On your first day of the Dolpo and Shey Gompa trek, you will fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. During the flight, you will enjoy scenic views of some of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and other neighboring peaks. You will stay at a hotel that day at Nepalgunj.

We will take a flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal. After landing in Juphal, we will commence our trekking journey by walking through picturesque terraced fields to reach the Bheri River. From there, we will hike to Dunai, which will take us approximately 2 hours. During this trek, we will ascend 70 meters and descend 405 meters.

Today, we will begin our trek from Dunai to reach Rohagaon. Rohagaon is a village inhabited by Magar and Buratoki of Tibetan origin. It is famous for its goats, which are sold throughout Nepal. We will spend the night there after trekking for 6 hours with an elevation gain of 830 meters.

In the morning, after having breakfast, we will ascend on a path from Rohagaon to Regi, overlooking the Suli Gad River. The Suli Gad is called the Phoksundo Khola in the higher reaches.

Similarly, the trail crisscrosses and alternately follows the banks, then climbs high to avoid sheer cliffs. The ups and downs can be a bit monotonous, but there are several streams along the way that offer a chance to cool off. We will spend the night after 5 hours of trekking, ascending 270m and descending 300m.

We will continue our journey towards Ringmo, trekking through lush forests and picturesque flowery meadows with edelweiss flowers, as we make our way to the stunning Ringmo and Phoksundo Lake. The trek will be an adventure, taking us approximately 5 hours with an upward climb of 793 meters.

Ancient history states that in the 8th century, there was a great Buddhist saint Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche. He arrived at Phoksundo with the noble mission of vanquishing the mountain demons.

During his time there, he confronted a Bon demon who escaped his anger. He offered the villagers a precious turquoise gem in exchange for their promise not to disclose his presence. However, Padmasambhava, using his mystical powers, transformed the valuable turquoise into dung. This act led the villagers to believe that the demon had tricked and betrayed them.

In revenge, the enraged demon caused a devastating flood that submerged the village under turquoise-colored waters, leaving a mark on the history and mythology of the region.

Upon reaching Ringmo, we will take some time to rest and immerse ourselves in the local culture by visiting the Bön gompa. The population of Ringmo consists of the Magar and Bothias communities. It adds to the rich tapestry of traditions and heritage that we will have the opportunity to experience on our journey.

On this day, we will take a rest in the picturesque village of Ringmo. This will provide an opportunity to explore the stunning Phoksundo Lake and immerse ourselves in the unique culture and traditions of Ringmo Village.

With its roots in Tibetan heritage, the village is a treasure trove of ancient beliefs and practices that have been upheld for centuries. The villagers mostly adhere to Bonpo-Buddhism. You can visit the Bon Gompa and Bon monastery which offers a deeper understanding of their spiritual customs.

Furthermore, you can interact with the locals, gaining insight into their way of life, as the community consists of Magar and Bhotia people.

At the western edge of Phoksundo Lake, the trail goes through a green meadow and into the floodplain of the Phoksundo Khola. After leaving the beautiful lake, you’ll trek towards Phoksundo Khola. This 6-hour trek includes a 914-meter ascent and descent. You will enjoy the turquoise blue lake as you walk.

After traveling along the unsteady path above the Phosundo Khola, you will pass through the Glacier Valley. Following a steep climb, you’ll arrive at a valley where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Kang La Pass and the surrounding large valley. You can get a distant sight of snow-clad mountains like Dhaulagiri. You will stay overnight at Kang La Base Camp. The trek is a 6-hour journey with an ascent of 337m.

We will trek through the mountain pass at an altitude of 5360m involves navigating a very steep descent. The trekking route spans 6 hours, enclosing an ascent of 1230m and a descent of 540m.

We will trek alongside the Kanju River, passing by Shey Monastery and its red houses. Along the way, we’ll walk through meadows where yaks, sheep, and mountain goats (Chyangra) graze. To the west, we’ll see the majestic Crystal Mountain. This 6-hour trek will involve descending 660 meters.

Shey Gompa is a monastery of the Kagyu sect, which split in the 11th century from the Kalachakra tantrism of the Ancient Nyingma sect. The Kagyu sect, founded by the great Lama Marpa, gave rise to the Karma pa sect.
The practice of Karma pa is similar to Zen, emphasizing intuitive experience over religious rites and doctrine.

They have been called the Short Path to Liberation, and although this path is difficult and steep, it represents the pure essence of Buddhism.

In the morning, we will rest at Shey village. After lunch, we will begin our ascent to the north, following a small tributary of the Kanju River. The trail leads us up to the Saldang Pass at an elevation of 5010 meters.

From there, we will have a view of vast desert plains and snow-capped peaks. The descent from Saldang Pass will take us to the village of Namgung. As we approach Namgung, you’ll notice the small gompa, a red stone construction built into the north wall of a cliff.

The village of Namgung is situated at a higher elevation than Shey. The villagers have crafted terraced fields on either side of the torrent that cascades down into the Nam-Khong valley.

This trek will take approximately 3 ½ hours, involving an ascent of 850 meters and a descent of 580 meters.

On this day, you’ll embark on a long walk to reach the plateau where the village of Saldang is located at an altitude of 4000 meters. The zig-zag trail winds over bare rocks and coarse eroded soil until you reach the top of Saldang La. As you ascend, you’ll see the dispersed dwellings dotting the landscape.

Saldang is part of the treeless desert terrain of the Tibetan plateau. The houses, in shades of gray-brown, seem to blend seamlessly with the desert surroundings, appearing almost as if they’ve emerged from the earth itself. You’ll spend the night in Saldang after a trek of approximately 5 hours, descending 660 meters along the way.

We will ascend along the Namgung Khola, crossing several high passes such as Saldang La and Jyanta Bhanjyang (5221m). During the journey, we will come across the charming villages of Tokyu and Modo before reaching our destination in Dho. This isolated region is dotted with numerous Bonpo monasteries, providing a glimpse into the ancient Bon religion.

Immerse yourself in the local culture by exploring the surrounding villages and visiting the ancient Bönpo monasteries. If the opportunity arises, consider participating in a puja, a traditional Buddhist prayer ceremony accompanied by the vibrant sounds of drums and horns. We will need to trek for five hours each day to reach Dho.

As we continue our trek, we will journey through a series of picturesque villages, such as Jeng-la Phedi and Tokyu Gaon. We will descend along the rugged trails of the Tarap Valley. This lush, green valley is nestled alongside the tranquil Tarap Chu River, offering a serene and breathtaking landscape.

Our trek will take approximately 4.5 hours of walking to reach Nauri Odar, a cave of the blue sheep. This path allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of this stunning region.

On Day 20 of our journey, we trekked from Nauri Odar to Lahini, covering a distance of 3200m. It was a tough day as we encountered a difficult path. Despite the challenges, we persevered and spent 5 and a half hours trekking, descending a total of 700m.

The trail ranges alongside the picturesque Tarap River before ascending along the Barbung River. We will reach the charming village of Tarakot, which sits at an elevation of 2800 meters. The trek from the starting point involves 4 hours of hiking, with an ascent of 150 meters and a descent of 813 meters.

We will trek along the scenic Barbung River that passes through the district capital of Dunai. This refreshing journey involves 5 hours of trekking, with an ascent of 405 meters and a descent of 730 meters.

Today is our final day of the trek to Dolpo and Shey Gompa. We will be boarding a flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj, and then connecting onwards to Kathmandu. Take some time to reflect on the incredible journey through the enigmatic Dolpo region.