Meditation Trek to Upper Dolpo, Camping 20 Days
Upper Dolpo is a strenuous but rewarding journey into Nepal's most isolated region, the frozen outpost of mythical Shey Monastery beyond Phoksundo Lake, the legendary region of snow leopard, the Himalayan Bharal or blue sheep and the semi-nomadic yak herders, cut off from the rest of the world by some of Himalayas’ most difficult passes. Situated in the western part of the country, it is one of the most remote, isolated regions in Nepal, which has only recently been strictly off-limits, so its traditions and ways of life have remained intact. With sweeping and windswept high altitude desert vistas, Dolpo promises to mesmerize every trekker who has the strength and courage to venture into this pocket of real traditional Tibetan culture.
In the autumn of 1990, a British tour operator was the first who organized a trek from east to west, from Pokhara to Jumla. This trekking route passed many mighty mountain ranges - Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Kanjiroba, to name just a few - and passed through Lower Dolpo, at that time a small kingdom in its own right. More recently we have repeated the route with some variations. Our groups see very few other Westerners so they are enthused greatly about the wild remoteness, the stunning mountain scenery and the fact, that the local people, which number only a few hundred and are among the world's highest dwellers, have that innocent friendliness, peculiar to people who live in excessively remote mountainous regions.The villages in Upper Dolpo are located at 4,300 meters atitude and above.The people of Dolpo must import grain, so yak-caravan trade, in the past salt from Tibet in exchange for grains from midlands of Nepal, was the mainstay of life. Eric Valli made a nice movie with layactors from original Dolpo about this ancient trade, called ‘Caravan’.
Geographically still within Nepal but culturally always tied to Tibet, though this bond, as in Mustang, has been broken for well over half a century, Dolpo is a region of few Buddhist monasteries as well as those of the pre-Buddhist religion of Bon. This early shamaniatic religion was almost entirely absorbed after Buddhist doctrine began to spread across Tibet in the 9th century. This is the main goal of most trekkers, but this Dolpo trek will take you even further into this mysterious land, which is also one of the seven ‘Hidden Valleys’ (beside of Khumbu, Yolmo, Rongshar, Lapchi, Nubri and Sikkim), which are particular beneficial to meditation. The Tibetan saint Rigdzin Godem (1337-1408), as well as the 5. Dalai Lama wrote about these mystic valleys (bayul), that they will remain even then untouched, when the rest of the world will struggle with increasing desasters. It is also said; to make a pilgrimage to these valleys is purifying negative Karma, which it is very beneficial to future lifes.
We think, we don’t have to explain, why we choosed this extraordinary tour for ‘Trekking and Meditation’. This trek, in combination with our meditation-program, will definitly change your view of life.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and meet with SNFT representative at the airport and transfer to Hotel. Welcome drink and short briefing about Meditation Trek, relax.
Day 2: After a short morning-meditation and breakfast a full day sightseeing in the Kathmandu-Valley. After a visit of the Swayambhu Stupa will our Meditation Tour Guide take you on a magic trip to sacred places in Old-Kathmandu, which are usually not visited by tourists. While we walk through the narrow streets, you will get a lot of unexpected impressions. Let yourself be surprised. In the late afternoon we will visit Boudha-Stupa, also a place related to Padmasambhava and one of the holiest places of the buddhist world. We will do our evening-meditation by circumbulancing the stupa together with thousands of tibetan people. Transfers by private car, about 4 hours walking. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and transfer to Hotel.
Day 4: Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal 2475m and trek to Dunai 2140m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 5: Trek from Dunai to Chepka 2838m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 6: Trek from Chepka to Renje 2940m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 7: Trek from Renje to Phoksundo Lake 3733m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 8: Exploring the Phoksundo Lake, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 9: Trek from Phoksundo Lake to Phosundo Khola 4000m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 10: Trek from Phoksundo Khola to Phoksundo Bhanjyang 4420m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 11: Trek from Phoksundo Bhanjyang to Shey Gompa 4160m via Nangda-La Pass 5360m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 12: Exploring the ancient Bon Monastery, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 13: Trek from Shey Gompa to Phoksundo Bhanjyang 4420m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 14: Trek from Phoksundo Bhanjyang to Phoksundo Lake 3733m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 15: Trek from Phoksundo Lake to Chhepka 2838m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 16: Trek from Chepka to Dunai 2140m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 17: Trek from Dunai to Juphal 2475m, Overnight at tented camp.
Day 18: Fly from Nepalgunj and afternoon fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.
Day 19: Full day Sightseeing Tour to Pharping with our Tour Guide by private car, Lunch at private house. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 20:Depending on your flight schedule transportation to International Airport
1 participant USD 6900
2 participants USD 5580
3 participants USD 5110
4 participants USD 4875
Additional Meditation teacher cost depends on the number of participants:
2 participants USD 5580
3 participants USD 5110
4 participants USD 4875
Additional Meditation teacher cost depends on the number of participants:
1 Person USD 60 per day
2 Persons USD 45 per day per person
3 Persons USD 35 per day per person
* Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & transfer by car / Van.
* Sightseeing Tour as per above Itinerary.
* Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with Tea & coffee and hot water during the trek.
* Camping accommodation during the trek.
* Well experienced Yoga and Meditation Teacher.
* 1 experienced helpful and friendly guide, porters (1 porter for 2 peoples), their food & accommodation, salary, equipments & insurance.
* All camping equipments like as tents, mattresses, kitchen utensils etc.
* All necessary permits.
* First Aid Medical Kids.
* All transportation in Nepal, car and flight
* Tourist service charge,
* Office Service charge
* All Government Tax.
Doesn't include:
* Any meals in Kathmandu other than breakfast.
* Travel insurance (if you want us to arrange your travel insurance, we would greatly be happy to assist).
* International air fare to and from Nepal.
* Nepal Tourist Visa fee.
* Emergency Evacuation.
* Items and expenses of personal nature.
* Any kind of alcoholic drinks, hot shower, cold drinks, laundry, phone call, internet.
* Personal Trekking Equipments like sleeping bags, jackets (can all be hired in KTM)
* Tips for guide, porters, driver...
Tipping is expected but it is not mandatory.
N.B: The package can be redesigned or redeveloped as per your taste. For more information please e-mail us at snftnepal@yahoo.de
Note: In case of emergency during the trip, Helicopter will be arranged by Swiss Nepal Family Trekking & Expedition (P) Ltd. The charges must be paid by the clients themselves
Grade:
(Strenuous) [ Explain ]
Price
USD
EUR
SFr
USD
EUR
SFr
6,900.00
5,520.00
6,272.73
Trip Dates
| Start date | End date | Availability | Book it! |
| Trip is available | >> Book now |
TOUR CANCELLATION:
There will be a cancellation fee of 25% for any cancellation three weeks prior to Tour departure date, 50% two weeks prior to Tour departure date and no refund thereafter. No refund for no shows & delay arrivals whatsoever reason.