Dolpo Rara Traverse Trek – 22 Days

In the morning, you take a flight to Jhupal after you have breakfast. The flight lasts approximately 45 minutes, and it provides great scenery of hills and mountains.

Your trek begins at Jhupal, which is located at approximately 2,475 m, 8,120 ft. Here, you get to see the support team and porters who will aid in the delivery of supplies. Have tea and rest, and then start walking along a pleasant path.

Before the checkpoint at Sulighat, where you enter Shey Phoksundo National Park, you have gone by small villages, rivers, and forested areas. The culture of Tibetan Buddhism is evident in the villages along the road. Keep on walking along the river till you arrive in the village of Chhepak at 2,680 m / 8,792 ft.

The current walk is along the beautiful Phoksundo Khola valley. The path is crossed by the river a number of times using small bridges and passes through wooded and rocky areas.

In the process, you can visit the Amchi Hospital that practices traditional Tibetan medicine using natural healing techniques and herbs. Such doctors are significant in the Himalayan isolated communities.

The path then proceeds to a winter village where the citizens of Ringmo village spend their winter. You go through the valley and, as you go further, you come to the confluence of the Phoksundo and Yulung rivers. It is a gentle trail there all the way up until you reach the small settlement of Chunuwar (3,130 m / 10,269 ft).

Today, the trail is slowly ascending towards the well-known Phoksundo Lake area. It is a scenic valley road with beautiful mountain scenery and the occasional waterfalls. Many hours later, you reach the traditional village of Ringmo at 3,612 m / 11,850 ft.

Ringmo is a stronghold of the Tibetan Buddhist culture. The village is covered with stone walls carved with sacred mantras on mani walls and chortens. The houses are constructed using stone and are in the typical Himalayan style. It is located close to the beautiful Phoksundo Lake, which is known for its deep blue water.

Once you are within the campsite around the lake, you can take a rest and enjoy the serene atmosphere and beautiful scenery around the village.

You will have an acclimatization and rest day at the beautiful Phoksundo Lake near Ringmo village at 3,612 m / 11,850 ft., which will assist the body to acclimatize to the thin air of the mountains before proceeding to higher altitudes within Dolpo.

You may go on a short walk around the lake, visit Ringmo village, or walk to Bon monastery, which is near the village. Bon is an ancient religion that existed before Buddhism, and there are still followers of the same in this place.

The lake is famous for its booming turquoise color and calm atmosphere. Most trekkers like to have a rest in this place, take pictures, or meditate and do yoga. This is also a day that you can have a glimpse of the landscape and to get to learn more about the local culture.

Leaving Ringmo (3,612 m / 11,850 ft), the trail today goes high above Phoksundo Lake. The scenery of the turquoise lake in the distance, as well as the mountains around are magnificent. In some areas, the path is very narrow because of landslides, and one has to be very careful.

The road then ascends to a ridge where the Kanjirowa Himal (6,612 m / 21,692.9 ft) is visible, as well as a tremendous panorama of Ringmo village and the lake. The trail then turns down to the lakeshore after viewing the scenery, and then ascends again on a broad valley. Juniper bushes and rocky landscape make the landscape more alpine.

Several hours of walking bring you to the camping grounds of Chunemba (3,639 m / 11,938 ft).

The trail leads on today further into the remote Dolpo. Leaving Chunemba, you move out of the Phoksundo Valley as it becomes narrower. There are high rock walls on both sides of the trail, which provide a dramatic and rugged landscape. The further one goes up the valley, the steeper the path.

The Snowfield Camp was named after The Snow Leopard, a well-known book by Peter Matthiessen who had traced through this area. As the vegetation covers are reduced and the rocky terrain is augmented, the scenery will further be more wild and remote.

A gradual ascent brings you to Snowfield Camp, where you may rest and take in the peaceful mountain scenery of high places.

The day is one of the most challenging of the Dolpo Rara Traverse Trek. At Snowfield Camp (4,400 m/ 14,435 ft), you start an early ascent to the high Kang La Pass (5,350 m/ 17,552.4 ft). It is a steep and slow climb because of the altitude, the view is spectacular, and it has wide panoramas of the Himalayan peaks.

Once you have seen the scenery, slowly walk down the trail, making your way to the historic area of Shey Gompa. One of the most sacred monasteries of Dolpo is Shey Gompa, which is 4,310 m / 14,140 ft. The monastery is located close to Crystal Mountain, which glitters because quartz stones are placed at its bottom, and is visited by pilgrims annually.

The trail then heads to the distant village of Bhijer after visiting the holy Shey Gompa region at an elevation of 4,310 m / 14,140 ft. The trail crosses open valleys and the traditional villages in which the Tibetan culture is still highly practiced.

On your way, you will see the distinct construction of houses in the area, with animals housed on the ground floor and families on the upstairs. The scenery is broader as opposed to the small valleys that had existed before the trek.

Bhijer is located at an altitude of 3,850 m / 12,631 ft, and there are a few cultivated fields with barley as the major crop. A small school, a shop, and a health post are available in the village to serve the residents.

It is a long and difficult day of the trek. The trail ascends steadily above Bhijer. Much caution should be taken when going across these parts. On your way, you can encounter the deserted village of Potal, and then again go down to the Tora Khola. Beyond the river, the path is once again steep, heading towards the distant village of Pho at 4,087 m / 13,408 ft., the village of which is one of the most remote in Nepal, few in number, but still existing.

The mountainous terrain nearby is quite impressive, and the numerous wide valleys and dramatic mountain formations make the mountain trek seem serene, remote, and isolated.

The trail ascends uphill, leaving the village of Pho at 4,087 m / 13,408 ft to the Nyingma Gyachen La Pass at 5,563 m / 18,251.3 ft. The path consists of steep and rocky areas of loose scree. The pass is usually attributed to strong winds, and hence the climb needs to be gradual and careful.

At the summit, one can have splendid views of Kanjiroba Himal that divides the Dolpo region and Mustang. Dhauligiri and Churen Himal may also be seen in the distance on clear days.

Having taken time to have a view of the scenery, slowly start to go down the pass to the campsite at Pung Kharka (4,650 m / 15,255 ft).

This day starts with a slow journey from Pung Kharka to another high Himalayan Pass. The trail runs up the river of Swaksa Khola after breakfast through an uninhabited valley and then over grassy hills.

Little by little, you come to the Yala La Pass (5,250 m 17,224 ft), one of the high points of the Dolpo Rara Trek. Moving up, you can have sweeping views of mountains and valleys around. The trail then walks gradually down into the distant Chyandi Khola valley after spending some time at the pass.

Chyandi Khola campsite is at an altitude of 4,830 m / 15,846 ft. Due to the high altitude you are sleeping at this night, you need to be aware of such symptoms as headache or dizziness and report them to your guide in case of necessity.

This day’s path is also adventurous since no clear path is available in certain areas. You leave Chyandi Khola, take the rugged trail, and go along the river valley. You will have to pass across the river at some stages, in shallow water or with the help of stones. Your guide will seek the most appropriate way across the valley.

The trail goes high above the river and then goes down. Its landscape is rough and distant, having high mountains and silent valleys. Towards the end of the day, you walk through a serene birch forest until you arrive at Takla Khola, where you sleep at an elevation of 3,785 m / 12,417 ft., which is a relief to your body following the strenuous day of trekking.

From Takla Khola, the trail also requires crossing another mountain pass. The road ascends gradually through a barren and rocky terrain to Chyargo La Pass at 5,100 m / 16,732 ft. The Himalaya pass is several hours to climb, but the views you see of the surrounding Himalayan landscape are magnificent. Through the pass, one gets a view of faraway mountains and expansive valleys which extend into the Dolpo region.

Upon completion of the scenery, the trail goes down to a greener valley, and forests start to emerge once more. On the way, you cross several rivers before you come to the meadow land of Thaju Chaur at 4, 050 m / 13, 287 ft. Your stay over is in this serene area between hills.

The trail slowly leads off Thaju Chaur down to greener valleys today. The trail is in forests where you can observe various trees and mountain plants. There are several little streams to cross on the way, occasionally by plain wooden bridges.

The scenery gradually transforms as you proceed to walk further, from a high alpine scenery to a forested valley. The trail finally leads to a major local path followed by people of the village in the areas between Rara Lake and the remote villages of Mugu and Tibet.

A few hours of walking will bring you to Shilen Chaur Kharka (2,945 m / 9,662 ft) in the valley of the Mugu Khola, a calm place for rest.

This day’s walk is along the Mugu Karnali Valley. The trail begins at Shilen Chaur Kharka and descends gradually on well-worn tracks linking villages within the valley. Walking is more convenient and pleasant than it was in former days.

The landscape is composed of forests, rivers, and traditional villages where the locals carry on with their daily farm activities. The lower you go, the lower the altitude and the warmer the air. This will also make the journey more enjoyable, and your body is able to take a rest after a few days at an elevated altitude.

4 or 5 hours of walking will take you to the village of Tiyar at 2,418 m / 7,933 ft, where you will spend the night and have a fine evening.

Leaving Tiyar, today’s journey follows part of the famous Great Himalayan Trail. This is a long trail that runs across the northern mountains of Nepal and links most of the remote parts of the Himalayas. As you are walking through, you will come across trekkers who are trying to complete the journey of trekking through Nepal, which can take them over 150 days.

The road nowadays is a good one, and it goes through small villages, woodland, and open agricultural land. The altitude keeps on reducing, and the climate becomes warmer as you go on walking.

Today we are heading to Mangri village (1,950 m / 6,397 ft). This is where you are approaching the beautiful Rara Lake and one of the most picturesque natural spots in Nepal.

Today is a short and easy trekking day, with only a small altitude change from 1,950 m / 6,397 ft at Mangri to 2,095 m / 6,873 ft at Gamgadi. The path goes through the small villages and working fields where the local communities cultivate crops and bring up the livestock.

The district headquarters of Mugu is Gamgadi, which is the major trading and administrative hub in the area. In comparison with the cities of other regions of Nepal, it is a small and isolated town, even though it is an important one in the district.

There are a few small stores where you can purchase some snacks or other supplies. Once you reach Gamgadi, you can visit the village and rest.

Today, you leave Gamgadi and start the walk to the well-known Rara Lake. The trail goes into Rara National Park, which is the smallest national park in Nepal, yet most beautiful. The path cuts through calm woods with pine and rhododendron trees. The trail has some slight ups and downs before one reaches the lake area.

Rara Lake is at an elevation of 2,980 m / 9,776 ft, and it is nearly 11 square kilometers. The blue water and the forests around provide a spectacular landscape. Once there, you have time to rest, sightsee the lakeshore, take a picture, or have a quiet time appreciating the natural beauty.

You have a leisurely sightseeing day at Rara Lake today. Following breakfast, you hike to Murma viewpoint (3,800 m / 12,467ft), providing one of the best panoramic views of Rara Lake, forests and hills around. In the distance, the deep blue lake shines beautifully against the green landscape. On clear days, you can also see mountain peaks in the distance.

Once you have had enough time exploring the scenery and taking pictures, move down to the Murma village, where you will get an opportunity to see the Chaprun Mahadev Temple.

Later, go back to the lakeside camp to rest and take in the serene atmosphere of Rara National Park.

You leave the gorgeous Rara Lake at 2,980 m / 9,776 ft. after breakfast. You can have one last walk on the banks of the lake before you go or have one more brief boat ride on the smooth water.

The road then runs through woods and low hillocks to Talcha. This walk is a beautiful one, which gives a good view of the surrounding hills and forests of Rara National Park.

Talcha is located at 2,990 m / 9,809 ft and has a tiny airstrip that is used as the airport in the Rara Lake area. You will reach Talcha at lunchtime. It is possible to spend the afternoon resting and arranging the flight the next day back to the cities.

On this day, you 22 days long Dolpo Rara Traverse Trek is finally completed. The morning flight takes off from Talcha airport to Nepalgunj at 150 m / 492 ft. Once in Nepalgunj, you wait until you get your flight to Kathmandu.

It might be possible to have time to relax around the airport and have lunch, depending on the schedule. The second flight will bring you back to Kathmandu at 1,300 m / 4,265 ft, the ending point of the journey.

Upon arrival in the city, you will be taken to your hotel, where you can have a good evening. It is time to rejoice that your trip to the remote Dolpo and Mugu regions has been successfully achieved.