While on the trek, we get to muse at the yak caravans that maintain the traditional salt trade with Tibet. We also cross two high passes- Numa La and Baga La-and reflect on life amidst the tranquil waters of Phoksundo Lake.Lower Dolpo Phoksundo Lake Trek offers a spectacular trail through a mix of forest and arid countryside in the rain shadow behind the Dhaulagiri range. Dolpo region is sparsely populated but villages offer tantalizing insights into the lives of the hardy Dolpa, built around their Bön and Buddhist beliefs.

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Basically the trek is to travel a circuit with the focal points being Shey Phoksundo lake and the Tarap valley. Just east of Tarakot the trail swings north to follow the Tarap Valley for two days crossing and re crossing the Tarap Khola (river) before reaching Dho Tarap. This valley contains many old relics of religious significance with many Bonpo (a religion that pre dates Buddhism) and Buddhist temples.

Dho Tarap (4000 mtrs) is an ideal location to spend some time. Magars and Gurungs mostly inhabit the flat upper valley floor along with the Tibetans they share the valley with. From Dho Tarap two high passes must be climbed over in order to reach Ringmo and Phoksundo Lake. The crossing can be made in two days but may need to be extended if there are unfavourable weather conditions.

Phoksundu is quite a large crystal blue lake fed by glaciers that stretch down to its shores. Time is spent here admiring the beauty that includes wonderful forests along with a three hundred meter waterfall. A further two days are spent trekking back to Juphal airstrip

Important Note and Optional Activities

All the trekking itineraries are flexible and can be revised in order to best meet your requirements i.e. your time, interests etc. Please make contact with us if you have any special requirements or interest.

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Predominately Buddhist in culture and religion there are many ancient monuments and temples to be explored.The area falls within the rain shadow meaning it can be trekked all year round. There are some amazing mountain views hidden on the sides of these mountains Himalayan blue sheep and the elusive snow leopard make their respective homes.

Upper Dolpo also contains a huge variety of  wild flowers along with an extensive range of  birds .Farming in the region is almost impossible it is difficult to grow any sustainable crop here which makes life for local people very difficult.They survive mainly by being involved in the salt trade from Tibet a traditional culture that has continued for generations.

Alternative Itineraries

Day 01 : Kathmandu –Nepalganjby flight.
Day 02 : Nepalganj – Juphal(Dolpa) by flight
Day 03 : Juphal – Dunai
Day 04 : Dunai – Hanke check post.
Day 05 : Hanke – Reji
Day 06 : Reji – Ringmo ( she – Phoksundo Lake
Day 07 : Shey- phoksundo Lake Rest
Day 08 : Shey – Phoksundo Lake – Silver Forest
Day 09 : Silver forest – Sehula Bhanjyang(Ngondala) Base camp.
Day 10 : Sehula Bhanjyang(Ngondala) – Shey – Gompa
Day 11 : Shey – Gompa Rest
Day 12 : Shey – Gompa – Saldang
Day 13 : Saldang Rest
Day 14 : Saldang – Sibu
Day 15 : Sibu – Jenjla La Base Camp
Day 16 : Jenjla La – Se La Base Camp
Day 17 : Sela Base Camp – Dho Tarap.
Day 18 : Tho – Tarap Rest
Day 19 : Dho Tarap – Big Cave
Day 20 : Big Cave – Lihini
Day 21 : Lihini – Tarakot
Day 22 : Tarakot – Heute Ghar
Day 23 : Heute Ghar – Dunai
Day 24 : Dunai – Juphal
Day 25 : Juphal – Nepalgunj by flight
Day 26 : Nepalgunj – Kathmandu by flight.

Important Note and Optional Activities

All the trekking itineraries are flexible and can be revised in order to best meet your requirements i.e. your time, interests etc. Please make contact with us if you have any special requirements or interest.

The post Upper Dolpo Trek appeared first on Boundless Himalayas.