Today is dedicated to exploring the rich cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley. Your guided tour will take you to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the giant Buddhist Boudhanath Stupa, the historic royal palaces of Kathmandu Durbar Square, and the iconic Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple). This immersive tour provides a fantastic introduction to Nepal's diverse religious and architectural traditions while your trekking permits for the restricted Dolpo region are finalized.

Today, a scenic one-hour flight takes you from the cool hills of Kathmandu to the hot, subtropical plains of Nepalgunj, a bustling city located in the Terai region near the Indian border. Nepalgunj offers a fascinating taste of both Hindu and Muslim cultures. After checking into your hotel, you can spend the afternoon exploring the border city, visiting the local market, and preparing for your early morning flight into the mountains of Dolpo tomorrow.

An early morning start is required for the spectacular 45-minute flight from Nepalgunj up to the mountain airstrip at Juphal. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the crisp mountain air and your trekking crew. Your adventure on foot begins with a short but pleasant 2-3 hour walk. The trail descends through the village and terraced fields to the Bheri River, which you will follow through a narrow gorge to reach Dunai, the administrative headquarters of the Dolpo region.

Today's trek leads you along the Bheri and Barbung rivers, passing through a tremendous gorge with beautiful pine forests. The trail involves an ingenious path built about seven meters above the river. After a good walk, you will arrive at the ancient fortress town of Tarakot, where colorful terraced fields greet you. Tarakot was once a capital city and stands on a hillock to the south of the Bheri River. Your overnight camp is made by the river, about 150m below the village.

After breakfast, your trek continues as you follow the Tarap Chu River upstream. The trail takes you through picturesque terraced farms and inside some beautiful villages. You will cross the same river several times on suspension bridges. A little further on, at a junction where the Barbung River and Tarap Chu River meet, you can see the famous Sandul Gompa. A final descent for some time brings you to your campsite at Laini.

Today, you will experience some of the most exciting and adventurous sections of the trail. As you continue following the Tarap Chu River, the path leads through narrow gorges where the trail sometimes disappears. This requires you to place logs between stones to create makeshift bridges, making for a thrilling walk. This challenging but fun section of the trail eventually opens up as you reach the settlement of Nawarpani for your overnight stay.

Your morning walk begins with a gradual ascent, leading you to Kamattarka at the confluence of the Tarap Chu and Lang Khola rivers. After a few hours, you will leave the narrow gorge behind, and the path will lead you just above the tree line into a landscape of juniper bush and wild rose, typical of the dry inner Himalayan valleys. Another 3 hours or more of walking brings you to the incredible settlement of Dho Tarap, a cluster of traditional villages surrounded by an irregular stone wall, where both Bon Po and Buddhist sects reside together.

This is a well-deserved rest day, free from the hassles of packing, and a chance to make friends with the local Dolpo people. You can spend the day interacting with the locals, who often wear homespun clothing and Tibetan-style boots. The Buddhist Gompa is nearby, while the Bon Gompa (a pre-Buddhist religion) is about a half-hour's walk away, offering a fascinating cultural immersion into the unique spiritual heritage of this remote region.

After exploring Dho Tarap, your journey heads towards Numa La Base Camp. The trail leads you up through a plain valley with beautiful views of the river, covered by green grass on both sides. You will then follow the Tarap Chu river all the way. After about an hour's walk, you will pass the village of Tokyu, where you can see a monastery of the Chiba sect. The trek from here may be a little difficult as you have to walk over a rough path for about 3 hours before finally reaching your campsite at Numa La Base Camp.

Today's journey involves crossing the high Numa La pass. The track is a steep climb all the way to the top ridge, but it offers fantastic views of the surrounding landscapes, including the north face of the Dhaulagiri massif. After a glorious moment at the pass, an almost three-hour downhill hike brings you to your overnight camp at Pelung Tang, positioning you just before the next high pass.

The trek today also takes you across a high altitude as you cross the Baga La pass. The journey commences with a steep climb up to the top of Baga La, which is difficult but worth the effort, as you can see beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes and the snow-capped peaks of the Kanjirowa Mountain range. After spending some time at the summit, you will walk downward for about 3 hours to reach your campsite at Dajok Tang.

Today's trek is a beautiful descent into the valley of the magnificent Phoksundo Lake. The trail takes you through beautiful pine forests, and as you leave the high alpine zone behind, the country and vegetation change to pasture fields and alpine shrubs for most of the way. You will reach your final destination at the village of Ringmo, which is situated on the shores of the crystal-clear and serene Phoksundo Lake.

Today is a full day to rest, recuperate, and explore the stunningly beautiful and sacred Phoksundo Lake. The nearby Tibetan Bon Po monastery is well worth a visit, as is the traditional village of Ringmo itself. A walk partway around the incredible turquoise lake is also very enjoyable and relaxing. This is a wonderful place to just chill out, let your spirits go free, and soak in the profound tranquility of this hidden paradise.

Today, you will begin your return journey, descending steeply from the lake through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests. This offers a refreshing change from the rugged landscapes of the previous days. As you walk, you will pass several small streams and wooden bridges, adding to the natural beauty of the trail. You may encounter local yak herders and villagers engaged in their daily activities, giving you a final glimpse into the Tibetan-influenced culture of the region before you reach the small settlement of Shyanta.

Today is your final day of trekking. From Shyanta, you will follow the river trail downstream towards Juphal. The trail takes you uphill through meadows and past a few houses to the small hotels at Kala Gaura. After several hours of pleasant walking, you will finally reach the airstrip at Juphal, which is the endpoint of your trek. Here, you can celebrate your incredible journey with your trekking team.

An early morning start is required for your flight from Juphal down to the plains of Nepalgunj. From Nepalgunj, you will catch a connecting flight back to the capital city of Kathmandu. Upon your arrival, your guide will help you get to your hotel, where you can take a well-deserved rest. In the evening, we will host a celebratory farewell dinner at an authentic Nepalese restaurant, complete with a cultural performance.

A representative from our team will take you to the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home, you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal. We wish you a safe journey and hope you will return to explore more of this incredible country.