Dolpo Trekking

Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambhunath) and Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath), which is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. Himalayan Glacier will brief us regarding our trek as well as provide us with an opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming adventure. Overnight at hotel.

After the breakfast in Kathmandu or evening we fly to Nepalgunj, located in Western part of Nepal. Nepalgunj, a town near the Nepal-India border, is also the gateway to Simikot, Humla trekking trail. Nepaljung is the beautiful flat town as Terai where we can visit the market in evening. Overnight at hotel.

Early morning we fly to Jhupal after breakfast. Jufal is beautifully town located over the Himalayan foothills, with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to its north. Here, we meet our trekking crew and begin the trekking. We walk through terraced fields to the Bheri River and its narrow gorge. We continue walking to Dunai, which are the districts headquarter of the Dolpo region. We explore the small town in the evening and overnight stay at tented camp.

Today we start our journey after breakfast and cross a suspension bridge. The trail ascends up the Thulo Bheri valley before entering Phoksundo valley. During the walking we see the view of Kagmara Peak up the valley. We pass through walnut forest, Dhera village, Rahagaun villages and walk down to the dense forest and finally reach to Ankhe. Overnight at tented camp.

Our trail ascends and descends along a Bheri river and climbs on a steep trail. The ups and downs can be a bit hot and sweaty, but there are several streams along the way that offer a chance to make cool. The trail eventually leaves the forests and passes through a grassy slope high above the river. We trek downhill on a trail surrounded by lush forests before reaching a cliff followed by a dizzying drop on a wobbly stone staircase to the river bank. We continue trekking until we reach Sulighat where we spend the night. Overnight at tented camp.

We continue walk along the valley floor to the confluence of the Phoksundo and Pungmo rivers. After crossing a bridge, we walk on the western bank of the Pungmo Stream. The trail passes through a deep forest before reaching Palam village. From Palam we trek up to a ridge and enjoy the views of Phoksundo Lake and a spectacular waterfall. Next, our trail descends through birch forests to the upper reaches of the Phoksundo Stream, and then to the attractive Ringmo village with its mud-plastered chortens and mani walls. From here it is a short walk to the rim of the Phoksundo Lake. Overnight at tented camp.

Today is acclimatization at Phoksundo Lake. During the day we hike to the village of Ringmo and it’s Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. During our short walks, we have chance to get confide with the local culture. The dolpo people wear different clothes than others. Both men and women often wear religious brooches and strings of coral, amber and turquoise. Overnight at tented camp.

Today we walk toward the western bank of the lake .This regular trail suspended on a gangway of wood supported on pegs moved into crevasse in the rocks, signals the remoteness of the area we are about to enter. Then we walk through the valley, crossing the river and nullify the occasional boggy marsh underfoot and then coming on the bank of the Phoksundo river to the overnight camp. Overnight at tented camp.

Today we walk in the glacier to the north. At the confluence of the Phoksundo Khola and another mountain stream, there is an old wooden bridge. When we cross the bridge we walk towards the north-east. A long climb brings us to a sheep Prairie where our trail veers up a steep narrow gorge. After the hard climb we reach near the Kang-La pass where we set up our camp. Today chance to see the peak Chhamlang (6740m) and peak seven (6110m). Overnight at tented camp.

The climb to the top of the pass is quite strenuous. From the top we get excellent views of the large valley and some snow capped peak. After make a perfect picture we descend to the valley floor on a steep trail. After than we walk along the banks of a river, crossing and re-crossing it several times. There are mud caves lining the hills overlooking the river. We also pass through prairie where we can see grazing yaks, thousands of sheep and goat. After crossing a attractively log bridge we reach the Shey Gompa. Overnight at tented camp.

Shey Gompa was built in 1655 and the monastery is noted for its giant copper with gilded gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. Today we can see the clear snow capped peak from the Shey gompa. We spend the day hiking around Shey village which is famous for its ancient pre-Buddhist culture. In the Dolpo regain they have Tibetan culture and lifestyle.Overnight tented camp in Shey Gompa.

Today we walk along juniper trees which descend into a grey, stony deep gorge. Then trail will be zigzag over naked rocks and rough eroded soil until the top of Saldang-la pass. After the pass descent towards the north is long and tiring but grazing yaks and sheep, and nomadic tents make comforting sight. We visit Namdung monastery in Namduna Gaun. The red stone monstery is built against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge. Overnight tented camp at Namduna Gaun.

Today we leave the village and climb on a dusty slope mountain. After 3-4 hours of hard climb, we begin to see Saldang Village below us above the Namga stream. Today is the perfect time to make perfect picture. Saldang is the largest village of the Dolpo region. The village stretches for nearly two kilometers on an open slope and consists of five villages and nearly seven hundred people. It is a prosperous village not only agriculturally but also for its strategic location on a trade route to Tibet. Overnight in tented camp at Saldang.

Today we walk further north along the Nagon river. We begin our walk on a fairly gradual path with some ups and downs. We pass Marang and Ki villages today. After than we cross a tributary of Panzang River and walk towards the east and cross the river again before and we reach the Yangze gompa. Overnight at tented camp.

There are two different trails that connect to Sibu. We fallow the short and easier trail from the Saldang. Today we walk along a river and pass through terraced fields, chortens, wall of mani stones and a Chaiba monastery, then pass the Namdo village which is also prosperous, with about sixty houses having nearly 400 people. The Namdo monastery is located near the river bed. Our journey continues further two hour down for Sibu gaon. Overnight at tented camp.

Today we walk along the Nam Khong stream for a while and pass by caravans with yaks that are moving towards the Tibetan border. After turning east and walking for a while, we arrive at a confluence of two small streams. Again steep trail ascends to a grazing area below the Jeng La pass (4,900m/16,072ft). Our camp will be set up in this beautiful meadow. Overngiht in tented camp at Jeng la Phedi.

Today we start our trekking bit earlier than normal. It take two hours to reach the top of the Jeng La pass from where we get remarkable views of the north face of the Dhaualgiri massif. From here we descend on a rough trail to the Tarap Valley, a glamorous valley with immense plains in high mountains that extends nearly twenty kilometers along Tarap Chu river. We set up our camp near by the monastery at Tokyu. Overnight at tented camp.

We trek descent to plain valley with patches of lush grass on both sides of the river which is completely different from other parts of Dolpo. There is also a marsh which is a common feature in the Desert Mountains of Tibet.Bon Po and Buddhist sects are practiced in the valley. After a short trek from valley we reach Dho Tarap. Overnight at tented camp.

Today we descend towards a wide valley which finally into narrows a gorge. We walk along juniper and wild rose bushes just above the tree line. Today chance to see the group of blue sheep in the afternoon. We reach the confluence of the Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, a stream that joins with Tarap River from further east. We will make our camp on a nice meadow also known as Kamakharka. Overnight at tented camp.

We continue walking down the gorge of the Tarap River. During our walk we pass by the local people who will be taking their herds to lower pastures for the winter. This will be one of the most exciting days of this trip as the valley becomes so narrow in a deep gorge that in some places we can jump from one side to another. Sometimes there is no trace of a path and we may have to walk across stone slabs fitted on logs in between the walls which act as a bridge. Finally, we reach the Tarap Khola at Khanigaon. Overnight at tented camp.

Today we walk toward the village of Lalberi. Our trail then passes through a lush forest, descends into another gorge and continues to follow the river again. After reaching Tarakot, we can visit Sandul Gompa which lies about 8 km east of the village at a juncture of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu. The monastery stands on a hill to the south of Bheri River. Today we make our camp below the tarap village. Overnight at tented camp.

After the breakfast we start our trek on a trail behind the Bheri River before crossing a bridge near the Lawan village. Our trail will continue alongside the big Bheri Rriver ascending until the Byas Gadi. From here the trail moves towards the west on an easy trail. We cross the river again near the Lochakhola Gaon and ascend to Dunai. Today we trek through the wonderful gorge with pine trees. Overnight at tented camp.

Today we walk along the Bheri River enjoying the beautiful landscape and crossing the beautiful Dhupichaur and Rupgad villages. Again continue trekking via Kalagaonda and Motipur village before reaching the Jhuphal. Overnight at tented camp but we can hotel upon your request.

Early morning we take a flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj which takes 45 minute and we will manage connecting flight to Kathmandu on the next available flight. After arriving in Kathmandu, our staff transferred to our hotel. In the evening we will provide fare well dinner in typical Nepali restaurant with cultural program to celebrate the successful journey. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast and Dinner included)

Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport. Thank you for choosing Upper Dolpo Trek as your trekking guide! We look forward to your next adventure with us.