Upper Dolpo Jomsom Trek via Upper Dolpo Region

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you can see our representative from Bold Himalaya waiting for you. S/he will transfer you to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel of Kathmandu.

Today we will explore Kathmandu and discover its amazing historical and cultural monuments. After exploring Kathmandu, we will prepare and brief for the trek.

From Kathmandu, you will fly for 45 minutes of Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is a town in the western Terai. It is close to the Indian border and the Bardia National Park. Overnight in Nepaljung. 

After early morning breakfast, you will take 35 minutes flight to Juphal. You can have superb mountain views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Our trek starts from Juphal. The trail from Juphal to Dunai is comfortable and easy. The trek descends to Kalaguda followed by two hours of the hike along the trail above Thuli Bheri River after 45 minutes. Then we trek by the riverside and pass Roop Ghar with the water mill and finally reach the Dunai. Dunai is a small yet beautiful town. Overnight at Dunai.

We will gradually move the trail of Dolpo via Sulighar after breakfast. This route is quite beautiful and comfortable to walk. Crossing the west bank & trek to Jyalhasa. Keep walking upstream to another bridge to the east bank to Ankhe Khola. We trek through the isolated villages, lush green vegetation and suspension bridge we can also get the chance of learning the culture and traditions of the people residing there. We put our camps at an ideal location in Chhepka for the overnight.

Today, we are entering the restricted area zone, climbing over a small ridge, crossing the west side to avoid a large ridge. Then returning to the east side along the riverside to the rock & sticks forming a dike. Finally, several ups and downs through the forest to a bridge to Renje. Overnight at Renje.

After breakfast, we head toward Phoksundo Lake. Climbing over a ridge and descending to a wooden bridge with ups and downs along the valley floor we reach Suli Gaad. The trail follows the west bank of the river, from the western bank of Phoksundo lake. Crossing the bridge & climbing through a forest some big cedars to Palam (3,710m) then the route switchback steeply on a sandy trail to the dusty switchbacks (3,780m). You can see the spectacular views of the Phoksundo lake and the 200m high waterfall from the ridge. Then the trail becomes steep decent in the forest to the upper and you will be in Ringmo village. Finally, you will at Phoksundo lake crossing a bridge & following a trail north to the ranger station. 

After breakfast, we explore the area around Ringmo Village and Phoksundo lake. Phoksundo lake is known for its aquamarine colour a greenish-blue like a special Tibetan turquoise. There is no aquatic life in the lake, which helps to make brilliantly clear, that if you toss a rock in, you can watch it for a long time as it sinks to the bottom. Yearly hundreds of pilgrims visit this sacred lake to take bath in the holy water of this lake.

Whereas, Ringmo is the most popular
village in Dolpo. The Bon monastery in Ringmo is named Thasung Tsholing Gompa
that consists of nine houses and lies atop a steep eastern spur that lapses
down to deep water of Phoksundo lake and underneath the steep rock wall. You
can enjoy the panoramic vista of Kanjelaruwa Peak (6,612m), Tso Peak (4,716m)
along with many others. And you can experience the typical lifestyle of the
local people.

Today we are trekking one of the best trekking trails of Dolpo Jomsom. It goes along the mesmerizing cliffs, landscapes, pine forest. This particular part of the trek is like a fantasy walk portrayed by a writer in their fiction novel. Overnight in the camps amongst a beautiful pine forest.  

After breakfast, we continue to trek the Kang La Base camp. The trail leads us to the opposite side of the Tuk Kyaksa River. Then we walk along the suspension bridge and reach toward Kang La camp. 

Today we are entering the real Dolpo as we are trekking towards the most beautiful peak of Dolpo. And to the fabled Shey Gompa. The trek to the top of Kang La Pass is along the gravelled trail uphill for three continuous hours. Kang La Pass is at an altitude of 5,360 meters from where you can have an excellent view if deserted valleys, Crystal Mountain and U-shaped canyon towards Shey Gompa.

Continuing along the path to a large
meadow where yaks and hundreds of sheep can be found grazing. And crossing the
river for the final time across a quaint wooden log bridge and climb up to the
Shey Gompa.

Today you will have a well-earned rest in the Shey Gompa. It is said to be about 800 years old monastery (Tsakhang Gompa), with murals inside and an ancient scroll describing the mythology behind the Crystal Mountain. Tsakhang Gompa is spectacularly sited above the gorge on the true left of the Sephu Khola. Tsakhang Gompa is used for long winter retreats and appears to be under the wing of a Thailand monastery which is training lamas and maintaining the building. Likely to see Blue Sheep along the trail to the Gompa. Overnight at Camp.

After spending a day in Shey Gompa, today our trek continues to Namdung Gaon. Following the trail beside Sephu Khola for almost a couple of hours. Then we begin to climb up towards the top of Shey La Pass, which is almost two hours of hike. You walk through a meandering trail to reach the top of Saldang-La Pass. From there, the trail descends for a long time towards north to Namdung Goan. Overnight at Namdung Goan.

We explore the monastery of Namdung before heading towards Saldang. As we trek from Namdung Gompa we follow Namga Khola pass more summer herding spots and emerge out of spur for a short hike down to Saldang. This settlement is the largest in Inner Dolpo and is situated on the salt trading route from Tibet to the southern lowlands. And it is one of the most remote villages in the country with nearly 600 people. Overnight at camp.

Today we are descending to Torak Sumdo (3,670 m), the confluence of the Namdung and Poland Kholas & cross the northern bank. Then climb to Yanger Gompa (3,750 m) and trek along the river to a side valley. There are few campsites alongside the stream. 

You go up the valley to Mugaon and
climb towards the Mushi La at 5,030m. then you descend to Shimen village, you
finish your trek today setting your camp above the village. Overnight at camp.

After breakfast, the trek descends to beautiful Shimen village at 3,870 m. then we continue a long trek upriver through Pha (4,090m) to Tinje. Overnight at camp. 

Today we are heading toward Rakpa after breakfast. Passing the runway of the mysterious Tinje Airport then the path follows the bank of a river and ascends to a trail junction at 4,130m, where a high route leads to Tarap. Then we continue southward to a campsite on the bank of the river at Rakpa. Overnight in Rakpa.

From Rakpa we begin our day with a long climb to the Chharka La (4,920m) then we continue on the trail descending along the side of the valley, then into a valley (4,290m). Finally, we make a long traverse down to the picturesque village of Chharka on the bank of Barbung Khola at (4,120m). Overnight in Chharka.

After breakfast, we are climbing to a crest and descending again to the river. Following the right fork southward, and climbing in & out of side valley on a rough trail. Then, the valley narrows and emerge into a big meadow and climbs to the Norbulung. Overnight at Norbulung.

After Norbulung Camp we pass through high yak pastures of Molum Sumdo and then continue to a crest just over 5,000 m. we continue on past several river junctions and then start the approach up to the Sangda La. Then we descend on a gravel trail and long descent finally ends at Sangda Phedi. Overnight at Camp. 

Now we are entering into descent mode and passes several small rivers throughout the day. Then, more mountains of Kali Gandaki Valley start to open up near lower Sangda. This region also has a huge number of Blue Sheep. From Sangda we start climbing crossing several ridges until the final pass at around 4,200m where we have views of Thorong La, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri and also the village of Kali Gandaki below. 

Today we hike directly south towards Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang, back to ‘civilization’ on the Annapurna Circuit. Then we reach the long, cobbled path that connects upper and lower Jomsom. Overnight in Jomsom. 

After breakfast, we take the scenic morning flight from Jomsom. It takes about 30 minutes. You can see the sky that looks very clear which makes you able to enjoy the splendid views of different mountain peaks. Overnight at Pokhara.

After spending the night in Pokhara today we can either fly back to Kathmandu or drive back. It takes 35 minute’s flight from Pokhara were about 6/7 hour’s drive.  In the evening you will have a cultural/farewell dinner with the Bold Himalaya. 

Transfer to the Tribhuvan International Airport for the final departure from Kathmandu.