West Dolpo Trek (15 days)

This unique trek is a combination adventure, nature tour and cultural exploration. You will be struck with the beauty of western Dolpo as you trek through interesting Hindu villages where the inhabitants follow both Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism, and speak a language unique to their region, past alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers overlooking magnificent snowy peaks, following rivers and mountain brooks. Within a short timeframe you will get to see and witness some of Nepal’s most picturesque and beautiful spots among them the Shey Phoksundo National Park and Phoksundo Lake.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2

Kathmandu- Nepalgunj flight/ overnight hotel

Day 3

Nepalganj – Juphal /fly- camp at Tibrikot

Day 4

Day 4 Tibrikot- Kaliban
Day 5 Kaliban- Kaigaon Village
Day 6 Kaigaon Village- Toijem –Phoksundo National Park Post
Day 7

Toijem – Kagmara Base camp

Day 8 Kagmara Base Camp- Kagmara Pass (5115m)/ Yak Kharka Camp
Day 9 Yak Kharka – Pungmo Village
Day 10

Pungmo Village- Phoksundo lake

Day 11

Phoksundo lake – rest day, Nature Treks»

Day 12

Phoksundo Lake- Chhepka

Day 13 Chhepka- Juphal
Day 14 Juphal – Nepalganj / fly-Kathmandu
Day 15 Depart Kathmandu

TRIP FACTS

Trip duration : 15 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 Nepalganj – Juphal - camp at Tibrikot(2100m)/ 4 hrs

Today we take a 35 minutes long flight to Juphal .Our trekking starts from Juphal .We follow the trail on the banks of the Thulo Bheri river till we reach Tibrikot, a village with an important Hindu shrine. Tibrikot is an old fortress town overlooking the Thulo Bheri Valley. The houses have carved wooden windows and a large shrine and temple is dedicated to the goddess Tripura Sundari Devi. We set up camp at Tibrikot.

Day 4 Tripurakot- Kaliban /6hrs

Today we hike up a treeless uninhabited ridge. On the way we pass through Para and a few small villages.We ascend up till we reach a forested area known as Kaliban, our camp for the night.

Day 5 Kaliban- Kaigaon Village/ 7hrs

From Kaliban we trek to Kaigaon village.The village has a veterinary station for cattle, a bhatti and shops.In this village the Hindu Chettri people practice Tibetan Buddhism and festoon their houses with prayer flags like the Buddhists.

Day 6 Kaigaon Village- Toijem –Phoksundo National Park Post

We trek on the west bank of the Bheri River, passing Hurikot to a sign which says the entrance to Shey Phoksundo National Park. The trail stays high above the river to the confluence where the Jagdula and Garpung rivers join to form the Bheri. We cross the Jagdula Khola and camp near the army post at Toijem (2920m).

Day 7 Toijem – Kagmara Base camp

We follow the trail up the western side of the Garpung Khola to about 3650m, then cross to the eastern side and continue upstream. The valley narrows and the river becomes a series of waterfalls as the trail climbs to a moraine at 3900m.We make a camp at an elevation of about 4000m.The panoramic views of the peaks are sensational. Wildflowers abound and birds like snow pigeons, redstarts, ravens and griffons can be sighted.

Day 8 Kagmara Base Camp- Kagmara Pass (5115m)/ Yak Kharka Camp / 6hrs

We start early and climb alongside the Kagmara glacier to the Kagmara Pass at 5115m., then descend about 900m alongside a stream to a camp on pastures in the Pungmo Khola valley.There are sweeping scree slopes and massive rock formations. We get spectacular views of the Kagmara Himal, Daulagiri, the Annapurnas, La Shamma and other snow-peaks, a fitting reward for our climb. We descend to a grazing ground called Yak Karka.

Day 9 Yak Kharka – Pungmo Village/ 4 hrs

Today we follow a trail that stays high above the stream, which eventually becomes the Pungmo khola. The route enters birch and juniper forests. It gives way to blue pine as the trail crosses the river on a wooden bridge. There are views of the Kanjiroba peak in the horizon above the barley fields of Pungmo,a fortress like village. We camp at this village.

Day 10 Pungmo Village- Phoksundo lake/5 hrs

From Pungmo village we continue downstream to the national park headquarters at Shumduwa. From here we follow the trail up the Phoksundo khola to Phoksundo Lake. We cross picturesque alpine meadows, flowered pastures, rivers, natural springs and soaring mountain views.

Day 11 Phoksundo Lake – 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

Day 12 Phoksundo Lake- Chhepka

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 13 Chhepka- Juphal

Trek from Chhepka to Dunai (2150m.) takes about five hours. We trek along a gentle ascent path until we reach Raktang. On the way you come across forests covered by pine, oak, juniper, rhododendron, bamboo and other natural vegetation rich in wildlife. After leaving Raktang, we go down steeply for a few hours till our trail moves along a flat land. En route we cross several terraces, villages rich in typical culture, check post and grass land. Dunai is the headquarters of Dolpa. There are administrative offices, lodges, hotels, tea houses, market and many other places to be visited. We trek a few more hours to reach Juphal , our stop.

Day 14 Juphal – Nepalganj / fly-Kathmandu

From Juphal we fly to Nepalganj and then finally to Kathmandu.

Day 15 Depart Kathmandu

Our representative will drive you to the airport for your return flight.