“Dolpo Yak Caravan Trek travels with the traders of Dolpo and big herd of yaks to the elevated Nepal-Tibet border catering a perfect opportunity to sight authentic trading culture of Dolpo, its landscapes, amazing yak caravans and every other highlight remote Dolpo has.”
Since yak is one of the most popular domestic animals in Upper Dolpo- it has many essential roles in daily life of the natives. Yak is used for different purposes like transportation, ploughing fields, riding and sometimes they are used to open the trail when it is covered with snow. It is also a good source of nutrients in the highland. Its milk and meat are lifesaving diet. In the Himalayas a life without yaks is close to impossible.
Dolpo, which is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region, China in the North has business relationship since long. Once in a year there will be traditional exchange market in the borderline. Previously the people of Upper Dolpo used to take the food stuff such as maize, wheat, buckwheat, millet etc. brought from the lower part of Dolpa to the border and bartered with salt. When the winter begins again with the salt brought from Tibet the people go to the lower region to barter with the food stuff.
As the time changes every moment, new ideas and creations take place and the people adopt them without any hesitations for survival. Eventually, the trend of the people of upper Dolpo has also changed a lot. Since the importance of Yarshagomba (CordisepCynensis) came in knowledge of the general people they became more concerned in trading it. Since this is the natural product which is found wild in the pastures, doesn’t need any pre-investment for the cultivation. Its high market value is increasing every season as consequently the people have started to think that it is the main source of income of the family. Therefore, now a days people take this Yarshagomba to barter for modern food stuff and things of daily uses instead of salt. Yak Caravan Trip is designed in such a way that the whole trip will go with yaks local traders. It is scheduled according to the movement of traders. So the trip will go all along the way that the traders use and will make camps where they rest, in close coordination with them. The trip will take you up to the No Man’s Land . So being with these local people with the caravan of yaks provides the real taste of this Upper Dolpo’s traditional trading. Anyone can imagine what a wonderful trip will it be? To make a journey within the spread of Upper Dolpa region, adapting the varied biodiversity on the arid highland in typical traditional way. How will you dream? Make your dream come true joining the Yak Caravan Trip.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu/ (1400 m)
Day 02: Rest day at Kathmandu
Day 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m)/ flight 15min
Day 04: Flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal (2475m and trek to Dunai 5hrs
Day 05: Trek from Dunai to Chhepka (2670m) 7hrs
Day 06: Trek from Chhepka to Chunuwar (Jharana Hotel) (3110m) 6hrs
Day 07: Trek from Chunuwar to Phoksundo (3460m) 6hrs
Day 08: Rest day and explore around Phoksundo Lake
Day 09: Trek from Phoksundo to Sallaghari (3630m) 6hrs
Day 10: Trek from Sallaghari to Nangdalo Base Camp (Kang La BC 4100m) 6hrs
Day 11: Trek from KangLa BC to SheyGompa (4280m) via Kang La Pass (5240m) 6hrs
Day 12: Rest day in SheyGompa
Day 13: Trek from SheyGompa to NamgungGompa via Shey La Pass (5100m) 7hrs
Day 14: Trek from NamgungGompa to Saldang (3770m) 5hrs
Day 15: Rest day at Explore around Saldang
Day 16: Trek from Saldang to Sumdowa 6hrs
Day 17: Rest day at Sumdowa for exploring the Sumdowa
Day 18: Trek from Sumdodwa to Saldang 6hrs
Day 19: Trek from Saldang to NamgungGompa 5hrs
Day 20: Trek from NamgangGompa to SheyGompa 5hrs
Day 21: Trek from SheyGompa to Kang La BC 6hrs
Day 22: Trek from Nangdalo Base Camp to Sallaghari 6hrs
Day 23: Trek from Sallaghari to Phoksundo 7hrs
Day 24: Trek from Phoksundo to Chhepka 7hrs
Day 25: Trek from Chhepka to Juphal 7hrs
Day 26: Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj and to Kathmandu (same day flight)
Day 27: Leisure day in Kathmandu (1400m)
Day 28: Departure day