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Riti Group
Country: Netherland More»
- Dolpo - Jomsom Trek - Trans-Himalayan Trail(25 Days)
- Beni - Dolpo Trek - Hunting Reserve to Conservation Park(26 days)
- Bheri Karnali Round Trek (31 Days)
- Phoksundo Teahouse Trek (11 Days)
- Inner Dolpo Trekking (22 Days)
- Lower Dolpo Round Trip (27 Days)
- Phoksundo Nature Experience (17 Days)
- Phoksundo Rara Adventure Trek-Dare Devil's Trail (25 days)
- West Dolpo Trek (15 days)
- Dhorpatan Trek (18 Days)
- Bonpo Sanctuary Trek
Phoksundo Nature Experience (17 Days)
This trek takes you on a trail that skirts through ancient villages where people still follow centuries old traditions and customs, past forests of pine, oak and juniper inhabited by endangered animals like the Himalayan musk deer, blue sheep and snow leopard . Throughout the trek, the snowy peaks and mountains mesmerize us with their majestic beauty. We traverse through two high passes, the Baga La(5,070m) and the Numala Pass (5360m), the highest point in this trek, from where we enjoy the panoramic vista of the Dhaulagiri Himal to the south and Tibetan ranges – Kugung La and Khyung La to the north.
The first view of the Phoksundo Lake’s turquoise-blue waters of set in a cleft between rocks that rise 2,000m into the clear mountain skies and the peaks of Kanjiroba is simply breathtaking. The lake is surrounded by a village rich in Buddhist and Bon po culture. Excursions to the ancient monasteries (gompas) and Bonpo shrines surrounding this sacred lake will make for an insightful visit.
Outline Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu |
| Day 2 | Kathmandu- Nepalgunj fly/ hotel |
Day 3 |
Nepalgunj – Juphal fly- camp Dunai |
Day 4 |
Dunai - Tarakot |
| Day 5 | Tarakot- Lahini |
| Day 6 | Lahini- Pibke Cave |
| Day 7 | Pibke Cave- Dho tarap |
| Day 8 | Dho Tarap rest day |
| Day 9 | Dho Tarap- Numala Base camp |
| Day 10 | Numala Base Camp- Numala Pass 5190m- Bagala Base Camp Pelungthang |
| Day 11 | Pelungthang- Yak Kharka |
| Day 12 | Yak Kharka- Phoksundo Rigmo |
| Day 13 | Phoksundo- rest day, Nature Treks» |
| Day 14 | Phoksundo- Chhepka |
| Day 15 | Chhepka- Juphal |
| Day 16 | Juphal- Fly Nepalgunj – Kathmandu |
| Day 17 | Depart Kathmandu |
TRIP FACTS
| Trip duration | : | 17 Days |
| Grade | : | Strenuous |
Maximum altitude |
: | 5360m |
Activity |
: | Sightseeing and trekking |
| Starts in | : | Kathmandu |
| Ends in | : | Kathmandu |
| Trek type | : | Camping |
| Accommodation | : | Hotel and Camping |
| Meals | : | Hotel/ |
| Transportation | : | Flight/tourist bus |
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
As you fly into Kathmandu, the views of snow-capped mountain peaks greet you. A representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel. At the hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities.
Day 2 Kathmandu- Nepalgunj fly/ hotel
From Kathmandu we take a bus or fly on any domestic carrier to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj , a town in the western Terai , is very close to the Indian border and the Bardia Nationl Park. It is a major transport hub for western, mid-western and far-western regions of Nepal. Overnight at hotel or lodge.
Day 3 Fly Nepalgunj- Juphal / Trek Juphal- Dunai (2150m)
Today we take a 35 minutes long flight to Juphal .Our trekking starts from Juphal .The trail descends and winds through local villages. We trek by the riverside and pass Roop Ghar with the water mill and finally reach the village of Dunai (2150m).Dunai has a village school, police check post and some government offices. We stay overnight in Dunai at Pala Guest House.
Day 4 Dunai – Tarakot / 5hrs
From Dunai the trail continues along the banks of Barbung Khola to Tarakot, known locally as Dzong for its hilltop fortress. The trail is flat. The villagers of Tarakot speak Kaike, a unique language, spoken no where else in the world. We camp for the night at Tarakot.
Day 5 Tarakot- Lahini / 6hrs
The wide valley of Tarakot narrows to a rough gorge and we ascend to Khani 2950m to avoid it. Khanigaon is the winter residence of the Dho-Tarap people. It is marked incorrectly on the map. The trail to Lahini is rough.
Day 6 Lahini- Pibke Cave / 6 hrs
From Lahini the trail becomes narrow and adventurous as we walk through in landslide and avalanches area. We set up camp at Pibke caves which are situated in a grassy area.
Day 7 Pibke Cave- Dho tarap / 6 hrs
Today we approach the most difficult and dangerous part of the trek. The valley narrows, and we approach deep gorges and cross innumerable small bridges. We follow a path that is carved out of a rocky cliffside. Following an adventurous trail we reach Dho Tarap.
Day 8 Dho Tarap rest day
Today we spend a rest day at Dho Tarap. Dho Tarap is a large village decorated by colorful prayer flags. There are chortens, mani walls and monasteries. Villagers grow wheat, buck wheat, barley, potatoes and green vegetables in terraced fields. There are tea houses, shops with minimal supplies and lodges. The people closely resemble the Khampas of Tibet, the men with a ponytail and red tassel coiled around their head. The women sport musk deer teeth necklaces. We enjoy a nature tour as well as a cultural program where the villagers will entertain us with traditional Tibetan dances and songs.
Day 9 Dho tarap- Numala Base camp / 6 hrs
After visiting the gompas and chorten in Tarap valley we take the trail that climbs up through grassy meadows filled with wild flowers to reach to Numala Base camp. From the base camp we get a beautiful view of the distant Tibetan mountains and upper Tarap valley
Day 10 Numala Base Camp- Numala Pass 5190m- Bagala Base Camp Pelungthang/ 6-7hrs
Today we cross Numala Pass and descend towards Poyon khola till we reach Bagala Base Camp surrounded by big glaciers and blade shaped rock cliffs. We stop for the night at Pelungtang ,a village surrounded by hills with temporary houses, yak pasture and terraces. For the first time you can see Topo Peak (4900m.) in panorama. The Norbukang Himal sparkles at the back.
Day 11 Pelungthang- Yak Kharka/ 6 hrs
We make our way to Yak Kharka via Bagala Pass. From the pass we get to enjoy the beautiful view of Kanjiroba massif. After Baga La the trails turn gentle down all the way to Yak Kharka. Yak Kharka is an open grassland and grazing ground for yaks and sheep.
Day 12 Yak Kharka- Phoksundo –Rigmo/ 6-7hrs
The trek to Phoksundo Lake (3728m.) via Ringmo (3730m.) takes about seven hours. From Yak Kharka till Ringmo the trail goes down hill. Ringmo is a small village inhabited by Gurung and Thakuri communities. We move along the flat land passing through pine forests, grassland, terraces, hills and villages. The views of Phoksundo Lake appear before you. After crossing a wooden bridge we reach our destination, Phoksundo Lake is one of the deepest lakes of the world. The big village lying at the bank of this lake is quite rich in Buddhist and Bon culture.
Day 13 Phoksundo- rest day
Today we explore the area around the magnificent Phoksundo Lake. The lake is famous for its magnificent turquoise color and spectacular scenery. Ringmo village, which looks like a typical Tibetan village, is scenically nestled in the area. Many beautiful glaciers can be found near and above the lake area. There are many monasteries (Gompas ) and Bon-po religious sites at the park and we spend our time visiting some of these. The most famous, Shey Gompa was established in the 11th Century. Thashung Gompa located near Phoksundo Lake was built about 900 years ago. We will explore the natural sites and enjoy our nature tour.
Day 14 Phoksundo- Chhepka/ 6hrs
After an insightful visit we leave Phoksundo and make our way towards Chhepka.The trail goes down hill through a narrow gorge of Suligad River. We pass Gurung and Tibetan villages surrounded by beautiful fields.
Day 15 Chhepka- Juphal/ 6-7hrs
Trek from Chhepka to Dunai (2150m.) takes about five hours. We trek along a gentle uphill path until we reach Raktang. After leaving Raktang, we go down steeply for a few hours till our trail moves along a flat land. En route to Dunai we cross several terraced fields and villages, check post and grass land. Dunai is the headquarters of Dolpa. From Dunai we trek a few more hours to reach Juphal, our stop.
Day 16 Juphal- Fly Nepalgunj – Kathmandu
From Juphal we fly to Nepalgunj and then finally to Kathmandu.
Day 17 Depart Kathmandu
Our representative will drive you to the airport for your return flight.
