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Upper Dolpo Trekking Detail Itinerary: |
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Day 01 - Arrival in kathmandu
Days 01 : Arrive at Tribhuwan international airport, Kathmandu, you are welcomed by the hospitable meeting and then you will be transferred to your hotel. Short briefing will be followed about necessary formalities and rest of the program. Depending on arrival time you will have choice of visiting nearby sanctuaries or have a rest day. Days 02 : After breakfast we drive to Swoyambhunatha stupa has it that Manjushree, found of Kathmandu valley, and discovered the lotus of ancient valley lake on which site the great stupa of swoyambhunath was later built. The omni sighted stare of Buddha greets visitors & residents a like compassion. This is one of the oldest Buddhist stupa in the world, which has been registered in UNICEOO heritage side. We then visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Kathmandu durbar square situated the center of Kathmandu where you can see the House of Living Goddess”KUMARI” Kasthamandup temple” Said that was built from single tree in 16th century, big bell-big drams, erotic carving in old temple, old palace etc. We then finally were sightseeing to Patan Durbar Square. Patan Durbar square is one of the beautiful Durbars square in Kathmandu valley. It is very famous for woodcarving, Metal works, Temples and Monasteries. Tour of Patan includes tour of Krishna temple, Patan king’s palace, Golden temple and much more. Days 03 : We take the flight to Nepalgunj in the far west of Nepal. This one-hour flight is quite remarkable as it is traverses the entire length of the Nepal Himalayan west of Kathmandu, with superb views of Langtang, Manaslu, and Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri and finally Dolpo, Nepalgunj is closed to the Indian border. Days 04 : We have to be at the airport early as we take the first flight to Jumla, which takes only half an hour at thee campsite by the airstrip we meet our porters and kitchen crew who have walked in from the road head ten days early. The rest day gives the porters a chance to get sorted out for the start of the following day. Days 05 : The usual start to the day is bed tea at 6.00 A.M and away by 8.30am. The first day is always a bit slow as the porters get into the swing of things, but a rhythm soon develops. Following the path heading south east from Jumla, on thee left (true right side of the river Tila, a bridge is reached after an hour and a half to Garjankot. A slightly longer walk in the afternoon passes a few houses and an Irrigation channel on the right. From which there is a lovely view across the rolling hills behind. The camp is 200m below at a sheep from known as Gothi Chaur (2800m). Days 06 : The trail drops down from the farm for half an hour to follow the banks of a tributary of the Tila River which is crossed by a small bridge to the main river and another bridge to its left bank. Alpine forests and clear streams are the order of the day and two hours after leaving the camp you reach the village of Munigaon where there is a police check post. The main trail continues southeast to Jajarkot and the Bheri River. Our route turns to the east by the check post staying on the left side of the river instead of crossing the bridge. After 20 minutes another bridge is reached which is crossed and the path followed to a lunch stop 20 minutes further. The scenery is very reminiscent of North America and is ideally suited to the Himalayan Griffin, which can be seen in large numbers soaring high above the trees. After lunch, a short afternoon's walk leads to the village of Naphukhona with a large Tibetan Choten. Our campsite is 10 minute further on below the Gompa at Chorteng. (3100m). Days 07 : Following the river through some of the most superb forest so far encountered, lunch is taken after only two hours by the start off the climb to the Maure-La (3927m). The climb from the lunch spot takes around 45 minutes and is rewarded with some very fine views of the Bheri River Valley and the Peaks of Ghyuthumba and Matathumba, the first peaks to be climbed in Dolpo in1953 by Dr. Herbert Tichy. In the distance a hundred Miles away, the huge bulk of Api is the dominating peak to the west. The excursion to the cairn at the top of the hill above the pass is well worth it for a superb view of the Dhaulagiri Massif and Annapurna II clearing in the forest (3100m). Days 08 : An extremely enjoyable walks, at first through more forest to a corner, which yields the first view of the Kagmara Lekh and the Bheri River itself. The path can be seen contouring across the hillside through the village of Chaurkot, after which it descends to a stream and climbs again to another saddle. Lunch is taken by the nest stream. The village off Rimi and Kaigaon are soon clearly visible and the path drops down through Rimi, which is quite dirty, to the more picturesque Kaigaon stay on the left side of the river, as the campsite is 20 minutes further on below the village off Hurikot (2650m). A monastery is being built just above the campsite and it is normal for groups to give a donation. Days 09 : Follow the stream to the village, which is very Tibetan in character. The path climbs gradually staying high above the Garpung Khola for two hours until it reaches thee Jagdula Khola and a lunch stop at the army post on the opposite side (2950m). A steep climb for half an hour leads to a clearing with an excellent view of Kagmara continues along the left bank to camp by a bridge crossing the Garpung Khola. Days 10 : A short morning's walk and a rest afternoon. Cross the bridge and follow the river for two hours to reach a fine vantage point of the route ahead, including the campsite, which is an hour further. The first night at 4000 meters. Days 11 : A big day crossing the Kagmara-La (5100m). Taking a packed lunch, follow the Right Bank off the river for a short way until the path becomes slightly obscure below a steep climb. Reaching the top of this, the angle eases off slightly and the pass is no more than an hour and a half away. The pass is marked in the traditional Tibetan way with hundreds of prayer flags, and the view is quite stunning. The short climb to the summit of Kagmara RI (5370m) takes no more than half an hour, but the extra view is well worth it. The mountains of Tibet and Mount Everest in the distance form just part of this impressive panorama, which is dominated by the Dhaulagiri massif and the Annapurnas. The view to the south and west of the Kagmara Lekh and the Kanjiroba Himal is equally impressive. There is no need to leave in a hurry, as the campsite is a mere hour below the pass on a flat grassy clearing by the river (3450m). Days 12 : On our 1990 reconnaissance trip, Himalayan blue sheep and wild fox ware seen from the camp as well s numerous birds of pray. A big descent, over 1200 meters, leads through an idyllic valley to the village of Pungmo. Camp is made by the Choten the entrance to the village. Days 13 : A rest day if you wish, but the spare day is to give everyone the chance to visit the important Gompa above Pungmo. There are in fact two Gompas as we have entered a region where both 'Bon' and 'traditional' Buddhism are practiced. Chotens become very confusing s one dictates an anti- clockwise passing whilst the other clockwise. However, the lams of both Gompas are willing to show you around for a small donation. To reach them, look out for a wooden bridge below the village. Cross this to the opposite bank of the river and follow the path up through the pine forest past a Choten. The path becomes quite exposed as it cuts across a cliff to reach the sanctuary. Days 14 : Today's destination is the village of Ringmo by the beautiful Phuksumdo Tal (lake). Keeping to the left side of the river, descend for one hour to a military camp (3150m) at the junction of the Pungmo and Phuksumdo Rivers. Turns left immediately after the camp and follow a delightful path by the Phuksumdo River to a grassy clearing for lunch. The afternoon's walk up to Ringmo is very rewarding as huge rock walls guard the upper valley and it is not until some prayer flags are reached at 3800m that the lake can be seen. Equally impressive is the huge waterfall falling down from the Phuksumdo River. From the prayer flags, a pleasant half an hour's walk leads to the village of Ringmo and camp is made on the opposite side of the village (3700m). Crossing the bridge in the village and turn left to reach the lake. Days 15 : A rest day in Ringmo camped by the beautiful clear waters of Ringmo Lake. The nearby monastery is worth a visit. Days 16 : The final part of the trek sets out to explore the hidden valley of Tarap, one of the last bastions of Tibetan culture in Nepal. An easy day involving a couple of hours walks in the morning to a Yak grazing pasture by the Manduwa Khola. The path skirts along lodges hacked out of cliffs for the Yak caravans from Dolpo. The views down the Suli Gad and across to the Kagmara Lekh are particularly impressive. The campsite is in a lovely spot (3900m) below Kang Taiga (5916m).
Days 17 : Today is a very strenuous day crossing thee Basic
Bhanjyang (Bagar La) (5200m). It is also one of the most fascinations of
the trek as we cross the watershed of the main Himalayan onto the dry
Tibetan plateaus. Following the river to begin with, the path turns north
up the first obvious side valley and climbs steeply to the pass, which
marked by a choten and the usual prayer flags. Days 18 : The Tarap Valley is today's destination and despite the climb to the Numla La (5350m), the walk into this beautiful and wild Tibetan landscape is one of the highlights of the trek. A four to five hour climb leads to the pass and the view is indeed stunning. Dhaulagiri I am the prominent feature, with the rolling Tibetan hills and the Kanjiroba Himal to the west equally impressive. For an excellent 3600 panorama, climb the small peak to the left Of the pass. The path descends gradually into the Tarap Valley. In two to three hours the Champa Gompa is passed on the left and camp is made a little further down the valley in the first village (4300m). Days 19 : A long day. Due to the opens of the Tarap Valley, the sun hits the tent early, giving a spring feel to the morning. The mornings walk passes through the villages off Clumaga and Kakar, both extremely interesting with many Choten, again both Bun-Po (the ancient pre-Buddhistic religion) and Choba (orthodox Buddhist). There are two Gompas in Dho, Guru Bumba (Chob) and above the village Scipcha Gompa (Bon). Leaving Dho (a name given to the last village but actually meaning the upper collection of villages), the Tarap Khola is followed for two hours, at first on its left bank, to a bridge where lunch is taken. This is the last flat ground for three to four hours as the valley becomes narrow with deep goes crossed by innumerable small bridges. However, it is an extremely well made path, one of the finest gorge paths in the Himalayan, offering an entertaining afternoon's walk. Days 20 : The path through the gorge continues to impress, switching from the riverbank to way up the cliff side on some amazing constructions! After a long morning's walk (look out for Musk Deer), a large clearing by the river is reached. This is Lahini and marks the end of the gorge. The path Kanigaon (2700m) where we camp. Days 21 : From the check post, head east for a few hundred yards to a well mad bridge which is crossed to the left bank of the Barbung Khola, into which the Trap Khola now flows. This river is followed for three hours to the village of Tarakot where we stop. Days 22 : Another easy day, continuing along the Barbung Khola through a beautiful alpine valley to the Hindu village of Dunai. Days 23 : The final day's walk continues along the river to a teashop by the side of the path, which marks the start of the climb to the Juphal airstrip. The path climbs steadily, passing through the village of Juphal to the airstrip. Days 24 : We take the flight to Nepalgunj, for an afternoon's rest before flying on to Kathmandu the following day. The views from the lake of the Annapurnas are famous throughout Nepal. Days 25 : After breakfast drive to Pashupatinath. The holiest of holy Hindu temple in south Asia is the focal point of pilgrimage from all over the sub-continent. The holy river Bagmati flowing nearby is the cremation ground of the Hindus. Funeral pyres can be viewed from across the riverbank. We then visit to Boudhanath stupa. Probably the largest stupa in the world is also found in Kathmandu valley the great stupa of Boudhanath. Again the omni-sighted eyes of the Budha stare all the directions. This stupa is the place of worship of Tibetan Buddhists predominantly. We then drive to Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Bhaktapur is one of the oldest cities in Kathmandu valley. It is well known as Living Museum. Old brick paved enclave of old Royal palace, Nyathapola Temple, Datatriya temple exquisite artwork offers a picture of the grandeur of medieval Nepal. It is very famous for woodcarving and pottery products. Then after we have short visit to Changunarayan temple. This is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Kathmandu valley that exists in the valley dating back to the 4th century. Days 26 : After breakfast you will have some free time until the time to leave the international airport for your final departure..
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