Snow Leopard Trek, Upper Dolpo

Your adventure begins with a flight to the airstrip at Juphal from where you trek north following the route made famous by Peter Matthiessen in his powerfully evocative book ‘The Snow Leopard’. Entering Phoksundo National Park you too will be moved by the breathtaking beauty of the luminous jade-blue waters of its central lake surrounded by jutting, jagged peaks.

From Phoksundu you trek to the Crystal Mountain, the sacred heart of Dolpo and the holiest mountain in Upper Dolpo and second only to Mount Kailash in spiritual importance. You will complete an exciting kora (circumambulatiom) of this fabled mountain, taking a route followed on one of the most important Himalayan pilgrimages of Nepal – a sacred kora traditionally completed by the people of Dolpo during the months of July/August before the barley harvest. You will also explore the remote eleventh century monastery of Shey Gompa - the most important monastery in Dolpo.

After your completion of the kora of the mountain you cross the mighty Kang La, 5,279m/17,320ft, to experience some of the finest views in Nepal before trekking back across the Numa La, passing through the beautiful valley of the Tarap Chu and visiting Tokyu Gompa and other gompas along the banks of the river. You will also visit Tarakot with its ancient dzong, formerly capital of the region and continue to Dunai and to the end of your trek in Juphal.

The sheer isolation of the region means that this Upper Dolpo trek is ideal for the experienced walker who would like a wild, yet culturally distinct, Himalayan experience.