Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

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

The surreal Dolpo region of northwest Nepal, isolated from the world by high passes, is a realm of ancient Tibetan culture, unclimbed peaks, mysterious canyons, and people who still live as barley farmers and yak herders as their Tibetan ancestors did. On our rugged 22-day trek, we cross passes to reach some of the highest villages on earth, learn about the spiritual traditions that enrich this remote land, and hike to vast, turquoise Phoksundo Lake and mystical Shey Gompa (15,500'), of The Snow Leopard fame, above which rises the white pyramid of Crystal (“Shey”) Mountain, Dolpo’s sacred peak. Take a step back in time and join us in a magical world where yak caravans still follow ancient trade routes and monasteries practice the pre-Buddhist Bon-po faith.

BILL ABBOTT

Days 1-9 Kathmandu / Juphal / Begin Trek / Dho Tarap From Kathmandu, we fly to Juphal and trek 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'). Days 10-17 Panzang Valley / Shimen / Saldang Passing trailside chortens and walls of beautifully carved mani stones (Buddhist prayer stones), we make our way into Panzang, one of Dolpo’s four major valleys. We trek farther to lovely Shimen, nestled amid terraced buckwheat fields, then to Saldang (15,250'), with its maze of ancient alleys and amchi (Tibetan medicine) hospital. Caravans of yaks may pass us on the trail—a photogenic sight! The ancient monasteries here practice Bon-po, the oldest spiritual tradition in Tibet.

Days 18-19 Shey Gompa (16,237') / Crystal Mountain Being at fabled Shey Gompa, a revered pilgrim destination, is a trek highlight. We’ll 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 20-22 Kang La / Phoksundo Lake Crossing our highest pass, the Kang La (18,830'), we come to the otherworldly setting of Phoksundo Lake (11,808'), a vast body of water encircled by peaks. We visit the Ringmo Gompa, a Bon-po monastery on the shores. Days 23-28 Sepka / Juphal / Kathmandu Descend into the lowlands for our flight to Kathmandu on Day 26 and a final day in the city. Depart on Day 28.

HIGHLIGHTS • Be one of the few Westerners who has ever visited this remote Himalayan realm • Learn about Dolpo’s thriving Tibetan culture where many still practice Bon, the pre-Buddhist faith • Hike the sacred kora circuit around fabled Shey Gompa, a revered pilgrimage site • Enjoy our wonderfully designed trekking route that allows for gradual altitude acclimatization DETAILS • 28-day trip begins and ends in Kathmandu, Nepal • 22 nights camping, 4 nights in first-class hotels, 1 night lodge • All meals included except 3 lunches and 2 dinners TRIP COST $7795 (10-12 members) $8595 (8-9 members) $9195 (6-7 members) Single supplement: $740 Internal airfare: $815 (subject to change) Special Area permit: $650 TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 22-day trek on moderate to steep trails, 5-8 hours a day, altitudes between 7,000 and 18,830 feet DATES Sep 16-Oct 13, 2017

Our trek brings us deep into an authentic Tibetan culture and a spectacular Himalayan landscape that few outsiders have ever visited. PHOTO: BILL ABBOTT

BILL ABBOTT

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