A month in Upper Dolpo Trek - 31 Days

A month in Upper Dolpo Trek - 31 Days

    Dolpo is the wonderland of the Earth, from Adventure lovers to spiritual seekers, the land of Pre-Buddhist, Shamanistic Bon-Po faiths, and Isolated from the world for decades. All Nepal Hiking is a carefully designed Upper Dolpo trip for our valued client. We explore deep into the Dolpo region, enough to acclimatize for several high passes, encounter wildlife, touchy experiences with the remote village and its people. Shy Phoksundo is Nepal’s Largest National Park (3555 square kilometers)

    Dolpo is an Internationally Known zone of its uniqueness, describes in various forms of media worldwide, An Oscar-nominated CARAVAN was set in Dolpo and subtitles in the English language. The aura of remote upper Dolpo, closed to foreigners for decades and still culturally Tibetan, has been enhanced by Matheissen’s ‘The Snow Leopard’, David Snell Grove’s ‘Himalayan Pilgrimage’ and George Schaller’s ‘Stones of Silence’ among many others travel books. Myth has it that the Guru Rimpoche, who extend Tibetan Buddhism throughout the Himalayas, discovered this hidden land, a ‘Be-Yul’ or refuge, over 1700 years ago, and it has been inhabited by Tibetan nomads, for over a thousand years.

    Dolpo has remained isolated by various causes, fairly due to its inaccessible location, and somewhat because of the Khampa guerillas using Mustang and Dolpo as a Base shelter during their fight against the Chinese occupation of Tibet after 1959. It has only been open for trekking and tourism since 1989, and then only parts of southern Dolpo were opened. There is still a special restricted area permit needed to trek above Phoksumdo Lake in Shey Phoksumdo National Park, which has only been a viable trekking region since 1999 because of the Maoist actions in this region. Inner Dolpo has a population of approximately 6000 inhabitants, many of whom migrate south for the winter.

    The Upper Dolpo trek begins with an exited flight along the Himalayan and hilly region of western Nepal to Jhupahal and follows the Thuli Bheri River to the Sulighat and heads through the Phoksundo River. Ringmo Village and Phoksundo Lake, and the first 5000 meters pass to Shy Gompa and another passes to reach Saldang and further remote villages before pass to reach Jomsom. Our trek end in the middle of the Annapurna circuit route, and we fly to Pokhara from Jomsom.

    Highlights

    Dolpo is the wonderland of the Earth, from Adventure lovers to spiritual seekers, the land of Pre-Buddhist, Shamanistic Bon-Po faiths, and Isolated from the world for decades. All Nepal Hiking is a carefully designed Upper Dolpo trip for our valued client. We explore deep into the Dolpo region, enough to acclimatize for several high passes, encounter wildlife, touchy experiences with the remote village and its people. Shy Phoksundo is Nepal’s Largest National Park (3555 square kilometers)

    Itinerary

      You spend this day preparing for the trek. This may involve purchasing any necessary gear, meeting with your trekking team or guide, and going over the details of the trek.

        You take a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, a city in western Nepal. Nepalgunj serves as a gateway for many treks in the region.

          From Nepalgunj, you take another flight to Juphal. Juphal is a small town in the Dolpa region of Nepal and is the starting point for your trek.

            Your trek officially begins as you leave Juphal and head towards Sulighat. This is your first day of walking on the trail, experiencing the natural beauty and rugged terrain of the region.

              Continuing along the trail, you trek to Chhepka. This is another day of walking, surrounded by stunning landscapes and passing through local villages.

                You trek to Amchi Gompa, a Buddhist monastery in the region. Along the way, you may witness the unique cultural practices and traditions of the local people.

                  Your destination for the day is Ringmo, located near Phoksumdo Lake. This is a highlight of the trek, as Phoksumdo Lake is renowned for its pristine beauty and turquoise waters.

                    You take a rest day in Ringmo, allowing your body to acclimatize to the altitude and taking the opportunity to explore the area around Phoksumdo Lake.

                      Leaving Ringmo, you trek to Chabluk Phu. This day's journey takes you through diverse landscapes, including forests, meadows, and rocky terrain.

                        Your destination for the day is Ngongda La Base Camp. As you ascend higher, the landscapes become more challenging and breathtaking.

                          You trek to Shey Gompa, crossing a mountain pass along the way. Shey Gompa is a famous Buddhist monastery in the region and holds cultural and religious significance.

                            You spend the day exploring Shey Gompa and its surroundings. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the area.

                              Leaving Shey Gompa behind, you trek to Namgung. This day's journey offers more spectacular views and encounters with local communities.

                                Continuing on the trail, you trek to Saldang. This is another significant village in the Dolpa region, known for its traditional Tibetan culture and architecture.

                                  You take a rest day in Saldang, allowing yourself time to explore the village, interact with the locals, and learn about their way of life.

                                    Leaving Saldang, you trek to Khomagaon. The trek takes you through remote and rugged landscapes, providing a sense of adventure and solitude.

                                      You continue your trek and make your way to Mendo. This day's journey involves walking through diverse terrain and passing by small settlements.

                                        You trek to Tinkyu, also known as Thinje. This is another village on your route, offering a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the people living in this region.

                                          You spend the day exploring Tinkyu and its surroundings. This could involve interacting with locals, visiting monasteries, or enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

                                            Leaving Tinkyu, you trek to Rapka. This day's journey takes you through rugged landscapes, with breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys.

                                              You trek to Chharka, crossing a mountain pass along the way. Chharka is a remote village in the Dolpa region, known for its traditional Tibetan culture and warm hospitality.

                                                You spend the day exploring Chharka and its surroundings. This is an opportunity to learn about the local customs and traditions, as well as interact with the friendly villagers.

                                                  Leaving Chharka, you trek to Norbulung. This day's journey takes you through stunning landscapes, as you gradually descend from the high altitudes.

                                                    Continuing on the trail, you trek to Molum Sumdo. This is another day of walking through diverse terrain, enjoying the natural beauty of the Dolpa region.

                                                      You trek to Sangda Phedi, a small settlement along the trail. This day's journey offers more opportunities to witness the unique landscapes and local culture.

                                                        Leaving Sangda Phedi, you trek to Sangda village. This is your final destination before reaching Jomsom, where the trek concludes.

                                                          Continuing your trek, you make your way to Phalyak. This day's journey involves walking through picturesque landscapes, as you near the end of your adventure.

                                                            Your final day of trekking takes you to Jomsom, a popular town in the Mustang region. Jomsom is known for its beautiful landscapes and as a transit point for many trekkers.

                                                              From Jomsom, you take a flight to Pokhara, a scenic city in Nepal. From there, you catch another flight back to Kathmandu, marking the end of your trekking adventure.

                                                                On this day, you depart from Kathmandu to your onward destination, bidding farewell to Nepal and carrying the memories of your trekking expedition.