About Trip Overview
The Upper Dolpo Trek to Shey Gompa brings you into a mystical land where centuries old Buddhist and Bonpo traditions, interwoven with shamanistic influences, are still an important part of daily life. The villages, gompa’s and people you meet during this trek will leave an unforgettable impression on you. The landscapes here are even more desolate than on the Dolpa Circuit and the villages even more isolated and pure.The trekking brings you to Shey Gompa, which is often referred to as the spiritual heart of Upper Dolpo. It’s a magical place, situated at the base of Crystal Mountain. Crystal Mountain is visited by hundreds of pilgrims each year, who make a kora (circuit) around the mountain, Dolpo’s own version of Mount Kailash. This is quite a strenuous hike. You have to cross three high passes, Nagdalo La of 5350 m, the Shey La of 5000 m and Jeng La of 5110 m. These crossings involve long climbs and long descends. Besides, you stay above 4000 meters for a long time, with very cold nights. But the unforgettable landscapes, the views from the passes and the contacts with a very special untouched culture make it all worth it.
Day 1 Arrival at Kathmandu-
Meet at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 2 Sight-seeing of Kathmandu: Full days sightseeing in Kathmandu-
valley includes the Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) & the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath. Also visit Monkey Temple the Swyambhunath (2000 years old temple) and visit Patan city of fine arts. Return to the hotel.
Day 3 Kathmandu to Nepalgunj -
Flight to Nepalgunj in south-western Nepal and overnight here.
Day 4 Nepalgunj to Jumla by flight and trek to Gothichour (2700m) -
This morning we fly from Nepalgunj to Jumla. Leaving the airport at Jumla, we cross the Tila Khola and the Chaudabise Khola near their confluence and climb gradually to a fertile valley of rice terraces. The trail continues through several villages before passing through a forest of maple and walnut to a meadow which, in season, is covered. Overnight camp at Gothichour.
Day 5 Ghotichour to Napakhola (3,000 m) -
Today’s walk follows the Tila Khola through fields of corn, potato, buckwheat and barley. Passing Tibetans Maniwals on the way.After lunch continues trek along the river to Napakhola, a small Buddhist settlement. Overnight at camp.
Day 6 Napakhona to Chaurikot (3,000 m) -
Today the trail becomes steeper and climbs through a forest to a pass named Mauri Lagna [3820m]. Trek through birch and sliver fire forest to Chaurikot. Scenic views of Patrasi and Jagadu Himal are visible to the north. Overnight camp at near by village.
Day 7 Chaurikot to Bheri River side-
Today we. Pass a villages inhabited by blacksmiths and tailors. Trail drops to a stream before climbing through a forest of walnut trees to a ridge. Overnight in a camp.
Day 8 Bheri River Side to Gharpung Khola -
Climb gradually through lots of thorn bushes., passing Hurikot and arrive at the entrance to the Shey Phoksumdo National Park. Overnight at camp.
Day 9 Gharpung Khola to Kagmara [3500m]-
We continue to follow the river up sream, ascending slowly towards the Kagmara La. Short and easy day. Overnight camp below to the Kangmara Peak
Day 10 Kagmara to Kagmara base camp (4000m) -
The trail becomes steeper and comes to a rocky area. The trail climbs to a moraine below the Kagmara La and we make our camp among the boulders. The views from here of the surrounding peaks are magnificent.
Day 11 Cross Kagmara La (5165m)-
The climbs become very strenuous now until a pass this is a good place to spot the rare blue sheep. Working down through the pastures of the Pungmo Khola Valley. Overnight camp at Pungmo Khola in the grassy spot.
Day 12 Pungmo Khola to Pungmo Gaon (3,050 m) -
The trail now enters birch and juniper forests. Good view of Kanjirowa peak on the way and can see a Good settlement of Tibeatan villages with Yak herders.The area is covered in Junper Birch and Apple trees. Overnight in Pungmo Gaon.
Day 13 Pungmo Gaon to She Phoksundo Lake (3,600 m) -
We continue downstream to the national park headquarters at Sumduwa before joining the trail up the Phoksumdo Khola to Phoksumdo Lake. Working through a forest of Cedar on the way we will encounter a Biggest waterfalls of Nepal. Overnight camp near by She Phoksundo Lake.
Day 14 Phoksundo Lake -Rest to admire the beauty of this great lake.
Majestic viewof snowy peak known as Kanjirolba and Kagmara and Batrasi Himal. Visit near by villages and Ringbo Gompa.
Day 15 Phoksundo Lake to Bagala base camp.
Working through the forests of juniper and blue pine. The trail follows the river up the valley to a waterfall and we will camp at the base camp of Bagala pass.
Day 16 Cross Bagala Pass (5090m) -
Numla Pass base camp (5,190 m) – The narrow valley becomes wider and is surrounded by big glaciers and blade-shaped rock cliffs. Enjoy incredible views of the Kanjiroba massif to the west.
Day 17 Numla Pass Base Camp - Chering Gompa
Ascend to the top of the Numla Pass if it is clear, we can see as far as Dhaulagiri. Which opens to a beautiful valley of upper tarap. Camp near by Chering Gompa.
Day 18 Chering Gompa to Do Tarap-
The trail now descends past a huge mani wall to the Tarap region and we walk through the barley fields of the Tarap Valley to the settlement of Do.
Day 19 Rest day to explore around Do-
which is the largest settlement in Tarap and has several gompas. On the ridge above the village is the Ri Bhunpa Gompa and, just to the east, the village of Shipchhok has a Bon-po gompa which is certainly worth exploring. There are also opportunities to get great views of the valley and surrounding snow peaks from a number of nearby ridges.
Day 20 Do Tarap to Lahini 3560m -
Follow the Tarap Khola. Enter the gorge which has large rose shrubs and other wildflowers as the valley narrows and deep gorges dotted with caves appear. Camping near by one of the biggest cave this night.
Day 21 Lahini to Tarakot (2,700 m)-
Come to a wide valley. This is musk deer country laskap Khola joins here the Tarap Khola. Climb up a Kamigoan,(2950m) the winter residence of the Dho Tarap people. We then climb high above the river before descending towards the Barbung Khola and the fortress village of Tarakot. Overnight in Tarakot village.
Day 22 Tarakot - Dunai (2,100 m)-
We follow the Barbung Khola downstream along the south bank to the village of Laban, before proceed to Dabung, from here working through the river bank we will arrive Dunai.
Day 23 Dunai - Jhupal
Short walk to Jhupal and flight to Nepalgunj in the next day.
Day 24 Jhupa - Nepalgunj Kathmandu
Fly to Nepalgunj and connect with the flight back to Kathmandu.
Day 26 Kathmandu free day, evening culture show with nepali dinner, hotel
Day 26 Final departure, transfer to airport
Date and Cost
Includes
- Pick up and drop transport as mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation and breakfast in Kathmandu
- Accomodation and three meals a day during the trekking
- Trekking guide and porters
- National parks’ fees, TIMS card and government royalties
- Domestic air ticket and airport tax for tourists and guides as mentioned in the itinerary
- Insurance of our trekking staff members
- Trekking and sightseeing in Kathmandu valley or other parts of Nepal as mentioned in the itinerary
- Sleeping bags
- Down jackets
- Duffle bags
- Oxygen cylinder
- Trekking map
- First Aid Kit
- Farewell dinner with cultural program or dinner with Nepali family
Excludes
- International air ticket, airport tax and Nepal visa fees
- Travel insurance and the cost of medical services of tourists
- All kinds of cloth and personal trekking equipment
- Other personal expenses and tips
- Charted helicopter, plane and other transports in case of emergency