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.
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 twice. 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. 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’s around 5 to 6 hours walk. 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 300meters 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.
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.
Day 8, Trek Phoksundo to Thulodhunga 3594m.: It’s about 5-6 hours walk. It’s day we will have the one of the best trekking days of the Dolpo trek.
Day 9, Trek Thulodhunga to Nangdala High Camp 4717m.: It’s about 5-6 hours walk. This day, we will have a short trek of around 3 hours up to Nangdala High camp. We will begin our trek with an ascending of the narrow trail of Tuk Kyaksa River. We will switch the riverside several times. We will cross a bridge over the river where the rapids are calmer. After walking around 30 minutes from the bridge, we will reach a wide valley. From there, we will walk another 2 and half hours along the canyon. Then, we will set our campsite at the massive rock slab i.e. Kang La/ Nangdala Base Camp.
Day 10, Trek Nangdala High Camp to Nangdala La 5350m to Shey Gompa 4343m.:It’s takes 5-6 hours walk. It’s day we will trek to Shey Gompa and the Crystal Mountain, the most sacred peak of Dolpo region. This day, we will enter the real fascinating Dolpo region. Before reaching there, we have to cross the Kang La or the Nangdala. To cross this pass, we have to ascend the graveled trail uphill for around 3 hours. This effort of 3 hours will reward us with magnificent views from the top. This magnificent view from the top includes Crystal Mountain, the Tibetan territory mountain and the mesmerizing landscape of the Dolpo region. There is a red chorten at the entrance of Shey Gompa. A grand festival is held every dragon year (once in 12 years) according to the Tibetan calendar. A lot of people from different part of the country join this grand festival.
Day 11, Trek Shey Gompa to Namgung Gompa 4360m via Shey La 5095m.: It takes 6-7 hours walk. It’s the day we will explore around Shey Gompa. This monastery is believed to be 800 years old with ancient scroll describing the myths behind the Crystal Mountain. Shey Gompa is locally known as Shelri Sumdho Gompa. This monastery hosts a summer festival popular as Shey festival. Shey Gompa is well described in “The Snow Leopard” written by Peter Matthiessen and pictured in Eric Valli’s “Caravan” movie as Thinley’s son’s Gompa. We will begin our trek after the exploration. We will follow the trails along Sephu khola for around two hours. You will be very surprised with the typical Dolpo landscape. We will ascend Shey LA top in around two hours. Magnificent view of Mustang, Tibet, Kanjirowa, Kagmara and the crystal mountain can be admired during the trek. We will descend another 2 hours to reach Namgung.
Day 12, Trek Namgong Gompa to Saldang 3770m.: It takes 4-5 hours walk. It’s day we will explore the monastery of Namgung before start day trip. This beautiful monastery is set on a flanking high cliff. After that, we will begin our trek. We will follow the trails along Namga Khola. We will pass more summer herding spots to reach Saldang village. Saldang is a beautiful village including a lot of dry land which are surrounded by amazing hills. We will explore around the village and interact with the locals. Ancient Buddhist tradition and Amchi tradition in Dolpo flourished at this village.
Day 13, Saldang rest day / Explore Hike to Yanjer 4500m.: It’s good to have an early breakfast, we will hike to Yanjer. It is the richest monastery of this region. We will explore around the monastery and have our packed lunch during the exploration and return back to Saldang campsite.
Day 14, Trek Saldang to Komash Village 4060m.: It’s about 6 hours walk. It’s day we will head towards Komash village after our breakfast. We will follow the Saldang Lek along the Rapyha Khola. We will ascend up to 4500 m and then descend down to Komash village. This village is similar to most of the Tibetan villages.
Day 15, Trek Komash village to Shimen 3850m.: It’s about 4-5 hours walk. It’s day we might encounter some rare species like blue sheep and snow leopard. We will pass various small villages during walk. This part of the trek is filled with highland deserts with shrub like vegetations. The trails are comfortable and not so difficult.
Day 16, Trek Shimen to Tinje village 4110m.: It’s about 5-6 hours walk. It’s day we will be following the trails along the Panjyang Khola. We will pass some beautiful villages and monasteries along the trails to reach Tinje. Tinje is a beautiful valley with a natural air strip where a British aircraft landed and took off once. We will set up our camp at Tinje village.
Day 17, Trek Tinje village to Yak Kharka (Phat) 4428m.: It takes 5 – 6 hours walk. We will follow the trails along Panjyan River passing small settlement of Chhamdang. After Chhamdang, we will walk along the river bank for some times and then to the confluence of Chholtam khola and Panjyan Khola. We will cross a bridge over Thalum khola and then reach an open grazing ground for yaks and sheep. This open ground is known as Yak Kharka (Phat).
Day 18, Trek Yak Kharka to Tokyu 4240m.: It takes 5-6 hours walk. Firstly, we will cross a bridge over Sulun Khola which takes us to Choila North pass at an altitude of 5040m. This part of the trek is a bit difficult one. We will ascend almost 2 hours to reach the top of Choila pass. The top offers a beautiful sight of Tokyu camp. After descending down from the pass, we will reach Tokyu where we will set up our campsite.
Day 19, Trek Tokyu to Dho Tarap 3944m.: It’s about 1-2 hours walk. It’s day a very short trek of around one and half hour. It will be nice to have rest, explore around the village of Dho Tarap. Dho Tarap is a large village settlement beautifully decorated with colorful Buddhist prayer flags. There are various chortens, mani walls and monasteries around Dho Tarap. Beautiful fields of wheat, buckwheat, barley, potatoes and other green vegetables add more beauty to this village. There are small tea shops and lodges at Dho Tarap. People here resemble the Khampas of Tibet. This refers to men with ponytail and red tassel coiled around their head. Women wear musk deer’s teeth necklaces. This village is well pictured in Eric Valli’s popular movie “Caravan”, where Karma, Thinley and their groups set off with their salt trade for Barley over the high passes. We will enjoy wonderful natural tour as well as participate in cultural programs performed by the villagers with their traditional Tibetan dance and songs. We will have choice to explore some monasteries around Dho Tarap so choose wisely which are Ribo Bumpa Monastery, Drakmar Dewa Monastery, Mekhyim Monastery & Dhoro Monastery.
Day 20, Trek Dho Tarap to Nawarpani 3475m.: It takes around 5-6 hours walk. We will trek along the flat traail which will takes us to the confluence of Tarap Khola and Mirubabane Khola. Then, we will cross a bridge over Klang Khola, Langa Camp. We will continuously follow the trails along the Tarap Khola. Beautiful picturesque view of the magnificent landscape can be admired during this part of the trek. We will pass various beautiful settlements of Sisaul, Gyamghar and Toltol. After that, we will reach our campsite destination, Naworpani. We will set up the camp at Naworpani.
Day 21, Trek Naworpani to Lashicap 2775m.: It takes around 6 hours walk. We will follow the trails along the Tarap Khola. Green forest will start to emerge as we move more forward. We will then ascend to Lamchaur high over Tarap Khola. After crossing Lahini Odar, we will descend down and reach Chhedhul Gompa. Again, after following some time along the Tarap Khola, we will reach Laisicap.
Day 22, Trek Lashicap to Dunai 2140m.: It takes 5 -6 hours walk. We will trek along the green lands above Thuli Bheri river to reach Tarakot. After reaching Tarakot, we will cross a small bridge over a stream. We will pass Lawan and Byasgad on this day. Its day offer some greenery and forested region and cultivated terraced fields.
Day 23, Trek Dunai to Juphal 2475m.: It takes around 3 hours walk. It’s the last day of the trek. We will follow the trail along the Bheri river until we reach Kalagauda. After Kalagauda, ascend some times to reach Juphal.
Day 24, A reserve day which can use anywhere as necessary in to team.
Day 25, Fly Juphal to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.: Juphal to Nepalgunj flight inn and out always in the morning time. Several hours’ time we can have in Nepalganj and fly return to Kathmandu around the evening and then stay at hotel in Kathmandu with bed and breakfast basis.
Day 26, Kathmandu free day, sightseeing around the valley.
Day 27, Departure to Home