- Overview
- Itinerary Detail
- Cost Info
- Trek Info
Overview
A long, hard, expensive and seldom-trekked route, it nonetheless rewards adventurous and fit souls with great scenery, culminating with visits to the legendary Shey Gompa and Crystal Mountain. Although it is possible to backtrack to Dunai, this version continues on a rarely used trail to Jomsom. Take along Peter Matthiesson’s book, “The Snow Leopard” for a great companion piece to the trek.
During the first week the trek visits Phoksumdo Lake and then heads into truly remote country in the Shey Phoksumdo National Park. From there the route heads to Shey Gompa and Crystal Mountain, crossing 3 high passes on the way. After visiting the Gompa the trek carries on down a very seldom used route to Jomsom, again crossing 3 high passes. Along the way there are fantastic views of the nearby mountains and the Mustang region to the North.
Itinerary Detail
Inner Dolpo Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel. A representative from WildPath Adventure will welcome you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Free afternoon/evening.
Day 02: After breakfast, enjoy a pleasant morning walk and visit to the ancient Swayambhunath or Monkey Temple, which is a fascinatingblend of Hindu and Buddhist religions. From the top you can see the surrounding Kathmandu Valley. Then visit Pashupatinath, the most important Hindu temple in Nepal. After lunch, visit the famous Durbar Square in Kathmandu. In the evening, we will have a welcome dinner and a chance for you to view traditional Nepali dancing.
Day 03: From Kathmandu fly to Nepalgunj (1610m). Overnight at lodge. Nepalganj, the largest town in western Nepal, is a hub for flights and located just 6km from the border with India.
Day 04 : Fly to Japhal and trek to Dunai (2030m, 3 hrs). Overnight at camp. Spend the day stocking up on trek necessities and goodies for the coming days, as there are few facilities from here on in.
Day 05 : Trek to Chepka (2670m./4 to 6 hrs). Overnight at camp. Follow firs the Thulo Bheri river and then the Suli Gaod river, past abandoned settlements and small villages.
Day 06 : Trek to Renje (3010m./ 3 to 4 hrs). Overnight at camp. The trail continues to follow the river, ascending and descending through fir and larch forest.
Day 07 : Trek to Phoksumdo Lake (3620m./6 to 7 hrs). Overnight at camp. Climb through forests of cedar and then open country to a ridge at 3730m. where the highest waterfall in Nepal can be seen up close. Then descend through forest to reach the shores of the beautiful lake.
Day 08 : Trek to Chunemba (3630m/5 to 6 hrs). Overnight at camp. Climbing precariously high above the lake, the trail winds through pine and birch forest. There are great mountain views along the way.
Day 09 : Trek to Latsa. (4120m./4 to 6 hrs). Overnight at camp. Follow the main valley to Kang Gopa, then climb to a ridge with spectacular mountain views to the west. After topping out at 4200m., descend easily to camp by the river.
Day 10 : Trek to Mendot Ding (4610m./2 to 3 hrs). Overnight at camp. A short trekking day, as the altitude is now significant. Blue sheep can usually be spotted on the hills above the campsite.
Day 11 : Trek to Shey Gompa (4390m./7 to 9 hrs). Overnight at camp. The trail takes many ups and downs today, cresting at Sehu La (5160m),then at 2 more passes of 5010m and 4860m, before descending through grassy slopes and meadows to Shey Gompa.
Day 12 : Rest Day at Shey Gompa. Spend the day resting or exploring the surroundings. Crystal Mountain lies to the east and is well worth a day’s effort to get close to this sacred and strange mountain, so named for the veins of quartz that traverse its base.
Day 13: Trek to Namgung (4430m./6 to 8 hrs). Overnight at camp. Climb to the Shey La pass (5010m), descend and then climb again to the village of Namgung, where there are caves and an interesting monastery.
Day 14 : Trek to Karang (4050m./5 to 6 hrs). Overnight at camp. Take the direct route, high above the Namgung Khola to Karang.
Day 15 : Trek to Mugaon (4100 m./6 to 8 hrs). Overnight at camp. During today’s trek you will see the Yangster Gompa, the oldest monastery in Dolpo.
Day 16: Trek to Shimen (4010m./7 to 9 hrs). Overnight at camp. Traverse the Mushi La pass at 5030m. and then descend to a good campsite set in pastures above the village.
Day 17 : Trek to Tinje (4150m./7 to 8 hrs). Overnight at camp. Today’s trek follows the Polang Khola upstream for most of the day.
Day 18 : Trek to Rapka (4530m./7 to 8 hrs).Overnight at camp. Follow the Sarang Khola to Rapka.
Day 19 : Trek to Chharka (4120m./7 to 8 hrs). Overnight at camp. Climb up to the Chharka La pass (4920m.) and then descend far into the valley to the pretty village of Chharka.
Day 20 : Trek to Norbolung (4750m./6 to 7 hrs). Overnight at camp. Today’s trek climbs and drops several times on simple trails.
Day 21 : Trek to Sangda Phedi (5100m./7 to 8 hrs). Overnight at camp. Climb through meadows and pastures to the pass at Sangda La( 5460m) and then descend to the campsite.
Day 22 : Trek to Sangda (3700m./7 to 8 hrs).Overnight at camp. Cross the lower Sangda La pass at 4090m, drop to the river and then climb and drop several times before reaching Sangda.
Day 23 : Trek to Dhagarjun (3290m./7 to 8 hrs). Overnight at camp. Today’s long trek is spent on a high traverse, where there are fine views of the Mustang region.
Day 24 : Trek to Jomsom (2670m./3 to 4 hrs). Overnight at lodge. Finally a short day, descending steeply to the town of Jomsom, where possibilities of hot showers, beer and the Internet await.
Day 25 : Fly to Pokhara and then optionally fly on to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel. Many people chose to stay a few nights in Pokhara, to relax and enjoy the lake-side life before heading back to the bustle of Kathmandu.
Note: This trek can be done as a Teahouse trip or as a Camping trip. If you are interested in a camping trekking, please contact us.
Cost Info
The Trip Cost Includes:
- All airport/hotel transfers
- Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
- 3 nights accommodation in 3-star hotel in Kathmandu (2 before trek, 1 after trek)
- Camping accommodation enroute
- Breakfast in Kathmandu
- All meals enroute and boiled water in mountain
- Welcome and farewell dinner
- All ground transportation as per the itinerary by private vehicles
- Salary for all expedition staff.
- All necessary paper work, including trekking permits
- Travel and rescue arrangements
- All government and local taxes
- Duffel bag, t-shirt, trekking map
The Trip Cost Does Not Include:
- Nepal Visa fee
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Excess baggage charges (if you have more than 15 kg luggage, cargo charge is around $1.5 per kg)
- Extra nights accommodation in Kathmandu, Nepalganj orJuphal
- Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu
- Bottled beverages, including water
- Snacks such as energy bars, candy or chocolate
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses such as snacks, laundry, battery recharge, extra porters
- Optional trips and sightseeing
- Tips for guides and porters
Trek Info
Accommodation
Wildpath Adventure has chosen the best accommodation with your comfort and budget in mind. This includes staying in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu and camping in comfortable, two-person camping tents along the trekking route.
All accommodation is based on twin sharing but we will provide a single supplement if there is an odd number of participants. If you simply prefer a single room, this is available by paying an additional single supplement.
Meals
One of the joys of camping treks is the wonderful food prepared for you at each meal. From the first tea of the morning to the last meal of the day, you will be treated to meals that are nutritious, healthy, fresh and suitable for a mountain expedition.
The experienced and trained cooks will provide meals from a variety of cuisines such as Nepali, Sherpa, Tibetan, Continental, Italian and Indian cuisine. Breakfast and dinner will be taken at camp, while lunch will be prepared at a suitable rest spot along the way.
Note: Before arriving in Nepal, please advise Wildpath Adventure if you have any special dietary requirements or restrictions such that we can accommodate your request.
A Typical Day on the Trek
Soon after dawn breaks, you will be awakened and offered a steaming cup of tea or coffee by your Sherpa. A nutritious and appetizing breakfast awaits you after you dress for the day. Then you will trek for 3 or more hours before stopping for lunch at a scenic spot – often near a river or stream. You will have plenty of time to relax and take photos as you enjoy the lunch meal.
Throughout the day we will take rest breaks as needed and there will always be time to stop and admire the flowers, the scenery, a village or just to soak in the pleasure of being on an adventure in Nepal.
After lunch, we will usually trek for another 2-3 hours before reaching the campsite. On arrival you will have time to rest and enjoy another welcome hot mug of tea, coffee, or one of the trail favorites, hot lemon. There is usually time to explore a village or Gompa or the surrounding neighborhood, write in your journal or simply relax. After a delicious dinner .there will be a briefing on the next day’s program before you head off to the tent for a warm and snug sleep. You may be surprised to find that you are sleeping 10 to 12 hours per night, but that is normal on a strenuous trek.
The Trekking Group
For most treks there will be one guide, one assistant guide per 4 trekkers, one cook, and one Sherpa porter per 2 trekkers. This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group fall sick, the trip can still go ahead as planned.
The minimum group size is 2 and the maximum is 12. However, if you'd like to make a group booking for more than that, we will be happy to arrange this for you.
What to Know
Fitness Requirements
In order to maximize your enjoyment of this trek, you will need to be in good physical condition and you will need to be prepared for rough conditions. In general, trekking consists of many days of walking for at least 5-6 hours, some of it on rugged terrain. You should also be very comfortable walking with a small daypack and carrying up to 5kg of weight.
In addition to a good level of fitness, we believe you must possess: a willingness to tolerate difficult conditions, a flexible mindset, a sense of humor and good health.
Health & Safety
Your safety and well-being are of paramount concern to Wildpath Adventure. For that reason, the trek leader has the authority to change or cancel any part of the trek if it is deemed necessary for safety reasons. Wildpath Adventure will make every effort to keep to the planned itinerary; however, we simply cannot guarantee it. Changes to the itinerary can occur due to weather conditions, the health of a team member or unexpected natural disasters. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please understand that these events are a possibility.
It is imperative that participants with pre-existing medical problems or conditions make these known to Wildpath Adventure when booking. Medical and evacuation expenses are the responsibility of the participant and must be covered by your personal travel insurance. It is also important that you consult your doctor for vaccinations and other medical requirements for your trip. Wildpath Adventure reserves the right to require a medical certificate prior to booking your trip.
Acclimatization
Any trek to high altitude carries with it the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness, or AMS. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness, generally caused by going up too fast. The higher the altitude, the less oxygen there is in the air. For example, at 6500m there is only half the oxygen that there is available at sea level.
Your body needs many days to adapt to this less-oxygen environment. Our itinerary is planned to allow sufficient time for acclimatization, by going up slowly and including acclimatization days as needed. It is not uncommon to experience mild headaches, loss of appetite or nausea when ascending, but these symptoms usually disappear with rest...
Although your appetite may diminish as you trek higher, it is very important to eat enough to maintain a good energy level. Similarly it is extremely important to drink sufficient water to stay hydrated. The trek leader will advise you on what is sufficient food and water and we ask that you follow his advice.
We also advise anyone with known heart, lungs or blood diseases to consult their doctor before traveling. Our itineraries are designed to prevent AMS as much as possible, but it is important to remember that some people are more vulnerable than others.
Our team will check very carefully to determine if anyone has a serious problem. If anyone is showing signs of AMS, they will not be permitted to trek higher and will be required to descend to a safe altitude with a member of the team. If the symptoms disappear at the lower altitude, the person may be permitted to rejoin the trek after a suitable rest period.
Please Allow Extra Time
We strongly recommend that you allow a few extra days at either end of your trip. In addition to the reasons mentioned above, flights in Nepal are notorious for being delayed anywhere from a few hours (common) to one week (rare) due to bad weather. This can occur even in the best trekking months.
If all goes well, you will then have extra days to enjoy in Nepal, taking in activities such as sightseeing near Kathmandu, river rafting, or perhaps relaxing at one of the nearby hilltop resorts.
In the event of bad weather, it may be possible to arrange a helicopter evacuation, which can vary in cost from USD $300 to $3500, depending on the demand.
What to Bring
The following list is a guideline of what you should bring with you for the trek. Please note that clothing for Kathmandu and other non-trekking destinations is not included in this list. While you can bring everything from your home country, it is also possible to rent or purchase almost everything in Kathmandu. Most of the gear for sale in Kathmandu is manufactured locally and thus considerably cheaper. However, it is also possible to buy brand name clothing and equipment at quality and prices that are comparable to home country prices.
At lower elevations on the trek it is likely to be very warm and the lightest of layers can be worn. However, at altitudes above 4000m it may be bitterly cold and windy, particularly after the sun disappears. The secret to staying warm and comfortable is to layer your clothing and to avoid cotton, as it becomes very cold when wet and is slow to dry. Pack with a minimalist view, as the load limit per person for porters and on domestic flights is 15kg.
Treks in Nepal are tough on gear and clothing. We recommend that you bring well-used items that can stand a fair bit of abuse. Many people bring gear that can be given away at the end of the trek to the porters or guides. Please check with Wildpath Adventure if you are uncertain about what to bring – we will be happy to advise you.
During the trek the porters will be carrying most of your gear. On the trail you can expect to carry in your daypack item such as 1 to 2 liters of water, your camera, a jacket for rest stops, sunscreen, tissue paper, a route map and binoculars.
CLOTHING
- T-shirts – 2 or 3, long-sleeved and short-sleeved, quick-drying
- Hiking shorts or capris
- Lightweight Long Hiking pants
- Lightweight thermal inner layer – top and bottom
- Fleece pants and jacket
- 2 pair inner liner socks
- 2 pair outer socks, wool, medium to heavy weight
- Shirt with collar
OUTERWEAR
- Lightweight gloves
- Heavyweight gloves or mittens and waterproof outer shell
- Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
- Waterproof, breathable jacket
- Down jacket
- Waterproof, breathable shell pants
- Warm hat or balaclava
- Gaiters (for high-elevation treks and passes)
FOOTWEAR
- Hiking boots
- Camp shoes such as sneakers or Teva-like sandals
- Down booties (optional, but very nice at high altitude camp)
MISCELLANEOUS
- Camera and extra battery and card
- Sun hat or bandana
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- 4 season sleeping bag (rated to -15 to -20 degree centigrade. Down is preferable)
- Sleeping bag liner (optional, but very useful)
- Trekking Bags/Duffel bag *
- Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
- Small lock
- Basic First Aid Kit (Wildpath Adventure staff will also carry a team First Aid kit)
- Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
- Trekking Poles
- Water bottles (2) or camel back
- Ear Plugs
- Sewing and repair kit
- Sarong (optional, but very useful when washing)
- Energy bars, chocolate, candy
- Water-purifying tablets or water filter pump
TOILETRIES
- Sunscreen with high UV protection
- Lip balm for altitude (e.g. Labazan)
- Face and body moisturizer
- 1 medium sized quick drying towel
- Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
- Deodorant
- Nail clippers
- Feminine hygiene products
- Small mirror
- Wet wipes
- Toilet tissue
- Ant- bacterial hands wash
FIRST AID AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES
All of the items listed here can be purchased in Kathmandu, however you may prefer to bring trusted brands from home. Note also that Wildpath Adventure will carry an extensive first aid and medical kit, so please bring the minimum required. There are many good books and websites which carry extensive lists of recommended drugs and medical supplies. We suggest that you review this material before making any purchases.
- Plasters/Band aids
- Moleskin
- General-purpose antibiotic such as Cipro
- Headache medicine – (not Codein-based)
- Anti-inflammatory pills
- Antibiotic cream
- Eye drops
- Rehydration salts such as ORS
- Multi-vitamins
- Throat lozenges
- Anti-diarrheal medicine
- Anti-constipation medicine
And if your pack is still light:
- Binoculars
- Journal
- IPOD (note that recharging may not always be possible)
- Reading material
- Travel game or cards
- Photos from home
Travel Insurance
All participants in a Wildpath Adventure must have travel insurance. This will protect you against the risk of comprehensive expenses which may result due to medical emergencies or accidents. This insurance should include air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs. Please be noted that we don't arrange or sell insurance and it is best to arrange this in your home country.
Contact Us
for trip cost
Facts
Min/Max altitude : 2030m./5160m
Grade : Strenuous
Season : May-Oct
Accommodation :Lodge/ Tented Camp
Duration :25 days