Wilderness Travel 2018 Catalog of Adventures

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

Dolpo: Expedition to the Crystal Mountain TREKKING IN A LEGENDARY HIDDEN LAND

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.

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.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR ASIA TRIPS, VISIT WWW.WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/ASIA 88