From PhoksundoBhanjyang, we will follow the scenic path to Sallaghari and then walk along TukKyaska River. Crossing the bridge over river, we will walk along wide valley to Nangdala High Camp. From Nangdala High Camp, the path ascends uphill to Nangdala Pass. Enjoy the views of Crystal Mountain and SheyShikhar.We will lower down from top of Nangdala Pass to valley. Walking along the valley, we will reach SheyGompa. Stay overnight at Sheygompa.
Day 12
SHEY GOMPA - Rest & Explorations day
This is rest day. We will explore around SheyGompa.SheyGompa is believed to be 800 years old monastery. Shey Festival is observed at SheyGompa. Visit Kagyupa gompato know about the local culture. Locals practice different culture than the people from nearby region. The culture in this region is different from culture in neighbouring areas. We can also visit the local hermitage at Tsakang. SheyGompa exists in one of the most sacred valleys in Dolpo. We can also find blue sheep and snow leopard in this area. You are not allowed to kill any animals in and around SheyGompa.
Day 13
Trek to Namgung Gaon (4,530m) via Sela La Pass (5,094m) - 6 hours
Leaving Shey Gompa, we will walk along Sephu Khola. The trail takes us through barren land to the top of Shey La Pass. Enjoy the views of Mustang to the East while we can get panoramic view of Tibet in North. Towards west, we can get views of Kanjirowa, Crystal Mountain and other surrounding peaks and mountains. We will reach Namgung Gaon which is 2 hrs far from SeleLa Pass (5095m). Namgung is a nomadic settlement. Stay overnight at Namgung Gaon.
Day 14
Trek to Saldang (3,770m) - 5 hours
We will visit local monastery of Namgung before crossing Namga Khola. Walking through the summer settlement area, we will lower down to Saldang which is a pretty tiny village with barren land. Enjoy the views of surrounding hills. Amchi tradition is practiced at Saldang. Saldang is the administrative centre of Dolpo. It is also the largest village in inner Dolpo premises. Stay overnight at Dolpo.
Day 15
Trek to Cha Gaon (3,960m) - 6 hours
Heading north from Saldang, we will follow the Nang Chu River through barren land. Passing through tiny villages at Tiling and Lurigaon, we will reach Yangze. Crossing the Panzang River, we will visit ancient Bon-Po Monastery. We will return to Saldang village and walk along river before taking gradual ascend through terraced fields to Chaiba monastery. The trail continues further to Namdo village. We will walk along left shore of Nam Khong River to Namdo monastery and reach towards Cha Gaon where we will stay overnight.
Day 16
Trek to Jyantla Phedi (4,700m) - 6 hours
Leaving SuguGaon, we will walk along Nam KhongRiver. We will encounter yaks loaded with goods on our way. These yaks are for trade with neighbouring Tibetans. We will head east and make it to the meeting place of two small rivers from where we will take a sharp climb to the base of Jeng La Pass/ Jyantla Pass (4,900m) which is known as JyantlaPhedi. Stay overnight at JyantlaPhedi.
Day 17
Trek to Tokyu (4,209m) via Jyantla Pass (5,220m) - 6 hours
Couple of hours of difficult climb from Jyantla Phedi will take us to the top of Jyantla Pass. Enjoy the unobstructed views of surrounding mountains including stunning Dhaualgiri Mountain. Lower down through the rugged terrain to Tarap valley. We will walk through the green valley down to Tarap Chu. TarapValley stretches twenty kilo meters along the river. Visit Tokyu monastery (4,200m) which is sacred to the Chaiba sect. Stay overnight at Tokyu village.
Day 18
Trek to Dho Tarap (3,944m) - 5 hours
After an early morning tea, we will head east and lower down fromplain land of Tarap Chu to the meadow area. Vegetation has distinct this area from other areas in Inner Dolpo. Both Bon Po and Chaiba sects live in harmony in this region. We will descend to Dho Tarap village which is protected by stone walls. We will explore the village and stay overnight at Dho Tarap.
Day 19
Trek to Nawarpani (3,450m) - 6 hours
Leaving Dho Tarap, we will pass through tiny villages of Clumaga and Kakar and pass along chorten. We will walk past Bon-Po and Choba settlements and visit Guru Bumba Gompa that is located above village. Leaving Dho, we will walk along Tarap River for couple of hours during which we will cross bridge and pass through gorges. Climbing uphill from the riverbed, we will reach Lahani which marks the end of the gorge. We will move further to Nawarpani, where we will stay overnight.
Day 20
Trek to Laisicap (2,772m) - 5 hours
After an early morning tea, we will leave our camp at Nawarpani and move through steep slopes, we will meet with locals from Dolpo who are taking their cattle to lower pasture area. We will walk through narrow river valley. The path is difficult. At some points, there are no trace of path. So, stick to your guide and follow his instructions. Difficult walk along stone slabs will take us to our campsite at Laisicap that is located beside Tarap Khola. Stay overnight at Laisicap.
Day 21
Trek to Dunai (2,140m) - 5 / 6 hours
Leaving our camp at Khanigaon / Nawarpani, we will head towards Lalberi village. The trail stretches further through forest area and drops down to gorge. We will follow the river to Tarakot (2,537m) which is an old fortress town. Tarakot used to be tha capital of Dolpo before Gorkha dynasty. Sandul Gompais located 8 km east of Tarakot. We will climb a steep hill and walk past tiny villages that is located to the opposite side of Tarakot. Walking past chortens, we will walk along Bheri River through gorge to Dunai. Stay overnight in Dunai. Do not forget to taste local brew.
Day 22
Trek to Juphal (2,475m) - 5 hours
This is the last day of Upper Dolpo Trek. We will retrace the route back to Juphal via Bheri River. Three hours of trek will be enough to take us to Juphal where small airstrip is located. We will stay overnight at Juphal.
Day 23
Flight to KTM via Nepalgunj
We will return to Kathmandu on this day. We will take 35 minutes of scenic flight to Nepalgunj. Fly high over Himalayaswith breath-taking views of Annapurna Mountain and Dhaulagiri Mountain. We will take the connecting flight to Kathmandu. You will be transferred to hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 24
Free day in KTM
This is rest day. Spend the day as you like. You can go for shopping in Thamel where you can buy souvenir items.Thanka painting, pashmina shawl and Nepali handicrafts are most popular gift items. Upon your interest, we can also arrange for guided sightseeing tour. Farewell dinner will be served in the evening.
Day 25
Int’l departurefor onward flight to home
We will transfer you to the Airport as per your scheduled flight for your onward destination. Safe journey. We hope to see you soon.
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