Upper Dolpo To Jomsom Trek

Early breakfast for another short flight to Jhupal in Dolpo, at Jhupal join with our trekking staff and trek to Dunai for overnight stop, walk leads through interesting farm villages and farm lands with views of snow capped peaks in the distance in Jhupal in the comfort of nice lodge.

After overnight in Dunai, morning walk through market and crossing bridge over Thulo Bheri River and then climb over a ridge to Phoksumdo River valley with views of Kagmara peak, from here trek leads downhill passing spread out houses with walnut trees close to a stream at Dhera a small cattle herders settlements. From here a short climb to Rahagaon village of Thakuri, Hindu people, then downhill into thick forest to reach at Ankhe, a small village and entrance gate of Shey Phoksumdo National Park.

From Ankhe morning walk with short climb and descend through forest reaching a river bank, from here climb on leaving the forest, from the top walk downhill to forested area leading upstream to cross a small bridge at Ryajik village, trek further to Sumdu near Sulighat village for overnight stops.

Morning walk leads to our first destination at Phoksumdo Lake after Pungmo Kholas valley and crossing streams, following Pungmo Khola downhill into pine and birch trees to reach at upper side of Phuksumdo Khola, after a short break continue walk to Ringmo village, an interesting, attractive Tibetan like village with mud plastered chhorten and Mani (prayer) walls.

From here a short walk to Phuksumdo Lake for overnight camp by the shore of beautiful turquoise Phuksumdo Lake.

A perfect place for free and rest day, just relax and marvel the beautiful views of surrounding landscapes and peaks of Kagmara, or visit this interesting Ringmo village and walk to the lake side.

From this lovely place morning walk starts to higher area of upper Dolpo region to our another highlight and final destination of this awesome journey walk follows to contour around rocky ledge over the river bank on the unsteady path, then approaching at the western side the lake through a summer pasture which opens into a wide plain of Phoksumdo Khola for the overnight camp by the river shore.

After a nice walk of previous day, today’s morning trek begins on a good path leading northern area of Phoksumdo Khola and then walking up on the hill slopes, after a steep uphill to reach at a ridge top with impressive scenery of wide green valley and looking over Kang-La pass that leads to Shey Gompa, setting the camp for the night stop on this nice green summer pasture.

Morning walk leads to Shey Gompa the high lights of the adventure after Phoksumdo Lake, trek continues with a climb on stone and rocky path to cross Kang-la pass at 5,360 meters, highest point of this adventure.

The top offers super views of landscapes with snow clad peaks including Mt. Dhaulagiri.

After reaching the top ridge, descend to the bottom of the hill leading by the river then across cattle herder camps, after a short stop continue towards Buddhist prayer monument Chorten and Mani.

After a great walk reaching at Shey Gompa located beneath Crystal Mountain regarded as a Holy Mountain with an old monastery nearby.

A perfect spot for rest day on this high mountainous area, in the harmony of nature and chanting of monks, visit Shey Monastery also known Crystal Monastery, this area is well described in the novel Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen

From here journey continues into wall canyon, as trail meanders atop Saldang-la, offering great views of landscapes and of Mt. Dhaulagiri peaks, downhill on the grazing area with pleasant walk to Namduna Gaon for overnight stop.

After a stop in this village walk on dusty windswept terrain, leading to steep uphill to reach our overnight camp at Saldang, another impressive large village of the region, situated higher side of the plateau.

From here, morning walk following river Nang chu all the way with short ups and down and then passing few cattle herders settlement, and then heading to our overnight camp at Cha-Gaon a small village with an old Rapa Gomba of pre Buddhist Bon-Pa culture.

Morning walking on main route, then taking South West direction to Rakyo beyond, after crossing the same trail following river through farm fields, and then walk into Darshama Dovan another village of farmers and cattle herders, from here walk leads to pasture land at Rakyo for overnight camp.

Today walk leads away from human settlement and villages to camp in complete wilderness, heading higher but due south with incredible views of Dolpo vast windswept landscapes around isolated area. Walk leads over Jyanta Bhanjyang or a pass at 5,231 m one of the highest pass of this adventure after Kang-la and then heading downhill to camp around pasture field at about 4,542 meters high.

After nice stop in this summer pasture area walk follows a small stream for short while, and then encountering yaks and mules laden caravan on route Tibet, trade with Tibet exists since hundreds of years, and this walking route lies on the old Trans Himalayan Caravan Route.

Finally this fine walk ends at Murjung a small interesting village for overnight.

From Murjung, morning starts with steep climb to reach a ridge with tremendous views of massive Mt. Dhaulagiri range, from here a long descend to Tarap valley, one of the largest and longest valley of Dolpo area which is about 20 k.m. which stretches following Tarap Chu River, after an easy walk for hours reaching at Tokyo-Gaon for overnight, this is one of the most impressive and interesting village of Dolpo area, consist of more than ten villages and nice tended farm fields with an old monasteries. 

After Tokyu-Gaon, morning starts with downhill walk towards Tarap Chu on broader green valley, this is one of the scenic wide valleys with lots of Sheppard’s settlements of Yaks and Sheep, and walk continues to our overnight camp at Dho Tarap, this is another interesting village with mix tribes of Tibetans origin and Magar hill tribe people.

Morning with nice pleasant walk on a valley with few vegetation of bushes of juniper and wild rose, around this area might spot some wild life Blue Sheep and other mountain animals, as the walk progress reaching at Jhyarkot Bhanjyang for overnight camp by the river after a long day walk of about 6 hours.

Morning walk leads to remote area before heading into villages, following stream, involves some adventure climbing over Chharka pass at 5,027 m with grand vista of Dhaulagiri mountain range. After the climb descend to Mola to camp near temporary cattle herder’s shelters.

Start morning walk towards inner Dolpo area passing smaller settlement of yak herders, following river all the way at Chharka Bhanjyang, an interesting village close towards Mustang area with well maintained neat terraced farm fields, after reaching the campsite visit Sarchhan Gompa.

After great time within complete wilderness, walk leads to Naljyang Sumoa a small settlement before a high Niwar pass of 5,120 m, walk leads on gradual winding path on dusty windswept terrain to reach our camp in Naljyang Sumoa at 4,340 m high.

Today one of the longest day of trekking as the walk leads to cross a high Niwar pass at 5,120 m with spectacular panorama of mountains and landscapes of arid windswept terrain, before the pass walking though Molum Sumna village, after an adventure over the pass downhill to camp on a pasture land of Yaks.

Slowly walk leads to Mustang area on losing altitude as route leads at Sangde Phedi after crossing a small scenic ridge with views of mountains and then on gradual winding path to reach the bottom of Sangde ridge at Phedi for overnight stop.

An interesting day as the walk leads lower altitude at the end of Dolpo area to Sangyal and Tiri Gaon and the lake Tiri Tal, walking downhill with more views of snowcapped peaks of Mustang Himal including Nilgiri peaks and finally reaching at Sangyl for overnight stop in a small farmers settlement.

Today our last day around Dolpo as the walk leads closer to Mustang area following the old caravan route of Mustang / Dolpo and to Tibet.

As our walk continues with a climb over a ridge and a small pass offering grand vista of mountains and as far to Mustang villages of Kagbeni and Tirigaon, from the top downhill reaching a small glacial pond called Tiri Tal for last overnight stop around Dolpo area.

Morning our walk heads to the Dolpo area last village at Tiri-Gaon, and then downhill to cross Kaligandaki River over a suspension bridge reaching at Ekle Bhatti or directly to Kagbeni village.

From here, rest of the walks is easier as the trail descend to Kaligandaki river valley to reach at Jomsom, headquarter town of Mustang region with a small airstrip above Kaligandaki River, an interesting country walking on Kaligandaki River valley within dry and arid country with incredible views of windblown hills and canyons.

A pleasant walk of few hours brings you at large town in Jomsom the capital of Thakali people of Tibetan Buddhism sects. This Kaligandaki area famous for delicious apples and its products, here celebrate with local apple products cider, brandy and juices. Kaligandaki area is also famously known as Apple Pie Trail.  

Morning as per the flight time transfer to Jomsom small airport, a short sweeping ride with incredible views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range of peaks and then shortly reaching at scenic and beautiful Pokhara city located on a huge green valley, within the shade of green hills and massive Annapurna Himalaya, from the airport continue another short flight back to Kathmandu, on reaching Kathmandu transfer to respective hotels with afternoon free at leisure or last day shopping souvenirs and handicrafts.