GHT Trek

Jomsom to Dolpa Trek via Phoksundo Lake

The Jomsom to Dolpa Trek via Phoksundo Lake leads you from the Annapurnas through beautiful high-altitude scenery to the mystic lands of Dolpa. This is a challenging trek involving five high passes above 5000 m.

Dolpa is adjacent to the most famous trekking destination in Nepal, yet a world away. It is a land of ancient trading routes arcing across a timeless landscape, isolated from the modern world.

Trekkers will experience yak caravans traversing the barren terrain, medieval fortified villages clinging to mountain slopes and at its heart the breathtakingly beautiful Phoksundo Lake. Until quite recently what little the outside world knew of Dolpa was gleaned from artistic and spiritual accounts from early visitors. Legends, modern-day novels and documentary films (like the famous “Caravan” by Eric Valli) only added to the allure of this unknown land.

The region was opened to foreigners in 1989 but to this day only receives a fraction of the visitors coming to Nepal for trekking.

In Dolpa you will encounter Tibetan Buddhists and practitioners of the ancient Bön religion, an early form of Buddhism with animistic and mythical elements giving special importance to spirits and deities. The greener, southern fringes of Dolpa are distinctly Hindu, offering yet another experience. Dolpa’s northern reaches are settled by Rokpa farmers and Drokpa nomads from Tibet who are cut off from the rest of Nepal by snow for most of the year. They live in some of the highest inhabited villages on earth, nestled between bold mountains of stark, ascetic beauty.

There are some basic lodges dotted out along the way, but bringing a tent is highly recommended for this trek.

Plan Your Trek

plan your trek

Trek Facts

  • Duration

    19 Days

  • Altitude

    5550

  • Seasons

    March, April, May, September, October, November

  • Accommodation

    Camping, Teahouse/Lodge

  • Starting Point

    Jomsom

  • Ending Point

    Juphal

  • Level of Difficulty

         

    Hard

  • Permit Needed

    TIMS, Restricted Area trekking permit to Dolpa (issued by the Immigration Office in Kathmandu), Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and Shey Phoksundo National Park Entry Permit

View Itinerary

  • Day 1 Flight Kathmandu - Pokhara or drive 6-7 hrs
  • Day 2 Flight Pokhara - Jomsom, walk to Kagbeni (2810 m) 3 hrs
  • Day 3 Kagbeni (2810 m) - Yak Karkha (3478 m) 5 hrs
  • Day 4 Yak Karkha (3478 m) - Sangta (3777 m) via Bhima Lojun La pass (4460 m) 8 hrs
  • Day 5 Sangta (3777 m) - Ghalden Ghuldun Khola Camp (4247 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 6 Ghalden Ghuldun Khola Camp (4247 m) - Nulungsumda Kharka (4987 m) via Jungben La pass (5550 m) and Niwas La pass (5120 m) 9 hrs
  • Day 7 Nulungsumda Kharka (4987 m) - Chharka Bhot (4302 m) 8 hrs
  • Day 8 Rest and exploration day at Chharka Bhot
  • Day 9 Chharka Bhot (4302 m) - Chhap Chu (4320 m) 4 hrs
  • Day 10 Chhap Chu (4320 m) - Dho Tarap (3944 m) crossing the Chan La (5378 m) 8 hrs
  • Day 11 Rest and exploration day at Dho Tarap
  • Day 12 Dho Tarap (3944 m) - Numa La Base Camp (4440 m) 4 hrs
  • Day 13 Numa La Base Camp (4440 m) - Danigar (4512 m) crossing the Numa La pass (5309 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 14 Danigar (4512 m) - Yak Kharka (3860 m) via Baga La Pass (5190 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 15 Yak Kharka (3860 m) - Ringmo village near Phoksundo Lake (3641 m) 4 hrs
  • Day 16 Rest day and exploration at Ringmo village and Phoksundo Lake (3641 m)
  • Day 17 Ringmo/Phoksundo Lake (3641 m) - Chhepka (2838 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 18 Chhepka (2838 m) - Juphal (2475 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 19 Flight Juphal - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu

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