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 Located
in the far western region of Nepal, the land of Dolpo
and its fabled Crystal mountain were the focus of Peter
Matthiessen’s classic book ‘The snow Leopard’. In 1988,
the southern valleys leading to Dolpo’s Shey-Phoksundo
National park were de-restricted. The visit to Shey
Gompa and the rest of the huge park covering 1,373 sq.
km above Phoksundo Lake is still restricted and special
trek permit is required from Kathmandu to enter the
region. The trekking into this remote and agriculturally
impoverished landscape requires a mindset to endure
hardships and all foods and camping equipment to be
carried from Kathmandu. There are several approach
routes to Dolpo from Pokhara, and Jumla.
The journey begins with a 35 minutes flight from
Nepalgunj to Juphal. From Dunai, the district
headquarter & check-post the trek route continues along
the banks of Barbung Khola to Tarakote, known locally as
Dzong for its hilltop fortress. Proceeding along Tarap
Khola through grassy meadows, Magar villages and their
gompas, the highest point of the trek Numa La (5,190m)
is reached, which affords a magnificent views of
Dhaulagiri to the south and Tibetan ranges – Kugung La
and Khyung La to the north. Blue Sheep, musk Deer,
Ghoral, snow Leopard, Tahr and black Bear inhibit the
park. Ringmo is across the Baga La (5,070m), a pass
surrounded by large glaciers and spiced rock cliffs. The
first view of the lake’s radiant turquoise-blue waters
of Phoksundo set in a cleft between rocks that rise
2,000m into the clear mountain skies and the peaks of
Kanjiroba is simply stupendous. The descending trail
drops along Suli Gad river to Raha, the park entrance
and finally to the hamlet of Juphal. |
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Lower Dolpo (14 days/13 nights)
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(Category: Strenuous)
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Day 01:
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Transfer to the airport and fly Kathmandu/Nepalgunj.
Overnight in lodge/hotel.
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Day 02:
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Early morning transfer to the airport and fly Nepalgunj/Juphal
(2,353m). Trek to Dunai (2,150m) 2 hrs. walk. (B,L,D)
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Day 03:
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Trek from Dunai to Tarakot (2,800m) 4 hrs. walk. (B,L,D)
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Day 04: |
Trek from Tarakote to Lahini (3,200m) 5 hrs. walk. (B,L,D)
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Day 05: |
Trek from Lahini to Nawar Pani along Tarap Khola. (B,L,D)
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Day 06: |
Trek from Nawar Pani to Do Tarap (4,040m) 5 hrs. walk. (B,L,D)
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Day 07:
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Trek from Do Tarap to Tok Kyu 5 hrs walk. (B,L,D)
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Day 08:
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Trek from Tok Kyu to Poyon Khola crossing Num La
(5,190m) 5 hrs. walk. (B,L,D)
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Day 09:
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Trek from Poyon Khola to Chimi Che crossing Baga La
(5,070m) 6 hrs. walk. (B,L,D)
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Day 10:
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Trek from Chimi Che to Phoksundo (3,600m) 5 hrs. walk. (B,L,D)
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Day 11:
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Around Phoksundo Lake. (B,L,D)
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Day 12:
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Trek from Ringmo to Sepka (2,700m) 6 hrs. walk. (B,L,D)
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Day 13:
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Trek from Sepka to Juphal 5 hrs. walk. (B,L,D)
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Day 14:
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Fly Juphal/Nepalgunj/Kathmandu.
(B)
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