Dolpo is far-flung region bordered by the Dhaulagiri and Churen Himal ranges in east and south and to the west by Jumla district. Lower Dolpo offers you the remarkable and worthwhile experience of lifetime with its snowy peaks, prehistoric and remote villages, rich flora and fauna, unswerving Buddhist monastery and magnificent lakes. The cultural traditions of this area are basically linked with Tibetan and Nepal.
Dolpo is situated between Dhorpatan and Rara Lake, one the biggest lake in Nepal. The Upper Dolpo Trekking begins at Juphal and follows the track to Dunai, then reach at to Tarakot, incline to Bang la Camp, the highest point of this trek, after passing through the Sanu Bher village, we then move down to the beautiful Phoksundo Lake, which is a part of the Shey Phoksundo National Park.
The major fascination of this Upper Dolpo Trekking area is Shey Phoksundo National Park which is the largest National Parks of Nepal. And likewise, Shey Phoksundo Lake is another well-known factor of this region. The lake is totally free of aqua life, which the crystal waters clearly explain. Surrounded by rock, forests, and snow- capped peaks, the area has been depicted as one of the World's “Natural Hidden Wonders”. This is the region of some of Nepal's most amazing wildlife, including the blue sheep, the Serow and Snow Leopard. The trek begins and we walk next to the bank of Tila River and reach Garjankot. A slight longer walking passes a several villages and an irrigation channel on the feild. From which there is a exquisite view across the rolling hills behind.
Itinerary
Detail Itinerary Upper Dolpo Trekking
Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu
After you arrive at Kathmandu International Airport, our airport representative will welcome you and guide you to transfer to hotel and for the rest of the day you can either relax or do personal activities. Overnight at Kathmandu
Day 2: Kathmandu
On this day, you will visit around Kathmandu. After having breakfast you can proceed for half day city tour to Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Buddha, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Kathmandu Durbar square which are the heritages enlisted in world heritage list. In the evening you will be briefed about the trek and hand over the trekking permit. Overnight in Kathmandu
Day 03: Kathmandu – Nepalgunj
Taking a flight from Kathmandu, we move to Nepalgunj in the far west of Nepal of around one-hour is pretty amazing as it is go across the entire length of the peaks of Nepal, west of Kathmandu, with terrific views of Langtang, Manaslu, and Annapurna and Dhaulagiri and finally Dolpo. Nepalgunj is near to the Indian border, and rather warm in comparison with Kathmandu.
Day 04: Nepalgunj – Jumla
Early in the morning, we take the first flight to Jumla where we meet the crews who have walked in from the road head ten days early.
Day 05: Jumla – Gothi Chaur
From Jumla today we move to Gothi Chaur. The trek begins and we walk next to the bank of Tila River and reach Garjankot. A slight longer walk in the afternoon passes a few houses and an irrigation channel on the right. From which there is a exquisite view across the rolling hills behind. The camp is 200m below at a sheep from known as Gothi Chaur (2800m).
Day 06: Gothi Chaur – Naphuknona
On his day, while moving from Gothi Chaur to reach Napukhnona, we wander through the alpine forests and clear stream and two hours after leaving the camp you arrive at the village of Munigaon and then the route firmly moves south east to Jajarkot and the Bheri River. Then the hike leads to the village of Naphukhona with a large Tibetan Choten. Our campsite is 10 minute further on below the Gompa at Chorteng (3100m).
Day 07: Naphuknona – Bheri River Valley
From Napukhona, today, we walk along the river through the most wonderful forest so far we have come transversely. The climb Maure La (3,927m) plunders with some very superb views of the Bheri River Valley and the Peaks of Ghyuthumba and Matathumba. Also, the enormous bulk of Api is the dominating peak to the west. Also, you will witness a superb view of the Dhaulagiri Massif and Annapurna II clearing in the forest.
Day 08: Bheri River Valley – Hurikot
To reach Hurikot from Bheri River Valley, today, you will have a extremely enjoyable walk which gives way to the first spectacle of the Kagmara Lekh and the Bheri River itself. The path comes across the hillside through the village of Chaurkot, after which it moves down to a flow and climb again to a different saddle. We follow and come to the village - Rimi and Kaigaon are soon obviously visible and the path moves down through Rimi, which is rather unclean in comparison to the more charming Kaigaon on the left side of the river. And then, we reach the village Hurikot (2650m). Take chance to visit the monastery of Hurikot.
Day 09: Hurikot – Garpung Khola
From Hurikot, the path climbs gradually high above the Garpung Khola until it reaches the Jagdula Khola. A vertical climb for half an hour leads to a clearing with an excellent view of Kagmara, We then continue along the left bank to camp by a bridge crossing the Garpung Khola.
Day 10: Following the river upstream
We today, have a short morning walk and a rest in afternoon. We cross the bridge and follow the river for two hours to reach a fine vantage point of the route ahead, including the campsite, which is an hour further. This is the first night at 4000 meters.
Day 11: Crossing the Kagmara La
On this day, you have to cross Kagmara La pass, a bit challenging one. The vista is quite eye-catching here. The short climb to the peak of Kagmara RI (5,370m) takes around half an hour. The mountains of Tibet and Mount Everest in the distance form just part of this striking vista, which is dominated by the Dhaulagiri massif and the Annapurnas. The view to the south and west of the Kagmara Lekh and the Kanjiroba Himal is in the same way very impressive.
Day 12: Descend to Pungmo Village
From Kangmara La, we walk down 1200 meters, takes you through a peaceful valley to the village of Pungmo. There are chances to see Himalayan blue sheep and other birds of pray Camp is made by the Choten the access to the village.
Day 13: A spare day
You have an additional day for relaxing and visiting the crucial Gompa above Pungmo. There are in fact two Gompas where both 'Bon' and 'traditional' Buddhism are practiced. Chortens become very puzzling as a Buddhist does clockwise circulate sacred object and the Bons anti- clockwise. Yet, the lamas of both Gompas are keen to show you around for a small donation.
Day 14: Trek to the village of Ringmo and Phoksundo Lake|
On this day we walk to the front keeping the river to the left side we move down for one hour to a military camp (3,150m) at the junction of the Pungmo and Phoksundo Rivers. Turn left immediately after the camp and follow a wonderful path by the Phoksundo River to a lush clearing where you will have lunch and walk up to Ringmo which is very worthwhile. Equally impressive is the huge waterfall falling down from the Phuksumdo River. From the prayer flags, a pleasant half an hour's walk leads to the village of Ringmo and camp is made on the opposite side of the village (3700m). Crossing the bridge in the village and turn left to reach the lake.
Day 15: A rest day in Ringmo
The close by monastery is worth a visit. We have a rest day today.
Day 16: Trek to the camp below Kang Taiga
We today have an unproblematic day walks in the morning to a yak grazing meadow by the Manduwa Khola. The outlook down the Suli Gad and across to the Kagmara Lekh are mostly remarkable. The campsite is in an attractive spot (3,900m) below Kang Taiga (5916m).
Day 17: Cross Bagar La
It is the demanding day of the trek yet the most enthralling part of the trek. Cross the watershed of the major Himalayan onto the Tibetan plateaus. Walking beside the river the path turns north up the first apparent side valley and climbs steeply to the pass, which marked by a chorten and the usual prayer flags. The pass is often stormy and the decline is partly rapid to the river below and our camp (4,650m). The road to Shey and Saldang is clearly engraved out of the landscape by the tracks of thousands of yaks that have made the trip south.
Day 18: Cross Numa La and trek to the Tarap Valley
Today, four to five hour climb leads to the pass and the view is certainly eye-catching. Dhaulagiri I, the rising and falling of Tibetan hills and the Kanjiroba Himal to the west is equally arresting. With wonderful bounded scenery around we climb the small peak to the left of the pass. The path descends gradually into the Tarap Valley. In two to three hours the Champa Gompa is passed on the left and camp is made a little further down the valley in the first village (4300m).
Day 19: Trek to Serkam
We pass through the villages off Clumaga and Kakar today, both in fact tempting with many Chorten. There are two Gompas (monasteries) in Dho, Guru Bumba (Chob) and above the village Scipcha Gompa (Bon). Leaving Dho-the last village, follow the Tarap Khola River. This is the last smooth ground where we walk for three to four hours as the valley becomes contracted with deep gorges crossed by countless small bridges. However, it is an enormously well made path, one of the finest gorge paths in the mountains.
Day 20: Trek to Khanigaon
From Serkam, we move further on alongside the riverbank, we have a way up the cliff side. After a long morning walk, we have a large clearing by the river is reached. This is Lahini and marks the end of the gorge. We camp at Kanigaon (2700m).
Day 21: Trek to Tarakot
We come crossways to the left bank of the Barbung Khola, into which the Trap Khola now flows. This river is followed for three hours to the village of Tarakot where we stop and take rest for the remainder of the day.
Day 22: To Dunai
We have an easy day, continuing next to the Barbung Khola through a stunning alpine valley to the Hindu village of Dunai. We walk for four hours.
Day 23: To Juphal
Our walk continues along the river to a tea shop by the side of the trail which marks the start of the climb to the Juphal airstrip. The path climbs gradually, passing through the village of Juphal to the airstrip.
Day 24: Flight to Nepalgunj
We take the flight to Nepalgunj and have an afternoon's rest before flying on to Kathmandu the following day. The views from the lake of the Annapurnas are well-known throughout Nepal.
