Aesthetically captured by Eric Valli in his 1999′s Oscar nominated movie “Caravan” -also known as “Himalaya” and Himalaya – l’enfance d’un chef, Upper Dolpo is one of the restricted regions in Nepal. With only about200 permits provided by the government in a year and the higher permit fees, the region managed to remain distant from urbanization.
Upper Dolpo is a high-altitude culturally Tibetan region located in the upper part of Dolpa District in western Nepal. Part of the region falls under Shey Phoksundo National Park. The inhabitants are the adherents of Bon, the religion that predates main-stream Buddhism. Still many ancient artifacts and architecture are found in the region attracting travelers from around the world.
For those who seek to explore the scenic Himalaya, there are Phuksundo Lake, Kanjirowa Himal and mountains embedded in its typical terrain.
It is home to 6 different species of reptiles and 29 butterflies. Animals, such as; Snow Leopard, Grey wolf, Musk deer, Blue sheep. Goral, Great Tibetan sheep, Himalayan Tahr, leopard, Jackal,Himalayan black bear and yellow-throated marten, dominate the region, along with Rhododendron, Caragana shrubs, Salix, Juniper, White Himalayan birch and the occasional Silver fir.
The park contains the famous Phoksundo Lake (Deepest lake in Nepal) and Shey Gompa, both of which are the major tourist attractions.
Itinerary
Day 01: Flight to Nepaljung and Juphal. Trek to Dunai (2,850 m/9,348 ft)
Day 02: Trek to Tarakot (2,850 m/9,348 ft), 5-6 hrs walk
Day 03: Trek to Khani Gaon (2,543 m/8,341 ft), 3-4 hrs walk
Day 04: Trek to Tarap Khola (3,450 m/11,316 ft), 4-5 hrs walk
Day 05: Trek to Yak Kharka (3800 m/12,464 ft), 4-5 hrs walk
Day 06: Trek to Dho Tarap (4,090 m/13,415 ft), 5-6 hrs walk
Day 07: Rest Day at Dho Tarap for acclimatization
Day 08: Trek to Tokyu Gaun (4,200 m/13,776 ft), 5-6 hrs walk
Day 09: Trek below Numala pass (4,665 m/15,301 ft), 4-5 hrs walk
Day 10: Cross Numala (5,190 m/17,023 ft), and camp at Phedi , 6-7 hrs walk
Day 11: Trek and cross Baga La (5,070 m/16,630 ft) and camp, 5-6 hrs walk
Day 12: Trek to Ringmo (3,600 m/11,808 ft), 6-7 hrs walk
Day 13: Rest Day at Ringmo & for a hike to Phoksundo Lake (3,730 m/12,234 ft)
Day 14: Trek to Pungmo village (3,170 m/10,397 ft), 4-5 hrs walk
Day 15: Trek below Kagmara La, 5-6 hrs walk
Day 16: Cross the Kagmara-la (5,115 m/16,777 ft), 4-5 hrs walk
Day 17: Trek to Hurikot village(3,600 m/11,808 ft), 5-6 hrs walk
Day 18: Trek to Chaurikot(3,060 m/10,036 ft), 5-6 hrs walk
Day 19: Trek to Chorte Gompa (3200 m/10,496 ft), 5-6hrs walk
Day 20: Trek to Gothi Chaur (2,700 m/8,856 ft), 4-5 hrs walk
Day 21: Trek to Jumla (2,370 m/7,773 ft), 6-7 hrs walk
Day 22: Flight Nepaljung and to kathmandu