Dolpo Phoksundo Lake Trek

Dolpo is an ancient Tibetan kingdom located in the north east part of Nepal. It was only opened to trekkers in 1990. The Himalayan range can be seen in all its splendor, and Phoksondo lake with the Ringmo village provide some of the most beautiful Nepalese scenery. We follow the ancient Tibetan salt caravan route, across two high passes and through the wilderness in one of Nepal’s most remote areas. In the Dolpo region the monsoon, created by the sea winds blowing from the Gulf of Bengal, is tempered by the Dhaulaghiri range and trekking is therefore also possible during the summer, a period during which flora explodes in all its splendor: orchids, edelweiss, campanules, forget-me-nots.

22 Days Difficulty   Strenuous Maximum Altitude : 5360 m
DAY 01	Katmandu - Nepalganj by plane.
We walk north through the arid plateau lands that stretch up to Tibet. The trail is quite barren with craggy rocks and sand and is mostly flat, which makes it very easy going. This enjoyable start is at the same time picturesque, with views of big peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri (8167m), Tukuche (6920m) and, in the west, the awesome mountain above Kagbeni--Nilgiri. Over to the south and southwest the entire Annapurna Massif can be seen.
DAY 02	Nepalganj - Juphal (2250m) by plane - Dunai (2150m). 3-hour walk.
During the flight, we can enjoy a superb panorama of the Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu.
DAY 03	Dunai - Tharakot (2700m) in 5h.
The trail goes along the Thulo Bheri river towards Tharakot. This village was an ancient fortress and a caravan stop.
DAY 04	Tharakot - Lahini ( 3200m) in 5h.
Steady ascent by steep trails through fir and juniper forests.
DAY 05	Lahini - Naure Odar (3100m) in 6h.
The narrow trail goes through the Tarap Khola gorges
DAY 06	Naure Odar - Dho (4000m) in 6h.
We come out onto the Tibetan plateau. A tough walk gradually-disappearing vegetation, towards Dho, the main village of the valley
DAY 07	Dho. Acclimatization day.
We will visit the three main villages of the Tarap valley and the Ri Bhumpa Gompa and Bon-Po Gompa monasteries.
DAY 08	Dho - Camp at 4100m (before the pass) in 5h.
In this region, men trim their hair with red threads and wear them in a chignon like the Khampas from Tibet. Women wear heavy silver headgear.
DAY 09	Italians Camp.
From the Nun La, literraly " salt pass ", the views of the Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri are superb. We then descend the other side of the mountain and establish the campsite at 4200m.
DAY 10	Camp at 4200m - Bagla La Pass (5090m) - Roman (3800m) in 5h.
The emerald waters of the Phoksondo lake and the picturesque village of Ringmo form one of the most beautiful Himalayan landscapes.
DAY 11	Roman - Ringmo (3510m) in 2h .
Gentle walk around the lake and visit the Tesu monastery. The monastery rules life in Ringmo, a town inhabited by " Bothias ", a tribe originally from Tibet.
DAY 12	Ringmo - Pungmo (3500m) in 5h.
The trails follows the Phoksondo banks and later the Pungmo Khola river.
DAY 13	Pungmo - Lasa (4100m) in 5h.
A pleasant path that goesthrough blue fir tree forests and later through birche and juniper forests.
DAY 14	Lasa - Kagmara La (5115m) - Kagmara Phedi (4000m) in 6h
DAY 15	Kagmara Phedi - Toijem ( 2920m) in 4h.
Descent over a moraine and then along the banks of the Garpung Khola river.
DAY 16	Toijem - Kaigaon (2650m) in 5h.
DAY 17	Kaigaon - Chaurikot (3060m)
DAY 18	Chaurikot - Mauri Lagna Pass ( 3820m) - Chatra (3380m) in 6h.
Mauri Lagna means " Honey Pass ". During spring, the trail is lined with blue lilies, azaleas and blossoming rhododendrons. Magnificent panorama of snowy summits: Gutumba (5608m), Mata Tumba (5767m), Bhahul Himal (5460m).
DAY 19	Chatra - Gotichaur (2650m) in 5h.
Corn, potatoes, barley and buckwheat fields alternate with meadows and forests.
DAY 20	Gotichaur - Jumla (2300m) in 5h.
Peaceful verdant areas strewn with shining irrigation canals and rivers. In summer, the flora blossoms brightly: orchids, forget-me-nots, geraniums, mint, buttercups, gentians…
DAY 21	Jumla - Nepalganj by plane.
DAY 22	Nepalganj - Katmandu by plane.