Bonpo Century Trek | Old Buddhism Experience Trek

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Bonpo Century Trek Highlight

 -   Understand unique local lifestyle and culture

 -   Knowledge about last practitioners of Bon Po

 -   Enjoy the rich, scenic beauty of this abundant, mystical land

 -   Wonderful Himalayan scenery from numerous high passes

 -   Diverse landscapes and intact cultures continuing from the centuries

 -   Different kinds of rare flora and fauna 

 

Overview

The early Tibetan shamanism and animism, the pre-Buddhist spiritual and religious culture of Tibet, was known as Bon. And a practitioner of these shamanic techniques of ecstasy and ritual magic, the method of working with energy was known as a Bonpo. The word Bonpo originally meant someone who invoked the gods and summoned the spirits. The term Bon for Bonpos signifies- truth, reality and the true doctrine. It provides a path to liberation. Bonpos are regarded as pagans and as such they have suffered serious hospitality in the past. And nowadays another takes as little account of their existence as possible. It is commonly considered to be the indigenous religious tradition of Tibet. Although this is widely assumed by Buddhist's historical evidence. It indicates that the Bon tradition only developed as an uncertain religious system under the influence of Buddhism. Yet, Bon and Tibetan Buddhism existed side by side for ages. The present form of Bon ad Buddhism principles shows the indigenous form of Bon seems to fade out. It is the religion that is only in the Himalayas introduced around the 11th century. It existed before Buddhism was introduced in this region. Nepalese people have faith in diverse religions and only a few last regions where Bon. The oldest religion of the world exists is in the isolated wild west of Nepal, Dolpo.

 

Bonpo century trek takes you to the Dolpo region. Here people are influenced by Tibetan culture and this area follows the Bon religion. During this trek, you will go through the hidden land of the wild west of Nepal. With its ancient religious tradition of Bon Dolpo, it is the largest but most remote and least developed district of Nepal. The district of Dolpo has received very little world recognition. Here you will get the chance to explore amazing ways of life and encounter the fascinating Yungdrung Bon religion. This religion has been practiced in Dolpo without interruption. Some villages are practicing only Bon religion in other it exists side by side with Buddhism, with frequent intermarriage. If you are interested in this unique religion and you are a true nature lover. Bold Himalayan will arrange your trek so that you will be able to fulfill your passion and have a lifetime experience on this trek. You can enjoy wonderful adventures, interesting places, people. Likewise, visiting monasteries, and hiking to different villages, valleys are the part of this trek. You will be walking through a serene pine forest, oaks, and rhododendron. Additionally, the trek passes through many enormous mountain ranges.

Itinerary

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative of Bold Himalaya will welcome you. After greeting, we will drop you to your hotel by a private vehicle. You can have some rest. Later you have a meeting with our guide. Our guide will brief you about your trip. You can prepare for the trek first then stroll around the Thamel. Overnight at Kathmandu.   

After breakfast, we fly to Nepalgunj enjoying scenic views throughout the flight. After about an hour's flight from Kathmandu, we arrive at Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is an interesting Terai town of Nepal, situated nearby Nepal-India border. It is influenced by both the Nepal hills and plains well as local Hindu &Muslim cultures. Overnight at the hotel. 

From Nepalgunj, we take a flight to Jumla. Jumla is 140 km far from Nepalgunj. This Nepalgunj Jumla flight is operated three times a week. After 30 minutes, we will reach Jumla, regional headquarter. The only Technical School is also located there. Overnight at Jumla Hotel. 

Jumla is the starting point of our Bonpo Century trek. Today, as we begin our trek we traverse through the sub-tropical forest which frequently emerges to several mountain villages. Finally, about six hours trek leads us to our campsite, Gothichaur-a small village. Overnight camp at Gothichaur.

As we head toward Chotra from Gothichaur we find difference trail to the first day. On the second day of our Bonpo Century Trek, we gain elevation and at the end of the day’s trek, we arrive at Chotra. Overnight camp at Chotra

Today’s trail leads us to Kai gaon passing through all the important Bon Gompas. The one located here is Yundrung Droduling Gompa. We can interact with Lamas and the people about the culture and tradition of Bon and the importance of the Gompa. Overnight camp at Kai gaon. 

  From Kaigaon our trail goes uphill through woods of pine and silver birch that leads us to the top of the small pass called Balangra- pasture land. Then we descend to Ghodakhor where we can see some houses with hotels. Finally, trekking forward leads us to the place called Khaliban. Here we will visit Munri Sursum Gompa the Bon Gompa. Overnight camp at Khaliban. 

After breakfast in Khaliban, we head towards Karelikanda. Today’s trails wind through the low alpine woods to Karelikanda. We will visit the Sipu Kyalmo Gompa, on the way. It is the revered monastery in the region. Overnight camp at Karelikanda. 

From Karelikanda we trek toward Dunai. Today’s trail descends and after all-day-long trek, we reach the district headquarter of Dolpo, Dunai. There is the first Bon School, Bon Stupa and Bon school just across the river. It is managed by the respected Geshe Nyima Kunchap Rokaya

Today’s trail passes through several clusters of houses and villages which take us to the village of Baijibara. From Dunai the trail is straight at first and slowly ascends to Baijibara. There is a sacred site near the village where people go to pay their homage on especial occasions. Similarly, there is an old Gompa that has been established nearly centuries ago, which holds enough legends to explore about the existence and the survival of Bon in Dolpo. Overnight camp at Bajribara. 

From Bajribara we retrace on the trail we trekked yesterday and return to Dunai. Overnight at Dunai.

After having breakfast, we head toward Chhepka. From Dunai, the trail passes through pine forest. And sometimes it passes along the bank of river climbing over a ridge to Phoksundo River. Then our trek leads us to downhill passing farm villages with walnut trees close to a stream at Dhera. And climbing to Rahagoan village of Thakuri, we walk downhill to a forested area, Chhepka. Overnight camp at Chhepka farm village.

Today’s journey will be pleased with the cool natural environment. As the trail to Pungmo goes through woods and streams. By the sides viewing several waterfalls we arrive at the village Pungmo. Pungmo, typical Bon village where we can visit Namgyal Gompa as known as Techen Rabgyaling Gompa. Overnight at Pungmo. 

From Pungmo, we have another pleasant walk to Taparicha. Our trek starts with slightly uphill and takes you to a place where we can find Bon School Name as Taparicha. Overnight camp at Taparicha. 

Today we will trek toward Phoksundo. We will go through headquarter of Shey Phoksundo National Park, Polam. Then we hike uphill viewing the water of Phoksundo from the top. We gently walk downhill after a few minutes to reach the lake. On reaching Phoksundo, the deepest lake of Nepal, you can see Bon Gompas by the side of the lake that deserves a great value of Bon culture. Overnight camp at the Phoksundo 

Today we will trek toward Phoksundo. We will go through headquarter of Shey Phoksundo National Park, Polam. Then we hike uphill viewing the water of Phoksundo from the top. We gently walk downhill after a few minutes to reach the lake. On reaching Phoksundo, the deepest lake of Nepal, you can see Bon Gompas by the side of the lake that deserves a great value of Bon culture. Overnight camp at the Phoksundo. 

Today, we will be spending another day at Ringmo, exploring Ringmo village and Phoksundo Lake. We can also visit the nearby monastery and the Bon Gompa nestling a ridge top above the Phoksundo, built about 900 years ago. Phoksundo lake is a beautiful turquoise color lake. Here you can enjoy a relaxing walk on the serene lake’s shores with great views. Overnight at Phoksundo. 

Today’s we are having a particular part of the trek which is like a fantasy walk portrayed by a writer in their fiction novels. We climb along the narrow trail cut on a cliff standing vertically straight above Phoksundo Lake. Then this treacherously fascinating trail brings us to another side of Phoksundo. This trek is probably one of the best trekking days of Dolpo to Mustang trek. Then we slide down for ninety minutes along the beautiful forest to get to the Phoksundo. We trek along Phoksundo Khola, the river that feeds water to the lake to Sallaghari. And the final part of today’s trek slides up to the beautiful campsite at Sallaghari. Overnight in the camps amongst a beautiful pine forest.

Today, we trek almost three hours to reach Kangla Base Camp (4,100m).it is a relatively short trek. Our trek begins ascending the narrow defile of Tuk Kyakas River where the trail switches to the opposite side of the river several times. We cross the bridge over the river when we arrive at a place where the rapids of the river are calmer. We come across the wide valley after thirty minutes of walk from the bridge. Followed by two hours of the walk along the canyon brings us the potential campsite. A walk for a while further reaches to the massive rock slab, which is Kang La (Mandala Camp), our campsite for the night. 

The trek to the top of Kang La Pass is along the graveled trail uphill for three continuous hours. Though, all the efforts put to come up to the top of the pass rewards us with wonderful views. The eye feasting views from the Kang La Pass include Crystal Mountain. It is the most sacred peak in Dolpo which Dolpo pilgrims circumambulate each summer before the harvest. Shey Shikhar and Kang Chunne, both just over 6,000 meters are seen before descending steeply down to the valley floor and along the river. A red Chorten marks the entrance to Shey. Overnight at Shey Gompa. 

Today we are heading toward the oldest gompa of the region which is very worthwhile exploring. We will be trekking along the trail that caters to the views of true Tibetan landscapes beyond Tibet. Overnight camp at Shamling

From Shamling head toward Saldang but to get Saldang from Shamling in a day is quite unlikely. Thus, we rest at Campsite at night. After a wonderful whole day trek, we arrive at the campsite. Overnight camp at the campsite. 

Today we continue our trek toward Saldang, which will be relatively shorter. We will enjoy savoring the magnificence of nature throughout the trek today. On reaching one of the major villages in Dolpo, Saldang we will have many things to explore around Saldang. Overnight camp at Saldang

From here trail exits out of Dolpo and enters the forbidden kingdom of Mustang. Today’s we will chase the trail beside the river and the excellent landscapes that are barren yet so beautiful. And at the end of we will reach Rakyo. Overnight camp at Rakyo

In the west, the Himalayan Region is so remote that, we don’t get to see many human activities. And today we are trekking in such a region, where trekkers do not see the settlements for hours or even days. After about 5-6 hours trekking we reach campsite that lies right in the middle of Rakyo and Takyu

Today we will be gaining a little bit of elevation up to the Chang La Pass. Then we eventually slide down to the village. At the end of our interesting trekking day, we will arrive at Takyu. Overnight camp at Takyu

From Takyu we will head toward the trading center of Upper Dolpo Region, Dho Tarap. Dho Tarap is the famous settlement of Dolpo nestle high above a wide valley and a fascinating settlement that manifests the attribute of Dolpo. Dho Tarap is also a famous trading point to the traders of Tibet and Mustang in the ancient. Overnight camp at Dho Tarap

Today we exit out of Dho Tarap and Upper Dolpo Region and heads toward the pass that differentiates Upper Dolpo and Mustang. We need to trek for a few days to arrive at Chharka. So, the journey isn’t that simple and today we arrive in one of the ideal locations between Dho and Chharka. Overnight camp at the campsite. 

Today we head toward Charka Bhot from Campsite. Our trail passes through Chan la pass which is open in March to December. The trail is tricky at the beginning than gradual down towards Charka Bhot. Our interesting day ends as we reach to Charka. Overnight camp at Charka

From Charka, our trekking trail goes to the high land with some up and down hills on the way. Then, we trail passes through the dry hill from where we can see across the far distance. And finally, all day long walking leads us to Nulungsumda Kharka. Overnight camp at Nulungsumda

Today we will be crossing two passes. Our trail first ascends which takes us to the pass Niwar la pass and after crossing the pass we again proceed toward another pass Jungben La. From here the trail goes downhill up to Ghalden Ghuldum. Overnight camp at Ghalden Ghuldum Khola

Enjoying the views, with as usual up and down the trail, and with the change in the landscape, we reach Sangta. The interesting part of today’s trek is changed in the landscape which is also the main attraction of the place. Overnight camp at Sangta. 

Today we climb the hill behind Sangta and walk goes gradual toward Bhima ala pass. Then after the pass, we descend into Kali Gandaki valley, traversing high cliffs and reach pasture land, Yak Kharka. Overnight camp at yak kharka

From Yak Kharka, it is a challenging trail of rocks to Jomsom. Down in a descending trail leads us to Jomsom. Overnight at Jomsom.

 

Today we will take an early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. After 25 mins flight from Jomsom, we reach Pokhara. On the way, we can have splendid mountain and nature views. You can relax in the afternoon and have a walk at lakeside at night. Overnight at Pokhara.

We will spend another day at Pokhara. Today you can enjoy boating, paragliding and many more. As Pokhara is known for its laid back atmosphere, good food. Another night at Pokhara

After a well spends the day at Pokhara. Today, we will drive back to Kathmandu. And on reaching Kathmandu our Bon Po Century trek conclude. In the evening you will have a cultural/farewell dinner with Bold Himalaya. Overnight at Kathmandu 

A representative from Bold Himalaya will drop you to the airport 3 hour before your schedule flight

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