Welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal. It’s a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. And as your plane hits the tarmac, our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Welcome drinks will be served and after time in getting refreshed, that evening you will be invited to a welcome dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Kathmandu. You will also receive a trip briefing before retiring for the night at the hotel.

Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu which are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. We visit the historic Durbar Square, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath’ and Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath), which is also one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, there will be a pre-trip discussion as well as provides opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding our upcoming adventure.

On the third day, you will board a spectacular 50 min afternoon to Mahendra Airport in Nepalgunj (150m). The journey over the hills and valley is a splendid experience as you arrive in the largest city in the steamy Terai. Nepalgunj lies in the border region of western Nepal and India. Upon your arrival at the airport, a vehicle will be waiting for you to escort you through old villages and countryside to the Hotel. Since the temperature 28 degrees at night, you will sleep in the comforts of air conditions at your Hotel room.

Today after an early breakfast transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Juphal, a super scenic flight of 45 minutes brings you at Juphal over the Himalayan foothills, with views of Himalayan peaks to the north. On arriving at Juphal our other trekking staffs will receive you. Our first day adventure begins through the terraced fields to the Bheri River and the narrow gorge taking 3 hours to camp at Dunai. Dunai is the administrative headquarter of the Dolpo region. You have time to stroll around for local knowledge.

We start trekking from Dunai, cross the big steel suspension bridge and turn west, following the trail past the hospital, and then it’s a level walk along the bank of the Thulo Bheri to its confluence with the Suli Gaad at (2,070m). We follow the new trail north up the east bank of the Suli Gaad to a collection of teashops run by the wives of army personnel in Dunai. Another hour of walking takes us to Kal Rupi and then on to Raktang (2,260m). We cross to the west bank and trek past numerous goths and horse pastures, over a ridge to the rough stone houses of Jyalhasa, a wintering spot for the people of Ringmo. We keep walking upstream to another bridge, cross it to the east bank, and make our way past some crude teashops and a bridge over a side stream, the Ankhe Khola, at (2,460m). The trail moves up and down through grass and ferns to a trail junction. The fork is the old trail leading to the army and national park post at Ankhe, and on to the old trail that passes the villages of Rahagoan and Parela, high on the ridge above. These three villages have a strange name connection: Parela (parela means eye-lashes), Rahagoan (raha means eyebrow) and Ankhe (ankha is eye). The trail Phoksumdo Lake climbs over a ridge at (2,710m) then descends on a rocky path to Chepka (2,670m), which is inhabited by three brothers and consists of collection of interconnected shops, rakshi stalls and lodges. We camp here or at another good spot beside a huge rock in walnut grove about 20 minutes beyond Chepka.

We continue on the new trail, which stays near the river, climbing over a small ridge, then crossing to the west side to avoid a large ridge and returning to the east side an hour later near a national park camping ground. Alongside the river at (2,900m), the trail becomes a collection of rocks and sticks forming a dyke along the river bank. The trail makes several more ups and downs through forests of firs and larches as it continues upstream to a bridge that leads to nine houses comprising the village of Renje on the opposite side of the river at (3,010m). We camp at a good camp site here or another about five minutes further on.

From here the initial hours of the trek is fairly easy. But from Sumdo the trail becomes very much like an incline. Here the river is left behind and you follow the path high above the water. Climb up to a ridge, about (3,875m), from where you will have the most staggering views of a (300m) waterfall, the highest in Nepal, and your first view of Phoksundo Lake. You then descend through birch forests to the upper reaches of the Phoksundo Khola and on to the picturesque settlement of Ringmo with its mud plastered chortens and mani walls. The village now has solar panels helping to improve the quality of life of the villagers. From the settlement, it is a short walk to the shores of Phoksundo Lake where you set up the campsite.

A trail leads from the lakeside through juniper trees to the white Pal Sentan Thasoon Chholing gompa, a ramshackle Bon-po gompa overlooking the lake that is said to have been built 60 generations ago. There are five other private gompas in various houses of small monastic community near the lake. The insides of the temples contain dusty Buddhist paintings and statues, but the trappings also reflect the animistic elements of the Bon-po religion, so some of the chapels are reminiscent of an ancient witch’s cavern. A donation to the ragtag collection of dirty monks will gain us entrance to the gompas; our Sherpas will be equally fascinated by the strange iconography and practice of the Bon-po religion.

You follow the trail that skirts the edge of the lake itself. This precarious trail is suspended on a gangway of wood supported on pegs, driven into crevices in the rocks and signals the remoteness of the area you are about to enter. You go very steeply up, to (4,040m), and then plunge down again to the valley bottom to enter the flood plain of the Phoksundo Khola and trek to your night stop alongside the river, within the confines of the forest to avoid the worst of the wind which is prevalent in the valley bottom.

Today you should take sandals or footwear suitable for Knee deep as you are crossings a few streams. This morning you continue along the level path through a glacial valley that now heads north. As this becomes narrower and narrower there are impressive vertical cliffs and contorted rock formations. At the confluence of the Phoksundo Khola and another, unnamed, mountain stream there is an old wooden bridge. Here you take the barely discernible path to the north east up a side valley which has a cavernous look. There is no trail as such, so it is necessary to clamber over rocks and boulders and to ford a stream that rushes down the steep valley. A long climb brings you to a sheep meadow where the trail veers up a steep ravine. A hard climb to the top brings you to yet another valley where you can see the Kang La, the pass will lead you to Shey Gompa. You camp just before the pass in a place that Peter Matthiessen christened ‘Snowfields Camp’.

The somewhat indistinct track is physically demanding, especially on the loose slate screed. It will take about 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the top of the Kang La. The views from the top are magnificent and well worth all the hard work. The height of the Kang La is variously given between (5,200m) and (5,500m) depending on the map one uses. On descending steeply to the valley floor, not more than 45 minutes, you make a long meandering trek along the banks of the river, crossing it once. A red chorten heralds your arrival at Shey Gompa where a quaint wooden log bridge leads up to the Shey compound.

After the tough day crossing Kang La Pass we have a rest day for both the group and trek staff. We have time to explore Shey and its gompa, relax and also do some laundry if you like.In the afternoon recommend that you visit Tsakang gompa perched on a cliff an hours walk from Shey. You may see several herds of blue sheep along the trail.

Today, you start by following a pleasant track amidst juniper, which ascends to a grey, stony canyon. This begins to zig-zag over bare rocks and coarse eroded soil until it eventually brings you to a flat spot, suitable for a brew or lunch, if the weather is fine. Then continuing very steeply up for 20 minutes before traversing to the top of the Sela La pass. Here you will enjoy great views towards the arid landscapes of Mustang and the distant snow peaks of Tibet. The subsequent descent towards the north is long and tiring, but you finally come upon the welcome sight of pastures of grazing yaks and sheep and nomadic tents made from yak hair. This signals your approach to Namduna Gaon. Like Shey, the Namgung monastery is of the Karma-pa sect. The monastery, a red stone structure, is built against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge. The red and white colors of the Gompa and its Stupas are the only color in this stark landscape. The village itself consists of only six stone houses and has terraced fields on both sides of the tributary, which flows down to the Nam Khong valley. The economy of the region is based on agriculture, animal husbandry and trading. In Dolpo, only one crop a year can be grown and this is mainly barley. In some village buckwheat, oilseed, potato and radish are also cultivated. Recently the main cliff temple collapsed and the villagers have now built a beautiful new monastery in the village itself.

Leaving Namgung monastery we start climbing. Further on it begins a long thrilling traverse along some dusty barren mountains. Looking down into the valley bottom it is very evident that the people have made best use of the fertile valley as one sees the neat terraced fields showing bright patches of green and ripening crops. You ascend before going down steep slopes to the picturesque village of Salding, situated on a plateau high above the Nam Khong nala and the biggest village of the inner Dolpo area. Though the village lies at about the same altitude as Ringmo, it is totally different. Ringmo, a Himalayan village is situated below the tree line while Saldang belongs to the arid zone of the trans-Himalayan Tibetan plateau. The village stretches for two kilometers on an open slope and consists of five villages having eighty well-built houses with nearly six hundred villagers. It is prosperous, not only agriculturally, but also for its strategic location on a trade route to Tibet.

After leaving Namgung the trail traverses high above the village. There are nice views back to Saldang pass crossed yesterday. After a few hours of contouring, we reached a crest. From here we see Saldang Gaun below and mountains in Tibet to the North. Look out for eagles soaring high in the skies.

The Dolpo-pa (inhabitants of Dolpo) lead a precarious life in this harsh environment. They grow what they can from this dry land as well as graze large numbers of yaks and goats. To make up for their shortfall in food supply they trade with Tibet using large caravans of yaks. In the past, they traded salt for grain. This is supplemented by manufactured Chinese goods and Yarcha Gompa collected in the Dolpa area.

We have lunch in Saldang village. Afterward, we take the high-level trail to Karang village. In June time the villagers will be busy ploughing and planting their fields. We descend to the valley and walk along the river bank to our camp at Tora Sumda. This is at the confluence of Wagon Khola and Panzang Khola.

Today is one of the highlights of the trek following one of the most culturally interesting regions on the trek visiting a valley close to Tibet rarely seen by other trekkers. This valley is very rich in wildlife, look out for herds of blue sheep, musk deer, Himalayan fox, and snow leopard.

Shortly after Camp, we cross the new bridge over Panzang Khola to the north bank. At Yangur village we will visit Dolpo’s oldest gompa surrounded by mani walls and nine chortens, after the village the valley narrows to a beautiful gorge with orange and yellow rock.

It is not possible to follow the Panzang Khola direct to Shimen village instead we have to bypass this precipitous gorge by crossing Muri La to the north. Tonight we camp in a field on the outskirts of Mischagaon village (also known as Mugaon). It should take about 4 hours walking to lunch and in the afternoon a further 2/3 hours to Mischagaon.

Shortly after leaving camp, we walk through Mischagaon. After looking around the village we leave by ascending the slopes behind on a nice trail up to Muri La. From the top of the pass, there are superb views over to Dhaulagiri. You can also see the peaks Tshu Kalpo Kang Serku Dholam and Tripura Thumba.

There is a steep and loose descent from the pass so it is a nice idea to bring your trekking pole (s). After dropping (500m) in altitude we will stop for a lunch on a grassy area near a river. After we follow a gorge passing a small waterfall to Chanpola Goth. The camp is in a grassy area next to a yak herders’ settlement near a river. North from here is a trail to Tibet where there is trading between Dolpo-pa and Tibetans.

It should take about 3/4 hours to complete the long ascent to the pass and 2 hours to descent to Chanpola Goth

4,132m/13,556ft 18 km 8 hours

After leaving camp it takes about an hour to walk down the valley to Shimen in the Panzang valley. This valley is one of the four main valleys in Upper Dolpo. The others being Tarap, Nangkhong and Tsharka. This village has groves of willow and a mani wall over (600m) in length. Nearby there are fields of buckwheat, barley, and potatoes.

After an hour we walk up alongside the river under overhanging conglomerate rocks. We then climb up to reach Mendo Camp on a grassy shelf. Shortly after you see Pu gompa on the other side of the river. You follow Panzang Khola for a further 1/2 hours to our lunch spot next to Namgyal Chorten.

After lunch, the valley widens out. After several hours we pass through the hamlet of Phalwa. Tibetans live in this place where the men have red sashes in their hair. Soon after we arrived in Tinje. This is one of the larger villages in Upper Dolpo located in a wide valley. There are extensive fields with two gompas and an old fort.

The Dolpo-pa artist Tenzing Norbu Lama was born in this village. At a young age, he trained in the art of traditional Tibetan thangka painting. Now Norbu’s art is well known.

To get to our camp for the night we walk past the disused airstrip then descend to a grassy area by the river. Today it should take about 4 hours walking to lunch and in the afternoon a further 4 hours to Tinje.

We follow Panzang Khola past ruins of an old settlement on the other side of the river. After two hours we arrive at the river confluence where we take the left tributary Kehen Khola. We walk for a further hour to reach our lunch spot in a grassy area next to the river.

After lunch, we continue walking up the left bank of Kehen Khola. We pass through several doksas before arriving at Rakpa where we camp for the night.

It should take about 3 hours walking to lunch and in the afternoon a further 3 hours more to Rapka.

We leave camp after an early breakfast for the longest day of the trip. We hike up the valley and after half ½ hour cross Kehen Khola. Usually, in May, we can use rocks in the river to keep our boots dry. If you are here in the Autumn season you should bring sandals as the water level is likely to be higher at that time of year.

At the river confluence near a yak herder’s camp, we take the left river Myantoku Khola. This valley opens out to a wide floodplain. There are several rivers that we have to cross over.

We start the climb to the pass by reaching a cairn at (4,950m). The valley widens again with many yaks grazing on the extensive pastures. From here you should be able to see another cairn and trail up to Chharka La. It takes another hour to reach the summit of the pass where we are rewarded with a spectacular view. After a short descent, the Dhaulagiri massif appears on the right.

On the descent from the pass the trail contours high above Chharka Tulsi Khola. Several times we descend then climb out of side valleys. After passing the entrance Chorten and the school you enter the old village. This place has narrow alleys and courtyards of the houses with their animals.

The ascent to the pass took 5 hours trekking and from there it is a further 3 hours walk to get to Chharka village

Today we have a rest day for the group and trek crew. You can explore Chharka and take some time to relax before the final section of the trek out to Jomsom. In the Chharka Village, we can visit the two gompas, both Buddhist and Bönpo, representing the two religions of Dolpo.

Shortly after leaving Chharka village, we cross Chharka Tulsi Khola on a bridge. At the river confluence, we cross another bridge to follow the left bank of Thasan Khola. The trail contours high above the river following some undulating ridges. After crossing a landslip zone we then descend to a grassy area for lunch.

After lunch, we continue walking up the valley where the gorge narrows. Soon after you reach the doksa at Norbulung.

Today’s hike should take about 4/5 hours trekking to lunch and in the afternoon a further 2 hours to Norbulung.

After an early start around 6 am from Norbulung Camp we pass through the high yak pastures of Molum Sumdo. We continue to a crest with a cairn at (5,100m). From here it is a further two hours to reach Sangda La walking across a grassy plateau with grazing yaks. We then start walking up the trail to the Sangda La pass. This marks the boundary between Dolpa and Annapurna regions.

The trail descends on loose scree to our camp at Sangda Phedi next to Bheri Khola. This is our highest camp of the trek so it will be a cold night.

It should take about 6 hours trekking from camp at Norbulung to the summit of Sangda La. The descent to Sangda Phedi takes about 1/2 hours.

From camp follow Bheri Khola for 45 minutes then contour up and climb up to the lower Sangda La at (5,035m). The mountain vista is superb as we look towards Kali Gandaki valley and Thorong La. There are (6,000m) peaks including Tongu Himal and Mukot Himal.

There is a steep descent from the pass on a loose, rocky trail. Further down we pass a crest with a cairn at (4,800m) then there is a further descent to a big rock at (4,500m). From this rock, there are two trails one to the right is direct and steep that most porters will take. The longer trail to the left passes a waterfall then has a short climb to a saddle. We descend to a grassy plateau with pine trees. The trail turns to the right along a steep trail to the suspension bridge at (3,900m). We have lunch by the bridge. This morning’s walk should take 3 to 4 hours from camp.

After lunch there is a steep climb then the trail traverses high above Kyalunpa Khola. After an hour we cross a crest with prayer flags at (4,150m). We descend through a gully to cross the first tributary river at (3,800m). We traverse for ½ hour to the second river again crossing on rocks. Soon after you will see the entrance Chorten to Sangda village. There is a large wall around the fields and the village is compact to maximise the number of fields.

On the other side of the valley and you will see the deserted remains of two abandoned villages. They are no longer used as their water supply dried up and this shows the precarious nature of living here. We set up camp in the school ground above Sangda village.

From Sangda we start climbing to the first ridge at (4,050m) then traverse to the second ridge at (4,120m). The trail descends into a U-shaped hanging valley full of grazing yaks. Up this valley, there is the peak of Tasartse (6,343m) towering above.

After 1 ½ hour, you reach the third ridge at (4,250m). It is worth looking back up where you can now see both higher and lower Sangda La passes. It is a further ½ hour to the fourth ridge where there is a good view of Kali Gandaki valley and Thorong Peak. At the tenth ridge called Jeula Danda you get a spectacular vista. You can see Thorong Peak, Nilgiri, and Annapurna. If you walk to a cairn above this pass to get views into Upper Mustang as well as down to Muktinath and Kagbeni.

We have a long traverse and descend to a river gorge then continue to the eleventh ridge. We have views of the green fields of Pangling where we camp tonight. As there is no water source for a lunch spot we will take a packed lunch for today’s walk.

For our last day walking on this trek, we follow the trail down through the main valley. We cross the Kali Gandaki river and walk along the road to Jomsom. After checking into one of the lodges you can explore the town. In the evening the cooks will produce a special last meal together. Later on, we will hand out tips to our crew as a thank you for all their hard work throughout the trek.

Today we have one of the most stunning mountain flights in the world! We bid farewell to the crew and to the high arid landscape of the mountains and fly down the deepest gorge in the world to the lush greenery of Pokhara. All the colours will dazzle you as we get out of the plane, as will the change in temperature and humidity! The rest of the day is free to relax or to explore this charming lakeside town.

Pokhara has an abundance of things to do, regardless of whether you are in an adventurous or relaxed frame of mind: you can go for a leisurely boat ride on the lake; take a 2-hour return walk up to the World Peace Pagoda with its incredible views to the Himalayas; visit one of the Tibetan refugee villages that dot the area, where Tibetan carpets and other handicrafts are available; hire a bike and cycle along the lakeside; you can try your hand at tandem paraglide with a professional pilot, an ultralight flight, or even take a ride on the new zipline! Of course, it is also lovely to just relax and take in the surroundings in one of the many lakeside cafes. Lunch and dinner are free to choose the food of your choice – we will give some good recommendations for great restaurants/cafes on Lakeside.

Morning we will drive back through the scenic countryside and en route will stop for breakfast and lunch. It takes 7 hours back to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu guide will transfer to the hotel and rest of the day relax or explore the surrounding areas.

You are saying goodbye to the mountains as your journey in Nepal comes to an end today. You are free until it is time for us to transfer you to the airport in time for your flight home. We hope you enjoyed the tour with us, and are sure you`ll be back in your trip somewhere in the Himalaya again.