Trip Overview
This trek truly provides an opportunity to experience the life in the remote highland. Lying in the western Himalayan region, battered by the high winds, arid and dry landscape, unbearable cold in the winter months and almost cut off from the development of the outside world, this region is a living example of a tough struggle against the harsh force of nature. The trail passes through some high mountain passes and scarcely spread local villages, with beautiful mountains towering above in the background.
It combines of nature tour together with insightful cultural experience.T here are opportunities to visit ancient Buddhist and Bon po villages, high passes, beautiful lakes, isolated Buddhist monasteries, to observe the vast array of endangered wildlife, including Blue sheep, Himalayan Tahr and Snow Leopard.The medicinal plant, Yarchagumba (Coerdiopsis sinensis) a type of wild mushroom is found in abundance in this region. Extracts from Yarchagumba is believed to significantly improve health and fitness. As you trek through this mystique land you see people collecting Yarchagumba in the fields and meadows.
For this trek you need only the permit for Lower Dolpa is enough.
Detailed Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
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.
From Tarakot, we trek to Laina Odar. We camp for the night at a large meadow.
We continue the trek to the narrow but with the interesting view of Tarap Khola with the stunningly lime rocky mountains around. And reach the Nawarpani, known for the tented hospitality for the Pony and mule people to spend the overnight.
Start the day with high spirits to witness the most stunning settlement in the Dolpo, known for its beautiful valleys and the cultural and traditional so-called Dho Tarap.
There are several valleys around to hike, but the most interesting is to experience the culture and the lifestyle of the people in Dho. The detouring the monasitires are more than the blessings.
We trek through arid country with wonderful eroded pillars. If it is clear there are views of the Dhaulagiri massif, north of high desert country towards Tibet and down into the Tarap valley. You trek along the steep ascent path crossing grassland until you reach Numala base camp.
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 Danigar, a place 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.
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 open grassland and grazing ground for yaks and sheep.
The trek to Phoksondo 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 the deepest lake of the world. The big village lying at the bank of this lake is quite rich in Buddhist culture as there are monasteries, chortens, mani walls, shops, prayer flags, hotels, lodges, terraces and so on. This village is beautifully surrounded by hills.
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.
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.
From Pungmo village we take the route on the side of the Pungmo khola. We pass birch and juniper forests and blue pine trees .We reach Kagmara High Camp, where we camp for the night.
We climb alongside the Kagmara Glacier to the Kagmara La at 5115m.The panoramic views of the peaks are sensational. Wildflowers and exotic birds and blue sheep dot the landscape.
From Kagmara phedi we trek to Toijum. We cross a series of waterfalls and descend a moraine. Till we reach Garpung Khola.From here the village is just nearby. We camp near the army post.
We take a high trail above the Bheri River. We pass Hurikot and reach Kaigaon.
The trail is fairly gentle today. We climb on a grassy knoll for a panoramic view east to the distant Dhaulagiri Himal.We reach Chaurikot our camp for the night.
Chotra lies at a distance beyond Chaurikot.The inhabitants of Chotra are Khampas, people from eastern Tibet who are traditionally Buddhists. The village has the typical Tibetan Mani walls and a kani arching over the trail. It is also the home of Matwali chettris.Their religious practices have very little to do with Hinduism.Their rites are conducted by shamans known as dhamis or jhankris.
From Chotra we trek to Ghotichaur. We trek through completely flat land . En route you see terraces, pass forests and villages situated at the bank of river. There are some 13th century Malla dynasty stone carvings at the spring here .There is a sheep farm here and this place is completely surrounded by pine forests.
We trek from Gothi Chaur (3080m.) to Jumla. The trails we follow is steep ascent up to Pattyata Lagna Pass. To reach Jumla, we pass Dochar Gara,and follow the flat route to Gariakot. This is a small village with apple orchard, terraces, beautiful green hills and it lies at the bank of Tila Khola (stream). We reach Jumla late in the evening.
Today we fly from Jumla to Nepalganj, and then to Kathmandu.
Our representative will drive you to the airport for your flight home.
Our representative will help to transfer to the Tribhuvan International Airport. Return to your hometown with the memorise of an incredibly lower Dolpo trek along with the pinch of Jumla
