The Dolpo Experience
The essence of this magical land in a 15-day rigorous trek
Probably
the best moderate-length wilderness and culture trek in the Nepal
Himalaya, this takes the approach from Jumla across the Kagmara
La pass to the Phoksundo lake. Starting with a flight to Jumla,
we trek up through the Tila Khola valley, passing Hindu Indo-Aryan
settlements amidst cultivated hillsides. We cross the Buraburi La
pass to descend to the Buddhist village of Hurikot. The trail climbs
through walnut & oak forests, and we enter the national park
at Tojem. From here, Phoksundo Lake is still four days, and the
ascent of the Kagmara La takes two days, rewarded at the summit
with a dramatic view of the Kanjiroba Himal. We continue up the
valley through the Bon-po settlement of Pungmo to Sumdoa, the national
park headquarters. Climbing through the rocky terrain and past an
awesome waterfall, we are greeted with our first view of the turquoise
lake. We spend a day exploring the lake and visiting the Ringmo
monastery on the opposite shore. Returning from the lake, we follow
valley of the Suli Gad -- the stream that drains the lake -- through
the villages of Shepka, Ankhe, and Rohagaon to Dunai, where the
Suli Gad meets the Bheri. We trek the following day to Juphal, from
where we take a flight to Nepalganj.
Trip
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu.
Days 2-3 Fly Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Jumla; start trek
We start with a flight to Nepalganj (152m) and onward the following
morning to Jumla (2,345m). Meeting the trek crew, this day we trek
along the Tila Khola past some Hindu settlements and camp by the
river in a beautiful valley.
Days 4-6 Across Buraburi La to Bhaisichaur
We trek up and down through Hindu Aryan and Buddhist settlements,
forests and pastures. Staying in Napokuna, a Buddhist village with
a gompa and chortens, we cross the Buraburi La pass (4,130m) the
following day. At the top of the pass we are enticed by superb panoramas
of the Mata Thumpa peak, the Kagmara peaks, the Kagmara & Balangra
passes, and the Bheri river valley. We descend to camp amidst fine
vistas at Bhaisichaur.
Days 7-10 Across Kagmara La to Shey-Phoksundo
Descending gradually to Hurikot, another Buddhist village,
we detour and climb towards the Kagmara lekh. Passing through oak
& walnut forests along the confluence of the Jagdula and Garpung
Kholas, we enter the national park at Tojem. A day's steep ascent
brings us to the base of the pass. Monkeys and ghorals can be seen
along the forested trail, embellished by some fine meadows and waterfalls.
We cross the Kagmara La (5,115m), rewarded at the pass summit with
a dramatic view of Kanjiroba (6,882m), Kanjeralwa (6,612m), and
several other peaks. We descend to camp in a beautiful meadow. Continuing
up the valley above the rivulets, we descend to Pungmo, a Bon po
village that characterizes its remoteness, with gompas and chortens
in the neighborhood. We carry on to Sumdoa, the national park headquarters,
situated by the outlet of the lake.
Days 11-12 The Turquoise Lake
We continue northwards gradually climbing over the rocky terrain
and past a huge mani wall, stumbling across an awesome waterfall.
Climbing a little, we come in sight of the turquoise lake, set in
a cleft between steep jagged rockfaces towering above. The village
of Ringmo is on the west shore and the gompa is across the lake
from where we are. We spend a day exploring and visiting the surroundings.
Days 13-17 Return via Dunai and Juphal
Leaving the lake behind, we follow the trail across the Suli Gad
river, the outlet of the lake, descending gradually to Sumdoa. The
trail continues along the river valley through the villages of Shepka,
Ankhe, and Rohagaon to Dunai, the administrative center of the Dolpo
district. The following day we trek to Juphal, from where we take
a flight to Nepalganj. From Nepalganj you can proceed to a wildlife
safari at Royal Bardia Natlional Park or take the flight back to
Kathmandu.
Day 18 Depart for onward destination.
Options & Extensions
Hotel
Selection
Flight
Pokhara - Kathmandu
Mountain
Flight to Everest
Trisuli High Water rafting
(2 days, KTM - KTM)
Royal Bardiya National
Park safari tour (3 days, Trek / River - KTM)
Lhasa Overland fly-in
drive-out Tibet tour (8 days, KTM - KTM)
trip overview
18 days in Nepal
trek highlights
group size
trip cost
dates 2007
dates 2008
