Beni Dolpo Trek with Himalayan Companion takes you through the eminent scholar and traveler Peter Matthiessen's footprint. Peter Matthiessen and biologist George B. Schaller had taken this rout on their way to Upper Dolpo, in search of an elusive Himalayan Big Cat ‘The Snow-leopard’. Including of their expedition experience both of them had published the books such as; ‘The Snowleopard’ by Peter Matthiassen and ‘Silence of Stone’ by George B. Schaller.
Beni Dolpo Trek, begins from Beni, Kaligandaki shore town of Western Nepal to an isolated trans-Himalayan recently opened Dolpo region. From Beni, the trail heads up through numerous ridges connecting Hindu farming hamlets, lush vegetation of Dorpatan Hunting Reserve, a unique dialect ‘Kaike’ speaking region Ticherong valley and to the North barren landscape of Upper Dolpo.
For the first part of the trek, one has to cross over four ridges like; and in the second part of the trek is encounter by high passes such as; Kang La Pass 5350m, Sela Pass 5095m and Jyantha La Pass 5220m.
Highlights of Beni Dolpo Trek
Beni Dolpo Trek is a wonderful trek of Nepal. It caters an off the beaten experience of Himalaya and superlative memory of your holiday. The following highlights are witnessed during Beni Dolpo trek.
Hindu Hamlets
The beautiful Hindu hamlets come across along the way to Beni to Dorpatan area. People on this area are the follower of Hinduism and they celebrate Dashain and Deepawali as their major festival.
Dorpatan Hunting Reserve
Dorpatan Hunting Reserve is only one hunting reserves in Nepal. It is established in 1987 and covers an area of 512 sq.m, in the Dhaulagiri range and Churen Himal of Western Nepal. Dorpatan Hunting Reserve is the home of fifty-eight vascular plants, 36 species of flowering plant, 18 species of mammals including Snow Leopard, musk deed, Ailurus fulgens, Red Panda and Blue Sheep; 137 species of birds including Koklass pheasant and impeyan pheasant.
Ticherong Valley
Ticherong valley is the valley of ‘Kaike’ dialect speaking valley, and home of Tarali Magar people. The inhabitants of this valley are the follower of Tibetan Buddhism and hold many Buddhist monasteries. Even though Buddhist follower they have their own indigenous rituals and festivals. ‘Rung’ and ‘Rungma’ is their major festival.
Ringmo Village and Phoksundo Lake
A beautiful Bon village Ringmo is situated at the shore of magical lake ‘Phoksundo’. Inhabitants of this village are the follower of Bon, a pre-Buddhist religion. Phoksundo lake, a miraculous lake changes its colour based on an amount of light falling on it.
High Passes
Beni Dolpo Trek, approaching through the challenging altitude traversing 5000m plus passes. Up to the Ticherong valley, moderate grade passes below 4000m are encountered but beyond the Phoksundo Lake 5000m plus high passes makes the trek more adventurous. Being at the top of such high passes electrifies the minds, body and soul of every trekker. The panoramic views from the top of high passes are mesmerizing.
Dho Tarap Valley
Dho Tarap valley is a beautiful valley located at the 4350m is the highest human settlement of the world. Upholding century-old Buddhist and Bon monastery, blessed by Guru Rinpoche and inhabited by Dolpo Pa people is major highlights of Dho Tarap. Having a day rest and exploring around the village and monasteries, capturing them in your lenses would be very worthful of the trip.
