Upper Dolpo with Dolpo Festival.

Aug.23 - 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. The hotel will be tree star. At the hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities.

Aug.24 - Day 02:: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj/ flight

From Kathmandu we take a bus or fly on any domestic carrier to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is a town in the western Terai 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. Here we will have to make a night stay because the flight for Dolpo occurs only in the early morning. The hotel will be 10 to 15 minutes drive from the airport. Our representative will pick you up from the airport and take to the hotel.

Aug.25- Day 03:: Nepalgunj to Juphal/ flight and Juphal to Dunai/ (2150m)

Today our representative will pick you up from the hotel to the airport. We take a 35 minutes long flight to Juphal .Our trekking starts from Juphal .The trail descends and winds through local villages down to Kalagauda, where there are some shops and tea houses. We trek by the riverside and pass through Roop Ghar a small cluster of people with the water mill and finally reach Dunai bazar (2150 m) A small town, the head quarter of Dolpo district. Dunai has a several private and government school and college, police check post and some government offices. There is a trekking store too where you can get all goods needed for trekking food and equipments. We stay overnight in Dunai. Reaching Dunai one can have a visit to the town or Bon stupa and school, Buddhists Central Monastery and the very first private English medium school across the river. You can have nice views of some villages and the whole town from this side.

Aug.26 - Day 04:: Dunai to Tarakot (2540m) 5-6 hrs Trek

As the trek begins today, we follow the upstream trail that banks Bheri River. First part of today’s trek is very pleasant as we trek along the levelled path occupied by beautiful landscapes in the neighbourhood. Almost a couple of hours of trek bring us to the settlement of Byasghar 2430 m. Exiting out of Byasghar, we continue trekking along the riverside trail that heads towards northeast direction. During this part of the trek, the trail most of the times flanks the river closely and at other time it climbs over the hill or around the ridge. The trek continues along open trails before it arrives to Baijibara.
This small settlement holds a Bon Monastery. After a short uphill trek further, dry stone walls and cultivating fields indicate the arrival of famous mid-hill settlement of western Nepal, Tarakot, A small settlement that nestles high above Thuli Bheri River was once a famous trading point as it was the capital of ancient independent kingdom Tichorung. Most of the natives of the village belong to Magar tribe and the most of them practice Tibetan Buddhism as their religion. In some clusters of ‘Kaike’ a local dialect is spoken, which is not spoken anywhere else.

Aug.27 - Day 05:: Tarakot to Laini Odar (3375m)/ 4-5 hrs Trek

As the trek begins today, we hike along the trail that lies on the southern bank of Bheri River. An hour long trek brings us to the open valley created by Bharbung Khola. Then the Phoksundo Nature Experience Trek heads east along the bank of Bharbung Khola. This part of trek brings us closer to Putha Huinchuli and Churen Himal. The trail beyond Bharbang Khola chases the easy steps that eventually bring us to Laisicap 2775 m. Now we cross the main river and begin to trek along the west bank of Tarap Khola. We head north until we arrive to Khanigaon 2950m. Khanigaon is the winter residence of the Dho-Tarap people. We can see the wonderful view of Sandul Gompa across the valley from Khanigaon. The final push on the steep uphill trail finally brings us to Laini Odar, which is a wonderful camping site with a beautiful waterfall nearby.

Aug.28 - Day 06:: Laini Odar to Nawarpani

Phoksundo Nature Experience trek today begins along the spectacular trail. As we head further from Laini Odar, the trail goes through the deep gorges with scary cliffs above them. After couple of hours of trek to the north from Laini Odar, the trail begins to become relatively open. A little bit of effort put to make the trail easier can be seen. We now trek on the easy trail paved with wooden planks and flat stones that leads us to Chhyugar 3440m. Chhyugar lies at the bank of small stream which we cross and begin to trek along its western bank to Pibke or Nawarpani 3475m.
The final part of today’s trek, which is couple of hours long brings us to Toltol 3530m. Toltol is a winter refuge for the people of Upper Dolpo. We will settle down our camps here for the overnight stay.

Aug.29 - Day 07:: Nawarpani to Dho Tarap (3950m)/ 6-7 hrs Trek

One of the most interesting days of the trek is about to begin. The trek most of the times runs along the bank of Tarap Khola switching sides frequently. On the first part of the trek we hike along the northwest bank of Tarap Khola to Ghyamghar, a small settlement with a monastery. At Ghyamghar, we cross the river and begin to trek along the eastern bank to Sisaul. At Sisaul once again we cross the river to its western bank and begin to trek along the lonely valley.
As we arrive to Langa, we once again cross the river and follow its eastern bank that climbs to a small arid hill. The last part of today’s Inner Dolpo Trek slides down from this small hill to Dho Tarap 3950m. Dho Tarap is a fascinating settlement that manifests the real attributes of Dolpo. This famous settlement of Dolpo nestles high above a wide valley and was a famous trading point to the traders of Tibet and Mustang in the ancient days. We will settle down our camps at Dho Tarap for the overnight stay.

Aug.30 - Day 08:: Excursion around Dho Tarap for acclimatization

First day of the festival - Inauguration, welcoming visitors, acclimatization, cultural dances and songs, exhibition

Aug.31 - Day 09:: Dho Tarap to Sulung Khola Camp crossing Chhoila (5051m)

Dho has tea houses, shops with minimal supplies and lodges. The people closely resemble the Khampas of Tibet, the men with a ponytail and red tassel coiled around their head.

The women sport musk deer teeth necklaces. Dho Tarap has a maze of mud-brick Tibetan houses which was featured in Eric Valli’s famous movie 'Caravan', the village where Karma and his band of young Dolpo-pa, and Thinley and his older group of Dolpo-pa, set off with their salt to trade for barley over the high passes. We will enjoy a nature tour and a cultural program consisting of traditional Tibetan dances and songs presented by the villagers.

Here we have few major sites that are worthwhile exploring around Dho Tarap.Including Ribo Bumpa Monastery & Drakmar Dewa Monastery, the vicinity around Dho Tarap has many other important monasteries which include Mekhyim Monastery, Dhoro Monastery and a Bon Gompa of Shipichowk among others. So make your decision wisely while choosing the monastery you prefer to explore from the pool of many.

Sep.01 - Day 10:: Khola Camp to Tinje (4110m)

The trail is easy today that goes by the side of the river.

Sep.02 - Day 11:: Tinje to Shimen (3850m)

Tinje is a very beautiful valley. There is a natural air strip where once a British aircraft had landed and taken off.
Today the trail goes by the side of Banjyang Khola. There are some villages and gompas on the way to Tinje.

Sep.03 - Day 12:: Shimen to Mischa (4200m) crossing Muri la

The trail goes by the side of river and then the trail goes ascending towards Murila (5030m). then the trail descends towards Mischa

Sep.04 - Day 13:: Mischa to Yangjer (4599m)

Today the trail goes gently ascending along the side of Mushi khola and then comes another river Khun khola. Then the trail goes towards Yangjer, which is one of the richest gompas. The monastery has the collections of valuable old Tibetan texts and statues.

Sep.05 - Day 14:: Yangjer to Salgang (3770m)

Today the trail goes gently down wards till we rich Torasumna. Then the trail slightly goes ascending towards Tiling gaon. From Tiling the trail goes by the side of the river near about one hour then the trail ascends towards Saldang.

Sep.06 - Day 15:: Saldang to Namgung (4360m)

Today the trail goes ascending and after walking nearly two hours this ascend the trail goes straight. After walking tow hours straight the trail does gently down hill to reach Namgung.

Sep.07- Day 16:: Namgung to Shey Gompa (4343m) crossing sela (5095m)

Today the trail goes ascending nearly about three and half hours to reach the Sela. Then the trail goes descending to Sibu khola. Then the trail goes straight with gentle descending towards the very famous holly place of Buddhist. Where, every 12 years on the Dragon year according to the Tibetan calendar, a holly festival occurs.

Sep.08 - Day 17:: Shey to High Camp

Leaving Shey the trail goes slightly ascending towards the high camp.

Sep.09 - Day 18:: High camp to Lake side camp (3620m) crossing Nangdala (5350m)

Today crossing the famous pass Nangdala (5350m) the trail goes descending. Today we will have to cross the river Tuk Kyaksa several times. After the Tuk Kyaksa river we will meet the Phoksundo khola and we follow this river. The trail goes through pine and silver birch forest crossing several streams. The day rest will be at the end of the lake on the North.

Sep.10 - Day 19:: Lake side camp to Phoksundo (3610m).

The trail goes ascending for the first half through the forest of silver birch and pine. After reaching the ridge the trail goes downhill to Phoksundo the deepest lake of Nepal.

Sep.11 - Day 20:: Festival

Opening Ceremony- Speech, cultural dances, songs.
Today we explore the area around Ringmo Village and the magnificent Phoksundo Lake. First, we explore around Ringmo Village and head to Tshowa (the lake-shore Bon Monastery).
The Gompa nestling a ridge top above Phoksundo Lake was built about 900 years ago. Exploring this culturally rich Bon Monastery is fascinating experience. Then we drop down to Phoksundo Lake along steep-sided cliffs.
The lake is famous for its magnificent turquoise colour and spectacular scenery. Ringmo village, a typical Tibetan village, is scenic view from Phoksundo Lake. There are several monasteries (Gompas ) and Bon-po religious sites at the park and we spend our time visiting some of these. We also explore the wonderful natural sites and enjoy our nature tour.

Sep.12 - Day 21:: Festival

Today we explore the area around Ringmo Village and the magnificent Phoksundo Lake. First, we explore around Ringmo Village and head to Tshowa (the lake-shore Bon Monastery).
The Gompa nestling a ridge top above Phoksundo Lake was built about 900 years ago. Exploring this culturally rich Bon Monastery is fascinating experience. Then we drop down to Phoksundo Lake along steep-sided cliffs.
The lake is famous for its magnificent turquoise colour and spectacular scenery. Ringmo village, a typical Tibetan village, is scenic view from Phoksundo Lake. There are several monasteries (Gompas ) and Bon-po religious sites at the park and we spend our time visiting some of these. We also explore the wonderful natural sites and enjoy our nature tour.

Sep.13 - Day 22:: Festival

Today we explore the area around Ringmo Village and the magnificent Phoksundo Lake. First, we explore around Ringmo Village and head to Tshowa (the lake-shore Bon Monastery).
The Gompa nestling a ridge top above Phoksundo Lake was built about 900 years ago. Exploring this culturally rich Bon Monastery is fascinating experience. Then we drop down to Phoksundo Lake along steep-sided cliffs.
The lake is famous for its magnificent turquoise colour and spectacular scenery. Ringmo village, a typical Tibetan village, is scenic view from Phoksundo Lake. There are several monasteries (Gompas ) and Bon-po religious sites at the park and we spend our time visiting some of these. We also explore the wonderful natural sites and enjoy our nature tour.

Sep.14 - Day 23:: Festival

Closing Ceremony .
Today we explore the area around Ringmo Village and the magnificent Phoksundo Lake. First, we explore around Ringmo Village and head to Tshowa (the lake-shore Bon Monastery).
The Gompa nestling a ridge top above Phoksundo Lake was built about 900 years ago. Exploring this culturally rich Bon Monastery is fascinating experience. Then we drop down to Phoksundo Lake along steep-sided cliffs.
The lake is famous for its magnificent turquoise colour and spectacular scenery. Ringmo village, a typical Tibetan village, is scenic view from Phoksundo Lake. There are several monasteries (Gompas ) and Bon-po religious sites at the park and we spend our time visiting some of these. We also explore the wonderful natural sites and enjoy our nature tour.

Sep.15 - Day 24:: Festival

Closing Ceremony

Sep.29 - Day 27:: Phoksundo to Chhepka (2720m)

Today the trail goes gently ascending towards the ridge then the trail goes ascending. This winding ascending trail reaches the place called Polum, the winter settlement for the people of Ringmo. Then the trail goes mostly straight with gentle descends till Sumduwa. The trail descends through small streams and wood towards Chhepka.

Sep.27 - Day 28:: Chhepka to Juphal (2475m)

Today leaving Chhepka again the trail goes through some small streams and forests. There are some villages on the way and can see some more places for winter migrations. When we reach Suligad we will cross the bridge and reach Rupgad. After crossing Rupgad the trail goes straight by the side of river Bheri till Kalagauda. From Kalagauda the trail goes ascending towards Juphal through a village call Dangimara. Finally we reach Juphal and have a night rest to catch the early morning flight next day.

Sep.18- Day 29: Juphal to Nepalgunj and to Kathmandu on same day by fiight

We take early morning flight to Nepalgunj after having breakfast. We can catch the same flight from Nepalgunj for Kathmandu. Our representative will pick you up at the domestic airport and escort you to the hotel.