Journey to Dolpo

Trip Itinerary

Days 1-2 Arrive Kathmandu. Fly to Pokhara.

Days 3-9 Foothills of Dhaulagiri Himal
After a scenic two-hour drive to the town of Baglung on the banks of Kali Gandaki, we trek along the same river to a town at its confluence with the Myangdi Khola. We then follow the Myangdi Khola westwards past the villages of Tatopani, Dharapani, Takum, Muna, and Lulang, then go across the Jaljala Pass (3,430m), from where we encounter the massive Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu ranges in a magnificent panorama. Descending from the pass we enter the Dhorpatan valley, inhabited by the Magars and Tibetans who claim to be Magars. From here we contour north to climb across the Phagune Dhuri pass (3,963m), and gradually descend to the Pelma Khola valley. All along the way we camp on beautiful ridges & meadows, or by the lush forests.

Days 10-14 Dolpo
Descending to cross the Pelma Khola, the trail gradually ascends past the villages of Pelma, Yamkhar, Duley and across Nautale Bhanjyang pass (3,970m). From the pass, the Dhaulagiri Himal rises imposingly to the east, and to the west the Kanjiroba Himal stands in a majestic profile. We make our entry into the Dolpo region at this same point. Gradually descending towards the Seng Khola, we ascend past Phupal Daha, and cross two passes — Phupal Bhanjyang (4,570m) and the Jangla Pass (4,525m). We then slowly descend past the villages of Sahartara and Tarakot and turn west to arrive in Dunai, the headquarters of the Dolpo district, at the confluence of the Thuli Bheri and Suli Gad rivers.

Days 15-18 The Turquoise Lake
From Dunai, we keep along the banks of the Suli Gad. At Raha, we enter the Shey-Phoksundo National Park. We trek northwards past the settlements of Ankhe, Cherpa, and Reyaji to arrive at the unearthly beautiful Phoksundo Tal. The reflection of the surrounding forested hills and ridges, the depressed cliffsides and the distant Kanjiroba Himal on the turquoise blue waters of the lake is a sight of “out of this world” beauty. We take a day to visit the monastery at the hamlet of Ringmo at the northern end of the lake and enjoy the splendor of this unique place.

Days 19-28 Westward to Jumla
We head west towards Jumla through the village of Pungmo, crossing the high Kagmara La (5,115m), with spectacular views of the Kanjiroba, Patrasi, Sisne and Jagdula peaks of the Kanjoriba Himal. Trekking down past the villages of Hurikot and Chaurikot we climb once more to cross the Mauriya Lagna pass (4,325m) and descend again to Chutra and past Dillikot, Munigaon, Gothichaur and Garjyangkot to finally arrive in Jumla, above the banks of the Tila river. The following morning we take a flight to Nepalganj, from where you can proceed to a wildlife safari at Royal Bardia Natlional Park or take the flight back to Kathmandu.

Day 29 At leisure in Kathmandu.

Day 30 Depart for onward destination.