Dolpa Trek

Kathmandu, the incredibly diverse capital of Nepal is a fascinating blend of centuries old Hindu and Buddhist shrines, traditional architecture and a city embracing the 21 century. Upon arrival your leader will transfer you to the Shangri La hotel in Lazimpat close to Thamel, a popular choice with tourists, with colourful handicraft stalls, trekking gear shops and excellent restaurants. In the evening, after your trek briefing, your leader will take you out on the town to enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner.
Meals Included: Welcome dinner.

Many of our trekkers undertaking our Explorer adventures have visited Kathmandu before. So today is a free day to relax after your flight and prepare for the trip ahead. For those looking for sightseeing suggestions your leader will be on hand to help out and organise any side trips you may wish to undertake. In the late afternoon you will be issued with your trek pack and departure information for the next morning.
Meals included: Breakfast

Flight: 45 mins
You take the scenic flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu and stay overnight in a hotel as there are no connecting flights to Jumla.
Meals included: Breakfast

Flight: 35 mins
You take the early morning flight to Jumla which lies on the banks of the Tila Khola river at 2370 meter. Jumla is one of the highest rice growing areas of the world and is famous for the Red Rice grown here. You will meet your trekking crew today.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking : 5-6 hours
From Jumla your trail leads past several water-driven mills before dropping to the confluence of the Tila Khola and the Chaudhabise Khola. After crossing both the rivers after the trail climbs gently through terraced paddy fields to the village of Dochal Ghara (2530m). From here the trail traverses through forests of maples and walnuts to a small meadow. From here the trail climbs to a rocky cairn at Pattyata Lagna (2830m), and then descends into a magnificent alpine valley towards Gothi Chaur close to the stream at the bottom of the valley. At the spring here there are some 13th century Malla dynasty stone carvings.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking : 6 hours
We will re-enter the Tila river valley and follow this river slowly to its headwaters. After ascending through fields of barley and buckwheat we arrive at the trail junction at Muni Sangu, a small settlement where we can see peculiar carved wooden faces, called dok-pa and are supposed to offer protection from evil spirits. These faces can be seen throughout the whole Dolpo region. We stay on the southern side of the river from here as the valley slowly becomes narrower and follow our way to Changrikot (a series of houses built into the hillside on the opposite side of the river at 2900m). The trail then finally crosses the river and climbs towards the grey stone houses of Chotra (3010m). The village has typical mani walls (walls containing stones carved with Tibetan Buddhist prayers) and a kani (arch, decorated with paintings on the inside) over the trail. A short distance from here is the Tibetan settlement of Naphukana where we will make our camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 3-4 hours
Today, the trail climbs steadily past rocky outcrop through forests of oak and birch. The trail continues to climb upto Mauri Lagne (honey pass) at 3820 meters. Weather permitting, from the pass you will be rewarded by good views of the snowy peaks of Gutumba (5608m), Matumba (5767m) and Bhalu Himal (5460m). From here the trail descends down to the Bheri valley where there is a large Khampa settlement of Chaurikot. After a short traverse you will reach you camp at Balasa.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 3-4 hours
The trail undulates and traverses through forests of walnuts which the locals use for making cooking oil. After a while the trail descends to the village if Rimi inhabitated by the Dok-pas. From Rimi the trail undulates to a stream after which you reach the slightly bigger village of Kaigaon which is your stop for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 5 hours
The trail follows the west bank of the Bheri river and climbs up staedily leaving the river behind. The trail continues to climb upto the confluence of the Jagdula and Garpung Khola which are the tributaries of the Bheri River. From here you descend down to the Jagdula river which you will be crossing to reach the army post at Toijem. This is where you will stop for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 6 hours
Today, you will follow the trail on the western side of the Garpung Khola and climb to about 3650 meters where we cross the river. The trail continues to climb up gradually on the eastern banks and you pass through beautiful waterfalls. The trails climbs up to a moraine at 3900 meters and from here a slight ascend will take you to Kagmara Phedi, your camp for the night. You get spectacular views of the mountains from here and if lucky you can get to spot the Blue Sheep too.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 7- 8 hours
You have an early start today as the trail climbs alongside the Kagmara Glacier to Kagmara La (pass) at 5115 meters. FRom here you descend down to the stream to the Pungmo valley. The descend is quite steep on scree slopes and continues to go down to the pastures of Lasa where you stop for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 5 hours
Today, after breakfast you will follow the Pungmo river and the trail passes through beautiful birch and juniper forests. Once you cross the river the trail passes through barley fields to reach the ancient forted village of Pungmo. From Pungmo the trail descends
down to reach the school at Sumduwa. From here you will continue to descend to camp for the night on the banks of the Phoksundo river.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 6 - 7 hours
The trail today climbs up through beautiful forests of cedar to reach the winter settlement of Palam at 3710 meters. Here you join the main trail going to Phoksundo Lake. The entrance post to the Shey Phoksundo National park is located here. From Palam the trail descends and then climbs on a series of switchbacks to reach a beautiful 300 meter high waterfall. The trail continues to undulate through forests to reach the picturesque village of Ringmo. From here the trail then descends to cross a bridge to the Phoksundo Lake where you camp for the night just west of the lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, you have the entire day to just delve into the sights and splendor of this Jewel in the lap of the Himalaya. There is the option to visit the adjoining villages or to take a short excursion to the 500 year old Pal Sentan Thasoon Cheling Monastery of the Bon tradition overlooking the lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 5- 6 hours
You retrace your route back to Ringmo and then follow the trail going eastwards, walking through forests of juniper and blue pine. The trail follows the river up the valley to a waterfall and we will reach the base of the Baga La Pass where we stop for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 6 hours
Today you will have a steady 3 hour climb to the top of Baga La (5090m) which offers spectacular views. There is a gradual descent from the top for quite a while and then the trails descends steeply down to a stream. From here the trail climbs up to the clearing at the base of Numa La where you stop for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 5-6 hours
You continue climbing through arid country to the last of the high passes, the Numa La (5360m). The pass is marked by mani stones and on a clear day the Himalayan peaks unfold and one can see as far as the Dhaulagiri range. The trail now descends past a huge mani wall to the Tarap region and you walk through the barley fields of the Tarap Valley to the settlement of Dho.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Dho is the largest settlement in Tarap and has several gompas. On the ridge above the village is the Ri Bhunpa Gompa and, just to the east, the village of Shipchhok has a Bon-po gompa which is certainly worth exploring. There are also opportunities to get great views of the valley and surrounding snow peaks from a number of nearby ridges. It is good to have an extra day at Dho which can also be used as a contingency day in case of bad weather or other delays en-route.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 5-6 hours
Today the trail traverses and follows the Tarap River downstream through a deep valley.You enter the gorge which has large rose shrubs and other wildflowers, and after crossing and re-crossing the river numerous times, you finally come to a flat expanse where the valley opens up.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking : 5-6 hours
The trail today is steep, narrow and precarious as it clings to the cliffs, and the bridges along here can often be washed out. Eventually, the valley widens and the route becomes easier as you approach the village of Khanigaon. From here the trail climbs high above the river before descending towards the Barbung Khola and the fortified village of Tarakot.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trekking: 5-6 hours
We follow the Thulo Bheri River downstream along the south bank passing through the village of Lawan. The walk is undulating slightly as we pass through riverine forests before crossing to the north bank. It is a beautiful walk following the course of the Bheri before we reach our camp at Dunai which is the District Headquarters of Dolpo. From Dunai, you will be driven to Jhupal in a local jeep where you get to stay in a lodge and time to celebrate the success of this memorable trek with your support crew.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Flight: 25 mins plus 45 mins
We take the early morning flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj. We then take a connecting afternoon flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Your trip ends today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements. A departure transfer to the airport is included.
Meals Included: Breakfast