Upper Dolpo & Shey Gompa Trek

After lunch transfer to airport for the flight to Nepalgunj around Far Southern West Nepal.

On reaching at Nepalgunj airport, then transfer to respective hotels with time for walk around the city of Nepalgunj which is close to India border of UP (Utter Pradesh).

Early breakfast for another short flight to Jhupal in Dolpo, at Jhupal join with our trekking staff and trek to Dunai for overnight stop, walk leads through interesting farm villages and farm lands with views of snow capped peaks in the distance in Jhupal in the comfort of nice lodge.

After overnight at Dunai, morning walk leads into market to cross a bridge over Thulo Bheri River and then climb over a ridge to Phuksumdo River valley with views of Kagmara peak, from here trek leads downhill passing spread out houses with walnut trees close to a stream at Dhera a small cattle herders settlements. From here a short climb to Rahagaon village of Thakuri Hindu people, then downhill into thick forest to reach overnight camp at Chhepka near Ankhe, a small village by the entrance of Shey Phuksumdo National Park.

From Chhepka morning walk with short climb and descend through forest reaching a river bank, from here climb on leaving the forest, from the top walk downhill to forested area leading upstream to cross a small bridge at Ryajik village, trek further to Sumdu near Sulighat village for overnight stop.

Morning walk leads to our first destination at Phuksumdo Lake after Pungmo Kholas valley and crossing streams, following Pungmo Khola downhill into pine and birch trees to reach at upper side of Phokshindo Khola, after a short break continue walk to Ringmo village, an interesting, attractive Tibetan like village with mud plastered chhorten and Mani (prayer) walls.

From here a short walk to Phoksumdo Lake for overnight camp by the shore of beautiful turquoise Phoksumdo Lake.

A perfect place for free and rest day, just relax and marvel the beautiful views of surrounding landscapes and peaks of Kagmara, or visit this interesting Ringmo village and walk to the lake side.

From this lovely place morning walk starts to higher area of upper Dolpo region to our another highlight and final destination of this awesome journey walk follows to contour around rocky ledge over the river bank on the unsteady path, then approaching at the western side the lake through a summer pasture which opens into a wide plain of Phoksumdo Khola for the overnight camp by the river shore.

After a nice walk of previous day, today’s morning trek begins on a good path leading northern area of Phoksumdo Khola and then walking up on the hill slopes, after a steep uphill to reach at a ridge top with impressive scenery of wide green valley and looking over Kang-La pass that leads to Shey Gompa, setting the camp for the night stop on this nice green summer pasture.

Morning walk starts to our main destination at Shey Gompa which the high lights of this adventure after Phoksumdo Lake, trek continues with a climb on stone and rocky path to cross Kang-la pass at 5,360 meters, highest point of this adventure.

The top offers super views of landscapes with snow clad peaks including Mt. Dhaulagiri.

After reaching the top ridge, descend to the bottom of the hill leading by the river then across cattle herder camps, after a short stop continue towards Buddhist prayer monument Chortens and Mani.

After a great walk reaching at Shey Gompa located beneath Crystal Mountain regarded as a Holy Mountain with an old monastery nearby.

A perfect place for rest day in this high mountain area, in the harmony of nature and chanting of monks, visit Shey Monastery also known Crystal Monastery, this area is well described in the novel Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen.

From this wonderful place, our journey continuous into a wall canyon, trail meanders atop Saldang-la, offering great views of landscapes and of Mt. Dhaulagiri peaks, downhill on the grazing area with pleasant walk to Namduna Gaon for overnight stop.

After a stop in this village walk on dusty windswept terrain, leading to steep uphill to reach our overnight camp at Saldang, another impressive large village of the region, situated higher side of the plateau.

From here, morning walk following river Nang chu all the way with short ups and down and then passing few cattle herders settlement, and then heading to our overnight camp at Chagaon a small village with an old Rapa Gomba of pre Buddhist Bon-Pa culture.

Morning walking on main route, then taking South West direction to Rakyo beyond, after crossing the same trail following river through farm fields, and then walk into Darshama Dovan another village of farmers and cattle herders, from here walk leads to pasture land at Rakyo for overnight camp.

Today walk leads away from human settlement and villages to camp in complete wilderness, heading higher but due south with incredible views of Dolpo vast windswept landscapes around isolated area. Walk leads over Jyanta Bhanjyang or a pass at 5,231 m one of the highest pass of this adventure after Kang-la and then heading downhill to camp around pasture field at about 4,542 meters high.

After nice stop in this summer pasture area walk follows a small stream for short while, and then encountering yaks and mules laden caravan on route Tibet, trade with Tibet exists since hundreds of years, and this walking route lies on the old Trans Himalayan Caravan Route.
Finally this fine walk ends at Murjung a small interesting village for overnight.

From Murjung, morning starts with steep climb to reach a ridge with tremendous views of massive Mt. Dhaulagiri range, from here a long descend to Tarap valley, one of the largest and longest valley of Dolpo area which is about 20 k.m. which stretches following Tarap Chu River, after an easy walk for hours reaching at Tokyu -Gaon for overnight, this is one of the most impressive and interesting village of Dolpo area, consist of more than ten villages and nice tended farm fields with an old monasteries.

After Tokyu-Gaon, morning starts with downhill walk towards Tarap Chu on broader green valley, this is one of the scenic wide valleys with lots of Sheppard’s settlements of Yaks and Sheep, and walk continues to our overnight camp at Dho Tarap, this is another interesting village with mix tribes of Tibetans origin and Magar hill people.

From here a long descend to Tarap valley, one of the largest and longest valley of Dolpo area which is about 20 k.m. which stretches following Tarap Chu River most of the way to joins with Thuli Bheri River near Tarakot village, walk leads past Langa with beautiful cascading waterfalls heading due south following the trail after Sisaul and small place of Kesila around Yak herders temporary camps to reach our overnight camp at Ghyamgar.

Today walks on Tarap nice valley, as the trail enter into a narrow gorge with some vegetation of bushes of juniper and wild rose, walk leads past Toltol with a large overhanging cave, around this area might see some wild life like Naur or Blue Sheep and other animals.

As the walk progress reaching a confluence of River Tarap Chu and Lang Khola, overnight camp by the river after a long day walk of about 6 hours.

Starting the morning walk, passing smaller villages and then into a small wooded area, following river all the way at Tarakot, a large and interesting village with old history and well maintained terraced farm fields, Tarakot with an old historical fortress (Dzong or Kot) guarding the village.
Tarakot village houses famous old Sandul Gomba located at junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River where the overnight camp is placed.

After a great time at Tarakot, our last day walk leads to Dunai for short while and then taking a short drive to Jhupal for the flight back to Kathmandu.

Morning starts following many spread out villages and farmers huts, walking on wider trail with some short uphill and downhill towards Thuli Bheri River valley to reach at Dunai, on reaching Dunai time permitting having lunch. From here jeeps drive to Jhupal to catch our next morning flight to Nepalgunj.

Morning a short flight to Nepalgunj airport, and the connecting another scenic flight to reach Kathmandu, after a wonderful experience on Upper Dolpo & Shey Gompa Trekking, landing at Kathmandu transfer to your hotels with afternoon free at leisure for individual activities and shopping.