Upper Dolpo Traverse Trek takes you on part of the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT). Experience where the ancient Bon religion was practiced on the Juphal to Jomsom Wellness Tour.
It has remained unchanged for the past 1,200 years or more. It is a land of high passes with high arid plateaus and deep canyons, which is a considerable contrast to the fertile lower valleys south of the impressive Kanjiroba (locals pronounce it Kanjirolwa in Tibetan, it translates to the ‘big mountain with a ponytail’) and Dhaulagiri massifs.
Dolpo is part of the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), and it snakes between two natural borders of the two regions of Dolpo and Mustang. It is one of the last remaining places where they practice the ancient Bon religion, which predates Tantric Buddhism. Bon religion is almost extinct in Tibet while it is still practiced in its pristine purity.
We will spend two nights at the astoundingly beautiful Phoksundo Lake before heading to the windswept passes into Panzang (Bantshang) valley. We will pass through semi-nomadic settlements meeting friendly nomads and curious villagers frequently.
There are sections on this trek where the trail is very rugged or ill-defined. Some campgrounds have limited campsites. Adverse weather, snow, trail conditions, or water levels in the rivers might make it necessary for us to change the itinerary. Your trek leader will advise should any changes be needed to be made.
All trekkers should be open-minded and flexible on a trek of this caliber. As usual, don’t forget to pack your sense of humor.
Overview
Upper Dolpo Traverse Trek takes you on part of the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT). See where the Bon religion was practiced on this Juphal to Jomsom Wellness Tour
Itinerary
Upper Dolpo Traverse Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival day in Kathmandu
Day 02: Make permits and fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Day 03: Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal & trek to Sangta, (2,520m) 4-5 hours
Day 04: Trek from Sangta to Renji, or Tapriza School (2,940m) 5-6 hours (tea break at Tapriza School)
Day 05: Trek from Renji to Phoksundo Lake (3,600m) 4-5 hours
Day 06: Rest day at Phoksundo Lake
Day 07: Trek from Phoksundo to Sallagari, (3,630m) 4-5 hours
Day 08: Trek from Sallagari to Nagdalo or Kang-La basecamp (4,717m) 6-7 hours
Day 09: Trek from Ngadra-La basecamp to Shey Gompa (4,375m) 5-6 hours
Day 10: Rest day at Shey Sumdo Gompa
Day 11: Trek from Shey Gompa to Namgung Gompa via Saldang-La pass (4,350m) 5-6 hours
This is the end of your magnificent Juphal to Jomsom Wellness Tour
Day 12: Trek from Namgung to Saldang village (3,980m) 3-4 hours
Day 13: Trek from Saldang to Nisal village (Yangzer Gompa – 1,000 years old) (4,599m), 5-6 hours
Day 14: Trek from Nisal to Komas village (4,237m) 5-6 hours
Day 15: Trek from Komas to Shimen Gompa village (4,000m) 6-7 hours
Day 16: Trek from Shimen Gompa to Tinkyu (Tinje) village for lunch and continue into the open pastures for 2 hours before stopping for the night (4,210m), 6-7 hours
Day 17: We keep walking in the slightly wider valleys and camp at the base of Mo La 4,780 meters
Day 18: Trek over Mo La 5,030 and proceed onto Charka 4,302 meters. 5-6 hours
Day 19: Trek from Charka to open pasture to camp (4,210m), 5-6 hours
Day 20: Trek from open meadows to Nulungsumda (4,850m), 6-7 hours
Day 21: Trek from Nulungsumda to Ghalden Ghuldum over three passes of Niwas La 5,125 meters, Jungben La 5,550, and an unnamed pass of 5,200 meters. 6-7 hours
Day 22: Trek from Ghalden Ghuldun to Santa (3,710m)
Day 23: Trek from Santa to Phalyak
Day 24: Trek From Phalyak to Jomsom (2,724m), 3-4 hours
Day 25: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara to Kathmandu
Day 26: Leisure day in Kathmandu
Day 27: Final departure from Kathmandu
Provider Information
Gallery
What's Included
- Insurance for crew and pack animals
- 1-night hotel in Nepalgunj with breakfast
- Two nights in a hotel in Pokhara with breakfast
- Domestic flights Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Juphal. Jomsom to Pokhara and Kathmandu.
- All airport transfers
- 22 nights camping trek (fully catered)
- All permits for the trek
- All camping gear and kitchen utensils
- One expert trek leader or hire Raj along with local assistant
- One trekking chef
- All meals (the best and healthiest food in the whole of the Himalaya)
- Pack animals to carry all gear and food on the trek
- One satellite phone in case of emergency
- Two-night hotel in Kathmandu on bed and breakfast basis
What's Not Included
- International airport taxes
- Visas
- All optional additional tours or activities during free time
- Transportation outside of the tour program
- Travel insurance (compulsory to have insurance that covers helicopter evacuation)
- Tips (suggested amount US$100 per week for staff only); Leader’s tips at your discretion
- Items of a personal nature, e.g., alcoholic drinks, bottled beverages, laundry, souvenirs, etc.
