Dolpo Trek

We will meet you at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. When you have had your time to settle in and freshen up after your long flight, you will be invited to visit our office for a briefing about your program. You will have a meeting with your trekking guide and discuss the equipment needed for the trekking and we will process the trekking permits. During this visit, we will help you check your equipment and facilitate the processing of other necessary items such as National Park Permits, special permits, etc. If you arrive at night we will have the same discussion in next day morning after your breakfast.

The very next morning, after breakfast you will leave for a full day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley. You can visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Swyambhunath, very ancient, and mostly enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage sites. The biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhnath and the fine arts and historical architecture of Kathmandu Durbar Square, reflecting the ancient Nepalese culture, are highlighted on our guided tour. On return to your hotel, you will have time to explore the local area, have dinner, and perhaps take a stroll through the famous streets.

Today we will take a 1-hour flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj with a good view of the Himalayas to the north. Nepalgunj is a small town near the Indian border in the Terai region of Nepal. You can have a look around the Bageshwari Mandir, a temple dedicated to Kali.

On the very morning, we take a flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla over the Himalayan foothills, with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to the north. From Jumla, we cross the Tila Khola and Chaudabise Khola near their confluence and climb gently 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. Beyond the field, the trail climbs to a rock cairn at Pattyata Lagna (2830m) and then descends into the magnificent alpine amphitheater. The trail descends past the project buildings at Gothichour to a stream at the bottom of the valley. Camping at night.

Walk downstream through forests to a series of mills at Kuri Sangta. Trek follows the northern side of Tila Khola through fields of corn and potato then climbs through the grounds of buckwheat, barley, and attractive meadows, passing Tibetans Mani walls on the way. The trail enters a forest of oaks, spruces, poplars, and maples. A short distance beyond Chotra (3010m) is the Tibetan settlement of Naphukana. The villagers here keep large herds of yaks and horses — a campsite near the village.

The trail becomes steeper as it climbs past the rocky fields of Rapati Chaur to forests of oaks and birch trees tangled with Spanish moss. After crossing a side stream, the trail crosses the Churta/Bapila/Tila Khola and starts a climb through birch, oak, and rhododendrons forests to Mauri Lagna ”Honey Pass”. From the pass, there are the views of snowy peaks of Gutumba, Matatimba, and Bhalu Himal. The trail makes a few ups and downs and passes side valleys and fields of corns and potatoes. Beyond the ridge is Balasa, the best place for our camping.

The trail descends a stream and then climbs to the ridge in a forest of walnut trees. We pass villages inhabited by blacksmiths and tailors. The trail contours past the corn and potato fields and apple orchards to Hurikot climb gradually through lots of thorn bushes to the campsite.

Pass Hurikot and its Bonpo Gompa to a sign proclaiming the entrance of Shey Phoksundo National Park. The trail stays high above the river to the confluence where the Jagdula Khola and Garpung Khola join to form the Bheri. The valley narrows and the river becomes a series of waterfalls as the trail climbs to a moraine at 3900m. Make a high camp in boulders at Kagmara Phedi. Overnight stay camping.

The panoramic views of the peaks are sensational throughout the way. Wildflowers are of the hardy alpine species, including blue poppies, buttercups, mint, gentians, and puffballs. Climb alongside the Kagmara Glacier to the Kagmara La. Then descend about 900m along a stream to a campsite on pastures in the Pungmo valley; a fortress-like village with an atmospheric Bonpo monastery and apple orchards. Camping at night.

The trail now enters birch and juniper forests. Excellent view of Kanjirowa peak on the way and can see a Good settlement of Tibetan villages with Yak herders. Spend your night in Pungmo Gaon.

The trek to Phoksundo Lake up the Suligaad is a short one but boasts a lot of varieties, with some lovely forested sections, dramatic Phoksundo Lake, and a tiny pocket of the unique Bonpo culture. The lake is within Shey Phoksundo National Park, established in 1981. The lake and the trail are snowbound from mid-November to mid-May. Majestic views of the snowy peaks known as Kanjirolba and Kagmara and Batrasi Himal. Visit nearby villages and Ringbo Gompa.

Today is rest and acclimatization day. Admire the beauty of this place. Have a majestic view of the snowy peak known as Kanjiroba and Kagmara and Batrasi Himal.

After breakfast, our morning trek starts with a steep climb to reach the ridge top of Baga-la at 5,070m, which offers fantastic views of the surrounding landscapes and the distant snow-capped peaks of Kanjirowa Himal range. We set our tent at the Bagala base camp.

Cross the Bangla pass with the splendid views of kanjiroba West Mountain. After breakfast, our journey continues to crossing of Numa La pass at 5,190m; the track leads to steep climb to the top ridge of Numa la with great views of the surrounding landscapes.

Have an incredible panoramic view of the barren mountains of Dolpo up to the Dhaulagiri (8167m). After getting to the top of Numa La, we will descend. Cross the suspension bridge to the river’s right and after 20 minutes pass a side stream Chaya Khola to Chering Gompa.

The path leads just above tree lines for juniper bush and wild rose, typical of dry inner Himalayan valleys. Keep walking through the riverbed wide-opened valley passing mani walls to our final destination Do Tarap

Today is a rest day at Do, which is the largest settlement in Tarap and has several gompas. There are also opportunities to get great views of the valley and surrounding snow peaks from several nearby ridges. The people of the region are both Bon Po and Nyingmapa of Buddhist sects. The Buddhist Gompa is nearby to the camp while the Bon Gompa (pre-Buddhist) is about half an hour’s walk.

This morning’s walk is almost level and follows the river until it flows into a gorge. The path leads through the farm terraces and rural villages. After a few ups and downs, finally, descend to reach our overnight camp at Lahini.

The trail today is steep, narrow, and dangerous as it clings to the cliffs, and the bridges along here can often be washed out. A tremendous gorge with pine trees and an original path built about seven meters above the river. The colorful terraced field of Tarakot greets us. Tarakot is an old fortress town built by the local people as Dzong or fort.

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. Dunai is the administrative headquarter of the Dolpo region. Explore Dunai in the evening.

Following the trail gently sloping upwards, we march towards Jhupal via Sunlight. We meet tall birch trees on our way. After reaching Jhupal, we can spend our afternoon exploring the busy market town or only pursuing whatever we feel like.

We take a flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj. And then flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.