Upper Dolpo region is the most remote and least district in Nepal. Although a few anthropologists and geographers had explored the region, the entire district was closed to trekkers until 1989 when the southern part of Upper Dolpo was opened to organized trekking groups. Reference book Peter Mathesons book - The Snow Leopard and Snell grove - Himalayan pilgrimage has contributed to the mystique and attraction of Dolpo.

Upper Dolpo region situated between the Tibetan plateau and the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range is the highest inhabited land of Dolpo. Geographically a southern extension of Tibet, it lies within the borders of the state of Nepal, since 1984 has been the country’s largest national park and conservation, the park sustains an abundance of wild life including Musk Deer, Himalayan Blue Sheep and the legendary elusive Snow Leopard, as well as being home to a fascinating race of Tibetan speaking people. The hardy highlanders of Dolpo are traders, exchanging barley for Tibetan rock salt and they take their cattle onto the Tibetan plateau during the summer for grazing.

Nepal’s first English subtitled movie on Dolpo -The Caravan- or -The Himalaya- was a huge success and was nominated for the Oscar Award in the best foreign language film category. Boundaries of the park include within 3,500 square kilometers of land, mostly above 4,000 meters. Before 1989, when the southern regions were opened to trekking groups, very few explorers had visited the area. Two notable visits were the first mountaineering expedition by Dr. Herbert Tichy in 1953 based in Kaigon and the other visit by John Tyson in the early sixties. Dolpo is one of the most beautiful treks in the remote areas of Nepal, very rarely visited by outsider.

During the Upper Dolpo we start from Jhupal village, we begin this wonderful adventure, encountering interesting places, people, villages, monasteries, valleys and serene forest of pines, oaks and rhododendron, the trek passes many gigantic mountain ranges and over the Numala pass at 5,400m till we reach the Phoksundo lake at Ringmo village in the "Phoksundo National Park".

At Ringmo, the highlight of our trip  we will have two nights here to enjoy the beauty of the deep blue waters of the Phoksundo lake and the surrounding snow peaks of Kanjirowa Himalayan range, with time  to visit the nearby isolated village of Ringmo and its Monastery. Our adventure journey continues to the amazing country of Crystal Mountain at Shey Gomba, following the ancient Trans Himalayan Trade route and back to Jhuphal for the flight back by an alternative route, giving you more opportunity to explore this fascinating wild west of Nepal Himalayas.


DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01- Arrival Kathmandu
You will be met by Holidays Destination Trekking and Travel staffs at Airport and transferred to the hotel. The all necessary permits and paper work checked/make sure. And the afternoon at leisure for you to explore, a pre-trek briefing will be given this evening.

Day 02- Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
As per the flight schedule for Nepalgunj we transfer to the domestic airport for one and half hour scenic flight to Nepalgung. At Nepalgunj we will have time in the late afternoon or evening to have a look around the town which is situated on the southern Nepal border with India. There is quite hot and tropical in character.

Day 03- Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal & trek to Dunai (2,850m) around 6 hours.
After a pleasant overnight at Nepalgunj, early morning transfer to airport for the 45 minute flight to Juphal (2,320m) over the Himalayan foothills, with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to the north. On arriving at Juphal there you can meet all trekking staffs, who have walked all the way from Nepalgunj with the camping gear and food supply taking 6 days. Here at Juphal a short 3 hrs walk from the airstrip leads to our overnight camp at Dunai village (2,850m). Our first day adventure begins with an hour downhill walk through the village below the airstrip, then leading through the terraced fields to the Bheri River and the narrow gorge taking 3 hours to camp at Dunai. This is a much larger village or small township, with a new hospital and it is administrate headquarter of the Dolpo District. Here we have ample time for leisure walk around the village.

Day 04 - Trek to Ankhe(2,896m), around 7 hours
From the camp at Dunai, route diverts from the King Mahendra statue to cross the new suspension bridge and turning west, following the trail past the hospital. The path soon begins to climb up the side of the treeless Thulo Bheri river valley, where it crests a ridge and then enters the Phoksundo river valley, finally reaching another ridge which is marked by cairns at (2,499m). During the walk can be seen excellent view of the Kagmara Peak up the valley. This wonderful walk leads to a large side canyon, then descending gently on the long downhill slope through the scattered houses and walnut groves to a stream at (2,810m) the trail below the stream leads to Dhera, a winter settlement where people from higher villages keep herds of cows and goats, however the route leads the upper trail climbing to Rahagaon, a Thakuri cast village at (2,900m), where there is a Gompa dedicated to the local god, Mastha, guardians of this village. Trek from here passes through the lower part of Rahagaon and then descending to the village water supply at the Phoksundo khola. Passing through another canyon, the path heads downhill through deep dark forests to a large stream, finally emerging at the entrance to the Shey Phoksundo National Park at Ankhe (2,896m) where we will stay for the overnight camp.

Day 05- Trek to Sulighat (3,500m) around 7 hours.
The path from this camp leads to small ups and downs along the forested riverbed, then ascending steeply to about one hour. The ups and downs can begin to get a bit monotonous, but there are several streams along the way that offer a chance to cool off. The trail eventually leaves the forests and traverses a grassy slope high above the river. After a while the path once begin to descend steeply into forest until it reaches a cliff, whereby a dizzying drop on a wobbly stone staircase to the river bank has to be undertaken. You can almost look down between your toes to see the fast-flowing river below. After reaching the river at 2,950m, the trail becomes a collection of rocks and sticks that form a dyke along the river bank. It's hard to imagine how the local people bring their yaks and cows along this trail, but they do. Journey continues upstream to a bridge near Ryajik village Sulighat for the overnight camp (3,500m), after a good day's walk.

Day 06- Trek to Phoksundo Lake (3500m) around 6 hours
Journey continues along the valley floor to the confluence of the Phoksundo and Pungmo Kholas. After crossing to the western side of the Phoksundo Khola on a wooden bridge, then the path follows the west bank of the Pungmo Khola which leads all the way to Phoksundo Lake (3,500m) near Ringmo village. The path passes through a cedar forest and finally to Palam, a winter settlement used by the people of Ringmo village. The houses here are almost buried in the sandy soil. From here our route heads up to open country, at an altitude of around (3,350m). From the ridge one can see the distant views of Phoksundo Lake and a spectacular (300m) high waterfall, one of the highest in Nepal. After a short stop here with the great views, finally the walk descent through birch forests to the upper reaches of the Phoksundo Khola, and then to the picturesque settlement of Ringmo with its mud plastered chortens and mani walls. From here it is a short walk to the shores of Phoksundo Lake for the overnight at camp.

Day 07- Rest Day at Phoksundo Lake
A well deserved rest day free from packing, at Phoksundo you can go for a short hike to the village of Ringmo and its Tibetan Buddhist Monastery is well worth a visit.

Day 08- Trek to Phoksundo Khola (3350m) around 5 hours.
From Phoksundo, adventure continues skirting the shore of the lake as it contours on a rocky ledge along the western bank. This unsteady trail suspended on a gangway of wood supported on pegs driven into crevasse in the rocks, signals the remoteness of the area we are about to enter. At the westernmost edge of the lake the path leads through a lush meadow that opens up into the flood plain of the Phoksundo Khola. Then the walk leads through the valley, crossing the river and avoiding the occasional boggy marsh underfoot and then coming on the bank of the river to the overnight camp.

Day 09- Trek to Phoksundo Bhanjyang, around 7 hours.
Today's first hour walk leads along the level path through a glacial valley that now heads due north. At the confluence of the Phoksundo Khola and another mountain stream, there is an old wooden bridge. Here taking the barely distinct path to the north-east of the valley. There is no trail as such, so it is necessary to clamber over the rocks and boulders and to ford a stream that rushes down the steep valley. A long climb brings us to a sheep meadow where the trail veers up a steep ravine. A hard climb to the top brings to yet another valley where one can see the Kang-La, the pass which will lead towards Shey Gompa. Overnight camp will be just before the pass in a place that Peter Matthiessen christened 'Snowfields Camp.

Day 10- Trek to Shey Gompa via Kang-La pass (5,360m), Around 8 hours.
Morning walk leads up to a steep climb littered with slate towards the pass. The climb is quite strenuous, especially on the slate screed. From the top of Kang-la (5,360m), there are excellent views down upon a large valley which is bisected by a gushing river. On descending steeply to the valley floor, then the path leads a long meandering trek along the banks of the river, crossing and re-crossing it several times. There are mud caves lining the hills overlooking the river and we pass through meadows where hairy yaks, hundreds of sheep and domestic mountain goat (Chengra) can be found grazing as well near the odd nomadic hut of the herders. A red chorten heralds our arrival at Shey Gompa (4,500m) where a quaint wooden, log bridge leads up to our destination at Shey Gompa compound for our overnight camp.

Day 11- Rest day at Shey Gompa, explore around crystal monastery.
Another well earned rest day for local hike around Shey meaning crystal, this monastery is also known as the Crystal Mountain (well described in Peter Matthissen classic novel Snow Leopard). The lama of Shey resides at a red hermitage known as Tsakang gompa which is north of Shey. It is rather a retreat than a monastery. Tsakang had been a meditation centre of many famous lamas from Tibet. Shey Gompa belong to the Chaiba community, followers of great saint Padmasambhava, known as Guru Ringpoche and Kagyu sects. It was the first Kagyupa monastery and its founder was the lama Tenzing Ra-Pa, built during 11th century. Shey is famous for its ancient pre-Buddhist culture the Bon Po. In Dolpo the ancient Tibetan way of life combines animism with the teaching of Buddha. Drutup Yeshe first introduced Buddhism in the Dolpo valley. Hundreds of years ago he came to Dolpo encountering a wild people whose supreme God was a 'fierce mountain and nature spirit'. Crystal Mountain is to the east of Shey gompa it is one of the strangest mountain, as its contorted cliffs are laced with quartz and embedded with a rich variety of marine fossils. Shey Gompa stands above the confluence of Kangjunala and Yeju Nala River. Near the confluence there is a group of prayer mills turned by water wheels. Each year people from all over Dolpo region travel great distances to attend the festival at Shey and to complete the circuit of Crystal Mountain. This is an amazing trip to here that certainly makes this trek as special as only few Westerners have ever ventured up to Shey gompa.

Day 12- Trek to Namduna Gaun via Saldang La (5,200m) around 8 hours.
The day begins by following a pleasant trail amidst juniper which descends into a grey, stony canyon. Then the path begins to zig zag over bare rocks and coarse eroded soil until it eventually brings us to the top of Saldang-la (5,200m). The subsequent descent towards the north which is long and tiring but we finally come upon the welcome sight of pastures of grazing yaks and sheep, and nomadic tents made from yak hair. This signals our approach to Namduna Gaun (4,800m). Like Shey, the Namgung monastery is of the Karma-pa sect. The monastery, a red stone structure, is built against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge. The red and white colors of the gimpy and its stupas are the only color in this stark landscape. The village itself consists of only six stone houses and has terraced fields on both sides of the tributary, which flow down to the Nam Khong valley. The economy of the region is based on agriculture, animal husbandry and trading. In Dolpo only one crop a year can be grown and this is mainly barley. In some village buckwheat, oil seed, potato and radish are also cultivated. Recently the main cliff temple collapsed and the villagers have now built a beautiful new monastery in the village itself.

Day 13- Trek to Saldang, (3620m) around 6 hours.
On leaving the Namduna Gaun our route leads to a climb up a screen slope. Further on it begins a long traverse along some dusty barren mountains. After 4 hours of hard climb, Saldang (3,620m) appears below on a plateau high above the Nam Khongmala. It has a picturesque appearance. Saldang is the largest village of the inner Dolpo area. Though the village lies at about the same altitude as Ringmo it is totally different then Ringmo, a Himalayan village is situated below the tree line while Saldang belongs to the arid zone of the Trans-Himalayan Tibetan plateau. The village stretches for nearly two kilometers on an open slope. Saldang consists of five villages having about eighty well built houses with nearly six hundred people. Saldang is a prosperous village not only agriculturally but also for its strategic location on a trade route to Tibet. After the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, trade with Tibet was virtually stopped. It has been restored to some extent through the barter system by which Tibetan salt reaches mid-Nepal. The Drokpa people from the western plains of Tibet collect salt from the dried lakes north of Tsangpo.

Day 14- Trek to Yangze Gompa(4,960m) around 7 hours.
Journey from here diverts further far north to the least unexplored area by our commercial adventure trekking company. The trail follows the Nang Chu river most of the way on this wild barren windswept terrain. Walk begins along the fairly gradual path with few ups and downs slope and then passing through the small settlement of Tiling and Lurigaon till we reach to our overnight camp at Yangze also known as Yangtsher, just before Yangze near Lurigaon. Here we cross the tributary Panzang River, a short walk from here brings us to an unexplored region of Yangze (4,960m) and its very old Bon-Po Monastery for the overnight halt with time for exploration around the villages and the Monastery.

Day 15- Trek to Sibu (4,560m) around 6 hours.
From Yangze there are two trails that connect Sibu (4,560m), the long way trail heads due west passing through the very remote villages of Nishalgaon and further past Shimengaon. To save time and energy we will retrace the path back towards Saldang village which will be much easier and shorter than the other north western route. From Saldang the trail following the river bed we pass through terraced fields, stupas, chorten shape of mani  stones and a Chaiba monastery, then passing through the Namdo village which is also prosperous with about sixty houses having nearly 400 inhabitants. It stretches for more than 5 km on the high slopes to the left of Nam Khong Khola. The Namdo monastery is located near the river bed. Our journey continues further down the river for another two hours to camp near the small settlement of Sibu village.

Day 16- Trek to Jeng-la Phedi, (4900m) around 7 hours.
The trail follows the Nam Khong Khola for a while on the morning walk coming across caravan of laden yaks that are on their way towards Tibet border. After days of following the same river, finally we part turning east till we arrive at the confluence of two small tributaries, from here our walk leads to a steep climb to the bottom of Jeng la (4,900m), where we stay for the overnight on a nice meadow village.

Day 17- Trek to Tokyu Gaon (4,200) via Jeng la, around 6 hours.
Morning trek leads to two hours climb towards the top of the Jeng La (5,090m). An excellent view of snow ranges emerges to the south. The north face of the Dhaualgiri massif shines in the morning light. After a wonderful moment here at the pass, our walk leads to descend on the rough path towards Tarap valley. By afternoon we come to the green valley which leads us on the pleasant track down towards Tarap Chu. Tarap is a fascinating valley with vast plains in high mountains. It extends twenty kilo meters along the river. Tarap Chu is having ten villages with its cultivated fields and many gompas, chortens of both sects. We stop for the night at Tokyu monastery (4,200m). This monastery also belongs to the Chaiba sect.

Day 18- Trek to Dho Tarap (4,040m) around 6 hours.
Today, the route leads eastward along the downhill course of Tarap Chu in a plain valley with patches of lush verdant grass on both sides of the river which is completely different from other parts of inner Dolpo. There is also a marsh which is a common feature in the Desert Mountains of Tibet and the Ladakh Himalaya. In this valley both Bon Po and Chaiba sects reside together in harmony. After a short trek on this beautiful valley we come to Dho Tarap (4,040m) for the overnight camp with ample time to visit around the villages. This village is surrounded by an irregular stone wall. At Dho, about 45 houses are divided into three clusters and built in a haphazard way inhabited by few Tibetans and mostly Magars hill tribe of Nepal who have lived here for many generations.

Day 19- Trek to Tarap Khola (Kamakharka3, 800m), around 8 hours
Today can be quite a long day. From the quite bare country around Tarap, we descend towards a wide valley which eventually narrows into a gorge. We walk along the juniper bush and wild rose, typical of dry inner Himalayan valleys, to just above the tree line. On this route we might see herds of blue sheep. By the afternoon time we reach at the confluence of the Tarap Chu and the Lang Khola, a stream that joins with Tarap River from further east. We will make our camp on a nice meadow, this place is also known as Kamakharka (3,800m), while our porters will take shelter in a nearby spacious cave.

Day 20- Trek to Khanigaon (3,150m) around 6 hours.
This morning continues down the gorge of the Tarap River, at times alongside it, rising high above on a trail built from the steep slopes might come across people from Dolpo taking their herds to lower pastures for the winter. There are many possible campsites by the river. This will be one of the exciting days of this trip walk, as the valley becomes so narrow in a deep gorge that in some places we can jump from one side to another. Sometimes there is no trace of any path and we have to walk across stone slabs fitted on logs in between the walls which act as a bridge. The gorge also provides unexpected adventure and thrills. At some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed away and we may be forced to cross the icy torrent on foot. Finally, reaching to the camping spot beside the Tarap khola at Khanigaon (3,150m) we camp river side for overnight stay.

Day 21- Trek to Tarakot(2,537m) around 5 hours.
Today from this camp path follows an indistinct trail to the village of Lalberi. Then passing through an area of impressive forest, before descending into another gorge our walk continue following the river again downstream to reach Tarakot where colourful terraced fields greet us. Tarakot (2,537m) is an old fortress town known by the local people as Dzong, meaning 'fort'. Before the Gorkha dynasty Tarakot was the capital and had a dzong. The famous Sandul gompa lies about 8 km east of Tarakot and at the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu. It stands on a knoll to the south of Bheri River and at one time supervised collections of tolls for the trading caravans traversing an area called Tichu Rong. It is possible to camp by the river about 150 meters below Tarakot, near the police post or we climb a steep hill for over an hour to the small village on a spur on the other side of a valley opposite Tarakot. There are chortens and a gompa here on the edge of a grassy plateau, with interesting solitary trees.

Day 22- Trek to Dunai-Jhuphal (2,320m) around 7 hours.
The walk continues beside the Bheri River in a tremendous gorge with pine trees and an ingenious path built about seven meters above the river. On reaching Dunai (2,140m/7,019ft) after completing the circuit with time for celebration, particularly as bottled beers is available in Dunai or else try the local brew.

Day 23- Fly from Jhuphal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
Today you take early morning, a short scenic flight for thirty five minutes to Nepalgunj, over the Himalayan foothills overlooking stunning views of the main peaks including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to the north. On arrival at Nepalgunj depending upon the connecting flight schedule to Kathmandu. Then connect with the flight back to Kathmandu.

Day 24- Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.
 Full day’s sightseeing in Kathmandu valley includes the Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath (Hindus holy place) & the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath. Also visit Monkey Temple the Swyambhunath and visit Patan Durbar square of fine arts (all UNESCO World Heritage Site). Return to the hotel.

Day 25- Transfer to the Airport for your final departure
Holidays Destination Trekking and Travel team will take you to the airport for your flight home. On the other hand, if you prefer to stay longer, you can go for short tours such as game drive at National parks, Jungle safari, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc.

Trip Cost Includes:

   All airport/hotel transfers

Three night accommodation in Kathmandu, one 2 nights in guest house in Nepalgunj/Jupal and tented accommodation in mountain region.

  All domestic flights (Kathmandu-Nepalgunj -Jhuphal-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu)

 Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu

 Breakfast in Kathmandu and all meals and boiled water in mountain

 All ground transportation as per the itinerary program by private vehicles

  All necessary staffs with experienced English speaking climbing leader (guide), cook, assistant climbing leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide ratio) and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter), other helpers (1 trekker: 2 helpers) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging

  All necessary paper works; special trekking permit for upper Dolpo trek

 Trekkers' Information Management System fees (TIMES)

Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, Holidays Destination Trekking duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)

Camping equipments-very high quality North Face or Mountain Hardware or similar kitchen, dining, toilet tents, mattresses, and kitchen equipments

Travel and rescue arrangements

Exclusive Medical Kit Bag

All government and local taxes

Trip Cost Does Not Include

Nepal Visa fee

International airfare to and from Kathmandu

 Excess baggage charges (if you have more than 15 kg luggage, cargo charge is around $1.5 per kg)

 Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary

 Altitude chamber (PAC) or oxygen

 Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from mountain than the scheduled itinerary)

Your Travel and rescue insurance

 Personal types expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottled water, heater, etc.)

    Optional trips and sightseeing if extended

    Tips for guides and porters

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