Dolpo, Nepal's Wild West
Beyond the main chain of the Himalaya and cut off from the outside world during the winter months, when snow covers the high passes, Inner Dolpo is a remote region of western Nepal where an ancient form of shamanistic Buddhism still holds sway. A world away from the tea-shop trekking of Everest or the Annapurnas, only a handful of adventure travellers penetrated to the heart of Dolpo during the 1990’s, a decade that saw the area effectively open up and then close again as the political situation in the southern access towns deteriorated.
Last year’s historic move by the King of Nepal, bringing about accord with the Maoist insurgents, has seen the return of peace in the lower valleys and treks into this very special place are once again possible.
KE’s brand-new 28-day trek starts with an amazing flight to the grass airstrip at Juphal above the Bheri River and then follows an age-old salt-trading route, through dry-stone villages and beneath Nepal’s highest waterfall, to the charming settlement of Ringmo.
This collection of flat roofed houses, stuccoed chortens and long walls of prayer-carved mani stones sits beside the stunning turquoise lake of Phoksumdo which featured in Eric Valli’s film Himalaya. With special permits to enter Inner Dolpo, across a 5000 metre pass, an undoubted highlight of the trip is the visit to the monastery of Shey Gompa, the spiritual centrepiece of the region.
The trek continues, taking a long loop northwards to the Tibetan border and returning by way of the several rarely-visited villages of the picturesque Tarap Valley. Offering an opportunity to meet the hardy Dolpopa, as well as far-reaching views across unknown, snow-capped ranges, this is some of the most adventurous trekking in Nepal.
Sunday 7 October – Saturday 3 November 2007
Land only price (Join in Kathmandu) £1795
4 nights hotels and lodges, 21 nights camping, 20 days demanding trekking, maximum altitude – 5375 meters. All meals included.
Flights from £660
Find out more by visiting Keadventure.com.
