About Beni Dolpo Trek
Beni Dolpo Trek is a historical trek, before the establishment of Juphal airport many foreigners trekked to Dolpo from Pokhara/Beni. This route became famous after the publishing Peter Matthiessen's ‘The Snow Leopard’, and George B. Schaller’s ‘Silence of Stone’, they both commenced their journey to Dolpo region through this route Beni Dolpo Trek.
For simplicity, we divided the Beni Dolpo Trek into six different stages.
1st stage- Beni to Dhorpatan
the first part of trek is easy, after crossing Myagdi Khola is rewarded by an impressive view of Mt. Dhaulagiri ‘the dazzling white mountain’ of Nepal and 7th highest mountain in the world.The magar ‘an ethnic group of Nepal’ villages Lumsum, and Moreni are wonderful cultural insights followed by amazing views of Dhaulagiri massif including Putha Himal, Nilgiri and Annapurna ranges are mesmerizing experience of this stage.
2nd Stage - Dhorpatan to Majela/Thakur
Dhorpatan is famous for only one hunting reserve in Nepal. Beside hunting reserve, there is Tibetan refugee village ‘Chhyantu’ and Tashi Gedye Tarke Ling Gompa.
After Dhorpatan along the Bozekum in this stage you will ascent first time above 4000m, Phalgune Dhuri 4061m and descend to Thanur.
3rd Stage- Majela/Thakur to Tarakot
This stage is quite wilderness before reaching to Samtiling village of Dolpa district. Here you are going to encounter two passes above 4000m are Majela or Panidal 4340m and Jang La 4540m respectively. Crosssing the Jangla pass, the trail leads steep descend along ‘Yarsagumab pasture’ of Ticherong (Shahartara/Tarali ) people through Shahartara and Tarakot village to Tarakot Bagar. Ticherong valley is an only one Magar inhabited valley of Dolpa district.
4th Stage - Tarakot to Dho Tarap
Stage 4, 5 and 6 are the classic lower Dolpo ‘Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek’
From here you will follow the classic Lower Dolpo route. For the fe hours from Tarakot Bagar along Thuli Bheri river to Lasicap. After Lasicap crossing the suspension bridge the trail follows the Tarap Khola for two days to Dho Tarap.
Lasicap is a small settlement, from here following the Thuli Bheri River a trail leads to Kakot village and Barbung valley of Dolpo.
5th Stage – Dho Tarap to Phoksundo Lake
Dho Tarap is one of the beautiful valleys of Dolpo. It is one of the highest altitude human settlements of the world. Ancient Buddhist and Bon monastery, long flat valley inhabited by Dolpo Pa people is a prime high lights of this trek.
From Dho Tarap, the trail leads along the Tokyu village and to the west of Tokyu village crossing two notorious high pass Numala 5309 and Bagala 5169m for the four days wilderness descends to magical Phoksundo Lake.
6th Stage - Phoksundo Lake to Juphal
This is the last stage of trek, from here following Suligad/Phoksundo Khola along the lush vegetation of Phoksundo National park descend to Suligad. From Suligad once again we follow the Thuli Bheri river for few hours upto Kalagauda, ascend to Juphal and fly out to Nepalgunj and Kathmandu.
Level of Participants
● This trekking trip will be three weeks-long journeys in the thin air and a good level of fitness is needed for this trip.
● This is a journey to the high frontier wilderness and a good dose of patience, tolerance and humor are needed.
Exit from this section of the trek
- From Sahartara (Tarakot) one can reach Dunai in about 5-6 hours hike. Or one may continue the classic Lower Dolpo Circuit Trek, adjoining Dho Tarap and Phoksundo Lake.
- Jeeps drive from Dunai to Juphal take between 1-2 hours. However, this is a dirt track and be prepared to be covered (showered) with dust on this journey.
- There are flights from Juphal to Nepalganj. But remember Juphal flights are fair weather flights. So, allow yourself a couple of buffer days to account for flight cancellations.
Summary of Beni Dolpo Trek
- A journey through the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve - the only hunting reserve in Nepal, famous for Blue Sheep and the Himalayan Thar.
- 9 days of remote trekking crossing the Baglung & Myagdi districts in the Dhaulagiri Zone, Rukum district in the Rapti Zone and into the Dolpo District of the Karnali Zone.
- Crossing the Jalja La (~3425 M) provides the magnificent view of the Gurja Himal (~7200M) and the Dhaulagiri Himal (8167 M), the seventh highest mountain in the world.
- From Dhule (Rukum) to Sahartara/Tarakot (Dolpo), a 3 days wilderness journey caters a mesmerizing camping experience.
- The snow covered vistas around Phuphal Daha, a beautiful glacial lake, between Seng khola and Purbang. Crossing Jang la (~4535 M) to enter from Rukum into Dolpo rewards unforgettable glimpses.
- Following the Thuli Bheri River and Tarap Khola to Dho Tarap, another enchanting journey is added more adventure with two high passes Bagala and Numala.
- Descending in to the magical Phoksundo Lake and beautiful Rigmo Bon village is the last farewell of this trip.
