White Himalayan Adventure Treks

Good to Know

LOCATION Dolpa
DURATION 24 Days
Difficulty Level High Advance
ARRIVAL ON Kathmandu Nepal
DEPARTURE FROM Kathmandu Nepal
MAX ALTITUDE 5320m
GROUP SIZE 2-14
MEAL All inclusive
ACCOMMODATION Hotel/Tea house
BEST SEASONS Spring/Summer/Autumn

Upper Dolpa Trek

One of the most rewarding treks you will take in a lifetime to a place where there are more smiles than mountains, where the terrain separates the people from the outside world and where Tibetan Buddhists live in perfect harmony in this truly off-the-beaten-track region. Upper Dolpo is “another world” kept isolated by the Tibetan Plateau and the Dhaulagiri Range. Historical records of the Dolpo region date back to the 8th century!You will find no better hospitality anywhere like it in Nepal. Children will rush outside to welcome you and shadow you as you enter these remote villages. There can be no warmer welcome party than the smiling faces of children!

The Upper Dolpo trek takes you into the Shey Phoksundo National Park, home to a number of endangered species, such as the elusive snow leopard, grey wolf, musk deer, blue sheep, goral, great Tibetan sheep, Himalayan Tahr, jackal, and Himalayan black bear. The “Bon” people in this region practice a distinct form of Tibetan Buddhism that is reflected in their homes and daily lives.

The trail takes you through the Annapurna, Kanjiroba, and Dhaulagiri ranges and to the crystal clear waters of Phoksundo Lake (3612m).  You will see the unspoiled culturally rich Bon and Buddhist villages: Saldang, Tokyu Gaon (Yak Kharka), Dho Tarap and Tarakot and the major town of the Dolpo region – Dunai.

Dolpo was the location for the Oscar-nominated movies “The Himalaya” and “The Caravan” and for the German documentary Dolpo Tulku.

 

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport, Welcome by our representative and transfer to hotel.

Our first day of this journey begins with a 50-minute flight to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is situated in the border region of India in the west of Nepal. Tonight we will stay at a hotel.

In the morning we take our 35-minute flight to Jhupal in Dolpo and after arrival has a short trek along the riverside to Dunai where we stay the night. Dunai is a major town in the district and has markets and shops to wander around in the afternoon.

Today we have a five to six hours trek ahead of us, firstly crossing the Thulo Bheri River and on up over a ridge to the Phoksundo River Valley and views of Kagmara Peak. Along the trail we pass Dhera Village and then climb to Rahagaon Village home to the Hindu Thakuri people and then descend through the forest until we reach Chhepka where we will stay the night.

Today’s five to six hours trek first ascends through the forest until we reach the river and later over a bridge at Ryajik Village we stay overnight.

Our four to five-hour trek today first leads us along the banks of the Pungmo Khola and on to the Phokshindo Khola, eventually reaching the attractive Tibetan village of Ringmo. Village adorned with prayer flags, Mani stone walls, and chortens. Tonight’s camp is right next to the pristine turquoise blue Phoksundo Lake.

Today we can literally lounge around and take in the superb views of the lake and nearby peaks, such as Kagmara, and wander around Ringmo Village.

A five to six hours trek today takes us along the western side of the lake and across the summer grazing lands to Thulodhunga where we spend the night listening to the water flowing down from the mountains.

We head to the north of Phoksundo Khola and climb a ridge where we have stunning views looking back down the valley and looking over Kang-La Pass which is the route we take to Shey Gompa. Tonight we make camp in the pastures at Phoksundo Bhanjyang.

Our trek today is of about six to seven hours and leads us to the highest point of the trek, Kang-La Pass (5360m). From here we have amazing views of many snow-covered peaks, such as the Dhaulagiri Ranges. After soaking up the views we descend along a trail that takes us past chortens and Mani stones before reaching Shey Gompa (monastery) that sits at the base of Crystal Mountain.

A fascinating place for rest day around the high mountainous area, in complete harmony of nature and monks chanting, a tour of Shey Monastery also known as Crystal Monastery, this area is well described by Peter Matthiessen in his classic novel “The Snow Leopard”

Today we follow the trail through a steep gorge to Saldang La Pass where we can expect to have magnificent panoramic views of the many Dhaulagiri Peaks and after head down to Namgung Gompa where we stay the night

Today’s trek of about four to five hours takes us a rugged and dry landscape and then a steep walk down before reaching Saldang where we stay the night. From here there are more amazing views of the Dolpo region and the plateau surrounding us.

Our trail today takes us along the Nang Chu River and along the way we pass the Nangdo river. We continue on until we reach Rakyo where we stay at the night.

Today we follow the trail back in the direction of Dachun Khola and then on to High camp. where we stay overnight.

After leaving High Camp we follow the trail for Six to Seven hours alongside the Jyangla Khola to reach Tokyu where we stop for the night.

Our trail today descends to Tarap Chu located in a large green valley scattered with many small yaks and sheep herder’s huts. The trail continues until we reach Dho Tarap where we stay the night. The people here are a mix of Tibetan and Magar castes.

Our trek today is about six to seven hours through the valley and then through a more confined gorge with sparse vegetation. This area is home to Blue Sheep and other wild animals. We continue along the trail until we reach the junction of the Tarap Chu and Nawarpani where we stay the night.

A four to five-hour trek today takes us through the Jeep Road. We continue along the trail until we reach Laina Odart. It is here that we will camp for the night.

A four to five-hour trek today takes us through Lalberi Village and along the river to Tarakot. Tarakot has an ancient fort on the edge of the village. We continue along the trail until we reach Sandul Gomba situated where the Barbung Khola and Tarakot rivers intersect. It is here that we will camp for the night.

Our final day on the trail leads through several villages along a broader trail over some hills and through valleys heading to the Thulo Bheri River until we reach Dunai. We will stop here for lunch at Dunai and then take a jeep to Jhupal where we will spend out last night in the Dolpo region and celebrate our fascinating journey in this spectacular Dolpo region.

Today we have two flights ahead of us, firstly a very short flight to Nepalgunj and then on to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu we will take you to your respective hotels.

UNESCO world heritage sites Boudha and Patan sightseeing. After completing sightseeing you can do some last-minute shopping or merely sit back and reflect on your journey to the remote Dolpo region.

White Himalayan Adventure representative will transfer you to the airport for your final departure from Nepal.

Not satisfied with this regular itinerary? Make your own.

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