Dolpo region is situated between the Tibetan plateau and the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range. It has country’s largest national park and conservation known as Shey Phoksundo National Park, with abundance of wildlife, including Himalayan Blue Sheep, Musk Deer and the legendary elusive Snow Leopard. However, this region is very remote and least developed.
The villages in Upper Dolpo region are above 4300m with only a few hundred numbers of dwellers. People here, still practice the pre-Buddhist Bon Po religion which was almost completely replaced after Buddhist doctrine began to flow across Tibet in the 9th century. People here, are basically traders who trade salts to Tibets via Yak caravans. This is a very mysterious land and the books by Peter Matthiessen’s “The Snow Leopard” and David Snellgrove’s “Himalayan Pilgrimage” have added to the attraction and mystique of this land. While passing through the trekking routes of the Upper Dolpo, you’ll pass through gigantic mountain ranges of Mt. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Kanjiroba and passes through Lower Dolpo.
TRIP DETAILS
Day 01 – Arrival?
Upon arrival to Kathmandu Airport, our representative will drop you to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02 – Visit to Kathmadu Valley?
After breakfast at the hotel, we will take you for sightseeing of Kathmandu valley, the ‘City of Glory’. The sightseeing includes most popular places such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swoyambhunath and Boudhanath. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03 – Kathmandu to Nepalgunj?
We will fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and transfer to Hotel (in Nepalgunj).
Day 04 – Trek to Sulighat (3 hrs walk)
After breakfast at the Hotel, we’ll fly from Nepalgunj to Jhupal. The flight is about 45 minutes and during this time, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. We will then start trekking down hill through the small Gurung village before reaching Sulighat. Overnight at camp.
Day 05 – Trek to Raptang (6 hrs walk)
Trek to Raptang is a combination of uphill and plain easy walk through the middle of the jungle. You can visualize the wildlife and birds around and cross Phoksundo river on the way. Overnight at camp.
Day 06 – Trek to Renchey (5-6 hrs walk)?
We will start the trek with an uphill walk followed by flat walking and river crossing till we reach Renchey village. Overnight at camp or you can even stay at the lodge for a change.
Day 07- Trek to Phoksundo Lake ?
With continued steep uphill climbing and river crossing, you’ll reach the spectacular Phoksundo Lake. You can even relish outstanding views of Norbukhang and Kagmarala. Overnight at camp.
Day 08 – Rest Day at Phoksundo ?
A time to sit on the shore of beautiful Phoksundo Lake and mesmerize with its beauty. It is a very pleasant day to relax your body. You can walk around the lake and enjoy the silence of the nature. You can even visit the nearby Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Overnight at camp.
Day 09 – Jungle camp
After having breakfast at the Phoksundo camp, we will take a left trail from the camp, again with the combination of uphill, downhill and flat walk. We will then, camp in the middle of jungle under the beautiful atmosphere with birds and animals around. Overnight at camp.
Day 10 – Kangla High Camp ?
Crossing the jungle and the shallow river through the bare foot (as the bridge is not available), we will take a right hand side trail and continue to climb uphill which will lead us to narrow trail to our destined Kangla high camp. Overnight at camp.
Day 11 – Trek to Shey Gompa via Kang-La pass (5-6 hrs walk)?
On descending through Kang-La pass will lead to a long, twisting trek through the rivers which are needed to be crossed and recrossed several times. The hairy yaks, sheep and goats grazing in the pasture area makes the environment more natural an beautiful. A red chorten proclaims our arrival at Shey Gompa where an old-fashioned wooden log bridge leads up to the Shey compound. Overnight at camps.
Day 12- Rest day at Shey Gompa the crystal monastery
We will have a day full of rest at Shey Gompa, Shey meaning Crystal, so this monastery is also known as the Crystal Mountain. It is famous for its ancient Buddhist culture. Overnight at camp
Day 13 – Trek to Namghum (6-7 hrs walk)
The trail continues through barren land till we cross Shey La Pass at 5000m. The trail, then, leads to steep climb and a down hill walk that will take us to Namghum village. Overnight at camp.
Day 14 – Trek to Kumas Goan via Saldang (7 hrs walk) ?
The Trek begins with an uphill trail that leads us to Saldang village. Through Saldang, we will cross Kumas La Pass 4500m, followed by an uphill climb that reach us to Kumas Goan. Overnight at camp.
Day 15 – Trek to Tinkui Goan (6-7 hrs walk)?
From Kumas Goan, our route goes flat followed by a downhill walk to Simen Goan. Simen Goan is a larger and bigger village than Kumas Goan. After 3-4 hours of hard climbing, Saldang appear below on a hill. It takes a further 3 hours of walking to reach Tinkui Goan. Overnight at camp.
Day 16 – Trek to Tinge Goan (3 hrs walk)?
This is a short day walk through riverside trail, completely barren and deserted area. Tinge Goan is near the Nepal/Tibet border. Overnight at camp.
Day 17 – Rest day at Tinge Goan (5-6 hrs walk)?
After a long trek, it is a well deserved rest day at Tinge Goan. Just sit back, relax and get entertained with the beauty and culture of the village. Overnight at camp.
Day 18 – Trek to Yak Kharka (6 hrs walk)
The walk continues on a flat trail through the barren, deserted mountain trail for 6 hours before reaching our camp for the day at Yak Kharka. The camp will be set-up in the middle of the jungle. Overnight at camp.
Day 19 – Charka Goan (6-7 hrs walk)
In the morning, the trek starts with an uphill walk for about 2 hours. The trek continues along the valley floor for 4 hours and our destined Charka Goan waits for us. Overnight at camp.
Day 20 – Trek Beyond Sandakgoan (5-6 hrs walk)
Our morning trek starts with an easy walk on a flat valley where you will experience the barren, deserted land. After 2 hours of down hill trek, we’ll reach a camp that is located beyond Sandakgoan. Overnight at camp.
Day 21 – Trek to Phalek Goan (5-6 hrs walk)?
Trek to Phalek Goan is similar to the trek like the previous day – flat trail and downhill trek. Overnight at camp.
Day 22 – Trek to Jomsom (3 hrs walk)?
Trek to Jomsom from Phalek Goan is our last day trek, which is a short walk of around 3 hours. The walk is flat and you can enjoy the Jomsom village with local people. Overnight at lodge or camp.
Day 23 – Pokhara to Kathmandu?
Transfer to Pokhara airport to connect the flight to Kathmandu.
Day 24 – Departure?
Transfer to international airport to fly in your home country.??
Note: At times the flights may either be delayed or even cancelled for a day or more, mostly because of bad weather. At such condition, we recommend our guests to have one extra day in Kathmandu post trek.
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