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Dho Tarp to Jomsom

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Trip Introduction

It’s a long, hard, remote trek from north of Dhaulagiri to Jomsom through passing Tarap Valley, across the roof of Nepal. The region offers opportunities to visit ancient villages, high passes, beautiful Lakes, isolated monasteries and also to experience the vast array of wildlife inhabiting the region, including Blue sheep, Mountain Goat, Jackal, Wolf and the legendary Snow Leopard. The people follow an amalgam of Buddhist, Bon, Shaman and Hindu traditions and behind many houses throughout Dolpo you will find carved wooden faces, dok-pa, which offer protection against evil spirits. The narrowness of the gorge makes for exciting walking, with sections of trail carved straight up steep cliffs or else traversing skimpy sloping ledges. In some places, these airy rocky walkways vanish altogether, leaving gaps the local path makers have bridged with thin poles, some of which look frighteningly old and rotten, and then overlaid with flat slabs of rock. The path climbed repeatedly over steep-sided spurs that ended in cliffs at the rivers edge, each time descending back to the valley bottom. Eventually, tired of such ascents and not liking the exposed look of the next one, we decided to ford the river. This proved harder than it looked, the ice cold water being deep and strong, and most people, including many of the porters, needed help to cross safely. Eventually the gorge began to level off and the steep sides drew back as we entered the broad flat upper Tarap valley. A series of small villages line the river here and we camped by the first one, Dho Tarap, a wild place with the air of a medieval town. Visiting Dho is like visiting the past. Out in the tiny terraced fields villagers were threshing the barley with wooden flails while others ploughed the dusty soil with crude, wooden, metal-tipped ploughs dragged by yaks. Children with large wicker baskets on their backs prowled the nearby slopes collecting yak dung, which was then spread out to dry before being used as fuel for fires. It's the only fuel there is in this treeless land. At dusk, herds of goats, sheep and yaks came back from distant grazing grounds. The people, especially the children, were friendly and curious, watching everything. Trekking groups visit Dho regularly so foreigners are not totally unknown. Even so we were clearly of great interest to many of the locals.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 01  Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu and meet The Matrix Adv  representative at the airport and transfer to Hotel. Welcome drink and short briefing, relax.
Day 02  Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Full day Sightseeing Tour to Kopan Monastery, Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa with our well experienced Tour Guide by private car, equipment check and stay overnight in Hotel.
Day 03  Kathmandu – Nepalgunj
From Kathmandu we take a flight on any domestic carrier to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj , a town in the western Terai , is very close to the Indian border and the Bardia Nationl Park. It is a major transport hub for western, mid-western and far-western regions of Nepal. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04  Nepalgunj- Juphal- Dunai
Today we take a 35 minutes  flight to Juphal .Our trekking starts from Juphal .The trail descends and winds through local villages. We trek by the riverside and pass Roop Ghar with the water mill and finally reach the village of Dunai(2150m).Dunai has a village school, police check post and some government offices. It is also the administrative capital of Dolpo. We stay overnight in Dunai at putang  Guest House.
Day 05  Dunai - Tarakot
We follow the Thulo Bheri river to Tarakot(2520m). 5 hours walking - 430m ascent. Stay overnight at tented camp
Day 06  Tarakot - Kanigaon
The trail stays high above the river and negotiates a series of ridges before crossing ta suspension bridge. We follow the Tarap Chu to a pleasant campsite at Kanigaon(2540m) 4 hours. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 07  Kanigaon - Chheur
Trek through the gorge of the Tarap Chu following a spectacular trail within the rocky gorge. We camp near Chheur(3600m). 7 hours, 1250m ascent, 190m descent. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 08  Chheur - Dho Tarap
Continuing along the Tarap Chu we reach Dho Tarap(4050m) with its distinctive white Ribo Bhumpa gompa. 7 - 8 hours walking, 680m ascent, 230m descent. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 09  Acclimatisation Day
We have a day for acclimatisation either resting or to explore around Dho Tarap - a typically Dolpa villlage. Stay overnight at tented camp
Day 10  Dho Tarap - Charkha La
Leaving Dho Tarap we head north through a typically Tibetan landscape and climb to a high camp below the Charkha La(ca. 4700m). 4 - 5 hours, 700m ascent. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 11  Charkha La - Chharkhabhot
We cross the Charkha La(5435m) and descend to the Keheing Khola. We then cross the Mallan La at 4830m and descend to village of  Chharkhabhot  (4120m). 7 - 8 hours, 850m ascent, 920m descent. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 12  Rest Day
A day for rest or exploration at Chharkhabhot. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 13  Chharkhabhot - Norbulung
We follow the Barbung Khola and the tributary Thakljing Khola to a meadow and campsite at the place known as Norbulung(4750m). 6 - 7 hours, 820m ascent, 190m descent. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 14  Norbulung - Sangda La
Cross the Sangda La(5460m) with views of Dhaulagiri and descend to our camp beside a stream at 5100m. 7 - 8 hours, 790m ascent, 440m descent. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 15  Sangda La - Sangda
Today we cross a series of sub 5000 metres passes to avoid the deep river gorge and finally descend to the village of Sangda at 3700m. 7 - 8 hours, 460m ascent, 1860m descent. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 16  Sangda - Panga Khola
A high traverse crossing several ridges leads to a final crest at 4300m. We descend to the village of Dharkarjung(3290m) beside the Panga Khola. 7 - 8 hours, 960m ascent, 1390m descent. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 17  Panga Khola - Jomsom
Crossing a high point at 3360m, we descend loose scree into the Kali Gandaki Valley where we join the Annapurna Circuit trail for the short walk to Jomsom(2670m). 3 hours, 690m descent. Stay overnight at tented camp.
Day 18  Jomsom - Pokhara
 We take the morning flight from the airstrip at Jomsom to Pokhara at the Phewa Lake, where we check into our hotel. The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the special ambience of this laid back city. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 19  Pokhara - Kathmandu
Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Transfer to Kathmandu, Check into the hotel.
Day 20  Final Farewell
Depending on flight schedules the morning is free. Complimentary airport transfers are provided.

What is Included

  • All Airport pick up & drop
  • Necessary Flight tickets as per itenary.
  • Kathmandu city tour as per the above itinerary.
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with Tea & coffee and during the trek.
  • Lodge to lodge/tented camp accommodation during the trek as per itenaries.
  • All necessary permits and paper works
  • First Aid Medical kit box.
  • Tourist service charge, Vat.
  • Office Service charge.
  • Guide & support staffs and their insurance and salary, food and accomodation.

What Is Not Included

  • Any meals in Kathmandu other than breakfast.
  • Travel insurance
  • International air fare to and from Nepal.
  • Nepal Tourist Visa fee
  • Items and expenses of personal nature
  • Any kind of alcoholic drinks, hot shower, cold drinks, mineral water bottles, snacks, laundry, phone call, and internet.
  • Personal Trekking Equipments
  • Tips for guide, porters, driver...