Upper Dolpo Trekking an adventure that leads you to explore the hidden and isolated areas of Nepal Far West Himalaya country, which lies on Old Salt Trade Route of Western Nepal to Tibet, this will be one of the most impressive experience of your lifetime.
Upper Dolpo Trekking, walking into the country of ancient Bonpo sect practice of pre Buddhism which is almost extinct around Himalaya countries, that still exists in hidden villages of Inner and Upper Dolpo.
Adventure to Upper Dolpo, where very few western and foreign visitors seldom venture this beautiful country, where famous classic novel ‘The Snow Leopard’ by Peter Mattessian have described of this scenic Shangri-la of Upper Dolpo, the novel was published in early 1980’s.
Later a renowned motion picture called the ‘Himalaya’ a joint venture of Nepal and French production nominated for Oscar Award in 1998 exposed Upper Dolpo to outside world, since then the area is slowly getting attention where trekkers can witness its wild natural surrounding within its pristine environment and undisturbed by outside world.
Starting this awesome journey taking a swift flight from Kathmandu to Jhupal with stopover at Nepalgunj city around Nepal Far Southern West Terai belt, from Jhupal around inner Dolpo where our adventure begins heading towards beautiful turquoise Lake of Phoksundo and visiting Ringmo village.
Our adventure continues to cross high and scenic Kang-la pass above 5,350 m with sweeping panorama of Dolpo dramatic landscapes with views of high snow capped peaks to reach at isolated Shey Gompa beneath Crystal Mountain.
Enjoying its sheer tranquil surrounding and visiting impressive old monastery then heading towards inner Dolpo area towards Dho-Tarap green wide valley on the yak trail after exploring around nice interesting village of Tokyu.
Finally walk leads on good trail following a river to Tarakot a village of great importance with historical background, a fort village that use to guard the area on this ancient Trans Himalayan Caravan and Salt Trade Route of Nepal and Tibet.
Completing our wonderful adventure heading back at Jhupal past Dunai the headquarter town of Dolpo where a scenic flight takes you at warm Nepalgunj city and then back at Kathmandu with overwhelming memories and adventure of a lifetime experience on Upper Dolpo Trekking.
On arrival at Kathmandu international airport, received by our office staff and guide and then a short drive to your hotels in the hub of Kathmandu city.
After checking in your rooms getting refreshed join with other members of the group for briefing on Upper Dolpo Trekking, provides you with useful information regarding treks and other details for your enjoyable stay in Nepal with us, includes welcome dinner in an authentic Nepalese restaurant with Folk Culture program.
Morning, depart from the hotel for exciting tour at places of great interest within Kathmandu city, steeped with historical and religious monuments temples, monasteries as listed in World Heritage Sites, after an interesting tour afternoon at leisure for Upper Dolpo trek preparation.
As per time for flight to Nepalgunj located Nepal Far South West transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport for scenic sweeping flights of about 50 minutes to land at low warm areas at Nepalgunj city airport.
During airborne fantastic views a panorama of snow-capped mountains from the take-off in Kathmandu to landing at Nepalgunj airport, on reaching at Nepalgunj airport terminal transfer to a nice hotel within its city area. Nepalgunj, situated close to Indian border of UP (Utter Pradesh), where culture and local people with strong Indian influence in culture and way of life.
Morning early breakfast for short connecting flight to land at Jhupal at Dolpo area, during this scenic flight views of Dhaulagiri and other western Himalaya, on reaching at Jhupal after 35-40 minutes on air where our staff and porters receives you.
From Jhupal, after getting organized and then few hours of exciting jeep drive reaches you at Dunai the main headquarter and administrative town of whole Dolpa area.
In Dunai for overnight stop in the comfort of nice local lodge, afternoon walk around Dunai town and observe its interesting local culture and traditional life.
With pleasant overnight in Dunai, morning walk leads past the market area and then crossing over a bridge of Thulo Bheri River, where climb takes you over a ridge to Phoksumdo River valley with views of Kagmara peak.
From here walk leads to descend past farm villages with fields growing walnut trees and getting close to a stream of Dhera, a small cattle herders settlements and then short climb to Rahagaon village of Thakuri a Hindu local tribe.
As walk leads to downhill path into forested area to reach our overnight camp at Chhepka a small farm village.
From Chhepka which is close to Ankhe village, as morning walk leads to a short climb and then descend into forested area to reach a river bank, from here climb after leaving the forest.
On reaching top of a ridge with downhill to forest leading to cross a small bridge at Ryajik village, trek further to Samdua for overnight stop near the entrance of Phoksumdo National Park.
Morning walk leads to our first destination at Phoksumdo Lake after walking over Pungmo Kholas valley and crossing streams, where walk follows Pungmo Khola on downhill into pine and birch trees to reach upper side of Phoksumdo Khola.
After a short refreshing stop continue walk to Ringmo village, an interesting Tibetan origin village adorned with mud plastered Chorten and Mani (prayer) walls.
From here a short walk leads to Phoksundo Lake for overnight camp by the shore of beautiful turquoise Lake of Phoksundo.
A perfect spot for leisure and free day, here marvel the beauty around its natural surroundings with its scenic landscapes overlooking peaks of Kagmara, and explore interesting Ringmo village and witness Dolpo native culture with its age-old heritage and custom.
From here walk leads to Upper Dolpo area towards our major destination of this marvelous adventure, as walk follows contouring around rocky ledge high over a river bank in between unsteady path.
As walk leads further towards far end of the lake past summer pasture which opens up into a wide valley at Phoksundo Khola (stream) for the overnight stop and camping by the bank of stream.
Morning walk leads on fairly nice path heading north past Phoksundo Khola and then walking up on hilly slopes, after a climb reaching a ridge top with grand views of green wide valley as far towards Kang-La pass on-route Shey Gompa, overnight camp pitched on a nice green summer pasture.
Morning starts with steep climb to reach our major destination at Shey Gompa also known as Crystal Monastery, as it is close to Crystal Mountain at mere distance.
From Phoksundo Bhanjyang, walk leads to a climb on stone and rocky path to reach over Kang-la pass at above 5,350 m high, our topmost heights of the adventure.
At the top rewards you with great views of landscapes with snow-peaks that include as far to Mt. Dhaulagiri. From the top of the pass descend to reach the bottom of a hill which leads to a river, and then across heading towards cattle herder camps, after a short break continue walk approaching Buddhist prayer monument with Chorten and Mani.
From this nice spot a short walk to reach at Shey Gompa situated at the bottom of Crystal Mountain regarded as Holy Mountain with old monastery close-by.
A perfect place for rest day in this high mountain area, in the harmony of nature and chanting of monks, visit Shey Monastery also known Crystal Monastery, this area is well described in the novel Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen.
From this wonderful place, our journey continuous into a wall canyon, trail meanders atop Sela or Gela-la at 5,094 m offering great views of landscapes and of Mt. Dhaulagiri peaks, downhill on the grazing area with pleasant walk to Namgung Gaon for overnight stop.
After a stop in this village walk on dusty windswept terrain, leading to steep uphill to reach our overnight camp at Saldang, another impressive large village of the region, situated higher side of the plateau.
From here, morning walk following river Nang chu all the way with short ups and down and then passing Sugugaon and Dechen Lapran a cattle herders settlement, and then heading to our overnight camp at Chagoan village with an old Rapa Gompa of pre Buddhist and ancient Bon-Pa culture.
Morning walk south towards Tarap valley around Tokyu and Dho Tarap village, then taking southern direction to reach Dachu Khola and beyond, after crossing the same trail following river through farm fields, and then walk into Yak herder areas for overnight camp.
Having a nice pleasant stop in summer pasture area walk follows the river for short while, and then encountering yaks and mules laden caravan on route Tibet, trade with Tibet exists since hundreds of years, and this walking route lies on the old Trans Himalayan Caravan Route.
From the base of Jyanta-la, morning starts with steep climb to reach top of the pass with views of massive Mt. Dhaulagiri range, from here a long descend to the base of the pass on route Tokyu village.
After steep climb of previous day, today an easy walk to reach Tokyu Gaon for overnight, this is one of the most impressive and interesting village of Dolpo area, consist of more than ten villages and nice tended farm fields with old monasteries.
After Tokyu Gaon, morning starts on downhill to Tarap Chu on wider green valley, one of the scenic broader valley of the area, here you will notice many Sheppard’s settlements of Yaks and Sheep, as walk continues to our overnight camp at Dho Tarap, another interesting village of mix tribes of Tibetans origin and Magar hill tribe people.
From here a long descend to Tarap valley, one of the largest and longest valley of Dolpo area which is about 20 k.m. which stretches following Tarap Chu River most of the way to joins with Thuli Bheri River near Tarakot village, walk leads past Langa with beautiful cascading waterfalls heading due south following the trail after Sisaul and small place of Kesila around Yak herders temporary camps to reach our overnight camp at Ghymagar.
Today walks on Tarap nice valley, as the trail enter into a narrow gorge with some vegetation of bushes of juniper and wild rose, walk leads past Toltol with a large overhanging cave, around this area might see some wild life like Naur or Blue Sheep and other animals.
As the walk progress reaching a confluence of River Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, overnight camp by the river after a long day walk of about 6 hours.
Morning walk starts past smaller villages and then entering into small forest area, following a river all the way to Tarakot, this is one of the important and large village of Dolpo with interesting history houses an old historical fortress (Dzong or Kot) to guard the village from outsiders in early days.
Tarakot village with famous old Sandul Gomba located at the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River where our overnight camp is set.
After a fabulous time at Tarakot, our last day walk leads to Dunai for short while and then taking a short drive to Jhupal for the flight back to Kathmandu.
Morning starts walking into spread out villages and farm huts, walk on wider path with some short uphill and downhill to reach at Thuli Bheri River valley and then at Dunai, on reaching Dunai for lunch. From here jeeps drive back to Jhupal to catch our next morning flight to Nepalgunj unto Kathmandu.
Morning from the lodge at Jhupal, transfer to its small airstrip for scenic short flight to land at Nepalgunj airport, here with times to get refreshed before catching another flight back to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu transfer to your respective hotels with free afternoon for individual activities.
We have planned a free day for you to enjoy extra leisure day in Kathmandu after scenic trek on Lower Dolpo, on this day free for individual activities and shopping souvenirs, or join in for another exciting tour around Kathmandu-Patan and Bhaktapur at places of great interest.
Your last day in Nepal, country of Himalayan wonders and as per your international flight time depart for homeward bound or to next respective connecting destinations.
Our staff and guide transfer you to Kathmandu airport after a mesmerizing memory and great time on Upper Dolpo Trekking.
