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TREKS & CLIMB IN THE HIMALAYA • ADVENTURE TRAVEL ORGANIZER |
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Dolpo - Upper or Lower Dolpa Treks
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Dolpo - Upper or Lower Dolpa Treks
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 Dolpo,the Hidden valley is a land of mystery, scenery and peace. Surrounded by Dhaulagiri and Tibet from south and north, The Dolpo region is the natural embodiment of high passes, rare flora and fauna and sweeping vistas. The medicinal plant, Yarchagumba (Coerdiopsis sinuses) a type of wild mushroom is found in abundance in this region. Extracts from Yarchagumba is believed to significantly improve health and fitness. This trekking is for combination of natural and cultural phenomena which is enriched by the traditional Tibetan cultural heritage. It is a rain shadow area and was opened in 1991 for visitors.
If you have already done several long treks you are qualified to undertake this trip. You will be spending substantial portion of the trek in high altitude over 5000 meters and in difficult physical and environmental condition. Though climbing experience is not required but it would be added advantage if you have done basic climbing course. You travel through extreme land, traverse through snow condition and high pass for over two weeks.
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Travel by bus to Nepaljung and next day fly to Jumla. You will walk from Jumla to Dunai using old migration route to the east or follow the higher route from Hurikot to Kagmara pass ((5115m) and then travel north Ringmo. If weather is nice you may traverse via Kagmara la to Phoksindhu-lake. There is beautiful view from the pass. Phoksindhu lake (3658m) is part of Shey Phoksundo National Park; it was established in 1984. It is a beautiful alpine lake perched in the corner of the surrounding mountain range. Cross two high pass Baga la (5090m) and Numa la (5190m) to reach Tarap valley on the eastern side. Do Tarap have two major gompas ? Bon po and Buddhist - and chorten (Buddhist stupa). It is fairly large village with cultivated land. Most of the inhabitants are Magar, one of the major ethnic groups of Nepal, but their dialect and culture is Tibetan. Walk down to Tarakot through narrow valley made by Tarap-Khola (river) and continues the journey to Dunai and Juphal. Fly from Juphal to Nepaljung.
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Travel to Nepaljung and fly to Juphal (Dolpo). You walk through Tarakot and turn north to Tarap valley. In 5 days you are at Do Tarap. After a rest day at Do Tarap cross a high pass at Jangla and several other 5000-meter high passes. These passes are usually covered with snow. This is the hardest part of the trek in Dolpo. From the pass you can see rolling mountain that extends to Tibet. Visit Namdo, Namjung and Shey Gompa. After a day rest at Shey cross the high pass at Kangla. Descend to Phoksindhu khola (river) and follow the river trail to Phoksindhu Lake. Walk to Juphal and fly out to Nepaljung.
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The landscape of this region is similar to what is described in Upper Dolpo. This region is as remote and high as Upper Dolpo. You will be crossing several 5000-meter high passes on the trail from Jomsom. En-route you will discover villages rarely visited by outsider. These people live with deep faith in Buddhism and tantric rituals. You will be amazed to see the raw beauty of the land and innocence of the people. You will experience your travel as if you are in a time machine going back in time. There is nothing except you and the nature. The deep blue sky, snow covered rolling high mountain and deep river valley and seemingly endless trail continues to dominate the journey. Villages at Sangda and Charkabhot are the only reminders of people other than you. Charkabhot is the last big village from Do in the west and Sangdok in the east. As Christoph Von Furer-Haimendorf in his book ‘Himalayan Traders’ said the village of Charkhabhot is unique village with fort like structure. Bhot means Tibet in Nepali and Bhotia means dwellers of high mountain.
The trek from Jomsom to Dolpa following the higher route through several high- passes into the remote villages of Charkabhot and Do Tarap. Unlike Mustang and Shey gompa that has attracted outside world the land west of Jomsom and behind the Crystal Mountain has remained as aloof as ever waiting to be discovered in its raw form. Unlike other trek you travel through the uncharted trail. Even local people do not use the trail beyond Sangda –la (5487m). So far only few people have taken this journey.
The trek provides an unprecedented adventure. You will discover the original state of the inhabitants. Of course you will be thrilled to encounter nomads and yak caravans. After Charka bhot you will enter into the well-traveled route of Lower Dolpo. You follow the trail to Do Tarap and cross Numa la and bagala to reach the pristine alpine lake of Phoksindhu. Turn south to Ringmo. The main trail leads to Dunai and to Juphal. From Juphal fly out to Nepaljung and to Kathmandu.
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