UPPER DOLPO TREK

Daily Tour 26 day
Dolpo Nepal

Dolpo which is also called “Ba Yul” or the hidden valley is a land of mystery, scenery and peace and is surrounded by Dhaulagiri and Tibet from South and North. The Dolpo region is the natural embodiment of high passes, rare flora and fauna and sweeping vistas. All the trekking areas in this region stretch through and around Arun River whose origin dates back to the prehistoric period.

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1300 m)
Arrival in Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from Matterhorn Treks & Expedition will transfer to your hotel, We will briefed about your trip  activities. You’ll have rest of the day at leisure & Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu (1300 m) Sightseeing in Kathmandu and Preparation day
Sightseeing in Some of landmarks that are the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhu Nath) and Buddhists shrine (Bouddha Nath. You can also make your last minute buying of personal items and preparation for the next day.

Day 03: Flight Kathmandu – Nepalgunj
To get to Dolpo, generally you have to fly to Nepalgunj first. Nepalgunj is a steaming hot city in South Western Nepal, in the lowlands of Terai, close to the Indian border, which is just 8 km away. Culturally the areas more resemble India than upland Nepal. Take a cycle rikshaw for a ride in town. You pass the hustle and bustle of the bazaar and see horse carts full of colorful people going to or coming from the Indian border. The Bageshowri temple is one of Nepal’s most important Hindu temples and is worth a visit as well.

Day 04: Fly Nepalgunj to Jhupal (Dolpo) (2,475m/ and trek to Dunai (2,140m/9,348ft) 3 hrs
After an early breakfast, we take a morning flight to Jhupal. The 45minutes flight over the high mountains brings you at Jhupal over the Himalayan foothills, with views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to the north. On arriving at Jhupal our trekking staffs will receive you. Our first day adventure begins through the terraced fields to the Bheri River and the narrow gorge taking about 3 hours to camp at Dunai. Dunai is the administrative headquarter of the Dolpo region. We Stay overnight here in here camp.

Day 05: Dunai to Tarakot (2,450m/9,348ft) 5 hrs
Today our trek leads through many small streams and follow the Bheri and Barbung river in a tremendous gorge with pine trees and an ingenious path built about seven meter above the river, after a good walk coming to Tarakot where colorful terraced fields greets us. Tarakot is an old fortress town built by the local people as Dzong or fort. Tarakot was a capital before Gorkha dynasty. The famed Sandul Gompa lies farther east from Tarakot and at the junction of Barbung khola and Tarup chu (river). The village stands on a hillock to the south of Bheri River at one time supervised collection of tolls for the trading caravans. Overnight camp is made by the river about 150m below the village, near the police post or we climb a steep ridge for an hour to the village on a spur, where there are chorten in a Gompa on the edge of grassy plateau, with a solitary tree. We stay overnight here in camp.

Day 06: Tarakot to Khani Gaon (2950m/11,0456ft) 4 hrs
Our route from here follows the Tarap chu river upstream crossing by bridge and crossing the same river twice. The path leads through the farm terraces and rural villages of Sahartera and winding gradually towards a small settlement of Kola after 3-4 hrs of good morning walk. From this place descend with few ups to reach our overnight camp at Khani gaun with another 2 hrs of trek and overnight camp near by the village backyard.

Day 07: Khani Gaon to Tarap Khola (Chhyugar) (3,450m/11,316ft) 5 hrs
The trek continues walking up the gorge of the Tarap River, at times alongside it, at others rising high above on a trail built out from steep slopes. On the way we are likely to encounter people from Dolpo herding their flocks of sheep and goats to lower pasture for the winter. En-route there is many possible campsites by the river. The walk is quite exciting as the valley becomes narrow gorge that in some places you can jump from one side to another. Sometimes the path vanishes for a while, making our own path across stone slabs fitted on logs in between the walls which act as a bridge. The gorge also provides unexpected adventure and thrills. In some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed by the monsoon flood, and we may opt to cross the cold torrent on foot and overnight at camp by the river near before Kamattarka village.

Day 08: Tarap Khola to Yak Kharka (3800m/12,464ft) 5 hrs
Today as our continuing our journey we start our walk pleasantly and with most scenic landscapes and will reach at Yak Kharka. We will have lunch at the middle of the way. We overnight at tented camp at Yak Kharka.

Day 09: Yak Kharka to Dho Tarap (4,050m/13,415ft) 5 hrs
Our morning walks begins with a gradual up leading us at Kamattarka at the confluence of the Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, a stream flowing from the east. After few hours of good morning walk leaving the narrow gorge, from here the path leads just above tree lines for juniper bush and wild rose typical of dry inner Himlayan valleys. Another 3 hours or more walk brings us to the village of Dho Tarap surrounded by an irregular stone wall. At Dho, thirty four houses are divided into three groups and built in a randomly way. In this Valley both Bon Po and Chaiba sects reside together. Tarap is also inhabited by few Tibetans and mostly Magars who have lived here for many generations and overnight Camp by the village yard.

Day 10: Acclimatization Day at Dho Tarap
Today we have acclimatization or rest day. The Dolpo people wear home spun clothing that is sometimes dyed maroon and they favor Tibetan style samba or dhocha (boots with upturned toes) for foot wear. Both men and women often wear religious amulets and strings of coral, amber and turquoise. The people of the region are both Bon po and Nyingmapa of Buddhist sect. The Buddhist Gompa is nearby to the camp while the Bon Gompa (pre Buddhist) is about half an hour’s walk.

Day 11: Dho Tarap to Choi La. (4650m) 5 hrs
We leave Dho, this wide, high altitude valley, and walk to the base of the Choi La pass, where we build our camp at 4650 m. Yaks, the Tibetan cattle, can be seen now. We stay overnight here in camp.

Day 12: Choi La to Tinjegoan (4150m) 8 hrs
Across the technically easy Choi La ca. 5000m from where the vistas of Dolpo and the Himalaya are marvelous, we reach the Sarung Khola and the settlement of Tinje 4150m. We stay overnight here in camp.

Day 13: Tinjegoan – Shimengaon (3900m) 6 hrs
Along a ridge we trek to the important place of Shimen 3900m. We stay overnight in  camp

Day 14: Shimen – Koma (4200m) 5 hrs
Over a small pass 4300m we arrive at Koma 4170m situated in arid landscape. We can look wide into Tibet. We stay overnight in  camp.

Day 15: Koma – Yangier Gompa (3850m) 6 and ½ hrs
A difficult stage. Near the worth to see Yangjer Gompa 3850m at the feet of an imposing mountain, we pitch camp Overnight in tent.

Day 16: Yanjer Gompa – Namjung (4350m) 6 and ½ hrs
We hike along the Nagung Khola to the best known village of Dolpo: Saldang 4000m. A short ascent brings us to Namgung 4350m. We stay overnight here in camp

Day 17: Namjung – Shey Gompa (4300m) 6 hrs
From the difficult to climb Sela pass La ca. 5094m we can see the magnificent Kanjiroba Himal in the southwest. We descent to Shey Gompa (4300m), which we will visit. We stay overnight here in camp

Day 18: Rest day at Shey Gompa
As Shey means crystal, this monastery is also known as the Crystal Mountain. The lama of Shey resides at a red hermitage known as Tsakang Gompa which is west of Shey. It is not really a monastery but a retreat. Tsakang has been a meditation centre to many famous lamas from Tibet. Shey Gompa belongs to the Chaiba community, followers of the Padmasambhava and Kagyu sects. We stay overnight here in camp

Day 19: Shey Gompa – Khang La High camp (4800m) 5 and ½ hrs
Also this morning we have another opportunity, the activities surrounding the Shey Gompa observed. Then we head back to put the first part of the long ascend to high camp 4800m towards the pass. We stay overnight here in camp

Day 20: Khang La Pass – Phoksundo Khola (5350m) 8 and ½ hrs
This is our third and final 5000m passes. The descend from the pass is quite difficult and leads through a steep and narrow gorge in the thickly wooded valley of the Phoksundo Khola. After the very long hiking days, we pitched our camp at a suitable location in a forest.

Day 21: Phoksundo Khola – Pokshumdo Lake (3730m) 5 hrs
Steep we descent to the northern edge of Lake Pokshumdo with its crystal clear waters. There is no life in this lake, no plants, no fish. An exposed path on its eastern bank leads us to Ringmo 3730m. We stay overnight here in camp

Day 22 Phoksundo Lake – Chhekpa (2880m) 7 and ½ hrs
Our present stage leads along the Phoksundo river where we seen a short distance of very beautiful waterfall, through ancient cedar forest sometimes quite steeply downhill to an army camp, which even has a small museum. This route is also a very lonely place in traditional woods such as the fairy tale. It will climb about 30 mins to the village of Ringmo Gaon, before we at Sekpa(2880m) set up camp.

Day 23: Chhekpa – Juphal (2475m) 6 hrs
We go over a small wooden bridge on the west side of the river and there will soon be a birch and juniper forest. Continue to the Tharo Khola. Now is the easier way to Rahogaon village (2910m). The small monastery located here worship the local deity Mastha Magar. We continue to run through the gorge along the river to Sulighad Ruphad goes beyond the suspension bridge, then uphill to the Thuli Beri Juphal. We stay overnight here in camp

Day 24: Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
Today we need good weather to complete the two flights to and can enjoy the view from a plane over the mountains west of Nepal. Back in Kathmandu, check in your hotel and rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 25: Kathmandu
This pleasant day you may have full day at leisure at your own or can be extends your extra trip with us on additional cost or time to explore the Thamel for last day shopping and evening Matterhorn Treks & Expedition will take you for Farewell dinner.  And overnight at hotel.

Day 26: Departure from Kathmandu.
Matterhorn Treks & Expedition will transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination

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