Phoksundo Rara Adventure Trek via Upper Dolpo – 28 Days

Day 01: 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 02: Preparation day.

Today we arrange all the governmental paper works for permits. While arranging all the necessary documents you can stroll around the city. You can also visit some of the important places of the city.

Day 03: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj flight

From Kathmandu we take a flight 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. We will stay overnight at a hotel to catch the early morning flight for Juphal on the following day.

Day 04: Nepalgunj to Juphal flight and Juphal (2475m) to Dunai (2140m)

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(2140m).Dunai has a village school, police check post and some government offices. We stay overnight in Dunai and make the final preparation for the trek.

Day 05: Dunai to Chhepka (2720m) / 6hrs

As the trek begins we initially trek along classic trekking route of Dolpo via Sulighar, which is pretty much comfortable walk along the levelled trail. We shall produce the trekking permit to Dolpo and the Shey Phoksundo National Park Permit at the Sulighat Check-post. Now we are officially inside Shey Phoksundo National Park. Beyond Sulighat our trek follows the trail beside Phoksundo River till Kageni. As the trek goes further, the landscapes in the vicinity begin to change. We trek through the lush tropical forest frequently emerging at isolated mid-hill villages like Jutung and arrive to Shangta. At Shangta we cross the bridge twice- once over Phoksundo River and once over the confluence of Phoksundo Khola and Maiaba Khola and begin to head north towards Chhepka. Trekking upstream along the trail beside Phoksundo Khola for a while we arrive to Chhepka. We put our camps at an ideal location in Chhepka for the overnight stay.

Day 06: Chhepka to Chunuwar (3110m)

Today the the trail leads you beside Phoksundo Khola- the trail of famous Lower Dolpa Circuit. We trek in the opposite direction of the river flow to Amchi Hospital. The trek crosses the bridge over Phoksundo Khola twice. As we approach closer to Kharka trekking along the amazingly peaceful region the trail goes high above Phoksundo Khola to Rechi 3011m, where we stop for the lunch. Beyond Rechi we again hike along the river side trail to Sulligad Dovan where we cross the bridge over the confluence of Phoksundo Khola and Yulung Khola and arrive to Chunuwar. We will settle our camps here for the night.

Day 07: Chunuwar to Phoksundo Lake (3600m) / 5hrs

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 08: 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 09: Phoksundo to Sallaghari (3750m)

Today’s trek is probably one of the best trekking days of Dolpo Trek. It climbs along the narrow trail cut on a cliff standing vertically straight above Phoksundo Lake. This treacherously fascinating trail brings us to another side of Phoksundo Lake.

This particular part of the trek is like fantasy walk portrayed by a writer in their fiction novels. To get to the Phoksundo Khola camp on other side of the lake, we slide down for ninety minutes along the beautiful forests. The final part of today’s trek slides up to the beautiful campsite at Sallaghari. Enjoy the night in the camps amongst beautiful pine forest.

Day 10: Sallaghari to Nangdala High Camp (4717m)

Today’s trek is relatively short; we trek for almost three hours to reach Nangdala High Camp 4717m. As the trek begins we ascend up the narrow defile of Tuk Kyaksa River.

The trail switches to opposite side of the river several times. Soon we arrive to a place where the rapids of the river are calmer. We cross the bridge over the river at that point.

Thirty minutes of walk after the bridge, we come across the wide valley followed by two hours of walk along the canyon brings us the potential campsite. A walk for a while further reaches to the massive rock slab, which is Nangdala High Camp- our campsite for the night.

Day 11: Nangdala High Camp to Shey Gompa (4343m) via Nangdala Pass (5350m)

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 Nangdala 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 12: Shey Gompa to Tata.

Today we go through easy trail with some up and down.

Day 13: Tata to Bhijer via Shyamling Gompa

Today our trek goes through the oldest Bon monastery "Shyamling". Tantrik lamas like Sherap Tenjin of this gompa is famous for his tantric kowlidge. We can have interaction with lama and observe the monastery.

Day 14: Bhijer - Rest day.

The people of this village gathers lot of experiences about the snow leopard. We can listen some folk lore from the aged people of the village. They have good knowledge about how to protect their domestic animals and the endangered big cat.

Day 15: Bhijer to Pho Village

In Pho village the most important monastery of Bon religion is found. This village was discovered by the government very lately due to its remoteness.

Day 16: Pho village to Ghyalungkhor

Today the trek will be bit difficult because most of the trail goes ascending up to the Nyingma Gyanzen La (5563m) then the trail descends to Ghyalungkhor for the night stop.

Day 17: Ghyalungkhor to Pung Kharka

Today the trek will be easier than the previous day.

Day 18: Pung Kharka to Chyandi Khola

We pass snow leopard territory as we make our way from Pung Kharka to Chyandi Khola. We may see musk deer and Himalayan Tahr as we trek on the way to Chyandi Khola, where we camp for the night.
In Pho village the most important monastery is found. This remote village was discovered by the Nepal government authorities just recently. The trek goes to Chyandi Khola via Yala La (5414m)

Day 19: Chyandi Khola to Takla Khola

Today we trek to Takla Khola from Chyandi Khola

Day 20: Takla Khola to Thajachaur

Trek to Thajachaur from Takla Khola
Today we traverse through the Gyargo La (5150m) Pass. We pass through snowy high ground and some difficult rocky ground. We camp for the night at Thajachaur.

Day 21: Thajachaur to Shilenchaur

Today we go to Shilenchaur from Thajachaur.

Day 22: Shilenchaur to Pulu

Today we will trek from Shilenchaur to Pulu

Day 23: Pulu to Lumsha Village

From Lumsha we trek to Lumsha village

Day 24: Lumsha to Rara

Today we trek to the lake Rara. The biggest lake of Nepal.

Day 25: Rara 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 26: Rara Lake to Talcha Airport/ 3hrs

Today we leave Rara Lake and trek to Talcha airport via Gam Ghadi.

Day 27: Talcha to Nepalgunj flight and Nepalgunj to Kathmandu flight

From Talcha we take a flight to Nepalgunj from where we will proceed to Kathmandu.

Day 28: Depart Kathmandu

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