Dolpo, a land beyond the Himalaya, conjures up visions of mysterious monasteries, snow leopards and blue sheep. It is situated in the western part of the country, and is one of the most remote regions in Nepal. Our route follows much of the route taken by Peter Mathiessen and George Shaller as described in "The Snow Leopard". It is only by special permit that we are able to offer this trek through Upper Dolpo. (Permits are $710 per person for 10 days, $910 per person for 13 days and $70 per day thereafter).

Participants must be in good shape, for we are at high elevation much of the time on this trip. Five passes over 5,015m/16,500ft are crossed, and steep climbs and descents are made.

Upper Dolpo Trek Itinerary

Day 01 : Kathmandu
Airport pick up and Transfer to Hotel.

Day 02 : Kathmandu
Guided city tour and preparation for Trek.

Day 03 : Nepaljung
Fly to Nepalgung (1½ hour flight), a small town near the Indian border in the Terai region of Nepal, and stay overnight in Nepalgunj at hotel..

Day 04 : Dunai (2,796m)
We will leave early in the morning on the only flight out to Juphal. It is a short flight (35 min's) with wonderful views of the precipitous hillsides and river valleys. The airstrip at Juphal is at an altitude of 2,354m/7,745ft, so we will have a relatively easy trek (9km/3.5hrs) as we walk along the Thuli Bheri River to Dunai.
Overnight stay in tents.

Day 05 : Tarakot (2,550m)
The route continues along the south bank of the river heading upstream on a good trail. Upper Dunai is seen perched high above on the right as our route drops to the left crossing over the river on a wooden bridge. This 18km (5hrs) trek has many bridge and meadow crossings with views of snow clad peaks.
Overnight stay in tents.

Day 06 : Khanigoan (2,500m)
The 6km (3.5hrs) trek to Khanigoan goes alongside terraced fields following the Barbung Khola (river) and crosses to the western bank just below its confluence with Tarap Khola. As the trail rolls over the flank of high hills, views of villages atop the ridges appear brilliant. 15 minutes after crossing the suspension bridge, we arrive at Khanigoan. The trek can easily be extended by going two hours further to a splendid campsite.
Overnight stay in tents

Day 07 : Chukore (3,550m)
The Tarap Valley narrows up in a tight V shape ahead. Climbing through the deciduous forest with walnuts, nettles and cannabis, it opens up in Lahini which is a rough grass slope. Beyond this the trail passes through grassy meadows, graveled river beds and one can see waterfalls spraying from the rock walls. (13km/5.5hrs)
Overnight stay in tents

Day 08 : Kamok Kharka (4,000m)
Today we will trek 16km/6hrs across an unstable section of trail that is constantly changing due to floods and landslides. The trail swings to the either bank of the Tarap Khola passing through the narrow gorge, the wall of which is sometimes 15m apart. Kamok Kharka is a large yak pasture which will be reached after subsequent crossing of the river over locally made log bridges.
Overnight stay in tents

Day 09 : Dho (4,130m)
The trail to Dho from Kamok Kharka is a short and easy one without too much height gain. The trail comes across meadows and crosses several streams to come to the river bed. Dho stands at a junction of two valleys providing plenty of camping ground. (9km/3hrs)
Overnight stay in tents

Day 10 : Rest day for acclimatization
Visit monasteries during day trip
Overnight stay in tents

Day 11 : Numa La Camp (Shering Gompa) (4,350m)
As the trail rises gently; the mountains appear small and shapeless. After passing the village of Tok Khyu the valley forks and we follow it as it veers a little to the left. The trail then ascends to the monastery, where we will be camp. (11km/3.5hrs)
Overnight stay in tents

Day 12 : Baga La Camp (4,500m)
We will trek 13km/7.5 hrs and cross the Num La Pass (5,360m/17,585ft), which is regularly crossed by the Dolpo-pa traders with their yak trains. Though the trail is frequently used, it can still be confusing under fresh snow. The pass can be reached in four hours and the trail then descends down to the narrow gorge of Chhadka Khola before climbing again to Baga La Camp.
Overnight stay in tents

Day 13 : Sanu Bheri (3,800m)
The 11km (5.5 hr) trek begins with a descent to the stream before climbing to reach the Baga La pass (5,090m/16,746ft). It takes about 3 hrs to reach the pass marked by prayer flags and cairns. From the pass one can see several snow clad peaks including the Kanjiroba massif. After taking in the view we will make a rather straightforward descent into the deep Sano Bheri Valley.
Overnight stay in tents

Day 14 : Phoksundo Lake (3,627m)
The trail today remains on the right bank of the Sanu Bheri. It is a magnificent trek (8km/3hrs) with wonderful views every step of the way. In some places there are broad meadows and in others the valley teeters along steep hillside. Along the trail we will see Norbu Kang (6,005m/19,756ft), Kagmara peak and other peaks of Kanjelaruwa.
Overnight stay in tents

Day 15 : Lasa Meadow (4,300m)
From Phoksundo Lake we descend past the spectacular waterfall draining the lake. Leaving the main route we follow the Durjam Khola through the village of Pungmo (2,918m/9,600ft), to the base of Kagmara Pass. Since crossing the last pass we have entered the verdant side of the Himalayas. Beautiful forests of pine, spruce, hemlock and birch are common in this region.
(29km/7 hrs)
Overnight stay in tents

Day 16 : Kagmara Phedi (4,000m)
Climb 3,000ft to the summit of Kagmara Pass (5,106m/16,800ft), than descend the same along Kagmara Glacier to Kagmara Phedi camp. (13km/5hrs)
Overnight stay in tents

Day 17 : Mauriya Phedi (3,100m)
Today's 32km/7hr trek begins with a descent along Garpung Khola to Hurikot and the park boundary. We continue our descent to the Bheri River (2,614m/8,600 ft) and then through villages and apple orchards past potato and corn fields before climbing to camp at Mauriya Phedi.
Overnight stay in tents

Day 18 : Chotra (3,009m)
A steep 700m/2,300ft ascent through forests of pine and oak and across avalanche tracks takes us to Mauriya Pass (3,799m/12,500ft). Views of the snowy peaks to the north and east are exceptional. From here we make a steep descent (790m/2,600 ft) through birch, oak and rhododendron forests to Chotra. (11km/5 hrs)
Overnight stay in tents

Day 19 : Jumla (2300m)
The trail descends the Tila Valley through spruce forests, past barely fields and rice terraces, irrigation works and water driven mills to Jumla, the administrative centre for the region. (32km/6 hrs)
Overnight stay in tents

Day 20 : Nepalgunj/Kathmandu
From Jumla we fly back to Nepalgunj and then fly to Kathmandu.
Overnight in Hotel

Day 21 : Kathmandu
Spend the day sightseeing in Kathmandu or take a free day to rest or go shopping.
Overnight in Hotel

Day 22 : Kathmadu

Cost: Please contact us. Minimum Group size: 2 Season: Please above mention Grading: 4-5 Departure date: as per your convenience. INCLUDED: Daily itinerary as described, all inclusive camping or lodge trek with English speaking guide and porters, all meals on trek, tea, all fees and land transportation, coffee and boiled water, camping gear such as twin sharing tent, mattress, toilet tent, dinning/kitchen tent, necessary staff. NOT INCLUDED: Bottled beverages, tips, items of a personal nature, delay due to weather, Equipment failure or situations beyond our control.

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