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Upper Dolpo Trek - 28 Days

Dolpo is one of the most secluded regions of Nepal. It can well be given the nomenclature of “Cinderella”, as despite being blessed with a varied topography, multifarious vegetation & wildlife, and a unique Tibetan culture, the development and sophistication have not yet been merciful to this mystique fraction of Nepal. As you gallivant around some of the places here, you get transported back in time and feel as if time has remained stagnant here since ages. Dolpo falls in the southern border of Tibet and owing to its proximity with Tibet, it is inhabited by the enticing race of Tibetan speaking people.The Shey Phoksumdo National Park, the grandest in Nepal, is another identity of Dolpo. This conservation park is an abode to some of the rarest species of floras and faunas. Himalayan Blue Sheep, Musk Deer and the very anecdotal and gracious, the snow leopard, navigate the mammoth premises of the park. Derestricted for tourist access in 1989, Dolpo is gradually emerging as one of the favorite picks for the modern day adventurers. This region has been the prime inspiration behind the creation of Peter Matthiessen’s best -selling book, “The Snow Leopard” and Eric Valli’s Oscar nominated movie, “Caravan”.

Dolpo can be bifurcated into Upper Dolpo and Lower Dolpo. Trekking to both the regions is extremely adventurous, but upper Dolpo encapsulates most of the Dolpo’s prime attractions. The Upper Dolpo Trek mandates you to be in a good fitness level, as you will be trudging up several high passes over 5000m, frequented by daunting and strenuous switchbacks. The actual trek begins, from Juphal. The clusters of pines, oaks and pinky rhododendrons will be your constant companions throughout the trek. While ascent to the intimidating Numa La pass (5400m) drains out your calorie, you will immediately get pumped up witnessing the beauty of the majestic mountains and resting at the serene milieu of Phoksumdo Lake. As we trek along the ancient trade route of the trans-Himalayan traders, we get a sense of the hardships they put up with when traversing on those demanding terrains every day. Witness the hoary history as you visit the ancient 11th century Shey Monastery. The Upper Dolpo Trek is a perfect concoction of history, wilderness, adventure, culture, struggle, guts and glory. You are welcome to this Tibet tinted trans- Himalayan region of Nepal.

 

OUTLINE ITINERARY

DAY 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)

DAY 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing and trek preparation

DAY 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m / 1 hr)

Day 04: Flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal (2354m /1 hr) and trek from Juphal to Dunai (2140m / 3 hrs)

DAY 05: Trek from Dunai to Ankhe (2896m/ 5-6 hrs)

DAY 06: Trek from Ankhe to Sulighat (2282m/ 5-6 hrs)

DAY 07: Trek from Sulighat to Phoksumdo Lake (3600m/ 4-5 hrs)

DAY 08: Rest and excursion day at Phoksumdo Lake (3600m)

DAY 09: Trek from Phoksumdo Lake to Phoksumdo Khola (river), (3600m/ 4-5 hrs)

DAY 10: Trek from Phoksumdo Khola to Phoksumdo Bhanjyang (3600m/ 6-7 hrs)

DAY 11: Trek from Phoksumdo Bhanjyang to Shey Gompa (4160m) via Kang-La pass (5360m)/ 5-6 hrs

DAY 12: Rest and excursion day at Shey Gompa

DAY 13: Trek from Shey Gompa to Namduna Gaun (4430m) via Saldang La (5200m)/ 6-7 hrs

DAY 14: Trek from Namduna Gaun to Saldang (3770m)/ 4 - 5 hours

DAY 15: Trek from Saldang to Yangze Gompa (3750m / 4-5 hrs)

DAY 16: Trek from Yangze Gompa to Sibu (3840m/ 6-7 hrs)

DAY 17: Trek from Sibu to Jeng-la Phedi (4900m / 5-6 hrs)

DAY 18: Trek from Jengla Phedi to Tokyu Gaon (4290m) via Jeng La pass (5090m)/ 5-6 hrs

DAY 19: Trek from Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap (3944m/ 4-5 hrs)

DAY 20: Rest cum exploration day at Dho Tarap

DAY 21: Trek from Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola (Kamakharka) (4400m/ 6-7 hrs)

DAY 22: Trek from Tarap Khola (Kamakharka) to Khanigaon (2950m/ 4-5 hrs)

DAY 23: Trek from Khanigaon to Tarakot (2537m/ 4-5 hrs)

DAY 24: Trek from Tarakot to Dunai (21540m/ 5-6 hrs)

DAY 25: Trek from Dunai to Juphal (2354m/ 2-3 hrs)

DAY 26: Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj (150m/1 hr) & flight from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu (1400m/1hr)

Day 27: A free day in Kathmandu

DAY 28: Departure to your homeland

                                                                                                                    

 

  Important  Snippets  

The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.


Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, the only international airport in Nepal.DAY 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)

Upon arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you need to accomplish your entry/visa formalities. You will then be received by a representative from Marron Treks and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Welcome drinks will be served at the hotel and then we will have a quick pre-trip meeting. You can then spend the remaining time resting or as you please. In the evening you can stroll around the vicinity of your hotel just to get the feel of this wonderful city. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

 

 

DAY 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing and trek preparationKathmandu Durbar Square, the UNESCO world heritage site in Kathmandu, Nepal.

After breakfast, hop in to our transport vehicle and head off for a guided tour to the renowned historical and cultural landmarks of Kathmandu. You will be visiting the sites like - Pashupatinath Temple (the most revered Hindu shrine), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square. All these sites have been listed in the UNESCO world cultural heritage list. After the entertaining and informative tour, we drive back to the hotel. You can spend the rest of the time as you wish or probably preparing for the next day’s flight to Nepalgunj. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
 

 

Nepalgunj, the western region hub of Nepal, which borders the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to the South.DAY 03: Flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m / 1 hr)

After breakfast, you will be driven to the domestic wing of the Kathmandu Airport. About an hour’s flight would take you to Nepalgunj, the western region hub of Nepal, which borders the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to the South. As we don’t have a connecting flight to Juphal, from where our trek commences, it gives us the opportunity to explore this hot and humid town. The city center, Dhamboji, happens to be the business hub with plethora of hotels and shops. Hindu as well as Muslim culture influence the town. Bageshwori temple and Muslim market are also worth visiting. Overnight at hotel in Nepalgunj; breakfast included.
 

 

DAY 04: Flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal (2354m /1 hr) and trek from Juphal to Juphal Airport, a domestic airfield in the Dolpo district of Nepal.Dunai (2140m / 3 hrs)

We take an early morning flight to Juphal. Dolpo flights are always scheduled early in the morning. This is because the swift winds in the Thulo Bheri Valley begin to swirl by 10 a.m., which could pose serious problems for the flights scheduled later. Once we arrive at Juphal, we meet our trekking crew and after a short sojourn, we commence our trek towards Dunai. We walk downhill through the meadow, pass by few houses and arrive at a small hotel at Kala Gaura (2090m). From here, the trail goes slightly up towards the Bheri river and then to a narrow gorge. Advancing ahead, we finally arrive at Dunai, the administrative center of Dolpo region. We set up our camp here and then explore this bustling little hill town for the rest of the afternoon. Overnight at camp in Dunai; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

Blue Sheep, one of the exclusive wildlife which can be spotted in the DAY 05: Trek from Dunai to Ankhe (2896m/ 5-6 hrs)

We take a diversion from the King Mahendra statue to cross the new suspension bridge and proceed towards the west, following the trail past the hospital. The path soon begins to climb up the side of the treeless Thulo Bheri valley to the crest of a ridge and then enters the Phoksumdo river valley, reaching another ridge, which is marked by cairns at 2,499m. We can relish the excellent views of the Kagmara Peak up the valley. Moving ahead, we approach a large canyon and descend gently along a long downhill slope through the scattered houses and walnut groves to a stream at 2,810. The trail below the stream leads to Dhera, a winter settlement of the people living in the higher villages. We embark on the upper trail and arrive at Rahagaon (2900m), a Thakuri village, where there is a Gompa dedicated to the local god, Mastha, reckoned as the custodian of the village. The trail now stretches through the lower part of Rahagaon and then descends to Phoksumdo river. We pass through yet another canyon and make a descent through the dense forests to a large stream, eventually emerging at the entrance to the Shey Phoksundo National Park at Ankhe (2,896m). Overnight at camp in Ankhe; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

DAY 06: Trek from Ankhe to Sulighat (m/ 5-6 hrs)Sulighat, the entrance of Shey Phoksumdo National Park and its buffer zone, Nepal's largest park (3555 square km), established in 1984.

Today our trail takes us through trivial ups and downs along the forested riverbed. We then ascend steeply to about 2,900m. The ups and downs are too frequent, yet some beautiful streams along the way break the monotony. We make our way out of the forest and then walk up a grassy slope, high above the river. From here, the route descends steeply towards the foot of a cliff. We now make our way up the challenging and wobbly stone staircase to a river bank at 2950m. From here, the trail becomes a collection of rocks and sticks that form a dyke along the river bank. We continue upstream to a bridge and then eventually arrive at Sulighat (3500m). Overnight at camp in Sulighat; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

Phoksumdo Lake, is an alpine fresh water oligotrophic lake in Nepal's Shey Phoksumdo National Park, located at an elevation of 3730m above sea level in the Dolpo district, Nepal.DAY 07: Trek from Sulighat to Phoksumdo Lake (3600m/ 4-5 hrs)

We begin our trek, walking along the valley floor to the confluence of the Phoksumdo and Pungmo Rivers. After crossing to the western side of the Phoksumdo River on a wooden bridge, we follow the west bank of the Pungmo River. The path passes through a cedar forest to Palam, a winter settlement used by the people of Ringmo village. The houses here are almost buried in the sandy soil. Advancing further, we head up to open country and then to a ridge at an altitude of around 3,350m. From the ridge, one can see the distant views of Phoksumdo Lake and a spectacular 200m high waterfall, the highest in Nepal. After this scenic stoppage, we descend through the birch forests to the upper reaches of the Phoksumdo River, and then to the picturesque settlement of Ringmo, with its mud plastered chortens and mani walls. From here, it is a short and pleasant walk to the picturesque shores of Phoksumdo Lake (3600m). Overnight at camp in Phoksumdo Lake; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

DAY 08: Rest and excursion day at Phoksumdo Lake (3600m)Bon-po Gompa or Sentan Thasoon Chholing, an aged monastery in the far western region of Nepal that was built about 60 generations ago.

A well deserved sojourn in the most fascinating milieu of the trek. We are at one of the most scenic locations of the trek, so an excursion is always on the cards. We can take a soothing stroll around the Phoksumdo Lake. Phoksumdo Lake could stimulate the poetic flair within anybody…it’s indeed so beautiful! We will then hike through the juniper trees to an old dilapidated Bon-po gompa, known as Pal Sentan Thasoon Chholing. This monastery was built some 60 generations ago. There are five other private gompas in some houses of the small monastic community at vicinity of the lake. The insides of the gompas contain dusty Buddhist paintings and statues. We can also witness the trappings which reflect the animistic elements of the Bon-po religion as well as the ancient witch's cavern. A donation to monks will gain us entrance to the gompas. We will certainly be fascinated by the strange iconography and practice of the Bon-po religion. Overnight at camp in Phoksumdo Lake; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

Phoksumdo Khola (River), Far Western Region, NepalDAY 09: Trek from Phoksumdo Lake to Phoksumdo Khola (river), (3600m/ 4-5 hrs)

Let’s resume our trek skirting the shore of the lake as it contours on a rocky ledge along the western bank. This unsteady trail suspended on a gangway of wood supported on pegs driven into crevasse in the rocks, signals the remoteness of the area we are about to enter. At the westernmost edge of the lake, the path leads through a lush meadow that opens up into the flood plain of the Phoksumdo river. We then walk through the valley, crossing the river and avoiding the occasional boggy marsh underfoot until we arrive at the bank of the river. Overnight at camp in Phoksumdo Khola; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

DAY 10: Trek from Phoksumdo Khola to Phoksumdo Bhanjyang (3600m/ 6-Phoksumdo Bhanjyang also known as the 'Snowfields Camp', in the far western region of Nepal.7 hrs)

The trek begins with a walk along the level path through a glacial valley and then heading north. At the confluence of the Phoksumdo Khola and another mountain stream, there is an old wooden bridge. Taking the indistinct path to the north-east of the valley, we climb over the rocks and boulders and cross a stream. A long climb brings us to a sheep meadow where the trail veers up a steep ravine. Further, a tough climb to the top brings us to yet another valley. From here, we get our first glimpse of the Kang-La pass. Trailing ahead, we finally arrive at Phosumdo Bhanjyang. Overnight camp will be just before the pass at Phoksumdo Bhanjyang, in a place that Peter Matthiessen christened 'Snowfields Camp'. Overnight at camp in Phoksumdo Bhanjyang; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

Kang La Pass (5360m), a challenging high elevation mountain pass in the far western region of Nepal.DAY 11: Trek from Phoksumdo Bhanjyang to Shey Gompa (4160m) via Kang-La pass (5360m)/ 5-6 hrs

All geared up to conquer the Kang La, we begin our trek with a steep climb. This climb along the slate screed is nerve- racking. Once we reach the top of Kang La (5360m), sight of the scenic valley being bisected by a gushing river, seems really mesmerizing. Enjoying this seemingly satellite view from the pass for a short while, we begin a steep descent to the valley floor. From here, we head on for a long walk crossing the river several times through different bridges. There are mud caves lining the hills overlooking the river. As we pass through the meadows, we can see the hirsute yaks, sheep and mountain goats (Chyangra) near the rustic nomadic huts of the herders. A red chorten heralds our arrival at Shey Gompa (4,160m). Overnight at camp in Shey Gompa; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

DAY 12: Rest and excursion day at Shey GompaShey Gompa (4390m), an ancient monastery in the far western region of Nepal, which also happens to be the trekkers' favored campsite.

We’ve allotted an extra day at Shey Gompa so that we get an opportunity to explore this antique monastery. Let’s gear up to explore this much talked about monastery. The gompa is not very large, and there are no artifacts or paintings inside. Although the building is said to be 800years old, the wall paintings are relatively recent, probably done in the 1970s. The statues on the altar are of Guru Rinpoche, Sakyamuni and Milarepa. The gompa also houses an ancient Tibetan scroll that describes the myth of Crystal Mountain and Shey gompa. According to the inscription, there is a holy lake in a crater among the mountains that surrounds Shey. If a pilgrim makes nine circumambulations of this lake, the water turns milky. A sip of this milk and the pilgrim gets a distant glimpse of Mt. Kailash! The ones, who don’t need much rest, can try discovering this lake. This is certainly going to be an explorative and interesting day at Shey Gompa. After this indulgence, we get back to our campsite. Overnight at camp in Shey Gompa; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

Namduna Gaun, an interesting small hamlet in the far western region of Nepal that merely constitutes six stone houses.DAY 13: Trek from Shey Gompa to Namduna Gaun (4430m) via Saldang La (5200m)/ 6-7 hrs

We begin with an easy trek amidst the clusters of junipers and descend into a grey, stony canyon. The trail gets curvy and steeply climbs over the bare rocks until we reach the top of Sangda La (5200m). We now proceed with a long and fatiguing descent towards the north, pass by a yak pasture and eventually arrive at the village, called Namduna Gaun (4430m), consisting of mere six stone houses. Like Shey, the Namgung monastery in this village reveals the “Karma-pa” sect of Buddhism. The monastery, a red stone structure, is built against the backdrop of a cliff on the north wall of a gorge. The red and white colors of the gimpy and its Stupas are the only color in this dissolute landscape. There are terraced fields on both sides of the tributary, which flow down to the Nam Khong valley. The village relies on agricultural, the produce mainly being barley. People also practice animal husbandry and trading. Overnight at camp in Namduna Gaun; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

DAY 14: Trek from Namduna Gaun to Saldang (3770m)/ 4 - 5 hoursSaldang, poised on a plateau high above the settlement of Nam Khongmala & this scenic village is the largest in the inner Dolpo region of Nepal.

Kissing goodbye to the Namduna Gaun, we head up a scree slope and begin a long traverse along the dusty barren mountains. After 3-4 hours of hard climb, we approach the settlement of Saldang 3,770m, poised on a plateau high above the settlement of Nam Khongmala. This scenic village is the largest in the inner Dolpo region. Saldang belongs to the arid zone of the Trans-Himalayan Tibetan plateau. The village stretches for nearly two kilometers on an open slope. It cuddles five small villages having about eighty well built houses and a population of approximately six hundred people. Being located on the trade route to Tibet, this village has a significant business advantage. After the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959, trade with Tibet was virtually stopped. It has been restored to some extent through the barter system by which Tibetan salt reaches mid-Nepal. The Drokpa people on the western plains of Tibet collect salt from the dried lakes north of Tsangpo. Overnight at camp in Saldang; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

Yangjze Gompa, a lavish monastery in the far western region of Nepal.DAY 15: Trek from Saldang to Yangze Gompa (3750m / 4-5 hrs)

We are now at the verge of exploring the least explored region. We head far towards the north. The trail follows the Nang Chu river most of the way on this wild barren windswept terrain. We walk through the trivial ups and downs and pass by the settlements of Tiling and Lurigaon until we finally arrive at the village of Yangze (3750m) also known as Yangtsher. As we cross the Panzang River and head on further for a short while, we get ourselves to one of the least explored regions of Nepal. There is also an old Bon Po monastery- Yangze Gompa here, worth exploring. Overnight at camp in Yangze Gompa; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

DAY 16: Trek from Yangze Gompa to Sibu (3840m/ 6-7 hrs)Sibu, a small settlement in the far western region of Nepal.

Sibu can be reached embarking on a longer trail that stretches to the north- west, passing by the isolated villages of Nishalgaon and Shimengaon. But it’s better that we take an easier and shorter trail, which retraces back to Saldang. From Saldang, we move ahead following the river bed and walk past the terraced fields, stupas, chortens, heaps of mani stones and a Chaiba monastery. The trail now passes through the fairly populated village called Namdo. It stretches for more than 5 kms on the high slopes to the left of Nam Khong River. The Namdo monastery is located near the river bed. Two hours of downhill walk alongside the river will bring us to the settlement of Sibu (3840m), where we halt overnight. Overnight at camp in Sibu; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

Jeng-la Phedi (4900m), the base of the Jeng La Pass (5090m), in the Dolpo disctict of Nepal. DAY 17: Trek from Sibu to Jeng-la Phedi (4900m / 5-6 hrs)

We start off our trek following the trail alongside the Nam Khong River for a while. We then divert towards the east till we arrive at the confluence of two small rivers. From here, our walk leads to a steep climb to the Jengla Phedi (4,900m), or the bottom of daunting Jeng La. We stay overnight at camp in Jeng-la Phedi; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 


 

 

DAY 18: Trek from Jengla Phedi to Tokyu Gaon (4290m) via Jeng La Jeng La pass (5090m), far western region, Nepal.pass (5090m)/ 5-6 hrs

After breakfast, we begin the enthusiastic climb to Jeng La and reach its top after a fatiguing ascent for about two hours. A flurry of snow clad peaks greets us towards the south. Indulging ourselves in the mountainous vista for a while, we begin our descent from the pass on a rugged route, towards Tarap valley. We now embark on a pleasant trail down towards Tarap Chu, a lush green valley with vast plains. It extends twenty kilometers along the river. There are ten different villages in Tarap Chu, all characterized by cultivated fields, chortens and gompas of both the sects of Buddhism. Our halting destination today is at one of the most beautiful villages in Tarap, the Tokyu Gaon (4290m). Overnight at camp in monastery Tokyu Gaon; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

Tokyu Gaon, a beautiful village in the Tarap Valley of far western region, Nepal.DAY 19: Trek from Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap (3944m/ 4-5 hrs)

We head towards the east along the downhill route of Tarap Chu. This plain valley, with patches of lush verdant grass on both sides of the river, contrasts the other parts of inner Dolpo. There is also a marsh which is a common feature in the desert mountains of Tibet and the Ladhakh Himalayas. In this valley, both Bon Po and Chaiba sects reside together in harmony. After a short trek through this beautiful valley, we arrive at Dho Tarap (3,944m). We have enough time to stroll around the village. This village is fortressed by an irregular stone wall. At Dho, about 40 houses are divided into three clusters. These houses are built in an unorganized way and inhabited mostly by Magars and few Tibetans. Overnight at camp in Dho Tarap; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

 

DAY 20: Rest cum exploration day at Dho TarapBon Po Gompa, a famous monastery in the Dolpo region of Nepal.

We have a good opportunity to explore the locality of Dho Tarap today. We go for a short hike to a Buddhist gompa which is at the proximity of our campsite. After that we take a walk for about 45 minutes to get to another Bon Po gompa. Interacting with the local people can also be a great fun. These people have special self-spun costume and a Tibetan style boots called “somba”. They mainly belong to Bon Po and Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism. This is indeed going to be an informative and exciting day. Overnight at camp in Dho Tarap; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

Dho Tarap, a lovely village in the far western region of Nepal, untidyly yet attractively fortressed by irregular stone walls.DAY 21: Trek from Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola (Kamakharka) (4400m/ 6-7 hrs)

We begin with a decent towards a wide valley. Today’s trek isn’t that tough but it’s indeed lengthy. As we move ahead, the valley narrows down to a gorge and then we continue walking alongside the clusters of junipers and wild roses up the tree line. Chances are that you could just spot the herds of blue sheep. We now arrive at the confluence of the Tarap Chu and the Lang river, a stream that joins with Tarap river from further east. We then walk up to a beautiful meadow at Tarap Khola (3800m), Overnight at camp in Tarap Khola; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

DAY 22: Trek from Tarap Khola (Kamakharka) to Khanigaon (2950m/ 4-5 hrs)A beautiful meadow alongside the Tarap Khola (river), in the far western region of Nepal.

Today the trail takes us down the gorge of the Tarap river. We continue alongside the river and then make our way above the river on a trail that winds up a steep slope. There are many possible campsites by the river. As we advance further, we might just get bewildered to see the valley so drastically narrowing down in a deep gorge that we could almost jump from one side of the gorge to another. The paths at times are almost untraceable and we have to walk across the stone slabs attested on logs to form a bridge. At some places, the bridges are either damaged or washed away and we might have to reluctantly cross the icy torrent on foot. Finally, we arrive at our campsite beside the Tarap khola at Khanigaon (2,950m). Overnight at camp in Khanigaon; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

Tarakot, this is an old fortress town, locally referred as Dzong, meaning “fort” in the far western region of Nepal.DAY 23: Trek from Khanigaon to Tarakot (2537m/ 4-5 hrs)

We begin our trek walking along a very blurred route that leads us to the village of Lalberi. Passing through an area of dense forest, we descend into another gorge. We then follow the river downstream, alongside the splendid terraced fields, and arrive at Tarakot (2537m). This is an old fortress town, locally referred as Dzong, meaning “fort”. The famous Sandul gompa lies about 8 km east of Tarakot and at the junction of Barbung River and Tarap Chu. It stands on a knoll to the south of Bheri River and at one time supervised the collections of tolls for the trading caravans traversing an area called Tichu Rong. There could be two possible campsites here- we can either camp by the river about 150 meters below Tarakot, near the police post or climb a steep hill for over an hour to the small village on a spur on the other side of a valley opposite to Tarakot. There are chortens and a gompa here on the edge of a grassy plateau, with a standalone tree. Overnight at camp in Tarakot; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

 

DAY 24: Trek from Tarakot to Dunai (2140m/ 5-6 hrs)Dunai, the headquarter of Dolpo district, Nepal

We resume our trek walking on a path with pine trees, above the Bheri River in a deep gorge until we arrive at Dunai (2,140m). Overnight at camp in Dunai; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 



 

 

Juphal is a village development committee in Dolpo District in the Karnali Zone of north-western Nepal.DAY 25: Trek from Dunai to Juphal (2354m/ 2-3 hrs)

We retrace the journey back to Jhuphal, which is a short distance walk along the Bheri River to the small airstrip, which wraps up this long adventure. We can jam up with our crew members tonight to celebrate this achievement. Overnight at camp in Juphal; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.


 

 

DAY 26: Fly from Juphal to Nepalgunj (150m/1 hr) & flight from Nepalgunj Nepalgunj, the western region hub of Nepal, which borders the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to the South.to Kathmandu (1400m/1hr)

We board on a short and scenic flight over the Himalayan foothills overlooking the jaw-dropping mountainous vistas of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to the north. We land at Nepalgunj in about 35 minutes. From Nepalgunj, we take a connecting flight to Kathmandu. Our plane touches down the domestic wing of the Kathmandu airport in about an hour. A representative from Marron Treks will receive and transfer you to your designated hotel in Kathmandu. You have gotten back from a long tiring trip, so you would probably want to flex your muscles a bit and get groomed. You have an extra day at Kathmandu tomorrow. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
 

 

Thamel, a popular spot for souvenir shopping in Kathmandu, Nepal.Day 27: A free day in Kathmandu
This is a free day in Kathmandu to fulfill anything that you missed out spotting in this energetic capital of Nepal. You can indulge yourself in shopping or strolling around some of the cultural and historical landmarks of Kathmandu. Thamel is your hot spot for shopping where you can haul all the souvenirs representing Nepal and its culture. May be that in addition to your interesting trip anecdotes, you would also want to take back some stuff for your friends and relatives. In the evening, a farewell dinner with a range of traditional Nepali cuisines, will be hosted by Marron Treks. Enjoy the dinner, pack/prepare yourself for a flight back home and have a beauty sleep. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast and dinner included.

 

DAY 28: Departure to your homelandTribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Time to part and say good bye! A representative from Marron Treks will escort you to the Tribhuwan International Airport, three hours prior to your filght schedule. Hope you enjoyed every bit of the moment being with us as much as we did being with you. Have a safe journey and we look forward to being your adventure companion in Nepal again. Trips can always be extended to try out some of our other adventurous packages like - Bungy Jumping, Mountain Biking, Jungle Safari, White Water Rafting, Golfing & Paragliding etc. Please let us know about your desire for trip extension so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
 


 

  Important  Snippets  

The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.


Accommodation

While you are in Kathmandu, we opt to accommodate you in 3 star or 5 star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (3 star), Hotel Manaslu (3 star), Radisson (5 star), Yak & Yeti (5 star) or similar.

During the trek, you will be accommodated in a Tea House/ Lodge or Trekking Inn. Most of these lodges and teahouses cater good services and are equipped with modern amenities. We will endeavor to provide you the best accommodation available along the route so that you get a good night’s rest in a hygienic milieu.

 

Meals

We arrange the best quality food during the trek as we are concerned about the health of the trekkers as well as the staff members. Basically, we opt for locally available food in the  Far Western Region so that you could a real sense of the culture, living patterns, simultaneously promoting the locally available resources of organic food and beverages. Other than, a wide range of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisines like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads etc are also available for your retreat.

 

Porter and Staff Care

We ensure that all the porters and other staffs going into high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. They are the backbones for the accomplishment of the trek.

 

Best Months

The months of  March-November is considered to be best for Upper Dolpo Trek.

 

Our Guides

Guides play a significant role during the trek. They are the ones who literally decipher the trekking codes for you so that you could actually connect with the nature, culture and people along the way. We have helpful and dedicated trekking guides, who are fairly literate, multilingual speakers and are very well versed to the culture, life patterns and every single detail pertaining to the Far Western region. Thus, in the company of our professional Sherpa guides, your trek becomes not only entertaining, but also equally informative.

 

Travel Insurance

It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both- medical as well as evacuation costs. Having a travel insurance with you, makes your trip secure and hassle free.

For more queries, Visit our  FAQ section or contact us directly at  marketing@marrontreks.com


Starting Price: USD XXXX (On request) on twin sharing accommodation basis.

For other special requirements or bigger group deals, kindly mail us directly at: marketing@marrontreks.com

 

Cost Includes

  • Airport pick-up and drop services.
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city.
  • Applicable domestic airfare as per the itinerary.
  • Entrance and monumental fees during the sightseeing in Kathmandu as prescribed in the itinerary.
  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj on "BB" basis as per itinerary.
  • All ground transportation costs in accordance to the itinerary.
  • All trekking accommodation costs (in tented camps) on full board (B, L, D) basis as per the itinerary.
  • Transportation cost of all camp and kitchen equipments.
  • Four seasonal sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion) duffel bag, t-shirt and Cap (provided as complimentary gears).
  • A comprehensive medical kit (will be carried by the trekking guide).
  • Salary to guide, porters, kitchen staffs and helpers for the trekking period.
  • Remuneration to the wild life expert, who will accompany the guests during the snow leopard tracking event.
  • Personal insurance for crew members.
  • All applicable tourist fees, conservation fees, "special permit" fees & TIMS fees necessary for trekking. Special Trekking Permit fee for Dolpo is US$ 500 per person for 10 days. Any additional stay beyond this will cost US$ 50 per day, per person. Permit fee outside of the restricted area in Dolpo is US$ 10 per person per week.
  • All government and local taxes.
  • Farewell dinner with live Nepalese cultural program.

 

Cost Excludes

  • International airfare and departure taxes.
  • Personal travel insurance.
  • Lunch & dinner expenses incurred before or after the trekking period.
  • Emergency rescue evacuation (to be covered by the client's travel insurance).
  • Nepal entry visa fee – Visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days costs US $ 25 or equivalent foreign currency, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days costs US $40 and $ 100 respectively. You will need a valid passport and 2 copies of your recent PP sized photos).
  • Tips to the guide, porter, driver, hotel and tea-house staff (Tipping is expected).
  •  Bar bills, alcoholic drinks & beverages.
  • Excess baggage charges (luggage allowance for domestic airlines in Nepal is 20 kgs.).
  • Personal insurance and other expenses of personal nature (phone calls, laundry, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc.).
  • Cost of personal trekking gears and equipments. (kindly refer to our equipment lists: http://www.marrontreks.com/itineraries/223-29/upper-dolpo-trek-28-days.html#equipment-list).
  • Cost incurred due to the addition of extra days or change in the real course of the itinerary because of bad weather conditions, political turmoil or any other unforeseen contingencies.
  • Any other expenses not mentioned in the 'Cost Includes' section above.

TREKKING GEARS & EQUIPMENTS

Needless to say that kitting and stuffing yourself out for a trek is almost a herculean task which keeps you mulling and often gets you overwhelmed. But at the mercy of the renting outlets sprouting in every visible corner in Kathmandu, preparing for trekking in Nepal these days is almost tantamount to equipping yourself for a weekend backpacking trip. Most of the heavy and expensive items are easily available on rent, so you don’t actually have to travel Nepal with a cartload of gears. We have endeavored to formulate a categorical checklist that gives you a tentative idea regarding the gears and accessories mandatory for you during the trek. The list could vary depending upon the kind of trek you pursue, the terrain, weather conditions and time of the year. For instance, you don’t need the camp-trek equipments when you are on a tea-house trek. This listing below simply serves as a guideline and you can always have your own checklist. It is always preferable to pack light and the key to this is to carry the gears and accessories that have multidimensional uses.

 

  • CLOTHING (Core & Lower body)

Water-proof (breathable fabric) jacket, Poncho or Umbrella

Hard shell pants (breathable fabric- 1 set), preferably that zips from top and bottom which can be worn over boots without getting undressed, in case of abrupt weather changes

Fleece jacket or Pullover

Fleece windcheater jacket

Down jacket or a Down vest

T-shirts (2 – 3) and Long-sleeved shirts with collars ( 2- 3 pairs)

Nylon (cotton ought to be strictly avoided) hiking shorts ( 2- 3 pairs)

Hiking trousers- one that is detachable from the knees so that the it can be folded up as shorts ( 2- 3 pairs)

Thermal underwear as well as synthetic underwear (3 -4 each – avoid cotton)

Synthetic sport brassieres for women (2 pairs- avoid cotton)

 

  • Head/Eyes & Hand Gears

Sun hat/cap

Woolen hat or Balaclava

Sunglasses/Goggles (preferably the one with 100% UV protection)

Liner, Synthetic or Thin wool gloves (1 -2 pair)

Warm gloves (designed to the shield the sub-zero temperatures)- 1 pair

 

  • Footwear

Trekking boots (1 pair) and spare laces

Running shoes, Sandals or Thongs (flip-flops)- 1 pair each

Hiking gaiters (1 pair) to do away the rocks, dusts and moist feet

Liner socks- preferably synthetic (3 – 4 pairs)

Heavy or wool blend socks (3 – 4 pairs)

 

  • Equipments

Backpack/Rucksack

Duffle bag (will be provided by Marron Treks as a complimentary gear and you needn't return it )

Pack cover (to protect your gears from getting wet)

Day sack/Nylon stuff sack

Sleeping Bag/ Silk liner (will be provided by Marron Treks but should be returned after the trip)

Water bottle

Good head torch along with spare batteries and bulbs

Maps, compass and a guide book

Trekking poles

 

  • Miscellaneous Bits

The items below could seem trivial, but if you don’t have them, you might just find

 yourself sticky and stinky, which isn’t actually good for you!


Toiletries

Quick-drying camp towel

Detergent powder/bar

Toilet paper

Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 20+) & Lip balm

Pocket knife

Sewing/Repair Kit (for tent & mattress)

Emergency kit including a whistle, waterproof match/lighter

Padlocks for bags and lodge rooms

Stuff sacks

Earplugs

Candlesticks

 

  • Medicaments

It is important that you can include the medicines prescribed by your doctor. Below is just the generic list of medications. We advice you to always consult your travel doctor as you might be resistant or allergic to some medicines 


Anesthetics (Ibuprofen/Aspirin)

Broad spectrum antibiotics tablets

Metronidazole and Antacids (for diarrohea /indigestion)

Broad spectrum ointments (Neosporin/ Clotrimazole/Gentamicin)

Antiseptic liquids (Dettol/Savlon)

Assorted band-aids

Small gauge pad

Roll of adhesive tape

Iodine tablets

 

  • Optional Carry

Nothing hard and fast about carrying the items in this list as they are not the basics. Yet, though not all, if you still manage to squeeze in some of these items on your carry, you will not regret as they might just come handy during the trek


Camera, memory card and battery charger

GPS unit Altimeters

Binoculars

Pee bottle for men (leak proof/wide mouth) & Pee funnel for women

Books and magazines

Departure Date

Marron Treks has calibrated fixed departure dates for all the trek packages. We operate group as well as individual/private treks. Please pick the most palpable date for you and book your trip now. If the dates below don’t fit your schedule, kindly contact us directly and let us know about your preference.





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