If you have plenty of time, and passion to do some wild ventures in Nepal, then today's blog I am going take in to 4 exceptional treks in Dolpo Nepal.
In the far flung of Nepal, hidden in the Himalaya, a least explored majestic valley confines with Tibetan autonomous region, which is guarded by the high mountains including Dhaulagiri massif, Kanijiruwa massif and Tibetan plateau all around is Dolpo..
Trekking in Dolpo offers many real lifetime experience in the kingdom of sacred and Divine Mountain, land of Bon and Buddhism, unspoiled culture, beyond the Himalayan valleys of North Western Nepal. Remote but the sacred valley and the virgin Himalayan land, where the glorious mountain, touches the sky is the authentic and perfect place for adventure hunger and Himalayan addicts.
The classic, popular and normal trekking in Dolpo region are Dolpo Jomsom Trek, Inner Dolpo Trek, Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek, and Lower Dolpo Featured Trek. However, beside these Dolpo trekking itinerary, Dolpo could offer some of very adventure and challenging treks. Which are as following:
1. Mugu Dolpo Upper Mustang Trek
Mugu Dolpo Upper Mustang trek is a rare trek that which winds from Mugu Rara Lake the biggest lake of Nepal to former forbidden kingdom Lomanthang upper Mustang via hidden hamlets, sky touching high passes, gigantic gorges of Upper Dolpo.
The trek begins from Rara Lake of Mugu along the Mugu Karnali to Shiranchaur Kharka. Then after it leading by crossing three high passes Chyargo La pass 5150m, Yala Pass 5414m and Nimagyalzen La 5563m to the last village of Upper Dolpo 'Phot'. Then rolling in the high valleys of Upper Dolpo hamlets such as, Bhijer, Saldang, Komash, Shimen, Tinje, and to Chharka Bhot.
From the Chharka Bhot, the trail winds into the thin air valleys of Nekhem Khola, Kekyap La, Araniko Chuli to revered and former forbidden walled city Lomanthang Upper Mustang. Exploring few days around Lomanthang and Upper Mustang the trek ends in Jomsom.
2. Beni Dolpo Upper Mustang Trek
Beni Dolpo Upper Mustang Trek, is another exceptional treks in Nepal, which takes you from foothills of Annapurna massif to Dolpo region and along the lap of Dhaulagiri to red cliff, grand canyons, deserted former Himalayan Buddist kingdom Lomanthang and Upper Mustang.
The trek begins from low middles hills of Nepal Beni on the foothills of Annapurna, amazing vegetation of Dhorpatan Hunting reserve along culturally rich Tichurong valley. Beyond, Tichurong the trail winds along Barbung valley river bank and villages Kakot, Terang, and Mukot. Getting reward of Dhaulagiri massif panoramic vistas, encountering with Mu La pass 5717m before Chharka Bhot via highland valleys of Mulunsumna and Yalkung valleys.
After Chharkabhot, the trail again leads to Nekhem khola valley, Kekyap valley to the foothill of Araniko Chuli to capital of grand canyons and red cliff Lomanthang Upper Mustang. Strolling few days around highland deserted valley of Upper Mustang the trek halt at Jomsom.
3. Upper Dolpo Upper Mustang Trek
Upper Dolpo Upper Mustang trek is an extraordinary journey throughout the North Western trails of Nepal, which starts from Lower Dolpo and end to Lower Mustang via Upper Dolpo and Upper Mustang.
Upper Dolpo Upper Mustang Trek, has two options such as, Upper Dolpo Upper Mustang via Ghemi La pass 5700m and Upper Dolpo Upper Mustang via Kekyap La pass 5700m.
Both of treks winds from Lower Dolpo through magical Phoksundo lake, sacred Shey Gompa and some hidden hamlets of Upper Dolpo for example, Rigmo, Shey Gompa, Namgong, Saldang, Nisal, Musi Gaon, Shimen, Tinje and Chharka Bhot.
After Chharka Bhot from Nekem Khola valley, one leads to north all the way to Araniko Chuli and Kekyap La 5700m to Lomanthang. And another leads to the east crossing Ghemi La 5694m to Ghemi village then Lomanthang and finally to Jomsom.
4. Dolpo to Humla Simikot Trek
Dolpo to Humla Simikot trek via Mugu village is an enthralling journey across the Karnali region of West Nepal, which inter connects the three remote districts of Karnali Region. This trail begins from Juphal via Shey Gompa Upper Dolpo, crossing Nyimagalzen La 5563m joins Mugu Valley, the last frontier village of Mugu district. Further to the north following the Rimar Khola and Tanke Khola heading across the Mugu Dada ridge descends to Nepka village a remote and last isolated village of Humla.
This trek starts from Juphal then leads along the lush vegetation of Phoksundo River to turquoise and amazing Phoksundo Lake and beautiful Bon village ‘Ringmo’. Then after the trail winds through battling with first notorious pass Kagngla 5350m to Shey Gompa. From Shey Gompa rolling above high halleys of Deng Khola, Tata and Tora, Shamling monastery connects the Bhijer and Phot. Beyond the last village 'Pjhot' the trek sinking into wilderness for few days encountering three high pass Ningmagyalzen La 5563m, Yala Pass 5414m and Chayargo La 5150m to Mugu karnali river. Following upstream Mugu Karnali River to the north soon reaches at a winter settling village Shailenkharka a top of Mugu Karnali River. A few hours trekking to the north is Mugu village.
These all treks are physically challenging and logistically difficult trek. In terms of time and budget, these 4 exceptional treks are long and expensive than other treks in West Nepal. These treks are not suitable for every one, these are only for the adventure seeker people.
