Best Season March, April, May and September, October
Far behind the Dhaulagiri mountain range, Dolpa is almost completely cut off from development efforts of the outside world. It is one of the most isolated regions in Nepal. Dolpa was first opened to trekkers in 1990 and Inner Dolpo only in 1992. In spite of it’s beautiful landscapes and authentic culture, up till now it’s still a region which gets very few tourists. You can walk for days without meeting any other foreign trekkers. A very special experience as well!
Hiking in Dolpa is an experience of a lifetime. The trails give you a unique opportunity to experience life in the remote highlands. As you walk through the beautiful landscapes, passing through pine forests alongside wild rivers with views of beautiful snowcapped mountains, you will feel as if you are in a hidden paradise, frozen in time. If you are going to Dho Tarap, you hike through desolate landscapes surrounded by rocks in all kind of colors and formations. The Phoksundo Lake is of an incomparable beauty, with its deep blue and emerald colors, surrounded by steep rocks. You will not find a body of water so precious looking anywhere else. During your journey in the Dolpa region, you will pass through authentic Buddhist and Bonpo villages, and get in contact with untouched Tibetan culture. The population of Dolpa is very diverse, with Hindu’s living in the lower parts and Buddhist people from Tibetan background living in the higher parts of Dolpa. Bonpo religion is practiced in these higher regions as well. It is the oldest spiritual tradion of Tibet. It is very much related with Buddhism, but has more shamanistic and animistic influences, which gives a mythical appeal to Dolpa.
Itinerary
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Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, the Adventure Himalayan representatives will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. After refreshment, you will be briefed in short about your tour by our guide or tour leader. If you have any questions or doubts about your trip then they should be asked and clarified at this time. Overnight stay at hotel.
Kathmandu Valley includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Pashupatinath (famous Hindu temple and cremation ground) Boudhanath (massive Buddhist stupa). We can also visit Swyambhunath, also known as Monkey Temple, which was built roughly 2000 years ago. Finally, we can visit Patan, city of fine arts. In the afternoon, you will be meeting with your trekking guide and will check all the necessary things. Overnight stay at the hotel.
To get to Dolpa, you have to fly to Nepalgunj first. Nepalgunj is a city in South Western Nepal, in the lowlands of Terai, close to the Indian border. You pass the busy of the bazaar and see horse carts full with people going to or coming from the Indian border. Overnight in hotel in Nepalgunj.
We take an early morning flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla. Upon arrival, we begin our trek to Gothi Chaur, a beautiful village nestled in the mountains. Overnight in Gothi Chaur.
The trail will enter to Tila Valley. The villages of Gothigaon and Khudigoan are high on the other side of river. The route follows Churta Khola. As the valley narrows, we enter a forest of oaks, spruces, poplars and maples. We cross the river and climb to the grey stone houses of Chotra. A short distance beyond Chorta is the Tibetan settlement of Naphukhana. Overnight here.
The trail becomes steeper as we pass the rocky fields and forests of oaks and birch trees to Mauri Lagna (honey pass) at 3820m. From the pass, there are views of Gutumba (5608m) Matatumba(5767m) and Bhalu Himal(5460m). The trail becomes narrow and somewhat precarious as it ascends and descends to reach to Chaurikot. Overnight here.
After breakfast, we head on our way to Hurikot. The trail passes through lush forests and and number of villages. We eventually end the day in Hurikot, a picturesque village between green rolling hills. Overnight in Hurikot.
After beginning on the trail out of Hurikot, we pass a sign proclaiming the entrance to Phoksundo National Park. We follow the Garpung Khola and the valley become narrower. The rivers become a series of waterfalls, and we feel as if we have found paradise. Overnight in Gorphung.
The trail climbs to a moraine at 4000m. We set up our camp near a field of boulders at Kagmara Phedi. The panoramic views of the peaks are sensational. Bunch of alpine wildflowers including blue poppies, buttercups, mint, gentians and puffballs are found around here. Overnight at Kagmara Phedi.
After breakfast, we climb alongside the Kagmara glacier to Kagmara Pass. As soon as we cross the pass, we descend about 900m to the Pungmo Valley. Overnight camp at Lasa.
The trail now enters birch and juniper forests which soon give way to blue pine. From the side of the valley, there are views of Kanjirolwa Peak before reaching the fortress-like village of Pungmo. Overnight in camp at Pungmo.
You continue downstream to the national park headquarters at Sumduwa before joining the trail up the Phoksundo Khola to Phoksumdo Lake. We climb through a forest of large cedars to the settlement of Palam and continue ascending through the open country to a ridge from which there are good views of the lake in the distance. Close by is a spectacular waterfall, the highest in Nepal. The trail then makes an initial descent before climbing gently to Ringmo village. After crossing a bridge below Ringmo, the trail continues northwards to the shores of Phoksundo Lake. Overnight in camp.
As the Phoksundo Lake is such a beautiful place, a free day here is recommended. Ringmo is a charming village that lies on the shore of Phoksundo Lake. People practice the Bonpo religion here. At the other shore, there is a beautiful Bonpo Monastery which you can visit. It’s a 20 minute walk to the monastery through the pine forest. In the monastery you can observe a statue of Thönpa Chenrab, the founder of Bonpo religion, a Buddha who lived thousands of years ago.
We retrace our route as far as Ringmo and then follow trail eastwards through forests of juniper and blue pine. The trail follows the river up the valley to a waterfall and you will camp here at the base of the Baga La. Overnight in camp.
From your camp it's a steady 3 hour climb to the top of the Baga La, the second of the high passes. The descent is gradual at first but it soon drops steeply to a stream before ascending again to the foot of the Numa La. Overnight in camp.
You continue climbing through arid country to the last of the high passes, the Numa La. It is marked by mani stones and, if it is a clear day, you can see as far as Dhaulagiri. 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 Do. Overnight in camp.
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. Overnight in camp.
This morning's walk is almost level and follows the river until it flows into a gorge. 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. Overnight in camp.
The trail today is steep, narrow and dangerous as it clings to the cliffs. The bridges along here can often be washed out. Eventually, the valley widens and the route becomes easier approaching the village of Khanigaon. We then climb high above the river before descending towards the Barbung Khola and the fortress village of Tarakot. Overnight in camp.
We follow the Barbung Khola downstream along the south bank to the village of Lawan, before crossing to the north bank and walking for several more hours to Dunai. Overnight in camp.
From Dunai, we continue to follow the river downstream through Roop Ghar and Kala Gaura before climbing up through meadows to the airport at Juphal. Our final night's campsite will be near the airfield. Overnight in camp.
Early in the morning we fly to Nepalgunj. Especially the first part of the flight through the mountain valleys is spectacular. Later in the day, we fly back to Kathmandu. Celebratory dinner in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
We will transport you to the airport. Thanks for trekking with Adventure Himalayan travels. We look forward to seeing you again!
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