Day: 1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m/4264ft)
Upon our arrival in Kathmandu, a representative from Adventure Victory Team will pick us up from the airport and take you to the chosen hotel. In the afternoon, you can take a rest or visit our office. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Adventure Victory Team. We will arrange dinner in a Nepali restaurant which serves excellent authentic Nepalese cuisine. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day: 2 Kathmandu: sightseeing and trek preparation
Today, after breakfast, we start a sightseeing tour to several historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. There are four landmarks, which are considered World Heritage Sites such as historic Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambhunath) and Buddhist stupa (Bouddhanath. In the afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where you can meet our trek leader and other team members. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day: 3 Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj: 1 hour
After our short sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, we take an hour-long flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu, situated in Western Nepal. Nepalgunj is near the Nepal-India border and is a gateway to Simikot, and Humla. You will find the town interesting as it showcases the diverse culture of Nepal. You can visit the local market, mini-zoo and nearby villages in Nepalgunj. Overnight in Nepalgunj.
Day: 4 Fly from Nepalgunj to Jhuphal (Dolpo) and trek to Dunai (2,850m/9,348ft): 45 mins flight, 2-3 hours trek.
After breakfast in Nepalgunj, we fly to Jhuphal. This beautiful town is located over the Himalayan foothills, which offers fantastic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks to its north. Here, you meet your trekking staff and start the adventure. We hike through terraced fields to the Bheri River and its narrow gorge before reaching Dunai, the administrative headquarter of the Dolpo region. We explore the small town in the evening and stay overnight.
Day: 5 Dunai to Ankhe (2,896m/9,499ft): 5-6 hours
Leaving Dunai, we cross a suspension bridge and then turn to the west following a trail past a hospital. We ascend up the side of Thulo Bheri valley and enter Phoksundo river valley. During the trek we get amazing view of Kagmara Peak up the valley. We continue trek through walnut groves, Dhera, Rahagaun villages, and walk down dense jungles before reaching Ankhe. Overnight in Ankhe.
Day: 6 Ankhe to Sulighat: 5-6 hours
After breakfast, we start our hike ascending and descending along a wooded riverbank and then climb on a steep trail. The ups and downs can be monotonous, but there are several streams on the way offering a chance to cool off. The trail eventually comes out of the forests and passes through a grassy slope. The trail goes downhill surrounded by lush forests and reaches a cliff followed by a dizzying drop on a wobbly stone staircase onto the river bank. Hiking for about 5-6 hours, we reach Sulighat where we stay for the night.
Day: 7 Sulighat to Phoksundo Lake (3,611m/11,849 ft) 4-5 hours
We continue our adventure along the valley floor to the convergence of the Phoksundo and Pungmo rivers. After crossing a bridge over the river, we continue walking on the western bank of the Pungmo Khola. We pass through a cedar forest and reach Palam village. From here, we trek up to a ridge and enjoy distant views of Phoksundo Lake and an amazing waterfall. Further, our trail descends through birch forests to the Phoksundo Khola, and then to the charming Ringmo village with its mud-plastered chortens and mani walls. Next, it is a short walk to the banks of the Phoksundo Lake. Overnight at Phoksundo Lake.
Day: 8 Acclimatization and rest at Phoksundo Lake
Today will be a free day for acclimatization at Phoksundo Lake. During the day we can go for a short hike to the village of Ringmo and Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. During our short walks, we also get a chance to get closer to local culture. The Dolpo people wear simple clothes that are sometimes dyed a maroon color and them like Tibetan-style somba or dhocha (boots with upturned toes) for footwear. Men, as well as women, often wear religious amulets and strings of coral, amber, and turquoise. Overnight at Phoksundo Lake.
Day: 9 Trek to Phoksundo Khola: 4-5 hours
We walk around the top western end of the Phoksundo Lake on a rocky ledge along the lake’s western bank. This unsteady trail suspended on a gangway of wood supported on pegs driven into crevasse in the rocks, signals the remoteness of the area we are about to enter. At the westernmost edge of the lake the path we walk through a lush meadow that opens up into the flood plain of the Phoksundo Khola. Then we walk through the valley, crossing the river and avoiding the occasional boggy marsh underfoot before coming on the bank of the river to the overnight camp.
Day: 10 Phoksunds Khola to Phoksundo Bhanjyang: 6-7 hours
For an hour or so we walk on a trail that leads us along the level path through a glacial valley that heads towards the north. There is an old wooden bridge at the confluence of the phosundo Khola and another mountain stream. From here, the trailhead towards the north-east. A long climb takes us to a sheep pasture, where we walk up a steep ravine. After the hard climb to the top, we reach another valley, from where we can see the Kang-La pass. You will enjoy the views of Chhamlang peak 6 and 7 during today's trek. In Phoksundo Bhanjyang, we set up our camp near the pass.
Day: 11 Phoksundo Bhanjyang to Shey Gompa (4,500m/14,760ft) via Kang-La pass (5,360 m/17,581 ft): 5-6 hours
After the breakfast in the morning, we walk upon a steep trail littered with slate towards the pass. It will be quite tough to climb to the top of the pass. You will get the excellent view of the large valley dissected by a gushing river form the top of the Kang-la pass. We walk downhill to the valley floor on a steep trail. Further, we walk on a windy trail along the banks of a river, crossing it several times. We also pass through pastures where we see hundreds of sheep and domestic mountain goat (Chyangra) and yaks grazing. We hike for about 5-6 hours and cross a quaint log bridge before reaching the Shey Gompa compound where we spend the night.
Day: 12 Acclimatization and rest at Shey Gompa
Built-in 1655, Shey Gompa monastery is well known for its giant copper with a gilded gold statue of a sitting Shakyamuni Buddha. Crystal Mountain is on the east of the gompa, which is one of the strangest mountains, as its contorted cliffs are laced with quartz. Today is another rest day for acclimatization. We spend the day exploring Shey village which is famous for its ancient pre-Buddhist culture, the Bon Po. The ancient Tibetan way of life combines animism with the teaching of Buddha in Dolpo. Overnight in Shey Gompa.
Day: 13 Shey Gompa to Namduna Gaun (4,800 m/15,744 ft) via Saldang La (5,200 m/17,056 ft): 6-7 hours
We start the day following the trail amidst juniper trees which descends into a grey, stony canyon. Then the path begins to zigzag over bare rocks and coarse eroded soil until we reach the top of Saldang-la pass. The t descent towards the north is long and can be tiring, but grazing yaks and sheep, and nomadic tents made from yak hair is a comforting sight. We visit the Namgung monastery in Namduna Gaun. The Numgung monstery is built against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge. Overnight in Namuda Gaun.
Day: 14 Namduna Gaun to Saldang (3,620 m/ 11,874 ft): 4-5 hours
After leaving the village, we climb up a slope and start a long walk along dusty barren mountains. After hard climbing for 3-4 hours, we get a view of Saldang Village below us on a plateau high above the Namga Khola stream. It has a beautiful appearance. Saldang is considered to be the largest village of the inner Dolpo area. The village consists of five villages having about eighty well-built houses with nearly six hundred people and stretches for nearly two kilometers on an open slope. This village is popular for the trade route to Tibet. Overnight in Saldang.
Day: 15 Saldang to Yangze Gompa (4,960 m/16,267 ft): 4-5 hours
After the breakfast in Saldang, we continue walking further north along the Nagon Khola on a wild and barren terrain. We walk on a fairly gradual path with a few ups and downs. On the way, we will be passing through Marang and Ki villages. Further, we cross a side stream of Panzang River and hike towards the east and cross the river again and arrive Yangze gompa which houses an old Bon-Po Monastery. Overnight in Yangze Gompa.
Day: 16 Yangze Gompa to Sibu (4,560 m/14,957 ft): 6-7 hours
From Yangze, there are two trails to reach Sibu. For saving time, we will follow the path back towards Saldang village, which is much easier and shorter comparing other route. From Saldang we walk along a river and pass through stupas, chortens, terraced fields, heaps of mani stones and a Chaiba monastery, then walk through the Namdo village, which has about sixty houses with nearly 400 inhabitants. The village lies on the high slopes to the left of Nam Khong Khola and stretches for more than 5 km. There is Namdo monastery lies near the river bed. We walk for another two hours further down the river to camp near a small settlement of Sibu.
Day: 17 Sibu to Jeng-la Phedi (4,900 m/16,072 ft): 5-6 hours
We start our day walking along the Nam Khong Khola for a while and later pass by caravans with yaks that are moving towards the Tibetan border. We turn east and walk for a while and reach at a confluence of two small streams. Further, the steep trail ascends to a grazing area below the Jeng La pass (4,900m/16,072ft). We set our camp in the beautiful meadow. Overngiht in Jeng la Phedi.
Day: 18 Jeng-la Phedi to Tokyu Gaon (4209 m/13809 ft) via Jeng La pass (5,090 m/16,695 ft): 5-6 hours
We get up early in the morning and get ready for today’s trek. After hiking for two long hours, we reach the top of the Jeng La pass, which offers amazing views of the north face of the Dhaulagiri Mountain. From here we walk down the hill on a rough trail to the Tarap Valley, a beautiful valley with vast plains in high mountains. We set our camp close to the monastery at Tokyu.
Day: 19 Tokyu to Dho Tarap(4,040 m/13,251 ft): 4-5 hours
We hike downhill on a plain valley with patches of lush grass on both sides of the river which is completely different from other parts of inner Dolpo. There is also a marsh which is a common feature in the Desert Mountains of Tibet and the Himalaya. The Bon Po, as well as Buddhist sects, are practiced in the valley. We reach Dho Tarap after the short trek. Overnight in Dho Tarap.
Day: 20 Rest Day at Dho Tarap
Today is resting and exploring day in the village of Dho Tarap, surrounded by an irregular stone wall. Our walks will help us to observe the local culture of the area. There are about 40 houese in Dho Tarap, which are divided into three clusters and built in a haphazard way. You will find few Tibetans and mostly Magars in the village. As we are here, we can visit a Buddhist Gompa which is closest to our campsite and we can go to Bon Po Gompa which is 40 minute from the camp. Overnight in Dho Tarap.
Day: 21 Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola (Kamakharka) (3,800 m/12,464 ft): 6-7 hours
From Tarap we walk down towards a wide valley which finally narrows into a gorge. We trail passes along juniper and wild rose bushes just above the tree line. During our trek we see herds of blue sheep and by the afternoon, we reach the junction of the Tarap Chu and the Lang Khola, a stream that joins with Tarap River. We will make our camp at Kamakharka and spend the night.
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day: 22 Tarap Khola to Khanigaon(3,150m/10,332ft): 4-5 hours
We continue our trek walking down the gorge of the Tarap River, at times alongside it. During our hike , we pass by the local people, taking their herds to lower pastures for the winter. You might find one of the most exciting part of this trip today as the valley becomes so narrow in a deep gorge that in some places you can jump from one side to another. Sometimes there is no trace of a path and we have to cross on a bridge make of stone slabs fitted on logs between the walls. The gorge also offers unexpected adventure and thrills. You will find the bridges are either damaged or washed away in many places and we may have to cross the icy torrent on foot. Ultimately, we reach our camping spot at Khanigaon where we spend the night.
Day: 23 Khanigaon to Tarakot (2,537 m/8,321 ft): 4-5 hours
After having breakfast in the camp, we follow a trail that leads us to the village of Lalberi. We then passe through a lush forest, down into another gorge and continues to walk along the river again. After reaching Tarakot, we visit Sandul Gompa, which lies about 8 km east of the village at a junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu. Today we set our camp by the Tarap Chu river, which is about 150 meters below Tarakot, near the police post. Overnight in Tarakot.
Day: 24 Tarakot to Dunai (2,140 m/7,019 ft): 5-6 hours
We start walking on the bank of Bheri River and then cross a bridge near the village of Lawan. Our trek continues ascending alongside the big Bheri River until the Byas Gadi. Then after, the trail moves towards the west which is relatively easy to walk. We cross the river again near the Lochakhola Gaon and walk down to Dunai. Today, we mostly trek on a wonderful gorge with pine trees. Overnight in Dunai.
Day: 25 Dunai to Jhuphal: 2-3 hours
Leaving Dunai, we follow the trail along the Bheri River enjoying the views of beautiful landscapes. We pass through Dhupichaur, Rupgad and a temple on the way. Further, we continue our trekking through Kalagaonda village and Motipur village before reaching the small airstrip in Jhuphal. Overnight in Jhuphal.
Day: 26 Fly from Jhuphal to Nepalgunj and then to Kathmandu
From Jhupal, we take an early flight to Nepalgunj. Upon reaching Nepalgunj, we board the next available flight back to Kathmandu. After arriving in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. You can rest in the hotel checking emails and organizing the photos. We will have a farewell dinner hosted by Adventure Victory Team to celebrate the successful completion of the journey.. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day: 27 Final departure
Today, your adventure in Nepal comes to an end! A representative from Adventure Victory Team will drive you to the airport approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight. Have a nice journey back home. Hope to see you again.
Not really satisfied with this itinerary ? Make your own
Customize It