Dolpo trekking is one another well-loved trekking destinations. This (Trekking in Dolpo) lies in the north-west region of the country, situated behind the Dhaulagiri massif. Dolpo treks is also called to be Himalaya pilgrimage trekking and hidden valley trek created by Tibetan Monk--Guru Rinpoche. Dolpo is one of the most remote and least exposed areas in Nepal. This unexplored and high altitude valley was opened in 1989. Isolated by the difficult topography, the people in this region have preserved their lifestyle. Thus, the distinct lifestyle, culture and rituals of the Tibetan origin people of here have been greatest attraction for many foreigners. People of Dolpo have a primitive lifestyle with their own dialect and culture. While having trekking, you can visit to several unique monasteries (gompas) like Shey Gompa (The Crystal Monastery) which is an important pilgrimage site for Tibetans. The unique hospitality of the people living in the area and gorgeous landscapes of the areas not only has enchanted for many trekkers but it has been fondest and lifetime experience for many.
Trek to Dolpo is best known for isolated high Himalayan valleys. According to the legend, Dolpo is considered to be one of the hidden valleys created by Guru Rinpoche --a refuge for devout Buddhists in troubled times. The people of Dolpo are of Tibetan origin and maintain their Tibetan culture with monasteries that follow closely the Buddhism of Tibet. Dolpo has been like a living library for many researchers who love to explore the beginning of the human civilizations and Tibetan Buddhism, apart from many other attractions, Shey Phoksundo National Park—The largest national park in Nepal, Shey Phoksundo lake and its crystal waters, the rocks, forests, snow capped peaks in its surrounding is one of world’s natural hidden wonders. The snowy peaks, ancient and isolated villages, rich wildlife, reliable Buddhist Monasteries and wonderful lakes enthrall every one of us who visit to the area.
There are several routes to Dolpo, especially from Pokhara and Jumla. The journey begins with flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal. Subsequently, from Jupal, you will continue to Dunai, the district headquarter and camp. Next day, you will continue trekking along the banks of Barbung Khola to Tarakote, known locally as Dzong for its hilltop fortress, you proceed along Tarap Khola through grassy meadows, Magar villages and their Gompas, the highest point of the trek Numa La (5,190m). Along the route, you will enjoy with magnificent views of Dhaulagiri to the south and Tibetan ranges C Kugung La and Khyung La to the north. Then you descend down to Suli Gad river to Raha, the park entrance and finally to the hamlet of Juphal. From there, you will catch plane to Nepalgunj or Pokhara or subsequently to Kathmandu.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley
Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj
Day 04: Fly to Jumla [2370m] & trek to Gothi chaur [2700m]
Day 05: Trek to Naphukana [3080m]
Day 06: Trek to Chaurikot [3060m]
Day 07: Trek to Bheri riverside [2610m]
Day 08: Trek to Garpung khola [2900m]
Day 09: Trek to Kagmara [3500m]
Day 10: Trek to Kagmara phedi [4000m]
Day 11: Cross Kagmara La [5115m]
Day 12: Trek to Pungmo
Day 13: Trek to Phoksumdo Lake
Day 14: At Phoksumdo Lake
Day 15: Trek to Baga La phedi
Day 16: Cross Baga La [5090m] & trek to Numa La phedi [4800m]
Day 17: Cross Numa La [5360m] & trek to Do [4100m]
Day 18: At Do
Day 19: At Do
Day 20: Trek to Lahini [3560m]
Day 21: Trek to Tarakot [2600m]
Day 22 - 23: Trek to Dunai [2100m] and to Juphal [2500m]
Day 24: Fly Juphal/Nepalgunj/Kathmandu
Day 25: Depart Kathmandu
Flying to Kathmandu along the northern border of Nepal on a clear day is in itself an exciting and memorable experience as exotic panoramic view of snow-capped Annapurna mountain range peaks sprawls before you. The Nepali support team will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.
Sightseeing place will be visited according to your interest.
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Nepalgunj which lies close to the Indian border in the western Terai. Overnight at Hotel.
This morning we fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla. Leaving the airport at Jumla, we cross the Tila Khola and the Chaudabise Khola near their confluence and climb gradually to a fertile valley of rice terraces. The trail continues through several villages before passing through a forest of maple and walnut to a meadow which, in season, is covered in wildflowers. Beyond the meadow, the trail climbs to a small pass before descending again to Gothi Chaur and our first night's camp.
Today's walk follows the Tila Khola through fields of corn, potato, buckwheat and barley until the valley narrows and we enter a forest of oaks, spruce and maples. We pass through the village of Chotra with it's typical Tibetan mani walls and a short distance beyond, come to another Tibetan-looking village, Naphukana. Above this village, there is a large gompa.
From Naphukana the trail becomes steeper and climbs through a forest to a pass named Mauri Lagna [3820m]. From the pass there are views of snowy peaks to the north and east. Descending from the pass, the trail traverses a steep slope before dropping into a forest of pine and oaks. We then enter the Bheri Valley and, after following the trail in and out of side valleys, we come to the village of Chaurikot. Our camp will be near the village.
Continuing on to the village of Balasa we can see Kagmara peak on the horizon. The trail drops to a stream before climbing through a forest of walnut trees to a ridge. Passing through the apple orchards of Jyakot, we then descend to the village of Rimi before following a rocky trail down to the Bheri River. Our camp will be by the river.
We stay on the west bank of the Bheri River, passing Hurikot and arrive at the entrance to the Shey Phoksumdo National Park. We then come to the confluence of the Garpung and Jagdula Rivers, which join to form the Bheri River, and follow the Garpung Khola to our camp which is again by the side of the river.
We continue to follow the Garpung Khola, ascending slowly towards the Kagmara La. Today is a short day, but it is very important for acclimatisation that we don't ascend too quickly.
We now cross to the eastern side of the river and where the valley narrows, the river becomes a series of waterfalls. The trail climbs to a moraine below the Kagmara La and we make our camp among the boulders. The views from here of the surrounding peaks are magnificent.
We get an early start this morning and ascend alongside the Kagmara Glacier to the Kagmara La. This is a good place to spot the rare blue sheep. After a 900m descent, we reach the pastures of the Pungmo Khola Valley.
The trail now enters birch and juniper forests which soon give way to blue pine. Up the side valleys, there are views of Kanjirolba peak before we reach the fortress-like village of Pungmo, set amidst barley fields.
We continue downstream to the national park headquarters at Sumduwa before joining the trail up the Phoksumdo Khola to Phoksumdo Lake. We climb through a forest of large cedars to the winter settlement of Palam and continue ascending through the open country to a ridge from which there are good views of the lake in the distance. Close by is a spectacular waterfall, the highest in Nepal. The trail then makes an initial descent before climbing gently to Ringmo village. After crossing a bridge below Ringmo, the trail continues northwards to the shores of Phoksumdo Lake.
Today is a rest day at the lake which is known for its unusual greenish-blue colouring. It is overlooked on the western side, by a large snowy peak known as Kanjirolba or Kanchen Ruwa. A trail leads through a stand of juniper trees to an old dilapidated gompa which overlooks the lake. As well as Buddhist paintings and statues, there is also evidence of the ancient Bon-po religion within the temple and chapels.
We retrace our route as far as Ringmo and then follow a trail eastwards through forests of juniper and blue pine. The trail follows the river up the valley to a waterfall and we will camp here at the base of the Baga La.
From our camp it's a steady 3 hour climb to the top of the Baga La, the second of the high passes. The descent is gradual at first but it soon drops steeply to a stream before ascending again to the foot of the Numa La.
We continue climbing through arid country to the last of the high passes, the Numa La. It is marked by mani stones and, if it is clear, we can see as far as Dhaulagiri. The trail now descends past a huge mani wall to the Tarap region and we walk through the barley fields of the Tarap Valley to the settlement of Do.
Today is a rest day at Do which is the largest settlement in Tarap and has several gompas. On the ridge above the village is the Ri Bhunpa Gompa and, just to the east, the village of Shipchhok has a Bon-po gompa which is certainly worth exploring. There are also opportunities to get great views of the valley and surrounding snow peaks from a number of nearby ridges.
A further day to explore this fascinating area.
This morning's walk is almost level and follows the river until it flows into a gorge. We enter the gorge which has large rose shrubs and other wildflowers, and after crossing and re-crossing the river numerous times we finally come to a flat expanse where we can camp.
The trail today is steep, narrow and dangerous as it clings to the cliffs, and the bridges along here can often be washed out. Eventually, the valley widens and the route becomes easier as we approach the village of Khanigaon. We then climb high above the river before descending towards the Barbung Khola and the fortress village of Tarakot.
We follow the Barbung Khola downstream along the south bank to the village of Lawan, before crossing to the north bank and walking for several more hours to Dunai.
Our The Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. (Or stay longer for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc).
CUSTOM TREK NEPAL
Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977 1 4362946
Mobile: +977 98 511 06243 (Ambir Gurung)
Email: info@customtreknepal.com
