The Dolpo Experience

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu.

Days 2-3 Fly Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Jumla; start trek
We start with a flight to Nepalganj (152m) and onward the following morning to Jumla (2,345m). Meeting the trek crew, this day we trek along the Tila Khola past some Hindu settlements and camp by the river in a beautiful valley.

Days 4-6 Across Buraburi La to Bhaisichaur
We trek up and down through Hindu Aryan and Buddhist settlements, forests and pastures. Staying in Napokuna, a Buddhist village with a gompa and chortens, we cross the Buraburi La pass (4,130m) the following day. At the top of the pass we are enticed by superb panoramas of the Mata Thumpa peak, the Kagmara peaks, the Kagmara & Balangra passes, and the Bheri river valley. We descend to camp amidst fine vistas at Bhaisichaur.

Days 7-10 Across Kagmara La to Shey-Phoksundo
Descending gradually to Hurikot, another Buddhist village, we detour and climb towards the Kagmara lekh. Passing through oak & walnut forests along the confluence of the Jagdula and Garpung Kholas, we enter the national park at Tojem. A day’s steep ascent brings us to the base of the pass. Monkeys and ghorals can be seen along the forested trail, embellished by some fine meadows and waterfalls. We cross the Kagmara La (5,115m), rewarded at the pass summit with a dramatic view of Kanjiroba (6,882m), Kanjeralwa (6,612m), and several other peaks. We descend to camp in a beautiful meadow. Continuing up the valley above the rivulets, we descend to Pungmo, a Bon po village that characterizes its remoteness, with gompas and chortens in the neighborhood. We carry on to Sumdoa, the national park headquarters, situated by the outlet of the lake.

Days 11-12 The Turquoise Lake
We continue northwards gradually climbing over the rocky terrain and past a huge mani wall, stumbling across an awesome waterfall. Climbing a little, we come in sight of the turquoise lake, set in a cleft between steep jagged rockfaces towering above. The village of Ringmo is on the west shore and the gompa is across the lake from where we are. We spend a day exploring and visiting the surroundings.

Days 13-17 Return via Dunai and Juphal
Leaving the lake behind, we follow the trail across the Suli Gad river, the outlet of the lake, descending gradually to Sumdoa. The trail continues along the river valley through the villages of Shepka, Ankhe, and Rohagaon to Dunai, the administrative center of the Dolpo district. The following day we trek to Juphal, from where we take a flight to Nepalganj. From Nepalganj you can proceed to a wildlife safari at Royal Bardia Natlional Park or take the flight back to Kathmandu.

Day 18 Depart for onward destination.