Mugu Dolpo Reconnaissance Trek

Most of the time, people fly in the evening to skip the high temperatures in Nepalganj. From Kathmandu to Nepalganj flight will be around 55 minutes, when we land then we move to the hotel and rest. 

Nepalganj is one of the most crucial places for Himalayan regions like Dolpo, Mugu and Jumla for shopping for hardware and food items. Nepalganj is connected to the India Border so it's comparatively cheaper than other regions. 

In the afternoon tourist bus and your guide will come to your hotel and you will drive to the airport for the Nepalganj flight. The flight will be one hour and you will see beautiful mountains from your cabin. In Nepalganj you will be transferred to 3 stars hotel and after checking in you can visit some nearby cities with your guide or independently.

Overnight: Camping  

Elevation: 2100m 

Duration: Approx 1 hour by jeep 

Early morning we will have breakfast and proceed for the actual trek we started from Dunai. After one hour of trek, we will encounter with National Park Check post where we will show a permit and buy a National Park entry. After checking out we follow the Phoksundo River with beautiful small hamlets on the way where Phoksundo people stay here in the winter for their animals. 

Elevation:2700m

Overnight: Camping 

Duration: Approx 7 hours 

Embark on an adventure trek this day we again follow the Phoksundo River into Long Pine and Juniper Forest. After 4 hours of trek, we will encounter Riyachi Village where small lodges are running and local people can be seen. After Riyachi Village we will trek again for about 2 hours then our destination Samjana Hotel will be met. 

Elevation: 3100m 

Overnight: Camping 

Duration: Approx 7 hours 

After leaving Samjana Hotel we will visit the one of the best and big school in Dolpa called Tapriza Secondary School, Where our Company managing director (Norbu) had studied 12 years. Tapriza school is specially built for Children from the Phoksundo Region with an ambitions to protect Bon religion and culture. School is residential with the help of Private and government partnership. 

After Leaving the school we will again follow the Phoksundo river and ascended towards phoksundo lake to our destinations. 

 Rigmo village and phoksundo lake is situated in the lap of Mount Kanjirowa. Sagar himal, Kanjirowa and kangla streams are the main source of water for Phoksundo lake. From Rigmo village we can see stunning Mount Norbukang, Teikatong and Kanjirowa. 

Lunch Point - Rigmo Vilage 

Trek distance - 4-5 hours 

Elevations Of Phoksundo Lake - 3700M 

Overnight: Camping 

During our free days in Phoksundo Lake, we can do so many things. Phoksundo Lake is a perfect combination of nature and culture. Where you can do multiple things in a single day like nature walking and photography, Bird watching, meditation relaxation, cultural exploration, wildlife observation and short hikes. 

In the Afternoon we can visit Bon Monastery which was built in the 15th Century. Phoksundo Lake is situated at 3640m which is also known as a non-living lake. 

We start our trek before sunrise and we move towards the west shores of the Phoksundo Lake with a beautiful cliff path and begins uphill and downhill to the next shores of the lake. During the trek, we will see dense birch trees and possibilities of some wild animals.

Lunch - Cholophugu 

Trek Distance - 7-8 hours 

Elevations of Ruktang - 3900m 

Overnight: Camping 

After Having breakfast our journey will begin through the deep gorge with both-sided giant cliffs towards base camp. Many small wooden bridges will be seen on the way, slowly oxygen level will decrease as we ascend towards Kangla pass (5300m). In the evening temperature will decrease and cold winds will directly hit your face. 

Lunch - Pack lunch 

Trek Distance - 7-8 hours 

Elevation of High Camp - 4850M 

Embark on an adventurous trek to Shey Gompa, at an elevation of 4,160 meters, via the stunning King La Pass. This journey segment typically takes around 7 to 8 hours to complete, depending on your pace and the trail conditions.

Leaving behind the captivating landscapes of Nangdala or Kang La Phedi, you will navigate challenging terrain as you ascend to the magnificent Kang La Pass. The trail will test your endurance and hiking skills, with steep inclines and rocky sections. However, the panoramic vistas and the sense of achievement make it all worthwhile.

Reaching the King La Pass, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks and vast valleys stretching out before you. Take a moment to soak in the grandeur of nature and capture memories that will last a lifetime.

From the pass, the trail descends towards Shey Gompa. You will traverse diverse landscapes, including alpine meadows, picturesque valleys, and glacial streams as you go down. The beauty of the surroundings will enthral you as you continue your journey.

Upon reaching Shey Gompa, you will be greeted by this ancient Buddhist monastery’s tranquillity and spiritual ambience. The tented camp, set up close to the monastery, offers a comfortable and scenic overnight accommodation option. Rest in your tent amidst the serene surroundings, enjoying nature’s peacefulness.

Exploring Shey Gompa is a must-do experience during your stay. Immerse yourself in the rich Buddhist traditions, admire the intricate architecture, and witness the spiritual practices of the resident monks. The cultural and religious significance of the monastery adds depth to your trekking adventure.

During your overnight stay at the tented camp, you will have the opportunity to unwind, share stories with fellow trekkers, and relish the camaraderie of the outdoors. The support team at the camp will ensure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

With its idyllic location and panoramic views, Shey Gompa provides a memorable and soul-stirring setting in the heart of the Himalayas.

Overnight: Camping 

Duration: Approx Approx 8 hours 

Elevation: 4100m 

We have a day to explore the environs and catch up on laundry and other camp chores. In the afternoon we side trip to visit the amazing Kagyupa monastery of Tsa Kang which is perched on a narrow ledge high on a cliff face. To get there we have to climb part way on the trail which pilgrims follow to make the 'Kora' or circuit of the Crystal Mountain. And we get back to Shey Gompa again.

Our trail heads north from Shey Gompa, cutting up the hillside on the east side of the Tartan Khola and skirting around at the head of a tributary valley to a high grazing area near the Den La. Following a broad stock trail across the open hillside, we drop down to Tora where the people from Bhijer graze their yaks in the summer. Depending on how long it has taken to get here, we could set up camp at Tora (4500m) or drop down to Samling Monastery (4120m).

Elevation: 4100m

Overnight: Camping 

Duration: Approx 7 hours 

Samling is the oldest Bon Gompa in Dolpo and it was established in the 8th century. Its several white and brick-red buildings and chortens (Stupa) are scattered across a grassy slope and adorned with prayer flags. We will spend some time looking around. From Samling it's just a short walk to the village of Bhijer (3850m), a pleasant, welcoming and very Dolpo Pa village which sees very few trekkers. The house at Bhijer typically has an upper living space with the ground floor being used to shelter animals at night. The village has an open, sunny location and there's lots to see and do here. Look out for the local women doing their spinning, watch the barley harvest or visit the gompa. There is also a simple school, shop and a health post. This is the last place where the cook team may be able to purchase some fresh vegetables before reaching Mugu.

Overnight: Local Lodge

Elevation: 3850m

Duration: Approx 3 hours 

We'll aim to reach camp at Pho in the late morning. We head downstream (north) for about half an hour and then turn to head westwards and steeply uphill to the small village of Pho (4020m) which may be the most remote settlement in Nepal. Few people live here now and there are signs that the numbers are dwindling. Some of the fields on the edge of the village are eroded and no longer maintained. Nevertheless, Pho is a good place to make camp with level pitches and a clean and plentiful water supply.

Elevation: 4020m

Overnight: Local Tea House 

Duration: Approx 7 hours 

Once again, we are likely to see lots of blue sheep on this part of our route. We then have a similar, if slightly less steep, continuation of the day's walk up to our and cross Nyingma Gyanzen La. From here we can see numerous 6000 to 6800-metre snow-peaks of the Kanjiroba Himal more than make up for that. From Nyimagalzen La we descend for 2 hours and reach Daldung Khor and we set our camp.

Overnight: Camping

Duration: Approx 9 hours 

Elevation: 4700m 

Today is a short trek, as we had a very long and hard day yesterday. After breakfast descend to Swaksa Khola and follow the river for 2-3 hours we reach at magnificent valley. This is a magnificent valley trending north-south which sees very few trekkers, although these high valleys are visited in early summer each year by local people searching for the valuable caterpillar fungus known as Yarsagumba.

Elevation: 4500m 

Duration: Approx 4 hours 

Overnight: Camping 

The route initially takes us alongside the Swaksa Khola and we can look out for the hoof marks of blue sheep and the pug marks of snow leopards in the sand beside the stream. We then turn left out of the valley and make a long and sustained ascent across a grassy hillside to the Yala La (5250m) which we reach after about 3 hours. We'll spend a bit of time at the pass to enjoy more great views, and snow-capped peaks in all directions, before setting off on the rocky descent into the valley of the Chyandi Khola. We reach our camp in the valley at an elevation of around 4800 metres in the late afternoon.

Today is a long and challenging day as we descend the Chyandi Khola. There is no well-made path and we have to negotiate a lot of difficult terrain, possibly including the use of a safety rope on some short sections. Progress is likely to be slow and we will need to ford the river several times. Equally, we will have to climb up above the river at times to find the best route and this will involve contouring on a poor trail for extended periods, before a final zig-zagging descent through ancient birch forest to the junction with the Takla Khola. A final river crossing on a log bridge before our arrival at camp may also require the use of a safety rope.

Another long day, initially trekking to Chyargo La Phedi at 4300 metres and then steadily upwards to the cairn-marked Chyargo La (5100m), which we reach after around 5 hours. This is a bleak and rocky place but with amazing views which provide a great overview of some of the geography we have been travelling through over recent days. It is wild terrain. A long descent then takes us into a gorge-like valley where the route becomes more tenuous again, with a mix of thick forest and several river crossings to negotiate. There is a place to camp at Thajuchaur at around 4000 metres elevation.

Overnight: Camping 

Duration: Approx 8 hours 

Elevation: 4000m 

It's a relatively short distance from our camp down to the Mugu Khola, but making progress through this steep-sided and forested valley remains time-consuming with several more river crossings. Thankfully, there are bridges for the last couple of these crossings, before we emerge quite suddenly into the valley of the Mugu Khola. Here, we meet the main trail that links Rara Lake to the south with the village of Mugu and Tibet to the north.

Overnight: Local Tea House 

Duration: Approx 6 hours 

Elevation:  2945m

This day we use it if there is difficulty during the trek from Pho to Shilenchaur Kharka. If not then we detour to Mugu village. Great Himalaya Trail heads south from here, but we turn north (on the good trail) to Mugu which is about 3 hours away. There's a chance of encountering other trekkers on this trail. Arriving at Mugu (3400m), we set up camp on the broad, flat valley floor immediately below the village.

We have 3 days to trek to the airport at Talcha just to the east of Rara Lake and for the whole of this journey, we will be on reasonably good trails that link the villages in the valley of the Mugu Karnali. On this first day, we descend steadily to the confluence of the Mugu with the NamlangNadi at Tyar and continue westwards for a further hour or two to a camping place beside the river below one of two villages, either Pulu or a little further on, Riusa.

Another longish day in terms of distance but no big climbs, just 'Nepali undulation' beside the river. Again, there are lots of great views and we'll have plenty of opportunity to interact with the local people that we meet on the trail. We pass through the striking settlement of Mangri which sits amongst its terraced fields on a bench above the south side of the river. Now heading in a south-westerly direction, we continue beside the Mugu Karnali through the village of Chhaila to a camping place close to the houses of Kumpha (2010m).

Overnight: Camping

Duration: Approx 8 hours 

Elevation: 2010m