DOLPO JOMSOM TREK

Accommodation During Dolpo Jomsom Trek

Accommodation along the Dolpo Jomsom Trek varies depending on the region.

Teahouses in Mustang:

• Teahouses in Mustang provide basic rooms with simple bedding, shared bathrooms, and communal dining areas.
• The facilities are modest but clean, offering a comfortable place to rest after a long day of trekking.

Camping in Dolpo:

• The remote Dolpo region has fewer teahouses, making camping the primary option.
• Camping expeditions are supported by guides, porters, and cooks who carry tents, prepare meals, and set up campsites.

What to Expect:

• In both teahouses and camping, electricity may be limited or unavailable.
• Hot showers, if available, often come at an additional cost.
• Shared spaces foster camaraderie among trekkers, offering a chance to share stories and experiences.

Food During the Dolpo Jomsom Trek

Food options during the trek are simple yet nourishing, designed to provide the energy needed for high-altitude trekking.

Teahouse Meals:

• The staple meal is Dal Bhat, a combination of lentil soup, rice, and vegetable curry. It’s filling, nutritious, and offers unlimited servings.
• Other options include noodles, soups, fried rice, Tibetan bread, omelets, and pancakes.
• In Mustang, yak cheese and apple-based dishes are local specialties.

Camping Meals:

• Some camping treks entail company of a cook who prepares filled meals. These may contain soups, pasta/rice meals, and tea or coffee.
• Breakfasts, lunches, dinners and between-meals snacks are designed according to the needful menus for trekkers challenging conditions.

Snacks and Hydration:

• Trekkers should carry high-energy snacks like protein bars, nuts, chocolates, and dried fruits for quick boosts during long walks.
• Staying hydrated is critical at high altitudes. Carry water purification tablets or filters, as bottled water may not always be available.

Dolpo Mustang Trek Price

The cost of the Dolpo Mustang Trek typically ranges from USD 3,500 to USD 7,500 per person for a 25 to 30-day trek. The price varies depending on the duration, level of services, and group size. This cost generally includes:

• Trekking permits (for restricted areas like Upper Dolpo and Upper Mustang).
• Guide and porter services.
• Domestic flights to and from Juphal or Jomsom.
• Accommodations (teahouses or camping) and meals.
• For accurate pricing, consult with trekking agencies in Nepal.

Dolpo Jomsom Trek Map

The Dolpo Jomsom Trek covers a route that spans from Juphal in Dolpo to Jomsom in Mustang. It passes through significant landmarks like:

• Shey Phoksundo Lake
• Kang La Pass
• Villages like Ringmo, Dho Tarap, Chharka, and Lo Manthang
• Maps for this trek, such as the Dolpo & Mustang Trekking Map (1:150,000 scale), are available in Kathmandu. These maps highlight routes, high passes, campsites, and other key points of interest.

Dolpo Jomsom Trek Difficulty

This trek is classified as challenging due to the high altitudes and rugged terrain:

• Altitude: Trekking over passes like Kang La (5,240m) and Jeng La (5,090m) requires proper acclimatization.
• Terrain: Remote and uneven trails make this trek suitable for experienced trekkers.
• Daily Trekking: Expect to trek 6–8 hours per day, often through steep and exposed paths.

To successfully accomplish this trek, one should be fit, psychologically, physically, and most importantly should have prior experience of high altitude trekking.

Dolpo Jomsom Trek Distance

The total distance that is covered during the trekking exercise is about 230km and may take between 24-30 days. The route covers diverse terrains, including:

• Arid deserts in Mustang.
• Lush alpine forests in Dolpo.
• Beautiful and breathtaking landscape especially hill ridge for viewing the Himalayan mountain ranges.
• The trail is equally an advertisement for the physical grandeur and richness of human culture and peoples which are met at various points in minor settlements as well as shrines.

What to Expect in Upper Dolpo to Jomsom Trek

The Upper Dolpo to Jomsom Trek offers a unique combination of stunning landscapes and cultural encounters:

1. Cultural Immersion:
   
   • Explore Tibetan Buddhist villages like Dho Tarap and Chharka.
   • Visit ancient monasteries such as Shey Gompa and the walled city of Lo Manthang.
   • Interact with local communities, including Dolpo-pa and Thakali people, who preserve ancient customs.
2. Natural Beauty:
   
   • Witness the pristine Phoksundo Lake, known for its turquoise waters.
   • Traverse Shey Phoksundo National Park, home to rare wildlife like snow leopards and Himalayan blue sheep.
   • Cross high passes with breathtaking views of peaks like Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri.
3. Remote Terrain:
   
   • Trek through some of Nepal’s most isolated areas, with limited modern infrastructure.
   • Experience wilderness camping in areas where teahouses are unavailable.
4. Physical and Mental Challenges:
   
   • Strenuous trekking days through high-altitude landscapes demand endurance and resilience.
   • Acclimatization is crucial to handle altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters.
5. Permits and Regulations:
   
   • Obtain restricted area permits for Upper Dolpo and Mustang.
   • Travel with a licensed guide, as required for trekking in these areas.

This trek is perfect for those seeking a blend of adventure, culture, and untouched natural beauty, making it one of the most rewarding trekking experiences in Nepal.

History and Geography of the Dolpo Jomsom/Mustang Trek

The Dolpo Jomsom/Mustang Trek is a journey through regions steeped in history and blessed with unique geographical features. Located in the trans-Himalayan zone of Nepal, this trek links two of the most remote and culturally rich areas: Upper Dolpo and Upper Mustang. These regions, with their arid landscapes and ancient traditions, offer trekkers a window into a world rarely touched by time or modernity.

Historical Background

1. Dolpo’s Mystical Past:
   
   • Dolpo, referenced in Tibetan Buddhist texts and folklore, is regarded as one of the "Beyul," or sacred hidden valleys, said to be sanctuaries created by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) for those seeking refuge during times of hardship.
   • Historically, Dolpo was part of the Tibetan empire and later came under Nepal’s rule in the 18th century. Despite political changes, the region has retained its strong Tibetan cultural identity.
2. Mustang’s Forbidden Kingdom:
   
   • The Upper Mustang region, once a thriving trade route between Tibet and Nepal, was an independent kingdom until the 18th century.
   • Even after becoming part of Nepal, Mustang retained its autonomy and was ruled by the Raja of Mustang until 2008, when Nepal abolished its monarchy.
   • Mustang was long closed to outsiders and only opened to trekking in 1992, preserving its unique heritage and traditions.
3. Trade and Religion:
   
   • Both Dolpo and Mustang were integral to the ancient salt trade route, with caravans transporting salt from Tibet to Nepal in exchange for grains.
   • The regions are dotted with ancient monasteries, chortens, and mani walls, reflecting their deep-rooted Buddhist and Bon spiritual traditions.

Geographical Features

1. Trans-Himalayan Zone:
   
   • The trek lies within the rain-shadow zone of the Himalayas, making the landscape starkly different from Nepal’s lush, green lowlands.
   • Expect a unique blend of high-altitude deserts, eroded cliffs, and deep river valleys, contrasting with the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas.
2. Shey Phoksundo National Park:
   
   • The trek passes through Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal’s largest national park, covering an area of 3,555 square kilometers.
   • The park is home to Phoksundo Lake, Nepal’s deepest lake, and rare wildlife like snow leopards, Himalayan blue sheep, and Tibetan wolves.
3. High Passes and Peaks:
   
   • The trek involves crossing several high-altitude passes, such as Kang La Pass (5,240m) and Jeng La Pass (5,090m), which offer sweeping views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges.
   • Mustang’s landscapes feature jagged cliffs, hidden caves, and ochre-colored formations sculpted by wind erosion.
4. Cultural Villages and Valleys:
   
   • Remote villages like Dho Tarap, Ringmo, Chharka, and Mustang’s Lo Manthang reflect the harmonious coexistence of humans with an extreme environment.
   • The Kali Gandaki Gorge, one of the world’s deepest gorges, forms a dramatic centerpiece in Mustang.
5. Climate and Biodiversity:
   
   • The arid, high-altitude desert climate supports sparse vegetation like junipers and thorn bushes, while alpine meadows flourish in some valleys.
   • The unique microclimates in Dolpo and Mustang allow for rare flora and fauna, making it an ecological treasure trove.