Thakurji Ice Lakes Trek (PP)

Overview

There are interesting one and half dozens ice lakes locally known as Daha and tal above 4200m in the Jajarkot Himalaya between Jumla and Jajarkot just southwest of Kanjirowa Himal. Many ice lakes are concentrated in one area and mostly they have name like Thakurji Daha, Sankha Daha (conch lake), Baraha Daha, Jogini Daha, Sainkuman Daha, Sajaman Daha, Are Daha, Harke Daha, Bista Daha, Dhad Daha, Khetali Daha, Pipale Daha, Hurke Daha, Nudal Tal, Baraha Tal, Chheda Daha, Giri Daha etc. Pilgrims from Jajarkot, Jumla, Dailekh, Kalikot and Dolpa districts visit this mountain to pay homage to Thakurji (God) where they do holy bath in the lakes and worship to the god during summer (July-August). There is a religious fair - the full-moon Fair in Shravan Purnima which falls in July-August as per the lunar calendar. Goat, sheep, yaks and horses of the surrounding areas especially from Jajarkot are herding here during this time.

You also see rare Himalayan flora and fauna here. Hundreds of mind blowing colour flowering plants including wild animals like musk deer, thar, blue sheep, marmot, mouse hare, wolf, snow leopard, Himalayan monal, Himalayan griffin vulture, raven, snow partridge etc. are found in this region. The most precious rare Himalayan species Yarsagumba (half caterpillar and half mushroom) is also harvest here in late April to May.

Along the route of this trekking, you see traditional villages, Magar tribal culture, typical lifestyle of mountain locals as well as magical view of the Himalaya, thundering waterfalls, meandering river valleys, forests, wonderful landscape and beautiful farmlands. This heart alluring area is unexplored and rarely visited by foreigners. We have identified and offer this product for our guests.

Package Itineary

(Average hike 5-7 hours a day)

Day 01: Arrive Pokhara (820m), hotel

Arrive Pokhara, after customs formality, meet the local assistant, transfer to hotel. You see numerous majestic peaks in Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range. Preparation for the trip. Dinner and overnight.

Day 02: Drive to Lukum (2140m), 218km, 8 hour, camp

After breakfast, visit Bindhyabasini Temple complex on the way, drive to Lukum Magar tribal village through farmlands, river valleys, hills and hillocks, traditional villages and towns. Magical view of Manaslu, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range on the way to Kande is seen in Pokhara valley. You see classic culture and typical lifestyle of locals along the road. Lunch on the way. Arrive the camp, explore traditional Magar tribal village, interesting culture and typical lifestyle. Dinner and overnight.

Day 03: Drive to Barekot (1615m), 115km, 7 hour, camp

Have breakfast, drive to Radijyula along Mid Hill Highway, cross Bheri River bridge then follow the river valley to reach Barekot. It is scenic drive through river valleys, hills, farmlands, traditional villages and towns. You will have lunch on the way. Explore lifestyle in Barekot. We release jeeps and meet local crew and donkeys for the trek to be started next morning. Dinner and overnight.

Day 04: Hike to Kumda (2480m), trek started, camp

There is the road little further up in the valley but it seems hard to cross the river. The road is under construction and the motorable bridge may be build up later. In such situation we can drive up further but now we start trekking from here. After having breakfast, hike up to Kumda through river valleys, forests, terraced farmlands and traditional villages. Have lunch on the way or late lunch in camp. Explore Kumda, the last village in the valley. You see beautiful traditional beautiful houses and typical lifestyle of the mountain people in the village. Dinner and overnight.

Day 05: Kumda - Duna (3130m), camp

Have breakfast, hike along the ridge through dense forests, pasturelands and hills. While walking, you see beautiful river valleys and settlements. Have breakfast, hike along the ridge through dense forests, pasturelands and hills. While walking, you see beautiful river valleys and settlements. You see animals grazing in the forests and grasslands. You also see locals collecting grass for cattle and firewood there. may see different kinds of mountain birds and wild animals on the way. Have lunch on the way. Relax in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Day 06: Duna - Thara Patan (3830m), camp

After breakfast, hike up to Thara Patan. Today, the distance is much shorter but it needs a spare day for acclimatization below 4000m. have lunch in the camp. Explore and enjoy the interesting grasslands and wonderful view of the valleys, settlements and the mountain sequence. Dinner and overnight.

Day 07: Acclimatization day, camp

The day is dedicated for acclimatization, so the day hike will be in higher elevation to the alpine meadows and hills. Generally 3800m-4000m is considered the treeline and it is always important to spend an extra day within the line. You see wonderful view of the interesting mountains all around.

Day 08: Patan - Thakurji Daha - Sankha Daha (4570m)

For the safety reason, it is always wiser to hike up slowly in the higher elevation and better to walk together, not to go far ahead and not to stay far behind. Have breakfast, hike along the rocky incline, reach a beautiful first ice lake Thakurji Daha (4440m), have lunch, enjoy there then continue hike up to Sankha Daha (conch lake- the shape of the lake is like a conch). Explore the wonderful holy lakes there in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Day 09: Explore glacial lakes and high country flora and fauna, camp

The day is dedicated to explore mysterious holy lakes formed in the high plateau, alpine meadows and rare Himalayan flora and fauna. Many lakes are surprisingly concentrated there. Rocky inclines and alpine meadows seem also mysterious that how they are formed in such a way. Colourful tiny rock flowers seem there very beautiful. Himalayan wildlife like musk deer, snow leopard, wolf, fox, marmot, pica, Himalayan griffin vulture, kite, raven, Himalayan monal etc are harbouring here.

Day 10: Sankha Daha - Chyakhure Patan (3990m), wonderful Himalaya panorama, camp

Have breakfast, hike to Chyakhure Lagna along the ridge between Jajarkot and Jumla from where you see wonderful view of the western Nepal Himalaya and valleys. You may encounter wild animals on the way. Have lunch, explore the alpine nature and enjoy with mysterious nature scenery around. Dinner and overnight.

Day 11: Chyakhure - Tumtu Pauwa(3080m), camp

After breakfast, hike down to Tumtu chaur along the beautiful ridge through hill slope grasslands and rhododendron forests. Have lunch in camp. Explore and enjoy lifestyle of mountain people temporarily migrated here and beautiful nature. Dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Tumtu - Dhota Chaur (2715m), camp

Have breakfast, hike down to Dhota Chaur through beautiful grasslands, forests and valleys. You see beautiful pristine nature, colourful rhododendron forests, singing birds, animals and typical lifestyle of locals in temporary settlements. Have lunch. Explore and enjoy the nature and culture in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Day 13: Dhota Chaur - Barekot (1615m), camp

After breakfast, hike back to Barekot through forests, traditional villages and farmlands. Today is the last day of the trek, so we release the local porters and donkeys but continue the camping/kitchen crew for the entire trip. Have lunch. Explore and enjoy the classic culture and typical lifestyle. Our jeep drivers reach there today. Dinner and overnight.

Day 14: Drive to Shyarpu Lake (1320m), 90km, 6 hour, camp

Have breakfast, drive to Bheri River valley then to Shyarpu Lake. Have lunch. Explore and enjoy the beautiful and famous lake in west Nepal ‘Shyarpu Lake’ as well as typical lifestyle of locals there. Dinner and overnight.

Day 15: Shyarpu Lake - Galkot (1210m), 140km, 7 hour, camp

After breakfast, drive to Burtibang, have lunch then drive continue to Galkot. Explore classic culture and typical lifestyle of the locals. Depending on the time, you can visit Sahastradhara waterfall there. Dinner and overnight.

Day 16: Galkot - Pokhara (820m), hotel

After breakfast, drive to Kande, have lunch. Enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Pokhara valley and pristine magical Annapurna range. Drive to Pokhara. Check in hotel. Relax in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Day 17: Explore Pokhara, hotel

The day is dedicated to visit World Peace Pagoda, Davi’s Falls, Mahendra cave and Phewa Lake. Depending on time, you may also visit Mountain museum. You see wonderful view of lakeside city Pokhara, Phewa Lake, the entire Pokhara valley and the magical Himalaya panorama from World Peace Pagoda. You see interesting waterfall in Davi’s Falls that disappears in limestone creek and flows under the ground. Have lunch then you also visit mysterious limestone cave where are see interesting natural idols and images in the cave. Visit Tal Barahi Island accessed by boating in Phewa Lake. You see the reflection of Fishtail mountain in the surface of the lake. Observe sacred oil lamps offering to the goddess in the evening. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 18: Program over, fly back home.

After breakfast, program is over, transfer to airport, fly back home.

Detailed Trip Cost

Entire trip cost per person (USD): $2,999

1pax complimentary in every 11 paid guests in group

Trip cost includes:
All accommodation (twin sharing basis) & food; three meals a day -breakfast, lunch and dinner (except bar bill), insured crew (guide, porters, donkeys, dzopa, yaks and necessary kitchen crew for camping trek), all essential permits, all domestic transportation as per the itinerary, service charge and government taxes.

Trip cost does not include:
Personal expenses (like laundry, communication, alcohol, cold drinks and bottled water during trekking), gratuity to serving crew, emergency evacuation, international airfare, visa, your travel insurance and any kind of gifts and donation.

Payment system

80% of total trip budget must be paid in advance (the amount should be appeared to our account just two weeks before the trips) for domestic airline tickets, permits, hotel bookings reconfirmation and essential preparations.
Balance can be paid before or during/after the trip.

Refund system
In case of trip cancellation in the last 10 days of group arrival, 50% of the deposited amount will be deducted. If the trip cancels 10 days before the group arrival, we settle the full amount in next trip.

Special Feature

Interesting zone of one and half dozen glacial lakes, alpine meadows, high country flora and fauna, magical Himalaya panorama, colourful rhododendron forests, mysterious rocky inclines, beautiful river valleys, Magar tribal culture, typical lifestyle, traditional villages, majestic Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Kanjorowa Himalaya ranges, monuments and lakes in Pokhara, and interesting monsoon camps of yarsagumba collectors and their expeditions.