Dolpo Trek – Upper

The company representative will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and transfer you to the hotel. And a short brief about the program.

After breakfast in the hotel, our tour guide will lead you to major heritage sites inside Kathmandu valley. It includes the Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, and Bhaktapur Durbar squire. Back to hotel and stay in trip briefing along with trekking guide. If you still need any trekking equipment, our guide will assist you around the market.

Drive to the domestic airport. take 55 minutes flight to Nepalganj. Nepaljung is a lowland region in the western part of Nepal near the Indian border. The temperature here is hot to 48 degrees in the month of March - Aug. It is also the gateway of Humla Simikot further to Tibet border Taklakot. we can visit the local market nearby Hotel.

We take a flight to Juphal and the trek starts from Juphal.
The trail from Juphal to Dunai is comfortable and easy as the trail on this part of the trek. The first forty-five minutes of the trek descends down to Kalagauda followed by two hours of the hike along the trail above Thuli Bheri River.
We trek by the riverside and pass Roop Ghar with the water mill and finally reach the Dunai (2140m) a small town, the headquarter of the district.
You can visit the Bon Stupa and school, the Central Buddhist monastery, and the very first English medium school across the river, From the Stupa you can have a view of the whole town and other villages.

The real adventure of the Dolpo trek begins today. Initially trek along the classic trekking route of Dolpo via Sulighar, which is pretty much a comfortable walk along the leveled trail.
Beyond Sulighat our trek follows the trail beside Phoksundo River till Kageni. As the trek goes further, the landscapes in the vicinity begin to change. We trek through the lush tropical forest frequently emerging at isolated mid-hill villages like Jutung and arriving at Shangta.
At Shangta we cross the bridge twice- once over the Phoksundo River and once over the confluence of Phoksundo Khola and Maiaba Khola and begin to head north towards Chhepka.
Trekking upstream along the trail beside Phoksundo Khola for a while we arrive at Chhepka. Stay overnight at the tented camp.

Today the trail leads you beside Phoksundo Khola- the trail for the famous Lower Dolpa Circuit. We trek in the opposite direction of the river flow to Amchi Hospital.
The trek crosses the bridge over Phoksundo Khola twice. As we approach closer to the Kharka trek along the amazingly peaceful region the trail goes high above Phoksundo Khola to Rechi 3011m, where we stop for the lunch.
Beyond Rechi we again hike along the riverside trail to Sulligad Dovan where we cross the bridge over the confluence of Phoksundo Khola and Yulung Khola and arrive at Amchi Hospital. Amchi refers to traditional doctors who heal infections and diseases using the herbal medicine found in Dolpo.
Amchi Hospital is the treatment center of the locals of Dolpo, where expert Amchis treat the patients. We will stay overnight at a tented camp by side of Amchi Hospital.

We will join the direct trail to Phoksundo Lake today climbing through forests of big cedars onto Palam (3710m), a winter settlement used by the people of the Ringmo village.
The entrance station for the Shey Phoksundo National Park is at the south end of the village. The route then descends on switchbacks through open country to an elevation of 3300 meters and then starts up another set of dusty switchbacks to a ridge at 3780 meters to the highest waterfall in Nepal (200 meters high). Our route then continues on to Ringmo village, a picturesque settlement of flat-roofed stone houses with lots of mani walls. Just below Ringmo we cross a bridge and follow the trail to Phoksundo Lake, where we camp at the national park camping grounds west.

Today we explore the area around Ringmo Village and the magnificent Phoksundo Lake. First, we explore Ringmo Village and head to Tshowa (the lake-shore Bon Monastery).
The Gompa nestling on a ridge top above Phoksundo Lake was built about 900 years ago. Exploring this culturally rich Bon Monastery is a fascinating experience. Then we drop down to Phoksundo Lake along steep-sided cliffs.
The lake is famous for its magnificent turquoise color and spectacular scenery. Ringmo village, a typical Tibetan village, is a scenic view from Phoksundo Lake. There are several monasteries (Gompas ) and Bon-Po religious sites at the park and we spend our time visiting some of these. We also explore the wonderful natural sites and enjoy nature. Stay overnight at the tented camp.

Today we explore the area around Ringmo Village and the magnificent Phoksundo Lake. Today’s trek is probably one of the best trekking days in the Dolpo Region. It climbs along the narrow trail cut on a cliff standing vertically straight above Phoksundo Lake.
This treacherously fascinating trail brings us to another side of Phoksundo Lake. This particular part of the trek is like a fantasy walk portrayed by a writer in their fiction novels.
To get to the Phoksundo Khola camp on another side of the lake, we slide down for ninety minutes along with the beautiful forests. The final part of today’s trek slides up to the beautiful campsite at Sallaghari. Enjoy the night in the camps in a beautiful pine forest.

Today’s trek is relatively short; we trek for almost three hours to reach Kangla/ Nangdala Base Camp (4100m.) As the trek begins we ascend up the narrow defile of Tuk Kyaksa River. The trail switches to the opposite side of the river several times. Soon we arrive at a place where the rapids of the river are calmer. We cross the bridge over the river at that point.
Thirty minutes of a walk after the bridge, we come across the wide valley followed by two hours of a walk along the canyon bringing us the potential campsite. A walk for a while further reaches the massive rock slab, which is Kang La/ Nangdala Base Camp. Stay overnight at the tented camp.

Today we trek to the fabled Shey Gompa and the nearby 'Crystal Mountain', the most sacred peak in Dolpo which Dolpo pilgrims circumambulate each summer before the harvest. We are now entering the real Dolpo region, and to enter into this mystical land we have to cross the Kangla/ Nangdala pass.
The trek to the top of Kang La/ Nangdala Pass is along the graveled trail uphill for three continuous hours. However, all the efforts put to come up to the top of the past reward us with wonderful views.
The eye feast views from the Kang La Pass include Cyrstal Mountain, the mountains in Tibetan territory, and the mesmerizing landscapes of Dolpo. We also have views of the peaks Shey Shikkar and Kang Chunne, both just over 6000 meters, before descending steeply down to the valley floor and along the river.
A red Chorten marks the entrance to Shey. Every Dragon year according to the Tibetan calendar that comes in every 12 years there occurs a grand festival. People from different places and countries come to join this festival. Stay overnight at the tented camp.

We will explore Shey Gompa. It is said to be about 800 years old monastery, with murals inside and an ancient scroll describing the mythology behind Crystal Mountain. The monastery is locally known as Shelri Sumdho Gompa.
Shey Festival, the summer festival observed by the people of Dolpo with huge enthusiasm is hosted at Shey Gompa. After the exploration of Shey Gompa as the trek begins, it follows the trail beside Sephu Khola for almost a couple of hours.
The landscapes during this part of the trek are typical Dolpo landscapes- barren and enchanting. Then we begin to climb up towards the top of Shey La Pass, which is almost two hours of hike. The acme of Shey La Pass west of Shey rewards us with the magnificent views of Mustang to the East, Tibet to the North, and Kanjiroba, Kagmara, and Riu Dhukta, or the Crystal Mountain, to the West. The final push downhill from the pass, which is almost 2 hours of hike brings us to Namgung. We spend our night at Namgung, a local nomadic herding settlement.

Before setting out towards Saldang, we explore the monastery of Namgung set on the flanking cliff. As the trek from Namgong Gompa begins we follow Namga Khola cross past more summer herding spots and emerge out of spur for a short hike down to Saldang. Saldang is a beautiful village with lots of drylands surrounded by hills. Amchi tradition and Buddhism in Dolpo thrive here at Saldang. We'll get a chance to visit some local houses, drink some salt butter tea or chhyang (Tibetan barley beer) and sample the local fare at Saldang. Stay overnight at the tented camp.

Today we will have a day hike after early breakfast to Yanjer the richest monastery in this region. We will have a packed lunch and will come back to Saldang for the night stop after the exploration of the monastery.

Today we trek for six hours and reach the village of Komash. Initially, The trail follows the Saldang Lek along the Rapyha Khola to the barren hillside. Exiting out to the elevated ridge of almost 4500m, the trail descends down steeply to Komash Village a village that bears similarity to a Tibetan village. Stay overnight at the tented camp.

We trek from Komash village we may sight some endangered animals like a snow leopard or Blue sheep. On the way, we pass small villages. The landscapes in the vicinity are full of highland deserts with few shrub-like vegetation. After almost five hours of a comfortable hike, we arrive at Shimen. Stay overnight at the tented camp.

Today the trail goes by the side of Panjyang Khola. There are some villages and gompas on the way to Tinje. Tinje is a very beautiful valley. There is a natural airstrip where once a British aircraft had landed and taken off. Stay overnight tented camp.

From the Tinje village, we trek to Yak Kharka. Initially, the trail to Yak Kharka chases the trail beside the Panjyan River to the small settlement of Chhamdang. Beyond Chhamdang the trek along the river bank continues to the confluence of Chholtam Khola and Panjyan Khola. Trekking further we cross the bridge over Thalum Khola, which flows from Thalum Lek and arrive at Yak Kharka. Yak Kharka is an open grazing ground for yaks and sheep. The grassy meadow of Yak Kharka makes for an excellent camping site. Stay overnight at the tented camp.

As the trek begins today, we cross the bridge over Sulun Khola. Crossing the bridges over several streams the trek arrives at Choila North Pass 5040m. The trail to Choila North Base Camp is an arduous and difficult trek. Almost two hours of steep climb brings us to the top of Choila Pass from where the fascinating sights of Tokyu camps are seen. A downhill and leveled trail beside Choila Khola brings us to Tokyu, where we settle our camps for the overnight stay.

Today after breakfast we walk towards Dho Tarap, Dho Tarap is a large village decorated with colorful prayer flags.
There are Chortens, mani walls, and monasteries. Villagers grow wheat, buckwheat, barley, potatoes, and green vegetables in terraced fields. The people closely resemble the Khampas of Tibet, the men with a ponytail and red tassels coiled around their heads.
The women sport musk deer teeth necklaces. Dho Tarap has a maze of mud-brick Tibetan houses which was featured in Eric Valli’s famous movie 'Caravan', the village where Karma and his band of young Dolpo-pa, and Thinley and his older group of Dolpo-pa, set off with their salt to trade for barley over the high passes.
We will enjoy a nature tour and a cultural program consisting of traditional Tibetan dances and songs presented by the villagers. Here we have a few major sites that are worthwhile exploring Dho Tarap.

Today, the trek covers a long distance. As we start the trek, we hike along the flat trail beside Tarap Khola to Mirububane Khola Dovan- the confluence of Tarap Khola and Mirubabane Khola. Then the trek slides down to the bridge over Klang Khola at Langa Camp.
The trail continues to chase Tarap Khola with the picturesque views of arid landscapes. As the trek goes further the trail emerges and crosses passes several villages like Sisaul, Gyamghar, and Toltol and finally we come to Nawarpani for the night stop. Stay overnight at the tented camp.

The trek today begins on the trail that runs beside Tarap Khola. Gradually, the view in the vicinity begins to change. The green forest starts to emerge. For a while, we slide up high above Tarap Khola to Lamchaur. Cross-passing Lahini Odar, we descend down the hill to Chhedhul Gompa.
Once again, after a short walk along the trail beside Tarap Khola, we arrive at Laisicap for the camp.

We trek along the green woodlands high above the Thuli Bheri River towards Tarakot. Just before arriving in Tarakot, we cross the bridge over the small stream.
The last day of the trek is not less interesting. We trek on the trail that stretches beside Thuli Bheri River to Dunai via Lawan and Byasgad. The trail has a forested region on its west, Thuli Bheri River, and cultivated terraced fields on its East. Stay overnight at the tented camp.

The trail goes by the side of the Bheri river till Kalagawda and then the trail ascends towards Juphal.

From Juphal we fly to Nepalgunj by early morning flight. In Nepalgunj, you will have to spend some time looking around the airport settlement or can go to the hotel and have a rest. By afternoon flight you will be flying to Kathmandu/ visit Bardia National park for wildlife, Pokhara, or your own destination.