Dolpo Trekking

The region is home to more than 9,000 people, and its villages are among the highest settlements on Earth. Most inhabitants practice Bon–Buddhism, an ancient religion rooted in animism and Buddhism. The Bon-po religion, which forms the cultural foundation of Tibetan Buddhism, is believed to have originated around 18,000 years ago during the Zhang Zhung Empire of present-day western Tibet.

The landscape is dotted with sacred monasteries, thangka paintings, and chortens. The local community depends heavily on trade with Tibet and on agricultural products, and the area is especially famous for its salt-trade caravans. The Oscar-nominated movie The Himalayas (Caravan) was filmed in this valley.

The region lies within Shey–Phoksundo National Park, Nepal’s largest national park, covering an area of 3,555 sq. km. The park offers a remarkable diversity of spectacular landscapes. Nepal’s deepest and second-largest lake, Phoksundo Lake, is located in the upper regions of the Suligad area.

Near the lake’s outlet stands the country’s highest waterfall. The major rivers in the park include the Khung, Nmajung, and Panjang rivers; the Suligad and Jugdual rivers, which are major tributaries of the Thuli Bheri River; and the Langu River, which drains the high Dolpo Plateau to the east and flows westward. Phoksundo Lake is renowned for its magnificent turquoise color, and its dramatic scenery ranks it among the most scenic mountain parks in the world.

Ringmo Village, a typical Tibetan settlement, is scenically nestled in the area. Many beautiful glaciers are found near and above the lake. The park contains numerous gompas (monasteries) and religious sites. The most famous, Shey Gompa, was established in the 11th century. Thashung Gompa, located near Phoksundo Lake, was built about 900 years ago to help conserve wildlife.

The park’s flora is extremely diverse, including rhododendrons, caragana shrubs, salix, juniper, white Himalayan birch, and occasional silver fir, which dominate the high Himalayan meadows. Less than five percent of the park is forested, most of it in the southern portion. The park also contains 286 species of ethnobotanical importance.

Shey–Phoksundo National Park provides important habitat for endangered species such as the snow leopard, grey wolf, musk deer, and blue sheep. Other wildlife found in the park includes goral, great Tibetan sheep, Himalayan thar, leopard, jackal, and Himalayan black bear.

The park is also home to six species of reptiles and 29 species of butterflies, including the world’s highest-flying butterfly, Paralasa nepalica. In addition, the park supports over 200 species of birds, including the yellow-throated marten, Tibetan partridge, wood snipe, white-throated tit, wood accentor, and crimson-eared rosefinch.

TRIP PRICE: 120USD per day per person
MINIMUM GROUP SIZE:  2  Trekkers
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: 57USD per day
 

PRICE INCLUDED:

-Tent Accommodation on twin sharing basis
-Two Course Vegetarian Meals (Soup and Main Course)
-A cup of Tea/ Coffee with a meal
-Trekking Guide
-A porter
-Field Staffs’ Insurance  
-All overland transfers

 
PRICE NOT INCLUDED:

-Trekking Permit fees & TIMS (500 USD per person for 10 days)
-All drinks and beverages. 
-Flights, Medical Insurance, Emergency evacuation 
-Extra expenses caused by natural or political incidents beyond Samsara Trekking’s control
-Sleeping bag required for trek
-Hot Shower and other materials not mentioned
-Expense on Generosity: tips and local donations

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Photos

NATURALLY NEPAL: TREKKING, BIRDING, JUNGLE SAFARI, TEMPLE TOURS & HIKING RETREAT