Feedback: Well organised, very friendly, good food and helpful crew
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 Rara Adventure Trek (25 days)
This trek takes you off the beaten path, as our local guide takes you on a trail used only by locals and which is virtually unknown to commercial trekking groups. We pass through villages where the lifestyle of the people reflects their ties with Tibet and Tibetan culture. We follow the ancient Tibetan salt caravan route, across high passes and through the wilderness in one Nepal’s most remote areas. We visit ancient Buddhist and Bon po monasteries and take in some truly amazing sights like the Phoksundo Lake and the Rara Lake. As we pass through alpine meadows, filled with wildflowers, with the snowy peaks rearing up in the horizon and just the sound of the mountain rivers to break the silence, we will feel as though we are in some heavenly place. The route also takes in a newly discovered village in Dolpo, Phot Village. The government authorities had no idea that this village existed till recently. Being far removed from civilization, this village still retains its age-old customs and practices. You get to interact with the villagers as your local guide will act as an interpreter.
Outline Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu |
| Day 2 | Kathmandu- Nepalgunj flight/ overnight hotel |
Day 3 |
Nepalgunj- Jumla (flight)- Dunai (5hrs) |
Day 4 |
Dunai- chhepka / 6hrs trek |
| Day 5 | Chhepka- Shumdhuwa (6hrs walk) |
| Day 6 | Shumdhuwa- Phoksundo Lake / 5hrs walk |
| Day 7 | Phoksundo- Rest day, Nature Treks» |
| Day 8 | Phoksundo – Sallaghari |
| Day 9 | Sallaghari- Kangla Base camp |
| Day 10 | Kangla base camp- Shey Gumba/ 5240km pass |
| Day 11 | Shey Gumba- Vijer Village/6 hrs |
| Day 12 | Vijer Village- Rest day |
| Day 13 | Vijer Village – Chiurela Pass (Karnali Phedi)/ 6 hrs |
| Day 14 | Karnali Phedi- Phot village/ 4 hrs |
| Day 15 | Phat Village- Khung Khola (9 hrs) |
| Day 16 | Khung Khola – Gyala Base camp(8 hrs) |
| Day 17 | Gyala Base camp – Gyala Pass Gyala Phedi / 8hrs |
| Day 18 | Gyala Phedi- Mugu Khola / 7hrs |
| Day 19 | Mugu Khola – Dolphu Village / 7hrs |
| Day 20 | Dolphu Village – Lumsha Village / 6hrs |
| Day 21 | Lumsha Village – Rara Lake / 7hrs |
| Day 22 | Rara Lake- Rest day |
| Day 23 | Rara Lake- Talacha Airport/ 3hrs |
| Day 24 | Talcha- Nepalgunj (flight) |
| Day 25 | Depart Kathmandu |
TRIP FACTS
| Trip duration | : | 25 Days |
| Grade | : | Strenuous |
Maximum altitude |
: | 5501m |
Activity |
: | Sightseeing and trekking |
| Starts in | : | Kathmandu |
| Ends in | : | Kathmandu |
| Trek type | : | Camping |
| Accommodation | : | Hotel and Camping |
| Meals | : | Hotel/ tented camps |
| Transportation | : | Flight/tourist bus/Pack animals |
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 flight
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 Dunai (5hrs)
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- Chhepka / 6hrs
From Dunai we trek to Chhepka , which has few houses and lodge.We will stay overnight at the local lodge.
Day 5 Chhepka- Shumdhuwa /6hrs
Today we follow a trail that goes up and down along the forested riverbed. There are several streams on the way that offer a chance to cool off. The trail continues along the valley floor to the confluence of the Phoksundo and Pungmo kholas (rivers). We cross to the western side of the Phoksundo khola and reach the village of Shumdhuwa. Shumduwa is a major trail junction and its name reflect this as ‘sum’ in Tibetan means three and ‘duwa’ means trail. It is also the Shey Phoksundo National Park headquarters.
Day 6 Shumdhuwa- Phoksundo Lake / 5hrs
We will join the direct trail to Phoksundo Lake today climbing through forests of big cedars on to Palam (3710m), a winter settlement used by the people of the Ringmo village. The entrance station for the Shey Phoksundo National Park is at the south end of the village. The route then descends on switchbacks through open country to an elevation of 3300 meter, and then starts up another set of dusty switchbacks to a ridge at 3780 meter to the highest waterfall in Nepal (200 meter high). Our route then continues on to Ringmo village, a picturesque settlement of flat-roofed stone houses with lots of mani walls. Just below Ringmo we cross a bridge and follow the trail to Phoksundo Lake, where we camp at the national park camping grounds west of the lake.
Day 7 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 explore the natural sites and enjoy our nature tour.
Day 8 Phoksundo – Sallaghari
From Phoksundo we trek for five to six hours till we reach Sallagari , our camp for the night.
Day 9 Sallaghari- Kangla Base camp
From Sallaghari, we trek up to Kangla BC. We camp at Mandala Camp.
Day 10 Kangla base camp- Shey Gumba
Today we trek to the fabled Shey Gompa and the nearby 'Crystal Mountain', the most sacred peak in Dolpo which Dolpo pilgrims circumambulate each summer before the harvest. We are now entering the real Dolpo, and to enter into this mystical land we have to cross the Kangla pass . We trek along the precipitous and narrow trail to the western side of the lake, otherwise known as the 'Devil's Trail'. Cresting a 4000 meter ridge, we are treated to views of Sonam Kang. We have views of the peaks Shey Shikkar and Kang Chunne, both just over 6000 meters, before descending steeply down to the valley floor and along the river. A red chorten marks the entrance to Shey, where we camp for the night.
Day 11 Shey Gumba- Vijer Village/6 hrs
Dho Takyo is a Gurung village rich in Buddhist culture. We find beautiful monasteries, chortens, mani walls and prayer flags. We spend the day exploring these sites. It is worth visiting all the gompas. It is the largest settlement in Tarap. Of special interest is the Ri Bhunpa Gompa and the chorten within a chorten. We will take a nature tour.
Day 12 Vijer Village- Rest day
In Vijer village the oldest monastery of Bon religion is located .Today we explore this ancient village.
Day 13 Vijer Village – Chiurela Pass (Karnali Phedi)/ 6 hrs
From Vijer village we trek to Chiurela Pass.
Day 14 Karnali Phedi- Phot village/ 4 hrs
In Phot village the most important monastery of Bon religion is found. This remote village was discovered by the Nepal government authorities just recently.
Day 15 Phot Village- Khung Khola (9 hrs)
We pass snow leopard country as we make our way from Phot to Khung Khola. We may see musk deer and Himalayan Tahr as we trek on the way to khung Khola, where we camp for the night.
Day 16 Khung Khola – Gyala Base camp (8 hrs)
From Khung Khola , we take the trail to Gyala Base camp.We trek for eight hours and we pass through some rocky trails.
Day 17 Gyala Base camp – Gyala Pass Gyala Phedi / 8hrs
Today we traverse through the Gyala Pass. We pass through snowy high ground and some difficult rocky ground. We camp for the night at Gyala Pass.
Day 18 Gyala Phedi- Mugu Khola / 7hrs
From Gyala Phedi we trek to Mugu Khola.
Day 19 Mugu Khola – Dolphu Village / 7hrs
Through verdant green fields and alpine scenery we trek to Dolphu village.
Day 20 Dolphu Village – Lumsha Village / 6hrs
We visit another village today, Lumsha, where we stay overnight.
Day 21 Lumsha Village – Rara Lake / 7hrs
From Lumsha village we cross to Rara lake. On the way we pass resplendent scenery.
Day 22 Rara Lake- Rest day
Rara ake(3062m) is the focal point of Rara Lake National Park .Rara is a clear high altitude lake ringed with pine,spruce and juniper forests and snow capped Himalayan peaks. It is almost 13km around the lake, and a day devoted to making this circuit is well spent. Once you are at Rara you will be reluctant to leave. It has a rare peace and tranquility and captivating beauty. With no grazing animals in the park the woods have reverted to their natural state with dense undergrowth. Walk around the lake on the path built for King Mahendra to mark his visit in 1964.
Day 23 Rara Lake- Talcha Airport/ 3hrs
Today we leave Rara Lake and trek to Talcha airport via Gam Ghadi.
Day 24 Talcha- Nepalgunj (flight)- Kathmandu
From Talcha we take a flight to Nepalgunj from where we will proceed to Kathmandu.
Day 25 Depart Kathmandu
Our representative will drive you to the airport for your return flight.
