Overview
Dudh Pokhari Trekking is a newly opened trekking destination which offers exploring the high altitude pond, ‘Dudh Pokhari’, located in one of the most beautiful places in western Nepal The etymological meaning of the word ‘Dudh’ is ‘milk’, and ‘Pokhari’ is ‘pond’, as the water of the pond is white as milk. This alpine freshwater pond an elevation of 4,700m holds a special reverence in Hindu mythology, and is visited by thousands of pilgrims on the Raksha Bandhan day. The pond attracts thousands of devotees the year round with prayers and taking a dip in the pond. The trekking trail is filled up with panoramic views of Mt. Manaslu (8163m), Himal chuli (7896m), Dr. Harka Gurung Peak (7871m), Lamjung Himal along with the Annapurna range. Dudh Pokhari is at the central north of Himalayan region, east of Marshyangdi River. The trek passes through ancient villages, lush valleys, beautiful trails, pine forests, rice paddies, tundra, and during the quest. Dudh Pokhari trek starts form Paudi Bazzar in Lamjung district with a gradual ascend towards Rainas Kot. Then the route climbs getting tougher towards Lakhajung, llimpokhari, Bhadikharka before reaching at Dudhpokhari. Later on it descends to Kudi, Rabrachu, Glalegaun, and ends at Besishahar. Dudh Pokhari trek allows witnessing the local culture and tradtions of the ethnic people, observing great Himalayan panorama.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02 : Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek preparation
Day 03 : Kathmandu to Paudi Bazzar 9-10 hrs bus ride
Day 04 : Paudi Bazzar to Rainas Kot (2000m) 3-4 hrs
Day 05 : Rainas Kot to Lakhajung 5-6 hrs
Day 06 : Lakhajung to Ilimpokhari 3-4 hrs
Day 07 : Ilimpokhar to Bhadikharka 6-7 hrs
Day 08 : Bhadikharka to Dudhpokhari (4,560m) 6-7 hrs
Day 09 : Acclimatization in Dudhpokhari (4,560m)
Day 10 : Dudh Pokhari to Kudi (3,800m) 4-5 hrs
Day 11 : Kudi to Rabrachu(3,150m) 5-6 hrs
Day 12 : Rabrachu to Ghalegaun (2,100m) 4-5 hrs
Day 13 : Ghalegaun to Besishahar 4-5 hrs
Day 14 : Besishahar to Kathmandu 6-7 hrs bus ride
Day 15 : Leisure day in Kathmandu
Day 16 : Transfer to the Airport for your onward destination
Trip Highlights
- Witness magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks onboard flight to the Kathmandu Valley
- Enjoy sightseeing tour at the major UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu City.
- Catch panoramic views of the Himalayas like Mt. Manaslu (8163m), Himal chuli (7896m), Dr. Harka Gurung Peak (7871m), Annapurna range including Manang valley and Lamjung Himal.
- Explore around the freshwater holy pond of Dudh Pokheri at 4,700 meters.
- Trek past gushing rivers, green countryside, alpine meadows, valleys,Glaciers.
- Get along with ethnic people and their culture.
Itinerary
After landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu from your designated destinations, you will be welcomed by a representative of the travel company at the arrival gate. After that, you will be transferred to your pre-booked hotel in luxury transportation. If time permits, you can wander around the streets of Kathmandu or can relax at the hotel to overcome your jet lag. O/N stay at hotel.
This day is reserved for sightseeing in the historic Kathmandu City. The day will start early as the weather is not a worry in the valley. After breakfast, you will be taken for a guided tour around the city. During this trip you will access the heritage sites like historical Durbar Square, and many more cultural and natural monuments. Also, you will visit the religious sites that include the sacred Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva named as Pashupatinath. Likewise, visits to Buddhist pilgrimage Swoyambhunath (famous by the name of Monkey temple among tourists), Boudhanath Shrine will be covered by the evening. On the day, we will set a seminar to discuss about the trekking plan. You will be introduced with your trek leader who will answer all you questions/queries regarding the expedition. O/N stay at hotel.
On the day, you will be driven to Paudi Bazzar from Kathmandu. During this 9-10 hours bus ride, you can see the scenic suburbs and countryside of Nepal. Located on the banks of Marshyandi River, Paudi Bazzar is a gateway for the Dudh Pokheri Trekking. O/N at Camp.
This is the day when you start your trek towards magnificent Dudh Pokheri by passing through Baguwa and Ramche villages. During the trek, you will come across Bhairabi Nath Temple and Lord Shiva’s Temple. You will reach Rainas Kot before sunset. It is a small Gurung village with very less population. O /N at Camp.
The day’s trek is loaded with excitement as the trail leads through forests. After walking in the scenic route for few hours, you will reach Parajung, a venue for popular historic sites. Also, you will cross historic villages like Gauda to reach, Lakhajung. This is also a Gurung Village. O /N at Camp.
Leaving the amazing Gurung village behind, on the day, you will proceed towards Ilimpokhari, a famous pond in Lamjung District. The pond is surrounded by forests. Your will camp near to the pond where you can experience varieties of floras-faunas. O/N at Camp.
Leaving this serene pond, and taking its memories along, on the day, you will have to proceed towards Bhadikharka. The route is comprised of walking uphill via forests, farmlands and ridges. O/N at Camp.
This is the most important day of the trek as you leap towards Dudh Pokhari. After trekking for some seven hours, you will be at the site of the magnificent freshwater holy Dudh Pokhari also known as milky pond. Dudh Pokhari holds a special reverence in Hindu mythology. The tourist looking to venture the sacred place can also know about the Hindu religion as it is the popular destination for pilgrims. O/N at Camp.
The day is reserved for the acclimatization purpose where you will spend a day to get used to the altitude and the environment of the place. In the meantime, you can go around the nearby villages to get along with the ethic people to share culture and tradition. After enjoying some good time around the village, you will have to return to your respective camps for an overnight stay. O/N at Camp.
Leaving the scared shrine behind, on the day you will trek downhill to reach Kudi, a Gurung Village in the region. O/N at Camp.
The day’s trek will take you through farm villages leading all the way to Rabrachu. If you reach early, you can go around the village and interact with the local people. O/N at Camp.
Walking past some undulated trails, on the day, you will reach Ghalegaun, one of the most beautiful villages in the region. This is a traditional village where denizens are very hospitable to their guests. O/N Home stay.
This is the final day of the trek as you pull your shocks to hike towards the lower altitude trail in the region. In the due course of the trip, you will pass through various ethnic settlements to reach Besishahar, the district headquarters of Lamjung. O/N at Lodge.
The trek gets concluded here at Besishahar. From the point, you will board a bus that will take you back to the capital city. During this spectacular route of 170kms, you will pass through picturesque landscapes, ridges and rivers. If you want, you can go around the streets of the capital city for shopping. O/N at Hotel.
This is a leisure day where you will have enough time to go around to markets in Kathmandu to top up your luggage with souvenirs to be taken back home. O/N at Hotel.
As per your flight timings, you will be escorted by one of the representatives of Breakfree Adventures to the international terminal at the Tribhuvan International Airport approximately three hours before your flight schedule from your hotel in Kathmandu. A day to bid farewell to the glorious country situated in the South Asia. While waiting for your flight, you can make plans to venture other destinations of the majestic country in near future.
We hope you had a lovely time with us. Breakfree Adventures would be obliged to be your travel partner during your next adventure in Nepal. Have a safe flight back home!
Cost
What is Included
- Airport pick up / drop off by private vehicle as per the itinerary.
- Accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast as per the itinerary.
- Guided Kathmandu city tours inclusive of private vehicle and guide.
- Kathmandu - Paudi Bazaar & Besi Sahar - Kathmandu by bus.
- Accommodation during the trek at Tent/Camp or Homestay.
- Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek.
- Experienced English speaking trekking guide and necessary porters (1 Porter for 2 trekkers) during the trek including their transportation, food, accommodation, salary, equipments and insurance.
- All trek Permit & national park entrance fees.
- Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) card fees. (Please bring 2 passport size photos for TIMS & Permit)
- First Aid medical kit.
- Duffle bag, down jacket, sleeping bag and walking pole.
- Breakfree Adventures T-shirt, trekking map and trip achievement certificate.
- Farewell dinner in Authentic Nepali Restaurant.
- All government taxes, VAT and office service charge.
What is Not Included
- Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Monuments entrance fees while sightseeing in Kathmandu.
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu if needed.
- Nepal entry visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs for faster service)
- International airfare and travel insurance.
- Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, hot shower etc.)
- Any kind of drinks (tea/coffee, hot chocolate, boiled water, bottle water, cola, beer etc.)
- Tips for guide driver and porter.
Trip Information
We will provide you with comprehensive information on the every trek and tour we arrange. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require more information or have any questions, we are more than happy to assist you in anyway.
When to go:
Spring (February, March, April, May) and Autumn (October, November) are the best seasons for the Dudh Pokhari Trekking. Trekking in summer/monsoon (June, July) will be affected by rain but summer trek could be a boon for a keen botanist. The trekking routes are crowded during spring and autumn but during monsoon and winter the routes are not packed and you could enjoy rather best of nature.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is highly recommended and is in fact compulsory should you be going trekking, rafting, paragliding etc. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter rescue, loss of luggage, etc. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please check with your insurance company that adventure activities and trekking above 3000m are covered in your policy, as some companies do not cover such things. You must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you on the holiday; if you cannot provide this at the start of the holiday, you will be required to take out a suitable policy at that time.
Meals and Accommodation:
In Kathmandu, we normally use 3 stars hotel with breakfast but can upgrade upon request. During the Dudh Pokhari Trekking, we provide the best available camping tents (twin sharing), kitchen equipment, toilet & dining tents. If you are travelling in a group, you will share a tent with someone else of the same gender from your group. If you prefer a single tent, you may indicate your preference on request and pay a supplement. So in this arrangement overnight halts will be as fully organized camping program.
We provide quality food in sufficient quantities (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on a set menu prepared by our experienced cook & kitchen staff. Cup of tea or coffee is also included with meals. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive but it will be wholesome & nutritious with variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup & seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. You can ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills.
Fitness and Experience Required:
Our 16 days Dudh Pokhari Trekking is strenuous trek suitable for passionate walkers who have ability to walk at least 5-6 hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitude is physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have positive attitude, self confidence and strong determination, you can accomplish the 16 days Dudh Pokhari Trekking successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior of the trip are good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood disease should inform us before booking the trek.
The Trekking Group:
For the Dudh Pokhari Trekking, there will be one Guide, assistant Guide (6 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and porter for luggage carrying (2 trekkers: 1 porter). This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group is sick; the trip can still go ahead as planned. We can run the Dudh Pokhari Trekking for group of any size, but generally have a maximum of sixteen people, as we’ve found this to be the optimum size for a successful trip. However, if you’d like to make a group booking for more than twelve people together, we can arrange this too.
Trekking Guides and Staff:
The most significant thing that makes your Dudh Pokhari Trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable is the expert, experienced, courteous and helpful trek and Guide and the crew members who have ability of operating your days in the mountain smoothly. Your trip will be led by the best and most professional Guide. All of our Trekking Guides are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, Guiding skills and personal aptitude. With an objective of sustaining local communities Breakfree Adventures employs staffs who have plenty of knowledgeable about culture, flora and fauna, geography, and history of Nepal. Trekking Guide of Breakfree Adventures are also trained with following trainings to make them educated on potential medical issues during their trek, biodiversity and environmental issues, English language, etc:
Intensive Wilderness First Aid – KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
Trekking Guide Training – Nepal Governments Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management and Tourism Training Centre of Nepal
Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
English Language – KEEP (Kathmandu environment education project)
Conservation and Biodiversity TAAN
Rock, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (Climbing leaders) Nepal Mountaineering Association
Our Trekking Guides obviously speak English sufficient enough to communicate but please consider this is not our mother language. The guides and porters know the routes and locality like the back of their hand, they practice the local culture themselves and they are extremely passionate about their country and its cultural aspects.
Climate and Weather:
The climate of Nepal is as varied as its geography. The low-lying Terai has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate. The Himalayan foothills, where most of our treks take place, are best in the cool dry season from September to May. The traditional trekking season in Nepal is late September to December, with October and November generally recognized as having the best weather. Spring is also a popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom. The visibility is good and days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters.
Himalayan weather can be unpredictable where nights are generally cooler and days warmer. It’s a bit colder during the winter season (Jan to Feb) but days can be quite warm and lovely if the sun is shining. You can expect a bit of snow in the months of January/February and December. Expect the unexpected! The temperature could be as high as 20 deg C to -15 deg C low.
Safety and Security:
Security and safety are a high priority of our company however there are risks associated with adventure travel, that you should consider before booking .Our trip operators constantly monitor their areas of operation and will cancel or re-route a trip if they feel a destination is unsafe. The decision to travel to a particular country or region is a personnel one.
Responsible Travel
Breakfree Adventures is a leading trekking and travel agency with dedicated travel Professionals who are well trained to give you the best of what Nepal has to offer. Our professional team follows a social philosophy that accepts responsibility for the local people and the environment in which we work. We respect the natural environment and the culture of our country, and we help travellers from around the world discover the natural beauty and cultural treasures of Nepal. We know that responsible travel tries to minimize the impact of tourism on the environment and maximize employment and income-generating opportunities for local communities. The whole of Nepal, including those living in remote rural areas that have very few other opportunities for development, benefits from sustainable tourism.
Breakfree Adventures is passionate about preserving the environment. As responsible tour guides in Nepal, we strive to maintain a symbiotic relationship with the local communities through which we travel. While trekking to different destinations, we choose environmentally- friendly lodges that respect the needs of their staff members. We take care of our staff as well as our valued clients. During our treks and other trips, we follow a zero garbage policy (“pack in, pack out”) and leave nothing behind in the campsites. We always welcome your feedback and comments regarding responsible travel, so please send an e-mail to let us know what you think.
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