A short trek into a stunning region close to the Tibet border.
Dugunagadi Fortress was built in 1854 when the Nepali Army attacked the Bhot (inhabitants of the Tibetan region beyond the Himalaya), their grievance, the treatment of Nepali merchants by the Tibetan authorities. A truce was reached two years later and the fortress abandoned.
Day 1: Arrive at The Borderland Resort from either Kathmandu or the Nepal-Tibet border. Relax in hammocks listening to the sounds of the river rushing by. Sprawling terraces in the sun provide you with the perfect surroundings to unwind and shake your Kathmandu blues or the rigors of your overland journey.
Day 2: After brunch at The Borderland Riverside Resort, your trek starts with a 25-minute bus ride to the Larcha suspension bridge. From here the trail winds through a number of small interesting Buddhist villages, past chortens and Sherpa houses. This historic trail was once the old trade route between Nepal and Tibet. The Dugunagadi Fortress is a maze of crumbling walls strategically situated on a plateau. The views are stunning; during the day one gazes at Tibetan snowcapped peaks and by night, the lights of ZhangMu, the first Tibetan town north of the Friendship Bridge, glisten throughout the dark evening sky. We will spend our first night under the stars here.
Day 3: From the fortress, follow the path through the gate. The gateway is adorned with religious paintings and a colorful Mandala on the roof. The trail ascends to the ‘way of the dead’, a route used for carrying bodies to the religious funeral ceremony. The path slowly ascends to Tasitham a quaint village adorned with fluttering prayer flags. The trail turns and splits; take the lower path and continue on until you reach Chagam. Our evening’s campsite is situated in a schoolyard, a central meeting place for smiling children and villagers alike.
Day 4: One of the highlights of the trek is an ani gompa (woman’s monastery). In the morning we will visit this renowned nunnery housing 300 nuns. Some travel as far away as Lhadakh in order to study and meditate here. The layout of the village is unusual in that each nun has her own house, thus creating a colorful spattering of red, yellow, green and white homes throughout the beautiful countryside. Much of the day’s walk is along carefully sculpted steep terraces with wide-open views of the valley. Day 5: After Listi it is a long steep descent back to The Borderland. Along the route you will pass houses that cling to the sides of the mountains and terraces with sheer drops. On the final approach to the Bhote Kosi there are outstanding views of the valley. Upon reaching the river, we will cross a small bridge over the Kaule Khola, our premiere adventure canyon. You will return to Borderland Riverside Resort in the
afternoon, a perfect time to unwind, have a drink and relax in a hammock after your long trek.
Day 6: After a lunch at The Borderland, you will then depart for Kathmandu.
