Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Accommodation: hotel. Free meal.
Arrival in Kathmandu. Installation at the accommodation. Briefing of your guide. Rest then free dinner.
Day 02: Fly From Kathmandu to Nepaljung
Accommodation: hotel.
Meals included: morning, noon, evening
Flight Duration: 45min
Flight to Nepalganj, on the border between Nepal and India.
Transfer and installation at the hotel.
Day 03: Fly from Nepaljung to Jhupal and Trek to Sulighat
positive elevation: 100 m. negative elevation: 480 m.
Trek Duration: 2 h walk.
Accommodation: tent.
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Great views of the Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri massifs when the weather is clear. We meet in Juphal our kitchen team and our porters. Beginning of the trek and small leg up to reach Dunai, the administrative capital of the Dolpo region. Descent to the Thuli Beri River before quietly climbing up its Left Bank to Dunai.
Note: The flight to Juphal is subject to weather conditions. In case of bad weather, the flight can be made on Day 4.
Day 04: Sulighat(2110m) to Hanke(2500m)
Positive elevation: 640 M. Negative elevation: 250 m.
Trek Duration: 3 and a half hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
An hour's walk along the torrent leads to the confluence of the Suli Gad. We then follow a good trail in the middle of crops and forests that crosses twice the impetuous torrent (bridges). Encampment near the hamlet of Hanke that counts... two houses.
Day 05: Hamke to Regi Camp(3150m)
Positive elevation: 900 m. Negative elevation: 400 m.
Trek Duration: 5 and a half hours
Accommodation: tent. Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
The trail climbs to the hillside, then descends to the hamlet of Chepka, passes on the Right Bank of the Suli Gad. We then take a path cut on a section of corbelling in a cliff above the torrent to go back to the Left Bank. The encampment of Regi, a terrace surrounded by conifers.
Day 06: Regi Camp to Phoksundo Lake(3620m)
Positive elevation: 700 m. Negative elevation: 80 M
Trek Duration: 4 hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Easy trail the first hour. The vegetation changes at the confluence with the valley that leaves towards the Kagmara La: the trees become rarer. The trail now continues in the middle of the alpine pastures. Passage to Palam (place of wintering of a part of the inhabitants of Ringmo), then a steep climb to a point located at 3,650 meters. In the distance Rumble the waterfalls of the Weir of Lake Phoksumdo. Small descent to reach Ringmo, a village beautifully located on the shores of the sacred lake of Phoksumdo. Installation of the camp at the water's edge. Afternoon dedicated to the visit of the village and the gompa.
Day 07: Explore Phoksundo Lake
Accommodation: Tent
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Acclimatization day at Lake Phoksundo. A very effective day to acclimatize well before the passage of the next passes. During this day you can discover the beautiful village of Ringmo, by the lake.
Day 08: Rigmo to Pine Camp(3700m)
Positive elevation: 750 m. Negative elevation: 690 m
Trek Duration: 5 and a half hours
Accommodation: tent. Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
The first step in the restrictive zone. It is in fact one of the most beautiful stages of this circuit, as evidenced by the photographs of Eric Valli's book, Dolpo: hidden country. A corbelled path on the shores of the lake with turquoise waters, Himalayan poppies between the rocks. This trail is well maintained and presents no major difficulties. Going up the valley of the Phoksumdo Khola, we reach the Pine camp, located an hour from the lake. Then the trail follows the bottom of the valley to the gorge camp (approximately 2: 30 a.m.)
Day 09: Pine Camp to Kang La Base Camp(4650m)
Distance: 6 km - Positive elevation: 960 m. Negative elevation: 40 M.
Trek Duration: 4 and a half hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
In the Kanjelaruwa massif (6612 m), high glacial mountains dominate. After an hour of a steep climb, long crossing to access the pastures where we have lunch. This day is essential for acclimatization, we must take our time. You then climb a moraine (1 h 30) to reach an Upper Valley, then follow the Left Bank of the torrent to the camp.
Day 10: Kang La Base Camp to Shey Gomba(4350m) Via Kang La Pass(5356m)
Positive elevation: 720 m. Negative elevation: 1020m.
Trek Duration: 5 and a half hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Easy climb along the torrent, then into a secondary Valley on the right, which is followed to the pass. The last 100 meters under the pass are steep, but the path makes a large uphill crossing. Arrival at the pass after 3 hours of walking.
In Buddhist countries, a ritual involves dropping a pebble or hanging a prayer flag at each important passage (especially a pass), bypassing the place from the left, and pushing a vibrant So So So Laguielo. This rite comes from early beliefs; it was thought that each pass was inhabited by a powerful spirit that should be greeted in passing. Then comes a slope of black shale, which leads to the foot of the Gompa of Shey (3 h descent), a place made famous by The Snow Leopard of Peter Matthiessen. This most sacred sanctuary of the Dolpo was founded by a yogi who arrived on a flying leopard.
Day 11: Shey Gomba to Tsakhang Monastery(4370m) and Back to Shey Gomba
positive elevation: 400 m. Negative elevation: 400 m
Trek Duration: 2 and a half hours
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
This morning, visit the Tsakhang monastery located at the foot of incredibly colorful cliffs (2: 30 round trip from Shey). It is not uncommon to surprise a herd of bharals, also called Himalayan blue sheep.
Day 12: Shey Gomba to Yangu Khola(4600m)
Positive elevation: 950 m. negative elevation: 700 m.
Trek Hours: 5 h 30 walks.
Accommodation: tent. Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Sustained climb the first hour, then the passage of many small passes. The extraordinary view of the Tar Khola gorge. In winter, when it is frozen, the Dolpo-pa uses it to reach Phijor faster. This route is wild and particularly grandiose, the view extends to the snowy peaks of Tibet. The long descent into a large valley to reach the village of Phijor.
Day 13: Yangu Khola to Tia La Camp(4375m)
Positive elevation: 970 m. negative elevation: 750 m
Trek Duration: 6 hours
Accommodation: tented Camp
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Visit the village, the gompa, and the school. We then follow an easy and flat path along the torrent, before branching off towards Tia La. A sustained climb is then quiet in the end. From here we see part of the route traveled, as well as the kanjelaruwa and Kanjiroba massif.
Day 14: Tia La Base Camp to Tia La(5380m) to Kadang Gompa(4370m)
Positive elevation: 1000 m. negative elevation: 2010 m.
Trek Duration: 6 H walk.
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Very few people take this route that offers a real impression of loneliness and isolation. After 2 hours of the steep climb to the pass and a small descent, we fork to cross many secondary passes to 4,700 meters of altitude. The view of the Panzang Valley and its villages is beautiful. Small descent before setting up camp in Kadang Gompa.
Day 15: Kadang Gomba to Confluence Camp(3700m) to Nysal and Yangser(3850m)
Positive elevation: 200 m. negative elevation: 880 m.
Trek Duration: 5 H walk.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
It's harvest time; people harvest barley and buckwheat, only cereals growing at these altitudes. After crossing the villages of Chosar and Lauri, the path continues to the confluence of the saldang and Yangser valleys. Once the camp is set up, visit Nysal and Yangser, village and monastery at the end of the world. It is not uncommon to encounter Yack caravans returning from Tibet loaded with bags of salt.
Day 16: Confluence Camp to Saldang to Cha(3980m)
Positive elevation: 600 m. negative elevation: 200 m.
Trek Duration: 7 H walk.
Accommodation: tent. Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
We follow the Left Bank of the Namgung Khola to Saldang. Even today, many Yack caravans use this route. We continue our route to the hamlets of Namdo, Sibu, Pauwa, and finally Cha. The stage is long, but never monotonous.
Day 17: Cha to Jengla Phedi(4620m)
Positive elevation: 600 m. negative elevation: 80 m.
Trek Duration: 5 H walk.
Accommodation: tent. Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
We leave the last inhabited places of the upper Dolpo, to follow an austere Valley and cross many Fords to Jengla Phedi, a place occupied by tents of nomads who guard yacks and goats.
Day 18: Jengla Phedi to Tokyu(4150m) Via Jengla Pass(5120m)
Positive elevation: 500 m. negative elevation: 970 m.
Trek Duration: 5 H walk.
Accommodation: tent. Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Regular climb to the vast Jengla pass (2 h). A few years ago, some had the chance to see two snow leopards! Equally easy descent following the talweg. Chortens and Mani walls appear towards the end of the descent, indicating the near presence of dwellings. At the confluence of two large valleys, arrival in front of the Gompa of Champa Lhakang. Installation of the camp next to the chortens of the hamlet of Tokyu, located in the Tarap valley.
Day 19: TOKKYU-DO VALLEY-PANG LA BASE CAMP (4500 M)
Positive elevation: 500 m. negative elevation: 150 M.
Trek Duration: 4 H walk.
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Descent of the famous valley of the Tarap, "Valley of excellent horses" and visit of the school which welcomes 80 students. Also discover the gompa, the villages of Tango and Chumaga, the Hermitage of Zur, and the hamlet of Kagar. At Ribo Gompa, a point of articulation in the heart of the valley, you change course to go up the valley that comes from the East. Still some remarkable villages like Tsugso, Londje, Tabza, and the Gompas of Shichog and Nimaphug, before leaving the inhabited places. The trail then follows irrigation channels. Installation of the camp at the foot of the pass.
Day 20: PANG LA BASE CAMP-PANG LA ( 5400 M) - YAK KARKA (4900 M)
Positive elevation: 1050 m. negative elevation: 650 m.
Trek Duration: 6 H walk.
Accommodation: tent. Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Significant elevation gain to cross one of the highest passes of this trek. Regularly used by Yack caravans, the trail is well marked. After 3 hours of walking, arrive in the icy solitudes of the pass, a lunar landscape but splendid towards Tibet, very close. Steep descent at the start then quiet to the camp.
Day 21: YAK KARKA - CHHARKA LA (5000 M) - CHHARKA (4300 M)
Positive elevation: 400 m. negative elevation: 1000 m.
Trek Duration: 6 H walk.
Accommodation: tent. Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
A beautiful well-marked trail climbs to the chakra pass. When the weather is mild, the view of the Dhaulagiri range (we see Dhaulagiri II and III, Dhaulagiri I in the background) is superb. The easy but long descent to the village of Chharka, certainly the most beautiful of this crossing. This totally fortified Hamlet dominates from its high walls the waves of the Barbung Khola, as can be seen in the first images of Eric Valli's film, Himalaya, the childhood of a leader.
Day 22: CHHARKA-THAJANG KHOLA CONFLUENCE (4670 M)
Positive elevation: 620 m. negative elevation: 250 m.
Trek Duration: 6 H walk.
Accommodation: tent. Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
After an almost horizontal path (2 h), we cross the Barbung Khola, then the Thajang Khola thanks to two new metal suspension bridges. Arriving at the confluence of two main valleys, we take the one on the right. The path joins some prayer flags at about 4,435 meters, then climbs up to 4,600 meters. The valley becomes narrow, and for the last two hours of walking the trail is sometimes corbelled over the torrent.
Day 23: CONFLUENCE THAJANG KHOLA-LHANHIMAR KHOLA ( 5050 M) - GHALAN GHULUN KHOLA (4450 M)
Positive elevation: 740 m. negative elevation: 1260 m.
Trek Duration: 8 h 30 walks.
Accommodation: tent. Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
An easy path follows the almost flat bottom of the Valley. In Yak Karka, some pastors watch their Yack herds. An hour later, the path arrives at Nirwa La (5150 m), marked by a huge pile of stones and flags. There is a direct descent from this pass to the village of Sangda, but this passage is very dangerous. To avoid it, it is necessary to pass two side collars. The first is already in sight after crossing a large plateau. We access it by a path that crosses a large slope. It takes almost 2 hours to climb the 400 meters of altitude difference leading to Lungpa La( 5410 m), another grandiose sight. After a steep descent into a suspended Valley, we cross the torrent, then follow a path on the mountainside to reach the Kok La (5050 m). Superb views of the valley below and the Mustang in the distance, allowing you to guess the route of the next day to the village of Sangda. A quite steep descent to the camp of the Belvedere (4200 m), where we find trees, absent from the landscape for fifteen days.
Day 24: GHALAN GHULUN KHOLA - BELVEDERE CAMP-SANGDA (3750 M)
Positive elevation: 200 m. negative elevation: 900 m.
Trek Duration: 4 h 30 walks.
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
One hour of descent to arrive at the edge of the Chalung Khola (3570 m). A newly built metal bridge allows us to cross the impetuous torrent (3750 m) and enter the Mustang district. A climb, steep at the start then quieter, leads to a high point (4070 m) marked with many flags. Steep descent into the talweg and crossing a small torrent. A balcony path gradually leads to the village of Sangda, a hillside hamlet that has a hard time getting water.
Day 25: SANGDA-THREE PASSES WITHOUT NAMES-DHAKARJUNG (3250 M)
Positive elevation: 1050 m. negative elevation: 1550 m.
Trek Duration: 8 H walk.
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
The steep climb to join a balcony trail passing through many false passes. A huge pile of white stones marks the passage of the pass at 4,370 meters (3 hours to 3 hours 30 walking from the camp). The promontory of the second pass (4240 m) offers a remarkable view of the LHO Mantang Valley, at the gates of the Mustang. Descent to a very marked talweg where flows a small stream (3760 m). Last climb to a pass at 3,840 meters. The landscape change is striking. Right in front of you is the Thorong pass and the Tilicho pyramid, while below are the terraces and villages of Phalegaon and Dhakarjung. It remains only to descend quietly to the encampment.
Day 26:DHAKARJUNG-DANGAR LA (3470 M) - JOMOSOM ( 2790 M)
Positive elevation: 220 m. negative elevation: 720 m.
Trek Duration: 3 h walk.
Accommodation: Lodge.
Meals included: morning, noon, evening.
Last stop of this trek. Short climb (1 h) to the pass, from where you can see very well the villages of Kagbeni and Muktinath. The soil is covered with fossils, remains of the Tethys Sea. After a steep descent to the edge of the Kali Gandaki, here we are at Jomsom, the end of this long walk. The curious atmosphere, return to another form of civilization.
Day 27: Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu
Accommodation: hotel. Meals included: morning. Free meals: noon, evening.
Onboard a small twin-engine, we first fly over the deep valley of the Kali Gandaki. Then, from Pokhara, we go full east along with many snow-covered ranges. Installation at the hotel of the first days.
NB: in case of difficult weather conditions (bad weather or heavy cloudiness on Pokhara), the flight can be canceled. In this case, descent by the track in a long day by bus and/or Jeep from Jomsom to Kathmandu
Day 28: Free Day at Kathmandu
Take advantage of this day to stroll through the city center, or visit cultural sites. Marvel at Shree Boudhanath, a 36-meter-high stupa, in the Tibetan quarter of the Nepalese capital. Discover Pashupatinath, a Hindu holy place dedicated to Shiva, one of the four highest pilgrimage sites in Asia. Nestled in the center of old Kathmandu, Durbar Square never fails to captivate the visitor with its fine wood carvings, and the richness of its history. Explore the vibrant Thamel district, with its colorful bazaars, the perfect place to make your last purchases. In the Kathmandu Valley, the traditional village of Bhaktapur will amaze you with its seventeenth-century architecture. Last meal in Kathmandu taken in common with your guide.
Day 29: Departure Day
This is your final day in Nepal, the representative of Dare Adventure Nepal will take you to the airport according to your flight time on the private vehicle.
