Phoksundo Lake -Dolpo Trekking

About the Trip

‘Adventure within scenic Shey-Phoksundo around Nepal largest national park ’

Highlights:

  • “Explore Nepal Far Wild West around scenic Dolpo and beautiful Phoksundo Lake
  •  Adventure within inner Dolpo within lovely views and exciting landscape scenery
  •  Visit cultural villages enriched with both Buddhism and ancient Bon religions
  •  Nepal largest Shey-Phoksundo National Park enriched with exotic flora /fauna 
  •  Cross high scenic passes facing stunning panorama of magnificent snow-peaks”

Trek Previews:

Accommodation Mode:   Hotels in Kathmandu / Nepalgunj local lodge where 

                                                available on treks with tented camping

Trekking Grade:                  Moderate and Adventurous.

Area of Trekking:               Nepal Far West Himalaya around Dolpo region.

Highest altitude:                 At Numa-la 5,238 m and Baga-La 5,214 m passes. 

 Trek duration:                    14 nights and 15 days (With flights both ways)

Total Trip:                             18 nights and 19 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)

Best Seasons for Phoksundo Lake Dolpo Trekking:

Best time from March to May months with September to November, during springtime when wildflowers are in full blooming season with various species rhododendron from tall trees to bushes, makes the hills alive with spectacular wild-flower. Morning and night much cold but enough sunlight hours.

Trek will be more enjoyable in spring with fine good weather for views and pleasant walks, chances of snow fall sometimes around higher region of Dolpo.

Next good time in autumn/fall from September to November, although much cold but days are bright and clear for views and pleasant walks. Days are fine but short sunlight hours can expect snow sometimes due to autumn and fall season.

Introduction:

Phoksundo Lake and Dolpo, an exciting adventure around Nepal Far North Wild West in the land where elusive and endangered Snow Leopard are found, along with herds of Blue Sheep known as Naur by the local Nepalese and Dolpo people.

An exciting and fascinating journey to remote corners within complete wilderness of beautiful landscapes, walk into lovely cultural villages adorned with Buddhism and ancient Bon religions of impressive old traditional heritage.

Phoksundo Lake and Dolpo trek leads you to Nepal largest Shey-Phoksundo National Park covers an area of 3,555 sq. kms, situated in the mountain region of far western Nepal, the park boundary extends to east and further west of Dolpo towards Mugu Districts. 

The park also provides a perfect habitat for some wild-life such as elusive snow leopard, blue sheep and other endangered animals including bird-life, lower Dolpo area lined with lovely tree lines of blue pine, spruce, firs as altitude gains vegetation and tree lines drops for dwarf bushes of junipers.

Furthermore, Phoksundo Lake and Dolpo Trek offers incredible views of beautiful landscapes of rolling hills and snow-capped mountain range, along with an impressive culture of Dolpo native.

 The main charm of Dolpo is walking away from popular and mainstream trekking trails, as the area is less visited by trekkers due to its remoteness that involves long-distance drives or flights.

An interesting part of the adventure is the beautiful scenery of dramatic landscapes, local impressive colorful traditional custom, and its undisturbed villages from outside modern civilization.

Phoksundo Lake and Dolpo trek begins with a scenic flight to reach Nepal Far South West around the low sub-tropical region at Nepalgunj city airport, where connecting flight takes you Jhupal in Dolpo.

Adventure starts from Jhupal heading the eastern side of Dolpo past the main headquarter town Dunai to reach the historical village at Tarakot, from here trek continues to the beautiful and longest valley of Dolpo at Dho-Tarap.

Enjoying exciting and scenic walk reaching an interesting village of Tokyu, the largest settlement within the Dolpo area, as well as impressive where you can witness the culture of both Buddhism and ancient Bon religion as well visiting its interesting monasteries.

From Tokyu village onward into pure wilderness to cross high Numa-La and Baga-La passes to reach our main ultimate destination at Phoksundo Lake, also called Ringmo Lake due to its closeness with Ringmo village.

A beautiful and scenic Phoksundo Lake, lined with blue pines and fir trees facing glorious scenery of snow-capped peaks and rolling hills, a perfect place for an extra day to enjoy its magnificent surroundings.

 After an enjoyable moment around the lower and inner Dolpo area and visiting impressive villages of great cultural interest, as walk takes you back to Dunai the main town and market of Dolpo.

Slowly our walk completes on reaching Jhupal, where a scenic flight reach you at Nepalgunj, and then continue air journey to land in the hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu, after a glorious and fabulous experience and adventure on  

Phoksundo Lake and Dolpo trek. 

Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to the hotel.

Day 02: In Kathmandu morning free, afternoon fly to Nepalgunj transfer to Hotel. 

Day 03: Fly to Jhupal (Dolpo) 2, 320 m and drive to Dunai 2,850 m -02 hours.

Day 04: Trek to Tarakot 2,537 m - 06 hrs.

Day 05: Trek to Laini Odar - 3,475 m - 06 hrs.

Day 06: Trek to Naurpani 3,653 m or at Tol-Tol - 07 hrs.

Day 07: Trek to Dho Tarap 3,944 m - 07 hrs.

Day 08: Trek to Tokyu Gaon 4,209 m - 04 hrs.

Day 09: Trek to Numa-La Pass base 4,440 -04 hrs.

Day 10: Cross Numa-La 5,238 m to base of Baga-La pass at 4,531 m - 07 hrs.

Day 11: Cross Baga-La 5,214 m and trek to Yak Kharka 3,995 m - 07 hrs.

Day 12: Trek to Phoksundo Lake 3,630 m - 04 hrs.

Day 13: Rest day at Phoksundo Lake local excursion to Ringmo village.

Day 14: Trek to Chepka 2,838 m - 06 hrs. 

Day 15: Trek to Rupghat 2,070 m - 06 hrs.

Day 16: Trek to Dunai and drive to Jhupal -05 hrs. 

Day 17: Fly from Jhupal to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj. 

Day 18: In Kathmandu spare and reserve as a contingency day.

Day 19: Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound.

Overview

Photos & Videos

Day to Day Itinerary

01

Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to the hotel.
On arrival at Nepal international airport in Kathmandu, received by our staff for a short transfer to your hotels. Where hotels are located within the hub of Kathmandu around the Thamel area, an exciting and interesting location, on reaching your respective hotel check into your rooms and get refreshed. Meet a hotel lobby where our guide/leader will brief you with full information on the treks, local cultures, and other necessary details to make your stay in Nepal enjoyable. The evening group dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant along with local folk programs to entertain you while enjoying delicious meals.

02

In Kathmandu morning free, afternoon fly to Nepalgunj and transfer to Hotel.
In Kathmandu morning option for sightseeing tour around interesting old monuments world heritage sites. Afternoon transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport, for less than hour flight to Nepalgunj. During the flight enjoy fantastic views of Langtang, Ganesh, Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri Himalaya as the plane lands at Nepalgunj city airport. Nepalgunj a moderate size city, located Nepal Far South West close to the India border, on arrival at Nepalgunj city airport transfer to the nearest nice hotel for an overnight stop.

03

Fly to Jhupal (Dolpo) 2, 320 m and drive to Dunai 2,850 m -02 hours.
From Nepalgunj, enjoy connecting short flight to reach at Jhupal in Dolpo, as aircraft flies over Himalayan green rolling hills, with views of Dhaulagiri peaks to the north. On arrival at Jhupal, our trekking staff receives you, who have walked all the way from Nepalgunj carrying all camping gear and food supply for the whole trek. After a short refreshing stop in Jhupal where a short drive takes you to Dunai. At Dunai and check into a best available lodge for an overnight stop, with time to enjoy walks around the street of Dunai market place, a small township and administrate headquarter of the Dolpo region.

04

Trek to Tarakot 2,537 m- 05 hrs.
The morning walk begins heading past Dunai through scattered farm villages and then into a small wooded area, following a nice good trail all the way to reach at Tarakot, a large and interesting village with well-maintained terraced farm fields. Tarakot, with an old historical fortress (Dzong or Kot) guarding the village, also houses the famous old Sandul Gompa located on the junction of Barbung Khola and Tarap Chu River where overnight camp is set. Tarakot, an old fortress town known as Dzong which means 'fort', before the Gorkha monarch united all Nepal smaller kingdom into greater Nepal.

05

Trek to Laini Odar - 3,475 m - 06 hrs.
From Tarakot adventure leads you to further northeast around the inner Dolpo area, walk leads past many smaller farm villages and cattle herder temporary settlement to reach a small forest area, and then follow a river upstream to camp at Laini Odar, a place with large overhanging rock caves by the riverside.

06

Trek to Naurpani 3,653 m - 07 hrs.
After a pleasant overnight stop in total isolation, morning walks lead towards a wide and beautiful Tarap valley, at first entering a narrow gorge with some small bush of juniper and wild rose, as walk leads past a place called Toltol. Around this area chances of seeing some wildlife like Naur or Blue Sheep and other animals, walk continues towards the confluence of Tarap Chu and Lang Khola icy streams, overnight camp set by the river after a long day walk of seven hours.

07

Trek to Dho Tarap 3,944 m - 07 hrs.
Another long day to reach into the main area of Dho Tarap and its scenic wide valley, a large valley with cattle herders temporary settlement as well a summer grazing pasture for Yak and Sheep and other cattle’s. Walk leads on winding uphill to enter Tarap valley, one of the largest and longest valley of the Dolpo area which is about 20 k.m. that extends towards Tarap Chu River most of the way till it joins Thuli Bheri River. Adventure continues past Langa, a place with beautiful waterfalls, and then heading due south following a nice trail after Sisaul and the small place of Kesila around Yak herders temporary camps. Trek continues to our overnight camp at Dho Tarap around an interesting village with mixed tribes of Tibetans origin and Magar hill people.

08

Trek to Tokyu Gaon 4,209 m - 04 hrs.
From Dho Tarap village, today a short walk to reach Tokyu Gaon, another interesting large village of Dolpo, morning starts with a slow climb for few hours to reach at Tokyu Gaon for overnight. An impressive and interesting village consists of more than ten villages with well-tended farm fields, enjoy visit of old monasteries of great cultural and religious interest.

09

Trek to Numa-La Pass base 4,440 -04 hrs.
After a wonderful stop at Tokyu Gaon and around Dho-Tarap valley, walk towards remote and isolated pockets of Dolpo within absolute wilderness, as morning walk head towards arid and barren terrain to reach on the base of Numa-la known as Phedi for overnight camp at above 4,440 m high, rest of the afternoon free for short walks around.

10

Cross Numa-La 5,238 m trek to Baga-La pass base 4,531 m - 07 hrs.
Start early morning with steep climb to reach on top Numa-La at 5,238 meters, the highest spot of this adventure, from the pass enjoy grand views of Dhaulagiri Mountain in the far-east with Kagmara peak towards the west. Includes views of Phoksundo Lake and beautiful valleys, after refreshing stop long descend to reach the bottom of Numa-la and Baga-La pass for overnight camp.

11

Day 11: Cross Baga-La 5,214 m and trek to Yak Kharka 3,995 m - 07 hrs.
The morning starts with a steep climb to reach on top Baga-La offers a panorama of Dolpo vast hills and valleys with distant views of the Dhaulagiri Himalaya range. From the top long downhill to Modo valley, time permitting visit its monastery, here where the path of Upper Dolpa joins on this spot at Yak Kharka, a summer pasture and a grazing land for yaks and other cattle.

12

Trek to Phoksundo Lake 3,630 m - 04 hrs.
Enjoy a short and scenic walk, morning starts from the base of Baga-la or at Yak Kharka to reach another highlight of the adventure at Phoksundo Lake. After an adventure crossing over Numa-La and Baga-La, the walk continues past Muduwa small village and over a stream to reach a valley gorge around a small grazing field at Temche near Ghuchun Khola (stream) Continue trek for few hours within lovely pine and birch trees to reach at the upper side of Phoksundo Khola, after a short break continue walk to Ringmo village, an interesting, attractive Tibetan like village with mud-plastered Chorten and Mani (prayer) walls. From here a short walk to Phoksundo Lake for overnight camp by the shore of beautiful turquoise colored Phoksundo Lake.

13

Rest day at Phoksundo Lake local excursion to Ringmo village.
Enjoy a rest day on this beautiful and scenic spot, explore around emerald color Phoksundo Lake, also called Ringmo Lake, and visit interesting Ringmo village. Witness age-old traditions of Dolpo native, visit the village old monastery of both Bon sect and Buddhist religion a nice lovely place for a rest day.

14

Trek to Chhepka 2,838 m - 06 hrs.
After a wonderful stop at Phoksundo Lake, the morning walk leads to cross Pungmo Khola and its valley crossing several streams as walk heads to shore descend past spread out farm with walnut trees close to a stream at Dhera a small cattle herders settlements. From here a short climb to Raha-Gaon village of Thakuri a Hindu ethnic tribe of western Nepal, and downhill to a forest to reach an overnight camp at Chhepka near Ankhe, a small village by the entrance and exit point of Shey Phoksundo National Park.

15

Trek to Rupghat 2,070 m - 06 hrs.
After overnight at Chhepka, morning walk with a short climb and descend through the forest reaching a riverbank, from here climb on leaving the forest, to reach a high ridge top. The walk continues with a climb into the forest to cross a small bridge at Ryajik village, trek further to Sumdu near Sulighat to reach Rupghat village for an overnight stop, after crossing a bridge over Thulo Bheri River with views of Kagmara peak.

16

Trek to Dunai and drive to Jhupal -05 hrs.
After a pleasant overnight stop at Rupghat village which is close to Dunai, last day treks lead uphill to reach at Dunai for possible lunch and refreshment break. At Dunai town our walk ends and then taking a drive on a local vehicle for few hours to reach Jhupal, where our adventure completes with last final overnight stop around Dolpo.

17

Fly from Jhupal to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj.
Early morning short walk to Jhupal airport, and then board in a small aircraft for a short scenic flight to Nepalgunj, on reaching at Nepalgunj then connect flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu domestic air-terminal transfer back to your hotel, with time in the afternoon for individual activities and shopping.

18

In Kathmandu spare and reserve as a contingency day.
A spare and contingency day in Kathmandu in case of flight delay at Jhupal or in the beginning from Nepalgunj to reach Dolpo, where the weather can be unfavorable sometimes even in the best time of the year. If all goes well as our standard itinerary, enjoy this free day of joining in for another exciting tour around Kathmandu at places of great interest.

19

Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound.
Last and final day in Nepal in the country of amazing Himalaya blended with colorful culture, as per your time for international flight our staff, guide transfer you to the airport for final departures home-ward after a memorable experience and adventure on Phoksundo Lake - Dolpo trekking.

Included

  • Air port pick up and drop by car.
  • Meals (breakfast + lunch+ dinner) during trekking
  • Accommodation (Tea house / Hotel / Lodge) while on the trek.
  • Well trained trekking guide.
  • All Ground transportation
  • Sleeping bag, down jackets if necessary.
  • All necessary paper works and conservation entry permits.
  • Travel & Rescue arrangement.
  • TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System)
  • Insurance of guide and porter
  • All government taxes.

What is Excluded?

  • Meals while in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu & Pokhara.
  • Porter (USD 13 per day) if necessary.
  • Your Travel insurance.
  • All kinds of drinks (Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks).
  • Tips for trekking staff and driver. (Tipping is expected).

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Phoksundo Lake -Dolpo Trekking

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