Trip Overview
Dolpa, which lies in the Himalayas’s lap, has several interesting mountain peaks. Mt. Putha is the 7th peak of the Dhaulagiri range and lies to the South of the district headquarters Dunai. In these recent days, this fascinating mountain has become very popular among the expedition groups. Though it is mostly popular in Germany, Netherlands, and France, it is popular in other countries too.
The mountain is technically safe but it always remains thickly covered with snow, therefore skiing can be done from the summit to camp 1. A short trek reaches the base camp of the mountain through an interesting village Kagkot. The people of these villages believe that Mt. Putha as their sacred mountain since their existence. Putha is regarded as the name of their main God.
The way up to Kagkot is also full of cultural and natural excitements. The general treks do not go through this trail so it offers you extra delightful experiences. The short trek up to the base camp with the popular animal of Dolpa Yak as the means of transport adds you the feeling of being in Dolpa. Further, the expanse of the mountain is so beautiful, all these things together make the expedition interesting and exciting.
(Note: After the summit, one can also trek to the popular trekking zone JOMSOM from Kagkot.)
Detailed Itinerary
You will be taking flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu. Nepalgunj is in the Terai region that lies in the border of India is also the center of business for the people of mid western region of Nepal.
From Nepalgunj morning flight takes you to Juphal enjoying the sightseeing of different mountains and passes. Now you will start descending down to the river side trail through the village called Dangiwada.
Then once you start to walk through the river side trail you will again go through some clusters of houses keeping the Shey Phoksundo National Park across the river and reach Dunai.
It is a small town where there are government and other organizations’ central office for Dolpa. You can visit the Central Buddhist Monastery and the Bon Stupa and School just across the Bheri river. The guide will brief you the schedules and programs in the evening.
Leaving Dunai you will go through several interesting places with some cluster of houses along the river side trail. This is an easy walking route. Along the route you will experience the culture of lower Dolpa that has the flavor of Hinduism.
Then you will reach a police post with a flat land where you can observe the farming done by the Magars who speaks the Kaike dialect which is not spoken in any other places. Now you are in the unique village known as Tarakot for night stay.
From Tarakot you will head to Lashicap where the river from the highest human habitat of Dho Tarap meets with Bheri. Here you will lunch and take a short rest. We leave the trail to Dho Tarap and start the trek towards Mushikhola. Mushikhola is another camp where there is no any human settlement.
From Mushikhola the route leads you with slight ascending and straight way to Kagkot. The village with mixed culture of upper and lower part of the region gives you different experience of the trip. The village is situated just below hillock where there is the polyandry system still exists.
One rest day is fixed at Kagkot. Here the team has to change the porters as the villagers use their own yaks from here. While the staff arranges their loads and everything, you can have sightseeing.
You can make short hike to the hill or walk around the village to experience their mixed culture and traditions.
Today the trek will be tougher than the last ones. You have to make your way early in the morning ascending the steep hill. Stoppage for night is not possible in this steep trail because there is no any source of water nearby.
Though it is very adventurous journey, you will have good views of several mountains. You can also view the villages like Pimri and Dhukot which are still far way from modern facilities. After walking tedious stiff you will have the night camp at Panjing.
Though it is a short distance to the Base camp from Panjing the trail is bit difficult with slight ascends. Again there is problem of water. Then the trail leads you to the German base camp for the night rest.
This will be an easy walk with slight uphill that reaches you the Putha Base Camp. A beautiful flat land, with small dazzling brook nearby and the clear views of Mt. Putha and Chureni himal gives you heavenly feelings. The base camp is very comfortable.
Rest day at the base camp.
Camp – 1 (5350m)
Camp – 2 (6100m)
Camp – 3 (6600m)
Camp – 1 to Base camp
Packing
Now trail takes you towards Dunai and have a night stay.From the base camp the continuous 8hrs walk takes you to the village Kagkot again.
From Kagkot you will go to Lashicap for the night stop.
Now trail takes you towards Dunai and have a night stay.
Finally the trail leads you to Juphal. This is the place from where all the porters and some other staff will make their way home with the memories of the moments they shared with you.
Early morning you will fly to Nepalgunj and have the same day flight to Kathmandu.