Journey to Dolpo
A 3 ½ week journey from the foothills to the mysterious land
This
classic 3 ½ week trek provides a "cross-section"
of mid-western Nepal and its indigenous peoples, besides offering
a close encounter with Dolpo & the Shey-Phoksundo National Park.
Starting with a drive to Baglung from Pokhara, we trek up along
the Kali Gandaki valley to its confluence with the Myangdi Khola,
then go upstream along the Myangdi Khola. From Lulang, we climb
steeply through pine and rhododendron forests to the Jaljala Lekh.
Descending from the pass, we enter the Dhorapatan valley, from where
we continue walking up and down over three more passes, through
desolate landscape typical of the trans-Himalayan region. Trekking
past the villages of Sahartara and Tarakot, we arrive in Dunai,
where there is a checkpost. From Dunai, we trek up through the narrow
gorge of the Suli Gad, entering the national park at Raha. We reach
the Phoksundo lake after trekking for another two days through the
settlements of Ankhe, Cherpa, and Sumdoa. Taking a day to visit
the village of Ringmo with its monastery and explore the area surrounding
the lake, we head westward to Jumla. Passing through the Bon po
village of Pungmo, we cross the Kagmara La. We descend past Hurikot
and Chaurikot to cross the Mauriya Lagna pass and descend to Chutra.
We arrive in Jumla in three days, trekking past the settlements
of Munigaon, Gothichaur, and Garjyangkot.
Trip
Itinerary
Days 1-2 Arrive Kathmandu. Fly to Pokhara.
Days 3-9 Foothills of Dhaulagiri Himal
After a scenic two-hour drive to the town of Baglung on the banks
of Kali Gandaki, we trek along the same river to a town at its confluence
with the Myangdi Khola. We then follow the Myangdi Khola westwards
past the villages of Tatopani, Dharapani, Takum, Muna, and Lulang,
then go across the Jaljala Pass (3,430m), from where we encounter
the massive Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu ranges in a magnificent
panorama. Descending from the pass we enter the Dhorpatan valley,
inhabited by the Magars and Tibetans who claim to be Magars. From
here we contour north to climb across the Phagune Dhuri pass (3,963m),
and gradually descend to the Pelma Khola valley. All along the way
we camp on beautiful ridges & meadows, or by the lush forests.
Days 10-14 Dolpo
Descending to cross the Pelma Khola, the trail gradually ascends
past the villages of Pelma, Yamkhar, Duley and across Nautale Bhanjyang
pass (3,970m). From the pass, the Dhaulagiri Himal rises imposingly
to the east, and to the west the Kanjiroba Himal stands in a majestic
profile. We make our entry into the Dolpo region at this same point.
Gradually descending towards the Seng Khola, we ascend past Phupal
Daha, and cross two passes -- Phupal Bhanjyang (4,570m) and the
Jangla Pass (4,525m). We then slowly descend past the villages of
Sahartara and Tarakot and turn west to arrive in Dunai, the headquarters
of the Dolpo district, at the confluence of the Thuli Bheri and
Suli Gad rivers.
Days
15-18 The Turquoise Lake
From Dunai, we keep along the banks of the Suli Gad. At Raha, we
enter the Shey-Phoksundo National Park. We trek northwards past
the settlements of Ankhe, Cherpa, and Reyaji to arrive at the unearthly
beautiful Phoksundo Tal. The reflection of the surrounding forested
hills and ridges, the depressed cliffsides and the distant Kanjiroba
Himal on the turquoise blue waters of the lake is a sight of "out
of this world" beauty. We take a day to visit the monastery
at the hamlet of Ringmo at the northern end of the lake and enjoy
the splendor of this unique place.
Days 19-28 Westward to Jumla
We head west towards Jumla through the village of Pungmo, crossing
the high Kagmara La (5,115m), with spectacular views of the Kanjiroba,
Patrasi, Sisne and Jagdula peaks of the Kanjoriba Himal. Trekking
down past the villages of Hurikot and Chaurikot we climb once more
to cross the Mauriya Lagna pass (4,325m) and descend again to Chutra
and past Dillikot, Munigaon, Gothichaur and Garjyangkot to finally
arrive in Jumla, above the banks of the Tila river. The following
morning we take a flight to Nepalganj, from where you can proceed
to a wildlife safari at Royal Bardia Natlional Park or take the
flight back to Kathmandu.
Day 29 At leisure in Kathmandu.
Day 30 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
30 days in Nepal
trek highlights
group size
trip cost
dates 2007
dates 2008
