SEEKING & TRAVELLING DEEPER
Dolpo – Trails of remote Himalayan culture and wisdom
A unique trekking journey to the sacred and other-worldly Lake Phoksundo within the hidden culturally Tibetan valleys of the High Himalaya of North West Nepal
Journey essentials
- 19 days/18 nights starting and finishing in Kathmandu
- Internationally and locally led by experts in rural development and the culture of NW Nepal.
- 4 nights in a high quality, boutique hotel in Kathmandu
- 1 night in a hotel on transit to Dolpo
- 13 nights supported camp trekking in Dolpo (luggage porterage by mule provided)
- Up to 10 days moderate trekking to 3800M altitude.
- Price: from US$5100 (around £3800)
Journey Dates:
2226 Journeys
- 12th to 30th October
- Bespoke journeys available for groups of 2 to 5 (contact us for more information)
Journey highlights
An incredible scenic and cultural journey
- Historical and cultural sites of the Kathmandu valley
- Stunning Himalayan mountain flight to the start of our trekking journey.
- Travelling off established trekking trails and spending time in little visited villages.
- Discovering Nepal’s highest waterfall and the stunning other-worldly aqua blue sacred Lake Phoksundo
- Moving among the majesty of the glaciated peaks, hills and valleys of the hidden high Himalaya
- Exploring the habitat of the elusive snow leopard and being led by local herdsmen to seek snow leopard tracks
- Experiencing traditional mountain Hindu and Tibetan villages and culture of the Bon religion and the culture of Shamanic Hindu vilages.
- Ascending the fabled 'Demon’s path' to a stunning viewpoint above the aqua waters of lake Phoksundo.
- Spending evenings by the firesides of family homes to discover the stories, culture, music and lives of the remote Himalaya.
- Being led by traditional Tibetan herbalists and healers (Amchi) to discover the medicinal plants of the high Himalaya
- Engaging with the lamas (monks) of remote Trasung Choeling Gompa to discover the teachings of ancient Bon religion.
- Viewing the intimate and visually stunning ceremonies of mountain Bon religion that few travellers see.
Summary Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu. Night in boutique hotel in Thamel.
Day 2: Exploration of cultural highlights of Kathmandu and preparation of trekking permits. 2nd night in Thamel Hotel.
Day 3: Morning exploring Boudhanath stupa and afternoon flight to Nepalgunj (on route to Dolpo.
Day 4: Early morning flight through the Himalaya to arrive in Dolpo. Short trek (5.8km / 3.6 miles) to the Thuli Bheri river Campsite at 2060m.
Day 5:Trek into Shey Phoksundo National Park and ascend on village paths to the hidden Hindu Village of Perlagaon at 2460m (4.6km / 2.9 miles). Explore Shamanic Hindu culture.
Day 6: Trek through the ancient hill village of Rahagaon to Chhepka at 2660m (12.5km / 7.8 miles).
Day 7:Trek up the stunning Suli Gad river and gorge to the little visited Rechi Village at 3020m (8.9km / 5.5 miles). Be hosted by the community and explore the village culture.
Day 8: Trek up the hidden Pungmo Valley to the stunning Bon village of Pungmo at 3240m (6.5km / 4.0 miles). Ascend to the stunning valleys above Pungmo and explore the ancient Bon village, history and culture.
Day 9: Trek to Thegchen Rabgyaling Gompa (monastery) above Pungmo (3500m) with panoramic views and explore a site of ancient Bon religion. (4.9km / 3.0 miles). 2nd night in Pungmo.
Day 10: Trek to remote Rike Village at 3310m with stunning mountain views (8.6km / 5.3 miles).
Day 11: Trek to Yak Karka pastures and across an airy path with wonderful panoramic views adn arrive in Ringmo and stunning Lake Phoksundo 3650m (8.9km / 5.5 miles).
Day 12: Explore Ringmo and Thasung Choeling Gompa (monastery) and the local Bon culture. 2nd night in Ringmo.
Day 13: Walk the high Demon's path to stunning views above the Lake (4000m - 3.9km / 2.4 miles). Link into community life in Ringmo. 3rd night in Ringmo.
Day 14: Trek down to Rechi on a new high path past the mighty Phoksundo waterfall (9.7km / 6.0 miles)
Day 15: Trek down to the Hindu village of Kagni, past winter villages and along the Suli Gad River (15.1km / 9.4 miles)
Day 16: Trek to Juphal airstrip (11.6km / 7.2 miles).
Day 17: Morning flight to Kathmandu and rest afternoon in Kathmandu.
Day 18: Free day in Kathmandu and farewell group meal.
Day 19: Departure day
Bespoke journeys for groups of 2 to 5
Nomadic Skies has built up teams of local and indigenous guides. We can now offer bespoke trips for groups of 2 to 5 into Dolpo. Examples:
- A more focused and shorter journey - focusing in on specific villages
- A journey involving longer homestays in remote Tibetan communities
- Longer journeys into Upper Dolpo and to the sacred Crystal mountain and Monastery (Shey Gompa)
- Journeys focusing on specific interests - such as the snow leopard, local crafts, spirituality and meditation.
These trips are recommended for more experienced and intrepid travellers and you will be met in Kathmandu by our team, supported in your journey to Dolpo, and then taken on the trip by a local team from the villages you will be visiting.
We will work with you to design your itinerary. Contact us today for more details
Discover Remote Nepal
Background of the journey
This journey was developed as a result of the rural development work being undertaken by Nomadic Skies’ founder Gavin Anderson, who has advised on development projects in Nepal for more than 10 years, and Jigme Lama who is from the Tibetan speaking areas of the High Himalaya of NW Nepal.
It was developed in response to research undertaken into emerging tourism in remote NW Nepal and a recognition that much of the trekking did not interact with or benefit most mountain communities.
Maps of our journey
Discover remote Tibetan Nepal
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
"A unique experience, very much into the heart of the Dolpo-pa, unlike other treks which speed through the landscape and seldom touch the culture."
Anne Ince
"It's as if we were part of a BBC documentary on the indigenous people of Dolpo. An amazing experience."
Jeanette Arnott
“Incredible journey to one of the most beautiful places on earth with the opportunity to interact in a meaningful way with locals— gaining deeper insights and enjoying the warmest of welcomes.”
Linda Di Maio
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Bespoke journeys for 2 or more people are also available with our indigenous guides, following the route explored by US author Peter Matthiessen in Dolpo, northwest Nepal, which inspired his iconic 1979 book The Snow Leopard.
Bespoke trips are available in spring (May–June) and autumn (October–November). Group trip pricing will be confirmed shortly.
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Following a successful 2024 trip, we will be running the journey again in September–October 2027. Contact us to register your interest.
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2026 group trip: 5th to 16th December 2026
2027 group trips available in February 2027 (dates to be confirmed).
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Hill Cottage, Mill St, Ullapool,
Wester Ross, Scotland
IV26 2UN
gavin.anderson@nomadicskies.com
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