Upper Dolpo Trek (KK)

Overview

Located on the north western isolated area of Trans Himalayan zone, Dolpo region; the wonderful vast treasure of alpine species of nature and classic culture, is the exotic world for its rare Mother Nature and ancient human civilization. The region is famous for hard life of mountain people, rare alpine species of flora and fauna, the deepest and beautiful lake of Nepal- Ringmo (Phoksundo Lake-650m deep), ancient Shey Gompa and the highest waterfall in the country-Suligad Waterfall (150m height). The famous film Caravan is the small example of mountain people's struggle for the existence. Shey Phoksundo- the biggest National Park of Nepal is established to preserve the unique trans-Himalayan ecosystem of typical Himalayan flora and fauna. Much of the National Park area lies north of the greater Himalayan range-Kanjiroba Himal. The vegetation around the region is diverse due to two different microclimates. The Trans Himalayan area has more like desert type vegetation comprising mainly of dwarf juniper and caragana shrubs. Shey area was one of the study sites used by Schaller in his classic Himalayan Wildlife work. He conducted his research on blue sheep, snow leopard and wolf. Rare /endangered wildlife such as great blue sheep, wild yak and other common animals found in the region are goral, Himalayan thar, serow, leopard, wolf, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan mouse hare, Himalayan weasel, yellow throated marten, langur(white monkey) and rhesus monkeys. The region is equally rich in unique species of birds like impeyan Pheasant (Danfe-the national bird of Nepal), blood pheasant, cheer pheasant, red and yellow billed choughs raven, jungle crow, snow partridge and many others.

Shey Phoksundo National Park area of this region is considered within the Himalayan Highland Bio-geographic Province in the IUCN listing. This trek is fully supported organized trek through registered trekking agency. There is classic monastic culture in upper Dolpo and partly Indo-Aryan culture in Lower Dolpo region. On the basis of ecosystem, the Government of Nepal has categorized the region into two parts- Lower Dolpo (Trans Himalayan fragile ecosystem zone) and Upper Dolpo (Trans Himalayan extreme fragile ecosystem zone) to preserve the unique fragile ecosystem and classic culture. It needs special permit from the government to enter these eco-sensitive zones.

Package Itineary

Average hike 5-7 hours a day)

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (1310m), hotel

Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu, fly to Nepalgunj(150m), hotel
Day 03: Fly to Juphal (2440m), hike to Suligad confluence (2100m), camp

Day 04: Hike up to Ankhe (2486m) then to Reji (2940m) along Suligad valley, camp

Day 05: Hike to Phoksundo Lake (3600m), explore Suligad waterfall, Ringmo village, monastery and lake, camp

Day 06: Hike to upper end of the lake (3600m), tranquil lake, Himalayan valleys, Upper Dolpo started, camp

Day 07: Hike to Fullbari Base Camp (3900m), Kanjirowa icefall, glaciers, river channel, camp

Day 08: Hike to Fulbari (4590m), Kanjirowa range, glaciers and hanging icefalls, camp

Day 09: Fulbari - Kangla Pass (5195m) - She Gompa (4280m), grasslands, landscape, monastic culture, camp
Day 10: She Gompa - Seula Pass (5094m) - Namgong (4460m), unique landscape and lifestyle, camp
Day 11: Namgong - Saldang(3960m), traditional villages, colorful monasteries, typical lifestyle, camp

Day 12: Saldang - Nisalgaon (3800m), monastery of ancient statues, classic culture and lifestyle, camp

Day 13: Hike back to Saldang Khola (3800m), camp
Day 14: Saldang - Koma Pass (4460m) - Koma (4060m), most colorful monasteries, typical lifestyle, camp

Day 15: Koma - Simen village (3850m), classic culture and traditional beautiful village, camp

Day 16: Simen - Tinje village (4110m), beautiful mani walls, chhortens and bee-hive settlements, camp

Day 17: Hike to Sarung Khola (4390m), rare Himalayan flora and fauna, camp
Day 18: Camp - Soila Pass (5050m) - Dho (4092m), typical lifestyle, yarsagomba collectors expeditions, camp

Day 19: Dho - Serkam (3600m), classic monastic culture in Dho, camp
Day 20: Hike down to Lahini (3200m), beautiful landscape along Bheri River valley, camp

Day 21: Lahini - Tarakot (2333m), landscape and lifestyle, camp
Day 22: Hike to Jagat, Dunai (2150m), beautiful landscape and Indo Aryan culture, camp
Day 23: Hike back to Juphal (2440m), classic Indo Aryan culture, traditional villages, camp
Day 24: Fly back to Nepalgunj then fly to Kathmandu, hotel

Day 25: Day free in Kathmandu for relax and shopping. Farewell lunch with host family, hotel

Day 26: Program over, transfer to airport, fly back home.

Detailed Trip Cost

Trip cost per person (USD): $4999 (including restricted area permits)

1pax complimentary in every 11 paid guests group.

Permit fee: Lower Dolpo: US$20 per person for first week thereafter $5 per day. Upper Dolpo-: US$500 per person for 1st 10 days, thereafter $50 per day per person. National Park fee per person: $30 plus TIMS permit $20 per person for the trip

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

Unique classic tribal culture and 13^th century civilization, traditional villages, exotic nature, fabulous Kanjirowa and Dhaulagiri, Putha and Mukot Himalaya ranges, tranquility of natural beauty Phoksundo Lake, Suligad waterfall and high country rare flora and fauna...