A remote, unspoiled region of Nepal, the high valleys of Dolpo are among the most remarkable in the Himalaya.
Here sweeping views stretch as far as the arid Tibetan Plateau. Dolpo has been home to Tibetan people since the 10 th century when the area was part of the western Tibetan region of Ngari and time has changed little here; people live, cultivate their land, herd their flocks, trade livestock and salt and follow traditions that have held since time immemorial. The acclaimed movie ‘Himalaya' is a poignant portrayal of this stunning land.
Where are you going?
Days 1-3: Flying into Kathmandu is an unforgettable experience with the Himalaya spread out before you. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. In the morning of day 2 a half-day city tour will introduce you to some of the highlights of Kathmandu. On Day 3 fly to Nepalgunj.
Days 4-5 : Leaving Jumla the trail climbs through fertile valleys of rice terraces, irrigation canals and water-driven mills before passing through forests of maple and walnut, emerging into meadows that form a magnificent alpine amphitheater and, in season, are a kaleidoscope of wildflowers. Rejoining the Tila Valley you will follow the river to its source. On the lower slopes corn and potatoes grow, higher up buckwheat, barley, animal pastures and villages. The villages of the area are an interesting mix. The inhabitants are originally Khampa, from eastern Tibet, but long ago adopted Hindu names, dress and traditions in an effort to integrate themselves – the village however has typical Tibetan mani walls and prayer flags and their religion predominantly shamanist, through they celebrate both Hindu and Buddhist festivals.
Days 6-10: Forests of birch and oak, tangled with Spanish moss open onto meadows – a mass of wildflowers in summer, deep under snow in winter – approaching the Mauri Lagna (honey pass). A number of yaks have tumbled from a section of the descent, so we tread carefully until the trail re-enters the forests. Walnut groves abound throughout Dolpo, primarily as a source of cooking oil. Entering Shey-Poksumdo National Park (Nepal's largest) the trail follows the Bheri River to its confluence with the Garpung Khola. The valley gradually narrows and the river becomes a series of waterfalls as the trail climbs to a moraine at 3900m. The panoramic views from here are sensational.
Days 11-12: Climb alongside the Kagmara Glacier to the Pass (5115m) and descend into the Pungmo Khola Valley, a landscape of sweeping scree slopes and massive rock formations. Below, the birch and juniper forests give way to blue pine as you approach the fortified Bonpo village of Pungmo.
Day 13: From a 3660m ridge there are close views of Nepal's highest waterfall, the 330-meter-high source of the Suli Gad River. The ridge also affords the first views of the incredibly beautiful Phoksumdo Lake – an unearthly turquoise blue ringed by rocky crags and forest, framed by snow-capped peaks. Standing at the end of the lake, Ringmo is a picturesque village with chorten, mani walls and an entry chorten depicting complex mandalas of both Buddhist and Bon traditions. Two kilometers from the village is the Bon Tso Gompa set above the lake on forested cliffs with views across to Kanjirob
Days 14-16 : A precarious trail along a rocky ledge follows the lake north into the remote region of Inner Dolpo. This is the realm of the blue sheep and the elusive snow leopard. From the end of the lake follow the Phuksumdo Khola through lush meadows, avoiding the bogs and thorny bushes. Leaving this valley a long, steep climb – much on loose slate – leads to the Ganda La (5400) and on to Shey Gompa, named for the nearby Crystal Mountain.
Days 17-20 : Cross two high passes, the Sela La (5100m) and the Jeng La (5100m) following the Nangmu Khola towards Tok-khyu, the uppermost village of the Tarap region.
Days 21-23 : The Tarap Valley is a beautiful area of barley fields, scattered settlements and numerous Buddhist and Bon Gompas. The reputed Khampa origins of the Dolpopa are apparent in the red yarn the men weave into their hair and the ornate headgear of the women. Above Dho, the largest settlement in Tarap, is a chorten within a chorten and Ri Bhumpa Gompa.
The route down the valley to Khanigaon is a tough one with numerous river crossings, often bridges are washed out, and precarious cliff-ledge sections – not the time to be distracted by the colorful birds darting around and hunting insects in fissures in the rock.
Days 24-25 : Reach Juphal in the evening in time for the early morning flight to Nepalgunj and onward connection to Kathmandu.
Day 26 : Depart
