Trip Highlights
- Amazing panoramic views of the Annapurna and the Dhaulagiri peaks
- Untouched natural beauty of Dolpa valley’s woodlands and river troughs
- Experience the traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture up close
- Enjoy the wonderful natural beauty of Upper Dolpa
- Summit the Putha Hiunchuli Peak
Overview
The 32 Days Putha Hiunchuli Expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embrace the majestic allure of the mighty Himalayas truly. It is a strenuous journey that takes you to the heart of the Upper Dolpa region. If you want to embrace the rural beauty of Nepal’s isolated valleys, then this journey is definitely for you. The trip presents you the opportunity to enjoy the mighty Himalayas of northern Nepal and take in this daring feat of conquering the snowy giants.
Not only that but the journey is incorporated with the best cultural essence of Upper Dolpa as well. The region is home to the ethnic Tibetan Buddhists who follow their distinct norms and culture and have been doing so for thousands of years. It is a fantastic experience to get to know this culture up close and see the ethnic people living their lives in such an isolated environment, in the heart of nature, and under the shadow of the mountains.
The trip begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, and the trip takes you to many prominent settlements and villages of Dolpa- like Juphal and Kagkot. You will be greeted with wonderful views of the mountains throughout the journey, especially the mighty Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The terrain is also a different facet, as the landscapes you trek through are dry and barren, with occasional terrace farms that dot the hillside now and then.
The trip is also a spiritual journey as the path to the summit of the mountain peak is often decorated with colorful prayer flags, Chortens, stupas, and Mani stone walls carved with prayers. It is a journey that is dripping with spiritual essence in every aspect.
Join Brown Bear Trail for an unforgettable Putha Hiunchuli Expedition! You will be provided with the best services throughout the trip. From the accommodation settings to food and lodging, to guide and transportation, each aspect of the trip is well taken care of. You can take your time to enjoy the journey and bask in the mountain views. The trip is also carefully planned, with ample contingency and acclimatization time incorporated in the itinerary. Our team of professional and well-trained guides will take care of your every need. Don’t miss out on a trip of a lifetime!
Itinerary
You may arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. There are no planned activities for the day, so you may check into your hotel and relax. Overnights stay at the hotel.
Early in the morning, you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Nepalgunj. The short flight takes about 50 to 60 minutes, and from the plane- you can enjoy the views of the Himalayas and the changing landscape below. Upon landing at Nepalgunj, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnights stay at the hotel in Nepalgunj.
You will have another short from Nepalgunj today to Juphal. This small town is situated at the entrance to Upper Dolpa. From Juphal, you will begin your trek and make your way to today’s destination- Dunai. The flight to Nepalgunj also presents many amazing views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Mountain Peaks. You will follow the steeply descending trail from Juphal, going through rolling maize fields and passing small local villages as you make your way to Dunai. Next, you will walk alongside the bank of the Bheri River, passing by Roop Ghar, where you can see a watermill. Finally, you will arrive in Dunai- the administrative capital of Dolpo. Overnights stay in lodge.
You will begin your trek towards Tarakot early in the morning, passing through wonderful natural terrain filled with terrace farms and gorges. The deep natural gorges are carved deep by the rivers into the hills as they sediment over several hundred years. The trip is filled with the serene chirping of the birds and the quiet beauty of nature sounds, with you trudging through the rocky terrain. Finally, you will arrive at Tarakot- an old fortress town. The local people initially built it as a protective Dzong (fort). The village also stands on a hillock to the south of the Bheri River. Tarakot also features a supervised collection of tolls scattered throughout the village peripheries, mainly used for the trading caravans that used to pass through here. The people of Tarakot also speak "Kaike," a dialect spoken only in some clusters of this village. The isolated language is not understood by the people from any other villages either. Furthermore, the villagers also strictly follow their social norms that differ from other settlements of the region. Overnights stay at Tarakot.
From Tarakot, you will start your trek towards Musi Khola today. First, you will go through the deep troughs and dips of the valley, coruscating along the rivers. Then, you will follow the trail that meanders through the sparse woods as it goes under the green canopies of coniferous forests. You will cross a suspension bridge along the way as well, and you will find that the terrain is dotted with small cattle huts and pastures of bushes instead of green grasslands. Overnights stay at Musi Khola.
From Musi Khola, you will begin today's journey to the village of Kagkot. As you venture further along the valley, you will find fewer huts and villagers. The terrain from here on out also starts getting sparse, with isolated ridges and rocky boulders scattered along the landscape. You might come across one or two villagers who might be going about their day, cutting and collecting firewood. The trail is well-walked upon, and it cuts through the valley quite starkly. Finally, you will arrive at Kagkot. Because the village is situated in such an isolated space, you will find that the villagers here also speak their dialect and follow a different culture from the other villages of the region. The village houses are also small and single-story and made with round stones with thatch roofs. Overnights stay at the lodge.
This day is reserved for a rest, and you can spend the day roaming around the village. This is the day where you will also change porters and arrange for the upcoming trek. Overnights stay at Kagkot.
From Kagkot, you will follow the trail towards the small settlement of Panjing. The trail goes through the dry valley, and you will cross many small streams and rivers along the way. The trip is filled with suspension bridges, and the mountain peaks' views also keep you good company. You will go over high steeps, and low descends as you make your journey today, and you will also cross mountain passes. Overnights stay at Panjing.
From Panjing, you will follow the rising trail that heads towards the base camp. However, it is closed off by deep and impassable ravines. You can only reach them after crossing high altitude passes. Following the trail, you will head for the crossing of the first pass at 4,160 meters. From there, you will continue the trek to reach the campsite near German Base Camp at 4,400 meters. The crew will set up the camp as soon as you reach the campsite. Overnights stay at German Base Camp.
After breakfast, you will leave the German Base Camp and follow the trail that steeply ascends over the second challenging mountain pass. While the climbing of Putha Hiunchuli is considered much less technical, the ascending trail, however, towards the base camp can be difficult. You can also get tired of trekking at the high altitude. The Putha Base Camp is set over a moraine plateau. Overnights stay at base camp.
On this day, you will start your climbing period. From today, the trek becomes strenuous as you will be entering high elevation and going from base camp to the summit in chronological order. Overnights stay at base camp.
This day is reserved for acclimatization. You can spend the day acclimatizing today, getting your body adjusted to the high elevation. You can take in the views of the mountains as well. Getting properly acclimatized is important as it prevents the chance of getting altitude sick. Overnights stay at base camp
Today, you will focus on making sure you know how to use the climbing equipment properly and following instructions by your climbing guide. You will also perform a puja today, praying for a good and successful journey. Overnights stay at base camp.
Today, you will have a trip to Camp 1 from base camp. The high altitude and the elevated terrain of snow and rocks can make the trip a bit difficult. However, the journey is filled with amazing views of the mountains, and with a slow and steady ascend, you can make it. After reaching Camp 1, you will then make your way back to base camp. Overnights stay at base camp.
This is another day reserved for resting and acclimatizing. Since the elevation is quite high, you need rest to make sure that your boy can complete the journey. Overnights stay at base camp.
Today, you will follow the trail once again towards Camp 1. From there, you will climb up the elevation again towards Camp 2. The reason why you are making a back-and-forth from base camp to camps is to make sure that you are properly acclimatized to the environment and the high elevation. At camp 2, you will take in the view of the mountains and make your way back to camp one and again back to base camp. Overnights stay at camp.
This is another day reserved for a rest day. Make sure that your body is adequately acclimatized and that you can continue the journey. Overnights stay at base camp.
The real journey begins today; you will make your way to Camp 1 once again from the base, following your guide. You will make use of the climbing equipment and steadily make your way up the mountain, trudging through the thick layers of snow and heavy ice. Overnights stay at camp 1.
From camp 1, you will make your way up the elevation further, towards camp 2. Following your guide, you will make your way through the snow and ice, steadily gaining elevation. Overnights stay at Camp 2.
From Camp 2, you will follow your guide towards Camp 3, all the while gaining elevation. It is a steady climb up the mountain, making your way through the snow and the ice, using ice axes and crampons, and navigating the way with ropes. Overnights stay at camp 3.
This is the big day; you will follow your guide to the summit today. As you finally reach the summit, you can take in the glory and bask in the sense of achievement as the panorama of the valley and the neighboring peaks lay bare before you. After that, you will slowly and steadily make your way back down to Camp 1. Overnights stay at camp 1.
This day is reserved as a contingency day as the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. If you cannot summit the peak for any reason, you can make use of this day. If you can stay on track with the itinerary, then this day is not needed.
This is another day reserved for contingency.
From camp 1, you will drop down the elevation back to the base camp, follow your guide, and lose the high altitude as you continue on your journey. The journey down is relatively easier than the climb up. Overnights stay at base camp.
This day is reserved for rest as the dropping down of the elevation can be harrowing on your body. You can spend the day resting and making up stamina. Overnights stay at base camp.
This day is reserved for making sure you pack your equipment and your tents. Overnights stay base camp.
This is a long day as you will be steadily making your way back to Kagkot. You will follow the same path as before, and you can enjoy the changing landscape from snow to dry terrain once again as you make your way back to the villages. Overnights stay at Kagkot.
From Kagkot, you will make your way back to Lashicap, passing through the same villages as before. However, the descent and ascend and down the valley is quite different from the strenuous high altitude of the peak. The mountains also make an appearance along the journey. Overnights stay at Lashicap.
Following the same path as before, you will make your way back to Dunai. Along the journey, you can see the traditional village people going about their way, chopping wood or working on the terrace farms. Some can also be seen herding cattle. Overnights stay at Dunai.
From Dunai, you will follow the Bheri River and make your way through the valley ravines towards Juphal. The small village scenes from above the ridgelines also give you a wonderful view, and the sight of the mountain peaks over the villages are also quite stunning. Overnights stay at Juphal.
Today, the schedule is mainly filled with the airplane flight. You will catch an early flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj. Upon landing at the Nepalgunj airport, you will then catch another flight back to Kathmandu. The short flights provide wonderful views of the mountain peaks and the landscape below. At Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnights stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.
You will be taken to the airport for your final departure today.
Cost Includes
- All arrival and departure from the airport to hotel and back on private cars, coach or buses as per the group size.
- Accommodation in tourist standard or 2-3 star class hotels on bed and breakfast basis as well in twin sharing basis rooms. (For single supplement at extra cost)
- Tour and sightseeing around Kathmandu as per the itinerary chosen with city guides includes all entrance fees at places of interest.
- Domestic air flights as per the itinerary chosen, some with overland drive to reach at the start of treks and on the end, where chartered bus-cars or coach included as per group size.
- Full board on trekking with breakfast-lunch-afternoon refreshment with dinner includes twin sharing rooms in lodge on route treks and long tours.
- Applicable Trekking Information Management Systems permits (TIMS) with Conservation or National Park permits.
- All tour and treks accompanied by guides-staff and porters (either human or pack animals like yaks or mules), all wages, meals, accommodation, transportation facilities with Insurance against medical and accidents.
- In some high altitude treks we provide sleeping bags and down jackets also with comprehensive medical kits carried by our guides and staff.
- Sleeping bags, and down jackets might include depending upon trip cost.
- First Aid and Comprehensive Medical Kit carried by our guides on all treks and climb.
- Special Permits on Restricted Areas Treks.
- If camping on remote areas where all meals included breakfast-lunch-afternoon refreshment with dinner includes twin sharing tents on route treks and climb.
- On climbing peaks, includes peak permits, special summit bonus for guides, with climbing equipment allowance with special insurance for guide only.
Cost Excludes
- International air-fare, Personal medical / travel insurance and Nepal visa fees.
- Expenses of individual nature drinks, laundry, telephone bills, gratitude and meals in city areas Kathmandu and Pokhara as per the itinerary chosen.
- On treks, laundry, recharge of electronic items and hot-showers.
- Personal Trekking-Climbing gear and equipment’s including down jackets-sleeping bags . if not provided by the company as per the trip cost.
- Single Supplement on hotel rooms as well on trek in lodge where clients should inform ahead on booking with extra charge on booking single private rooms where available.
- Emergency evacuation by any means of transportations including immediate Helicopter services if required on accidents, sickness and personal problems.
- Early return from the tour or treks will not be entertainment with refund, where client should borne all the expenses incurred including accompany guide-porters services.
- Gratitude / Tipping at the end of treks and climbs.
