Upper Dolpo Trek

Arrival in Kathmandu and pick up and transfer to hotel by office representative. Hang around Thamel on availability of time. Acquire and prepare necessary gear for the trip. 

Nepalgunj is the town which is situated on the south-west Nepal border with India. From Kathmandu domestic airport we take a scenic flight of 40 mins. to Nepaljung airport.  Reach Nepaljung  we visit the local markets and mini zoo in the evening. Overnight stay in Nepalgunj.

In the early morning after breakfast we will transferred to the domestic airport of Nepalgunj for the flight to Jufal. It is situated over the Himalayan foothills, with the majestic views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna in its North. With food and water supply for 5-7 days at Jufal, we meet our trekking guide and start our trekking to Dunai. We will stay overnight camp at Dunai village.

Today we continue our trek to Ankhe. After crossing the suspension bridge and turning on west the path shortly begins to ascent up the side of the treeless Thulo Bheri Valley before we enter the Shey Phosundo River Valley. Our trail lead us to a large side canyon, descending diagonally from the canyon, we will reach to a stream. The Trail below this stream situated at the height of 2810 m which leads to Dhera. From Dhera the route will climb up to Raha Village and after passing through its lower part we again walk through canyon. Finally, we reach to the Ankhe. 

The trail goes up and down along the forested riverbed. These up and down can be bit monotonous but the several streams along the way that offer a chance to cool off. The trail eventually lead us away from the forests and passes through a grassy slope high above the river. We trek downhill on a trail surrounded by lush forests before reaching a cliff followed by a dizzying drop on a wobbly stone staircase to the river bank. We will stay overnight in Sulighat.

The day trek continues along the valley floor to the confluence of the shey Phoksundo and Pungmo River. After crossing the bridge of Pungmo, we will walk on the Pumgmo's bank. Before reaching the Palma village, the trail passes through a cedar forest. We ascent up to a ridge and enjoy the amazing view of Phoksundo Lake situated at an altitude of 3611 m. The trail goes steep down and takes us to the upper reaches of Phoksundo River and from there to the beautiful village called "Ringmo". After a short walk we can reach to Phoksundo Lake.

Acclimatization is an important part of any travel in high altitude. Its helps body to rejuvenate and adjust to the environment. We can make a short hike to the village of Ringmo to Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. You can enjoy amazing view of the Lake and surrounding to pass the time.

The trail from Phoksundo Lake continues skirting the shoreline of the lake as it curves on a rocky ledge. The tottering walk suspended on a gangway of woods supported on pegs driven into crevasse in the rocks symbolizes the remoteness of the area. The path takes us to the Phoksundo River and after crossing the river and passing through village we will reach to the bank of the river. 

At the starting of our trail, we walk for an hour through a glacial valley which heads due north. There is an old wooden bridge at the meet point of Phoksundo river and another mountain stream. After crossing the bridge, we trek to North-East of the valley. After a long climb from there, it reaches to a sheep meadow where our trail veers up a steep ravine. Now, after a hard conquest to the top we reach to another valley which collect the view of Kang-La pass. We setup our camp at Bhanjyang in a place that Peter Matheson christened 'Snowfields Camp'.

In the morning, we will ascent up toward the Kang-La pass. It’s strenuous to ascent the top of the pass. From its top there are excellent views of the large valley divided by gushing river. After descending steep to the valley base, we continue our trail through the path which leads a meandering trek along the river's banks crossing and re-crossing it several times. After crossing several herds of animals including Yaks, Sheep, mountain goats, we will reach famous Shey Gompa. We will stay overnight in Shey Gompa. 

Today is another well-deserved acclimatization day at Shey Gompa. The Gompa which was built in 1655 and has the meaning of Crystal Monastery is noted for a giant statue of a seated Lord Buddha.  We spend the day hiking around the re-Buddhist cultured village. In Dolpo the ancient Tibetan way of life combines animism with the teaching of Buddha.

Our trek begins by following a pleasant trail amidst juniper trees which takes us in a descending way into a grey, stony canyon. The zigzag path over plain rocks and rough eroded soil brings us at the top of Saldang-La pass which lies at the height of 5200 m.  After the long and tiring subsequent descent toward north, grazing yaks and nomadic tents made from yak hair comforts the sight. Now after a short walk we reach to Namduna Village 4800 m. We also will visit the monastery of the village. 

As we leave the Namduna Gaun, the route is steep up and further on it begins a traverse. After hard ascending up for some hours, Saldang appers below on a plateau high above the Namga River. Saldang is the largest village of the inner part of Dopla region. The village stretches for nearly a mile on an open slope. Saldang is a prosperous village with fertile soil. It is a strategic location on a trade route to Tibet which makes it valuable land. 

The trek from Saldang diverts further far north to the least unexplored area by westerners along with the Nang Chu River on a wild barren windswept terrain. The trail gradually goes up and down. Then after passing through the small settlement of Tiling and Luri Gaun, we cross the tributary Panzang River. After a short walk from the river brings us to an unexplored region of Yangze. It is a very old village with old monastery. 

There are two connecting route to Sibu. Shorter and easy trail will be choosen to reach Sibu. We will return back same path as early day.  After passing through several stupas, terraced field, a Chaiba monastery and heaps of Mani stone we reach to Namdo Village. This village occupy the space nearly 3 miles on the high slope to the left of Nam Khong River. Now, our trail continues steep down to the river for about two hours to Sibu. 

The trail follows the Nam Khong River. We will meet the Caravans of laden yaks that are on the way towards Tibet. Now, after a long walk finally we part turning east till we arrive at the confluence of two small tributaries. The trail from here is steep up to the bottom of Jeng-La Phedi situated at the height of 4900m. We will stay overnight in Jeng la Phedi.

Our morning trail will be couple of hours long to climb the Jeng-La Pass top from where we get the excellent views of the north of Mt. Dhaulagri massif. The trail descends down on the rough path towards Tarap Valley. It is considered as a fantastic valley with vast plains in high Himalayas. We will arrive the green valley which leads us on the pleasant track down towards Tarap Chu. We will reach to Tokyu Goan and stay overnight.

Today from Tokyu Gaun, the trail goes downhill on a plain valley collecting the beauty of patches of lush grassy lands on both sides of the river, completely different from other parts of inner Dolpo. We can see a marsh which is a common feature in the Desert Mountains of Tibet and the Ladakh Himalaya. Both the Bon Po and Buddhist sects are practiced in the valley. We will stay overnight in Dho Tarap.

Today will be our rest day at Dho Tarap. Visiting the village which has is surrounded by stone walls. More than 40 houses at Dho tarap are divided into three clusters and has built in a haphazard way. It is inhabited by Tibetans and Magars.  We also will visit a Buddhist Gompa which is closest to our campsite. 

At the starting, the trail takes us descending down towards a wide valley which eventually narrows into a gorge. After walking along the Juniper bush and wild rose, we reach at the confluence of the Taraop Chu and Lang River, a river which joins with Tarap River from further east. The night camp will be set up at a nice meadow also known as Kamakharka which lies at 3800 m height.

In this morning we continues our trek down to the gorge alongside with the Tarap River. The trail rise above and built on the steep slopes.  We might come across people from Dolpo taking their herds to lower pastures for the winter. The valley becomes so narrow in a deep gorge, in some places we can jump from one side to another. This is an exciting part of the journey. At some of the places, the bridges are either damaged or washed away so we have to cross the icy terrain by foot. Finally today's trip ends at our camping spot beside the Tarap Khola at Khanigaon 3150 m.

As we leave Khanigaon by crossing the new suspension bridge, the trail takes us to the village of Lalberi. After coming in the board fertile valley of Barbung Chu, we come across farmland of various crops of millet, sweet corn, barley, green beans, chilies and marijuana and reach to Tarakot. It is an old fortress town known by the local people as Dzong. We will visit Sandul Gompa lying at 5 miles east of the village at the junction of Barbung River and Tarap Chu. Today our camp will be set up near by the Tarap Chu River which near to Tarakot. 

The trail is mostly down and fairly straight forward. On Bheri River, we have to use the ingenious path which is almost 7 meter above the river. Trail will be continues until we reach to Byas Gadi. From Gadi we descent down near to Lochakhola Gaun and ascent to Duani. Now, we have completed the circuit of mysterious land Dolpo. Overnight stay at Dunai.

Today from Dunai we retrace the journey back to the Jufal, the journey alongside the Bheri River via Kalagaonda and Motipur village. Jufal have a small airstrip. We will stay overnight in camp.

In the early morning we take 35 minutes flight from Jufal to Nepalgunj. Overnight stay in Nepalgunj. 

We will fly from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, the representative of Sherpa Khangri Outdoor transfer you to hotel and we can enjoy our day in Kathmandu. In the evening to celebrate our successful journey, we will have a farewell dinner . Overnight 

Journey with us end here. Office representative will take you to International airport for final departure as per schedule requirement.