UPPER DOLPO "THE HIDDEN LAND OF NEPAL"
UPPER DOLPO "THE HIDDEN LAND"
Once a forbidden land, Dolpo retains its pristine conditions and the people unchanged through centuries. The region became known to the outside world after the release of the film “Caravan” by Eric Valli which highlighted its spectacular landscapes and the Tibetan culture of the local inhabitants.
In the footsteps of the salt caravans: Saldang, Yangsher, Shey Gompa
Dolpo is a Bae Yul, "Hidden Country" in Tibetan, due to its inaccessibility and isolation.
These mystical high valleys were long forbidden to foreigners. Apart from a few villages and monasteries, Dolpo is a desolate land of icy valleys, snow-capped peaks, and pristine, turquoise lakes.
We will visit the main villages of Shey Gompa "crystal mountain monastery" whose pilgrims perform the kora and on to Saldang, the small capital of the largest and yet least inhabited districts of Nepal.
We hike through the Tarap valley with its rich pastures, famous for its small horses and the magnificent Phoksumdo lake where Eric Valli filmed "Caravan" which features a caravan passing through the old trade route. Today it has given way to the Yarsagumba route, a precious little caterpillar turned into a parasite by a fungus, which is the region's new source of wealth.
- A wild and remote region in the footsteps of the salt caravans immortalized by Eric Valli's film "Caravan”, the high mountain atmosphere with four passes over 5000m.
- Old-style trekking in bivouac in an under-explored region.
- A particular Tibetan culture and the ancestral animist religion of Bonpo.
Gallery
Itinerary
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- Accommodation: Hotel
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Accommodation: Camping
We make a gradual ascent through pine and juniper forest and come across many hamlets and grazing herds. We then camp by the riverside.
- Duration of hike: 6hr
- Accommodation: Camp
- Duration of hike: 6hr
- Accommodation: Camp
- Duration of hike: 6hr
- Accommodation: Camp
This is a day of rest for acclimatization with visits to small temples, monasteries and villages in the Tarap Valley.
- Accommodation: Camp
- Duration of hike: 4hr
- Accommodation: Camp
We walk for 2 hr and cross the Num La (5,200m) then walk to Langmosi La (4,900m), another pass. Towards the south, we see the beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau towards the North.
- Duration of hike: 5-6hr
- Accommodation: Camp
- Duration of hike: 6hr
- Accommodation: Camp
This day we have an easy hike along the river to reach the village of Sibu.
- Accommodation: Camp
- Duration of hike: 5hr
- Accommodation: Camp
A day of rest at Saldang.
- Accommodation: Camp
- Duration of hike: 5hr
- Accommodation: Camp
- Duration of hike: 3hr
- Accommodation: Camp
- Accommodation: Camp
We visit the Samling Monastery (follows the ancient Bönpo religion) and trek along the riverbed to Tra, among the nomad camps.
- Accommodation: Camp
We first follow the riverbed, then climb up and then come down to reach Shey Gompa, Dolpo’s famous monastery. In front of the village lies a hill known as ‘Crystal Mountain’ that is renowned for Kora.
- Duration of hike: 6hr
- Accommodation: Camp
Visit the Shey Gompa and spend the day resting in the camp.
- Accommodation: Camp
- Duration of hike: 7-8hr
- Accommodation: Camp
- Duration of hike: 6hr
- Accommodation: Camp
- Duration of hike: 5hr
- Accommodation: Camp
We make a long trek to reach Juphal Airport.
- Duration of hike: 8hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Accommodation: Hotel
Free day in the city.
- Accommodation: Hotel
Free day in the city.
- Accommodation: Hotel
Airport transfer to TIA (Kathmandu Airport) for your return flight.
End of our services.
NOTES
- In Kathmandu, we use hotels of good category *** well located in the center of Kathmandu.
- The stay in Kathmandu is always done in B&B to give you your choice of restaurants that offer you traditional and continental cuisine according to your choices.
- During the trek, you will be in full board and accommodation according to the itinerary.
What's included
- 4 nights at the hotel Tibet *** or similar in Bed & Breakfast
- 1 night at Sneha Hotel, Nepalgunj with half-board
- Trek full board in bivouac
- Camping equipment and collective kitchen (comfort version with tables and chairs, mess tent, kitchen tent, and two-seater tents, stove, gas, mattress ...)
- Special permits Lower Dolpo / TIMS / and entrance to Phoksumdo National Park
- Flights Kathmandu - Nepalgunj - Juphal Round Trip ($ 656 / Person - may change without notice)
- English speaking guide from Kathmandu to Kathmandu
- Team: 1 kitchen, kitchen boy (s), Sherpa (s), porters with 2 persons and mules from 3 persons
- Carrying personal belongings up to 13 kg/person
- Insurance staff and routing guide and cook
- Cargo of our equipment at the airport
- Domestic airport taxes
- Upper Dolpo permit (US $ 500 / person for 10 days)
What's not included
- Nepal Visa ($50 + Photo)
- Personal insurance mandatory repatriation
- Cargo for all excess baggage over 15kg / person (hold baggage and hand baggage) to be paid on the spot at the airport
- Personal expenses, tips, drinks, sleeping bags, etc.
CLIENT REVIEW
JEAN MARC WOJCIK Trip (Voyage) : UPPER DOLPO "THE HIDDEN LAND OF NEPAL" Date of Trip : 07/04/2021
