WT18 catalog single pgs

88 / 148

Mystical, hidden, and one of the highest,
most isolated realms in the inhabited
world: this is Dolpo, a remote corner
of Nepal that is a vision of Old Tibet,
accessible only on foot. Our epic trek
brings you into this rare world on
ancient trails to high-altitude villages
where people live as their Tibetan
ancestors did. We’ll hike over high passes
(one is 18,040'!) but our special route is
designed for gradual acclimatization and
the rewards are countless, from vast
and surreal Phoksundo Lake (11,808')
to fabled Shey Gompa (16,236') of The
Snow Leopard fame. Simply put, Dolpo
is one of the last places in the world
where such a remote and extraordinary
trek is still possible. It is an experience
like no other on the planet.
Days 1-9 Kathmandu / Juphal /
Begin Trek / Dho Tarap After exploring
Kathmandu, our trek begins with a hike
through juniper forests into the Tarap
Valley, home to highland people known as
the Kham Magars. We enjoy an Exploration
Day in the Tibetan village of Dho Tarap
(13,251'), with its cluster of fascinating
monasteries. Many people in Dolpo still
practice the pre-Buddhist faith Bon-po, the
oldest spiritual tradition in Tibet.
Days 10-14 Upper Dolpo / Saldang
Passing trailside chortens and walls of
beautifully carved mani stones (Buddhist
prayer stones), we make our way
across Upper Dolpo through a fabulous
landscape of mysterious canyons and
cliffside monasteries. Colorful yak caravans
may pass us on the trail, transporting
goods as they have for hundreds of years.
We trek farther to Saldang village, with
its amchi (Tibetan medicine) clinic and
ancient alleys.
TREKKING IN A LEGENDARY HIDDEN LAND
Days 15-16 Shey Gompa (16,236') /
Crystal Mountain Our Exploration Day
at fabled Shey Gompa, a revered pilgrim
destination, is a trek highlight. We join
pilgrims on the kora (sacred circuit)
encircling the monastery, hike to remote
hermitages, and enjoy the rarified air
and light that makes Shey Gompa like
no other place on earth. Next to the
gompa is the Crystal Mountain, Dolpo’s
sacred peak.
Days 17-20 Kang La / Phoksundo
Lake Crossing our highest pass, the Kang
La (18,040'), we come to otherworldly
Phoksundo Lake (11,808'), a vast body of
turquoise water encircled by sheer cliffs. On
our Exploration Day here, we visit Ringmo
Gompa, a mystical Bon-po monastery
overlooking the shimmering waters.
Days 21-25 Sepka / Juphal / Kathmandu
Descend to the lowlands, fly to Kathmandu
on Day 23, and depart on Day 25.
It is both an adventure and a privilege to be able to trek into the rare Himalayan enclave of Dolpo, a vision of Old Tibet. PHOTO: HASHMAT SINGH
FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR ASIA TRIPS, VISIT 88