Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
You'll land at Kathmandu International Airport where someone from Alpine Club meets you and drives you to your hotel. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to relax or wander around the city if you've got energy. Later that evening your trip leader sits down with you to go over what's coming on the trek ahead.
Optional Activities
- Explore Kathmandu city
- Day 2
Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
An early flight takes you from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, a busy trading town in the western Terai plains. Once you land and get to your accommodation, you'll have time to check out the city and try some of the local food that the region is known for.
Optional Activities
- Explore Nepalgunj city
- Taste local cuisines
- Day 3
Nepalgunj to Dunai
After breakfast you fly to Juphal, which takes about 45 minutes, and then your trek starts. You walk through green vegetation and meadows, pass by Kalighat on the Thulo Bheri river, see the Roop Ghar watermill, and make your way to Dunai. It's the main settlement in the Dolpo district and you'll explore the riverside area once you reach your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Nepalgunj to Juphal
- Trek from Juphal to Dunai passing through Kalighat and alongside Thulo Bheri river
- Visit Roop Ghar watermill
Landmarks Roop Ghar Thulo Bheri River - Day 4
Dunai to Chhepka
Starting out after breakfast, the trail goes through wet hills and forests with a mix of conifers, oaks, and rhododendrons. You'll stick to the Bheri River for stretches, then cross it to get to Sulighat. From there you reach the Shey Phoksundo National Park checkpoint and continue downhill to Cheepka, a small settlement.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek through sub-tropical forest to Sulighat
- Pass through Shey Phoksundo National Park checkpoint
Landmarks Shey Phoksundo National Park - Day 5
Chhepka to Jharana
Leaving Cheepka after breakfast, you trek toward Jharana and you'll see the Jharana waterfall, which is really a highlight of the Dolpo region. Walking through woodlands gives you views of the Bheri valley and the gorge around Phoksundo Lake. You end the day at the Jharana settlement.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek from Chhepka to Jharana
- View Jharana waterfall
Landmarks Jharana Waterfall Phoksundo Lake Bheri Valley - Day 6
Jharana to Ringmo
After eating, you head out early to trek to Ringmo, a Tibetan village up in the mountains. The route takes you through thick forests of birch and conifer trees. Once you get to Ringmo, there's time to explore and get a sense of how mountain communities live here, fairly removed from modern changes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek from Jharana to Ringmo through dense forest
- Explore Ringmo village and mountain people's lifestyles
Landmarks Ringmo - Day 7
Phoksundo Lake Exploration
From Ringmo you take a short hike to sacred Phoksundo Lake, where you might see some unusual regional wildlife. You'll spend time looking at the turquoise water with the snowy mountains behind it, climb to different spots for varied views, and visit Tshowa Gompa, an ancient Bonpo monastery that's about 900 years old, sitting on the lake's ridge. There's more exploring around the lake before you head back to Ringmo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek to Phoksundo Lake
- Explore Phoksundo Lake
- Visit Tshowa Gompa (Bonpo monastery)
- Wildlife viewing opportunities
Optional Activities
- Climb to vantage points for different perspectives of the lake
- Explore various attractions around the lake
Landmarks Phoksundo Lake Tshowa Gompa - Day 8
Ringmo to Chhepka
Leaving early after breakfast, you trek back from Ringmo toward Cheepka. The path follows the Phoksundo River through steep terrain, high lands, and open meadows with views of snowcapped peaks. You pass through Renji, walk through fir and larch forests next to the Sulighat river, and end up back at Cheepka.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek from Ringmo to Chhepka along Phoksundo River
Landmarks Phoksundo River Sulighat River - Day 9
Chhepka to Juphal
This is your final mountain day, so you can take things at a more relaxed pace. After breakfast you trek downhill back to Juphal, basically retracing your route through meadows, terraced fields, and small settlements. By evening you'll be at your accommodation enjoying what might be your last night on the trail.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek from Chhepka back to Juphal
- Day 10
Juphal to Kathmandu
An early morning flight gets you from Juphal to Nepalgunj, then another flight takes you back to Kathmandu. Both flights show off mountain ranges, green hills, and the southern plains below. After landing in Kathmandu, you'll transfer to your accommodation. You can explore the valley or pick up souvenirs, and there's a special dinner celebration that evening with your guide to mark the end of your trek.
- Meals
- Dinner (Special dinner program to mark the end of journey)
Included Activities
- Flights from Juphal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
- Special dinner program to mark the end of journey
Optional Activities
- Explore Kathmandu valley
- Souvenir shopping
- Day 11
Departure from Kathmandu
Your trip ends today with an Alpine Club of Himalaya representative dropping you at the airport three hours before your flight departure.
