Upper Dolpo Trekking (Camping Treks)

(Trekking in Off The Beaten Trail)

Best season :	Mar - Aug, Sep - Nov
Trekking duration :	18 - 25 Days.
Trekking grade :	D (Challenging)
Mx. altitude :	5,400 m.
Starting from :	Nepalgung
Ending Point :	Nepalgung
Culture :	Different Community with majority of Tibetan, Thakalis and Brahmins
Mode of Trekking :	Fully Organized Camping Trekking.
Himalayan Sights :	Annapurna, Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges, Thorong Peak and Tibetan rugged mountains
Highlight :	Dolpa is the most remote and least developed isolated corner of Nepal, The region offers opportunities to visit ancient villages, high passes, beautiful Lakes, isolated Buddhist monasteries and also to experience the vast array of wildlife inhabiting the region, including Blue sheep, Mountain Goat, Jackal, Wolf and the legendary Snow Leopard

Brif Info

Dolpa is the most remote and least developed isolated corner of Nepal, situated in the Trans Himalayan region of Mid- West Nepal inside the Shey- Phoksundo National Park, behind the Dhaulagiri massif. Geographically Upper Dolpo is a part of the Tibetan Plateau and is generally dry, cold and sparsely vegetated which is unlike most other parts of the Nepal Himalayas. It has fascinating villages and is still a land of mystery, scenery and peace. Time has stood still here for centuries as the inhabitants of Tibetan stock continue to live, cultivate and trade the way they have done since time immemorial. The ecosystem encompasses a wild and wonderful variety of plants and wildlife, including the blue sheep and snow leopard. As the most remote and least developed district in Nepal, this trek is reserved. for those with a true sense of adventure.

Itinerary ( Note : Itinerary can be customized according to your duration of holiday )

Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1:	Arrival In Kathmandu This is the first welcoming day that we meet upon arrival at the Kathmandu International Airport and transfer to Hotel. Short briefing will be followed about necessary formalities and rest of the program. Depending on your arrival time you will have choice of visiting nearby sanctuaries or rest of the time free for leisure.
Day 2.	Sightseeing / Cultural Day In Kathmandu Valley Half day sightseeing around Kathmandu, Patan city where you will have time to fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local tradition are highlighted on my guided tour. There’s time to explore the city’s many charms on your own or take a rest while I finalize trekking area permits. In the evening delicious traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you. Q/N in Kathmandu.
Day 3:	Kathmandu - Nepalgunj We take the flight to Nepalgunj in the far west of Nepal. This one-hour flight is quite remarkable as it is traverses the entire length of the Nepl Himalayan west of Kathmandu, with superb views of Langtang, Manaslu, and Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri and finally Dolpo, Nepalgunj is closed to the Indian border, and quite warm in comparison with Kathmandu. We check into the Hotel, fifteen minutes drive from the airport.
Day 4.	Nepalgunj - Jumla We have to be at the airport early as we take the first flight to Jumla, which takes only half an hour at thee campsite by the airstrip we meet our porters and kitchen crew who have walked in from the road head ten days early. The rest day gives the porters a chance to get sorted out for the start of the following day.
Day 5:	Jumla – Gothi Chaur The start of the trek. The usual start to the day is bed tea at 6.00am and away by 8.30am. The first day is always a bit slow as the porters get into the swing of things, but a rhythm soon develops. Following the path heading south east from Jumla, on thee left (true right side of the river Tila, a bridge is reached after an hour and a half to Garjankot (lunch). A slightly longer walk in the afternoon passes a few houses and an Irrigation channel on the right. From which there is a lovely view across the rolling hills behind. The camp is 200m below at a sheep from known as Gothi Chaur (2800m).
Day 6.	Gothi Chaur – Naphuknona The trail drops down from the farm for half an hour to follow the banks of a tributary of the Tila River which is crossed by a small bridge to the main river and another bridge to its left bank. Alpine forests and clear streams are the order of the day and two hours after leaving the camp you reach the village of Munigaon where there is a police check post. The main trail continues south east to Jajarkot and the Bheri River. Our route turns to the east by the check post staying on the left side of the river instead of crossing the bridge. After 20 minutes another bridge is reached which is crossed and the path followed to a lunch stop 20 minutes further. The scenery is very reminiscent of North America and is ideally suited to the Himalayan Griffin, which can be seen in large numbers soaring high above the trees. After lunch, a short afternoon's walk leads to the village of Naphukhona with a large Tibetan Choten. Our campsite is 10 minute further on below the Gompa at Chorteng. (3100m).
Day 7.	Naphuknona – Bheri River Valley Following the river through some of the most superb forest so far encountered, lunch is taken after only two hours by the start off the climb to the Maure La (3927m). The climb from the lunch spot takes around 45 minutes and is rewarded with some very fine views of the Bheri River Valley and the Peaks of Ghyuthumba and Matathumba, the first peaks to be climbed in Dolpo in 1953 by Dr. Herbert Tichy. In the distance a hundred Miles away, the huge bulk of Api is the dominating peak to the west. The excursion to the cairn at the top of the hill above the pass is well worth it for a superb view of the Dhaulagiri Massif and Annapurna II clearing in the forest (3100m).
Day 8:	Bheri River Valley - Hurikot An extremely enjoyable walks, at first through more forest to a corner, which yields the first view of the Kagmara Lekh and the Bheri River itself. The path can be seen contouring across the hillside through the village of Chaurkot, after which it descends to a stream and climbs again to another saddle. Lunch is taken by the nest stream. The village off Rimi and Kaigaon are soon clearly visible and the path drops down through Rimi, which is quite dirty, to the more picturesque Kaigaon stay on the left side of the river, as the campsite is 20 minutes further on below the village off Hurikot (2650m). A monastery is being built just above the campsite and it is normal for groups to give a donation.
Day 9:	Hurikot – Garpung Khola Follow the stream to the village, which is very Tibetan in character. The path climbs gradually staying high above the Garpung Khola for two hours until it reaches thee Jagdula Khola and a lunch stop at the army post on the opposite side (2950m). A steep climb for half an hour leads to a clearing with an excellent view of Kagmara V.Continue along the left bank to camp by a bridge crossing the Garpung Khola.
Day 10:	We start the trek following the river upstream. A short morning's walk and a rest afternoon. Cross the bridge and follow the river for two hours to reach a fine vantage point of the route ahead, including the campsite, which is an hour further. The first night at 4000 meters.
Day 11:	A big day crossing the Kagmara La (5100m). Taking a packed lunch, follow the Right Bank off the river for a short way until the path becomes slightly obscure below a steep climb. Reaching the top of this, the angle eases off slightly and the pass is no more than an hour and a half away.The pass is marked in the traditional Tibetan way with hundreds of prayer flags, and the view is quite stunning. The short climb to the summit of Kagmara RI (5370m) takes no more than half an hour, but the extra view is well worth it. The mountains of Tibet and Mount Everest in the distance form just part of this impressive panorama, which is dominated by the Dhaulagiri massif and the Annapurnas. The view to the south and west of the Kagmara Lekh and the Kanjiroba Himal is equally impressive. All in all a very special spot. There is no need to leave in a hurry, as the campsite is a mere hour below the pass on a flat grassy clearing by the river (3450m).
Day 12.	On our 1990 reconnaissance trip, Himalayan blue sheep and wild fox ware seen from the camp as well s numerous birds of pray. A big descent, over 1200 meters, leads through an idyllic valley to the village of Pungmo. Camp is made by the Choten the entrance to the village.
Day 13:	A rest day if you wish, but the spare day is to give everyone the chance to visit the important Gompa above Pungmo. There are in fact two Gompas as we have entered a region where both 'Bon' and 'traditional' Buddhism are practiced. Chotens become very confusing s one dictates an anti- clockwise passing whilst the other clockwise. However, the lams of both Gompas are willing to show you around for a small donation. To reach them, look out for a wooden bridge below the village. Cross this to the opposite bank of the river and follow the path up through the pine forest past a Choten. The path becomes quite exposed as it cuts across a cliff to reach the sanctuary
Day 14:	Today's destination is the village of Ringmo by the beautiful Phuksumdo Tal (lake). Keeping to the left side of the river, descend for one hour to a military camp (31d50m) at the junction of the Pungmo and Phuksumdo Rivers. Turns left immediately after the camp and follow a delightful path by the Phuksumdo River to a grassy clearing for lunch. The afternoon's walk up to Ringmo is very rewarding as huge rock walls guard the upper valley and it is not until some prayer flags are reached at 3800m that the lake can be seen. Equally impressive is the huge waterfall falling down from the Phuksumdo River. From the prayer flags, a pleasant half an hour's walk leads to the village of Ringmo and camp is made on the opposite side of the village (3700m). Crossing the bridge in the village and turn left to reach the lake.
Day 15:	A rest day in Ringmo camped by the beautiful clear waters of Ringmo Lake. The nearby monastery is worth a visit.
Day 16:	The final part of the trek sets out to explore the hidden valley of Tarap, one of the last bastions of Tibetan culture in Nepal. An easy day involving a couple of hours walks in the morning to a Yak grazing pasture by the Manduwa Khola. The path skirts along lodges hacked out of cliffs for the Yak caravans from Dolpo. The views down the Suli Gad and across to the Kagmara Lekh are particularly impressive. The campsite is in a lovely spot (3900m) below Kang Taiga (5916m).
Day 17:	Today is a very strenuous day crossing thee Basic Bhanjyang (Bagar La) (5200m). It is also one of the most fascination of the trek as we cross the watershed of the main Himalayan onto the dry Tibetan plateaus. Following the river to begin with, the path turns north up the first obvious side valley and climbs steeply to the pass, which marked by a choten and the usual prayer flags. The views to the east and north are one of complete contrast to those of the previous two weeks trekking. The mountain is orange and brown stretching out into Tibet to the north. The pass is often windy and the descent is party rapid to the river below and our camp (4650m). The road to shey and saldang is clearly etched out of the landscape by the tracks of thousands of Yaks that have made the journey south over the centuries the lifeline of Dolpo. At this point we are only three hours from the village of Shey, but access is not permitted.
Day 18:	The Tarap Valley is today's destination and despite the climb to the Numla La (5350m), the walk into this beautiful and wild Tibetan landscape is one of the highlights of the trek. A four to five hour climb leads to the pass and the view is indeed stunning. Dhaulagiri I am the prominent feature, with the rolling Tibetan hills and the Kanjiroba Himal to the west equally impressive. For an excellent 3600 panorama, climb the small peak to the left Of the pass. The path descends gradually into the Tarap Valley. In two to three hours the Champa Gompa is passed on the left and camp is made a little further down the valley in the first village (4300m).
Day 19:	A long day. Due to the opens of the Tarap Valley, the sun hits the tent early, giving a spring feel to the morning. The mornings walk passes through the villages off Clumaga and Kakar, both extremely interesting with many Choten, again both Bun-Po (the ancient pre-Buddhistic religion) and Choba (orthodox Buddhist). There are two Gompas in Dho, Guru Bumba (Chob) and above the village Scipcha Gompa (Bon). Leaving Dho (a name given to the last village but actually meaning the upper collection of villages), the Tarap Khola is followed for two hours, at first on its left bank, to a bridge where lunch is taken. This is the last flat ground for three to four hours as the valley becomes narrow with deep goes crossed by innumerable small bridges. However, it is an extremely well made path, one of the finest gorge paths in the Himalayan, offering an entertaining afternoon's walk. A small campsite by a large campsite by a big cave.
Day 20:	The path through the gorge continues to impress, switching from the riverbank to way up the cliff side on some amazing constructions! After a long morning's walk (look out for Musk Deer), a large clearing by the river is reached. This is Lahini and marks the end of the gorge. The path Kanigaon (2700m) where we camp.
Day 21:	From the check post, head east for a few hundred yards to a well mad bridge which is crossed to the left bank of the Barbung Khola, into which the Trap Khola now flows. This river is followed for three hours to the village of Tarakot where we stop. Rest afternoon.
Day 22:	Another easy day, continuing along the Barbung Khola through a beautiful alpine valley to the Hindu village of Dunai. Four hours walking. Camp by the new 'Blue Sheep lodge'.
Day 23:	The final day's walk continues along the river to a tea shop by the side of the path (One and a half hours) which marks the start of the climb to the Juphal airstrip. The path climbs steadily, passing through the village of Juphal to the airstrip. Camp is made outside the RNAC office.
Day 24:	We take the flight to Nepalgunj, for an afternoon's rest before flying on to Kathmandu the following day. The views from the lake of the Annapurnas are famous throughout Nepal.
Day 25:	Free day in Kathmandu.
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