Lower Dolpo & Shey Phosundo Lake 16 Days
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Duration: 16 days
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Trip level: strenuous (info?)
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Maximum altitude: 5190 m
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Accommodation: camping; teahouse/homestay possible with small group
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Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
The Dolpo is a remote and spectacular region of the Himalayas. Shey Phoksundo National Park is the largest national park of Nepal. This rough and spectacular trekking will bring you to beautiful turquoise colored lakes, rushing rivers and over high passes. You can admire the legendary peaks Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna massive. The Dolpo is also the homeland to some rare wildlife including the illusive snowleopard. This trek gives you a chance to visit isolated villages, the authentic monasteries, the fortified villages (dzong) and to meet local Tibetan people: farmers, shepherds, nomads and monks. The region is home to the original Buddhist Bon religion.
Dolpo is quite poor. Camping trek with our own food supplies is the only possibility to visit this region.
From Kathmandu the adventure starts with two domestic flights to Juphal. Towards Dunai the path follows on a relatively easy trail. Dunai is a large village and has a couple of small lodges. From Dunai to Tarakot it is still easy going. Tarakot is an old fortress town known by the local people as Dzong, meaning ‘fortress’. Before the Gorkha dynasty Tarakot was the capital and had a dzong. After Tarakot you will trek through the gorges of Tarap Chu. You pass through narrow gorges with the river rushing through it. Perhaps you will see blue sheep, marmots, yaks, sheep and goats. Maybe you will meet people from Dolpo taking their flocks of sheep and goats to lower pastures for the winter. After the gorge you will enter the Tarap valley. The Tarap valley is lush green broad valley. There are about 10 villages with cultivated fields. And there is much cultural interest in the valley. You will have the opportunity to visit several gompas and you will pass some ancient chortens . After the valley a couple of very tough but adventurous days as you will pass two high 5000+ passes. The views from these high passes are breathtaking and stunning. At Ringmo we will take a resting day and an optional short day hike to the turquoise Phoksundo lake another beautiful impression. We will pass by the lake on the trail towards the airstrip of Juphal.
In one day you will fly back to Kathmandu.
Day 01 Flight Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (1 hrs.)
Day 02 Flight Nepalgunj to Juphal (2475 m – 45 min.) and trek to Dunai (2850 m – 3 hrs.)
Day 03 Trek to Tarakot (2450 m – 6 hrs.)
Day 04 Trek to Khanigaon (3150 m – 6 hrs.)
Day 05 Trek to Darap Khola (3700 m – 5 hrs.)
Day 06 Trek to Yak Kharka (3800 m – 5 hrs.)
Day 07 Trek to Dho Tarap (4020 m – 6 hrs.)
Day 08 Resting day at Dho Tarap for acclimatization
Day 09 Trek to Numa La base camp (4400 m – 7 hrs.)
Day 10 Cross over Numa La pass (5190 m) and trek to Pelung Tang (4465 m – 7 hrs.)
Day 11 Cross over Baga La pass (5070 m) and trek to Dajok Tang (4080 m – 7 hrs.)
Day 12 Trek to Ringmo (3600 m – 4 hrs.)
Day 13 Resting day at Ringmo, optional day hike to Phoksundo Lake
Day 14 Trek to Chepka (2970 m – 7 hrs.)
Day 15 Trek to Juphal (2475 m – 6 hrs.)
Day 16 Flight Juphal to Kathmandu over Nepalgunj
During the trekking season prices may rise. The final price depends on the trekking season, group size and the cost of the local transfers.
Please inquire about the price.
We have noticed the ways of travelling and booking are changing rapidly. Many customers book a hotel or a guesthouse themselves prior to their journey. However, we would happily like to arrange accommodation for you. We have excellent contacts with various hotels and guesthouses and will be able to offer a good price rate for any budget.
When you arrive at the International Airport we will pick you up and bring you to your accommodation. Here we will give you a short briefing about the trek. In addition, we will give you advice about hygienic food, customs, and sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Cost include:
-Pick up and drop off from Kathmandu International Airport to hotel
-Return flight Kathmandu to Juphal (over Nepalgunj) , and transfer to and from domestic airport
-Certificate of CO2- emission free return flight Kathmandu to Juphal
-One night in hotel in Nepalgunj
-Licensed and certified mountain guide. Well experienced and English speaking
-Porter service for carrying luggage, tent equipment and cooking equipment. One porter for two persons, max. luggage 12 kg. per person
-Cooking staff service
-Free use of waterproof bag for your luggage
-Free use of tent equipment; including one tent for two persons and a light sleeping mattress
-Three meals a day: breakfast/ lunch/dinner; Tea/ coffee/ hot chocolate/ hot water and if possible fresh fruit.
-Salary, food, accommodation and insurance for the mountain guide, porters and cooking staff
-Shey Phoksundo National Park entrance fee, Dolpo permit, TIMS card and local taxes
-Support of the Sherpa Heritage Trails head office in Kathmandu
NOTE: with small group teahouse/homestay group is possible
Cost exclude:
-International flight to Kathmandu
-Nepal entrance visa
-Accommodation and all meals in Kathmandu
-All beverage bills, hot shower, internet services, laundry and battery charge during trek
-Personal travel insurance
-Rescue operation charge in case of an emergency
-Any cost that arises due to a change of itinerary like flight delay, natural calamities, etc.
-Gratitude and tips for mountain guide, porters and cooking staff