Outline Itinerary
Day 1, Kathmandu arrival and stay overnight at hotel with bed and breakfast basis
Day 2, Trip preparations day till mild day, permitting and fly Kathmandu to Nepalganj 150m in the evening and stay at Star Hotel with foods and accommodation basis.
Day 3, Fly Nepalganj to Juphal 2475m and Trek to Dunai 2140m.: Nepalganj fly to Juphal flight duration will be approx. 35 min. After landing at Juphal, we will start our trekking. As this is the starting point of the trek, the trail is not difficult. We will walk comfortably and descend for 45 minutes to reach Kalagauda. Then, we will walk another 2 hours along Thuli Bheri River to reach Dunai. Dunai is the headquarter of Dolpa district. It will be nice to visit schools, Bon Gumba from where we can enjoy the view of whole Dunai and other villages.
Day 4, Trek Dunai to Chhepka 2687m.: It’s around 6 hours walk. Today is the day, we start our trek adventure. The trek begins along the classic route of Dolpo. The walk is comfortable. At Suligad check-post, we will present the trekking permits to Dolpo and Shey Phoksundo National Park. From here, we are officially inside Shey Phoksundo National Park. Then, we will follow the trail along Phoksundo river. Furthermore, we will witness a drastic change in the landscape, walking through the lush tropical forest. We will pass Kageni, Jutung and Shangta. We will cross bridge over Phoksundo lake and at the confluence of Phoksundo and Maiba Khola. We will head towards north to reach Cheppka. Reaching Cheppka, we will put our camps at a suitable location (We stay at lodge with their foods.)
Day 5, Trek Chhepka to Chunuwar 3000m.: It’s around 6 hours walk. It’s day we will be walking along the famous trail of Lower Dolpa Circuit trek. We will trek the opposite direction of the river flow. We will cross the bridge over Phoksundo river several times. This trail is amazingly peaceful. We will reach Rechi for lunch. We will again walk along the river side. We will cross a bridge to pass the confluence of Phoksundo river and Yulung Khola. Then, we will reach Amchi Hospital where we will put our camps for the night (We use lodge accommodation for overnight with their foods). Amchi means the traditional doctors who use medicinal herbs to cure infections and diseases found around Dolpo.
Day 6, Trek Chunuwar to Phoksundo Lake 3600m.: It tooks around 5 to 6 hours walk (Now around 4 hours only). We will head towards the deepest lake of Nepal, Shey Phoksundo. We will walk along the direct trail to Phoksundo Lake. We will ascend the forest of cedars to reach Palam. First, we will descend to an elevation of around 3300 m. Then we will climb up to a ridge, about 3,875meters, from where we will have the most staggering views of a 300 meters waterfall, the highest in Nepal, and our first view of Phoksundo Lake, a study in turquoise. We will then descend through birch forests to the upper reaches of the Phoksundo Khola and on to the picturesque settlement of Ringmo with its mud plastered chortens and Mani walls. From the settlement it is a short walk to the shores of Phoksundo Lake where we will set up the camps (we stay at lodge with their foods).
Day 7, Phoksundo Lake Rest Day.: We will have an exploration day around Phoksundo Lake and the Ringmo village. Firstly, we will explore around the Ringmo village. Ringmo village is a typical Tibetan village with its own unique culture and tradition. Then head towards Tshowa, a Bon monastery at the lake-shore. It was built around 900 years ago. We will explore inside the monastery which will be a fascinating experience. We will visit some other monasteries and Bon-po religious sites on this day. Shey Phoksundo Lake is the deepest lake of Nepal with its famous turquoise colored water and mind-blowing scenery. We will enjoy the wonderful natural sceneries and spend overnight at the campsite (we stay at lodge with their foods).
Day 8, Phoksundo Lake to Baga la Base Camp (Phedi 3995m.): It takes around 3 and half hour easy walk. It’s easy walk to suspension bridge of the Phoksundo khola. After crossed the bridge trail leads to the pine forest, easy flatland to the open viewpoints area which provides Mt. Kanjirowa 6612m on Northen side and a long and deep waterfall of Phoksundo Lake on below valley. Along the Mauwa Khola valley all the way down to Chunuwar looks beautiful from the view point. Pungmo a holy land of Budhis / Bonpo people on far distance on western part of the valley looks so clear from the Bagala Phedi also from the Bagala Top. There is a wide valley to make a day hike after lunch at Bagala Phedi for acclimatization. It’s day stay at camp with camping foods.
Day 9, Bagala Base Camp (Phedi) trek to Baga La Pass 5214 m.: to Danigar 4510m. for overnight at tent.: It takes 5 to 6 hrs slowly up to pass and easy down to Danigar. A long easy uphill walk along the running stream. Most of parts of trail is nice not that scary with gravel rocks. Passes (Call Deurali) always decorated by colorful prayer flags and Mani wall (monuments of many rocks) as symbols of peace, paradise, mani points to pass a valley to another etc. It’s high elevation’s part which can makes our feels uneasy to walk continue but it’s normal and walk slowly with good enough rest, drinking water etc. From Bagala top to camp site is easy descend. The camp site is beautiful with view of Norbung Kang 6085m and well ringing sound of the streams both side water from two different stream from two different valleys.
Day 10, Danigar trek to Numa la 5238m to Yak Kharka 4440m overnight at tent.: It takes 5 to 6 hours walk. It’s not steep up but a long ascend to Numala Top. Such a beautiful valley with many different landscapes we can see around. Thaksi, Tokyo valley is wide and beautiful we can see after we crossed the Numala. A long but easy descend to Yak Kharka for the camp. Both side trail is nice not scary and moving gravels.
Day 11, Yak Kharka trek to Tokyo village to DhoTarap 3944 m.: It takes about 3 hrs, overnight at Tea House with foods from their kitchen. It’s day short and such an easy walk along the Tokyo village. We can see many different croups on farms, villages, monastery and cultural of locals. It’s area also with excess of Jeep, Motorbike connected via Tibet side. Marim Bhanjyang is point to Tibet and Nepal in Dolpa.
Day 12, DhoTarap 3944m, rest day.: It’s a day to look around Dho village, visit Shimcho village, Dhoro Gompa and stay with their local foods from the tea house kitchen.
Day 13, Dhotarap trek to Toltol 3640m overnight at tent.: It takes 6 to 7 hours easy walk along the Dho Khola. More than half way of the day we walk on big road along the river side. We can see some truck, Jeep and motor bikes. After lunch at Sisha we again walk on trial which leads more often right to left of the river and normal ascend and descend parts to Toltol. Toltol is a riverbank. That is place not so big but good enough to fixed tents and stay an overnight. A tea house with normal dormitory rooms available which no really comfortable for the all the people in a place.
Day 14, Laina odar 3375m 5-6 hrs, overnight at tent.: It’s also beautiful day walk along the Tarap Khola. Trekking trail is big but uncomfortable because of horses, donkeys trail together. So, always good to walk slowly. It’s also day we fixed tent on campsite with river views.
Day 15, Tarakot 2540 m 5-6 hrs, overnight at camping.: It’s also easy day with a big down to Laisi Camp via Khanigawn. A very nice campsite at Tarakot. More different villages we can see around here which resident by Magar people.
Day 16, Tarakot to Dunai Hotel Blue Sheep Inn with hot shower.: Its day walk around 4 to 5 hours slowly to Dunai. More often we walk on road but not jeep, truck around due to less business around. Thuli veri, pain forest, local people and farms are major scenery of the day. It’s also last day celebrations.
Day 17, Dunai to Juphal by Jeep and fly return to Nepalgang and stay an Overnight at Nepalgang with food and accommodation.: It’s good to come Jufal by Jeep for the flight. We also can fly to Kathmandu if flight situation would go well.
Day 18: Fly Nepalgunj to Kathmandu…
Day 19 – 20: Kathmandu free day
Day 21: Departure to home