Dolpo to Rara via Kagmara Pass Trek - 25 Days

Dolpo · 25 Days

Dolpo to Rara via Kagmara Pass Trek - 25 Days

· Strenuous · Max altitude 5,115m (16,781 ft) at Kagmara Pass · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

25 Days

Max Altitude

5,115m (16,781 ft)

at Kagmara Pass

Grade

Strenuous

Lodging

Hotel / Teahouse / Tented camp / Homestay

Overview

The Dolpo to Rara via Kagmara Pass Trek is the long traverse that links Nepal's deepest and largest lakes - Phoksundo (deepest at 145m) and Rara (largest by surface area at 10.8 sq km) - in a single 25-day expedition across the country's most remote west. Three districts (Dolpa, Jumla and Mugu), two restricted areas, one 5,115m glacier pass and two flight legs are needed to make it happen.

The route starts with a flight to Juphal, walks the standard Lower Dolpo trail to Ringmo and Phoksundo Lake, then turns west into Pungmo Valley to climb the Kagmara Pass (5,115m) - the trek's crux. From the pass you descend into the Jumla highlands, walk through Sinja Valley and reach Rara Lake on day 18. Three days at the lake include boating and the Murma Top viewpoint, then a flight from Talcha back to Nepalgunj and Kathmandu. Camping-only above Ringmo - there are no lodges on the Kagmara crossing.

Highlights

  • Walk Nepal's two greatest lakes - Phoksundo (deepest) and Rara (largest) - in a single trek
  • Cross the 5,115m Kagmara Pass with full Kanjiroba Himal panorama
  • Visit Ringmo village and the Bon monasteries of Phoksundo
  • Experience the medieval Khasa kingdom landscape of Sinja Valley
  • Three days at Rara Lake including a Murma Top day hike
  • See snow leopard habitat in the Phoksundo-Kanjiroba region
  • Camp in true high-altitude wilderness with no other foreign trekkers
  • Full kitchen crew throughout - fresh meals at every camp
  • Two restricted area permits (Lower Dolpo + Rara/Mugu) in one trek
  • Combination of Bon, Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu cultures across the route

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m)

🍽 None included

Airport pickup and hotel transfer.

Day 2

Kathmandu sightseeing and trek brief

🍽 Breakfast

Half-day heritage tour and permit work.

Day 3

Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m)

🍽 Breakfast

Domestic flight to the Terai gateway.

Day 4

Fly Nepalgunj to Juphal (2,475m), trek to Dunai (2,140m)

⏱ 3 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning STOL flight, gentle descent to Dunai.

Day 5

Trek Dunai to Chhepka (2,838m)

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk into the Phoksundo Khola valley.

Day 6

Trek Chhepka to Phoksundo Lake (3,612m)

⏱ 7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pass the spectacular Phoksundo waterfall and enter Ringmo village.

Day 7

Rest day at Phoksundo

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit Bon monastery, walk the lake shore.

Day 8

Trek Phoksundo to Pungmo (3,170m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Turn west into the Pungmo valley.

Day 9

Trek Pungmo to Kagmara Phedi (4,250m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb into the Kagmara approach.

Day 10

Trek Kagmara Phedi to High Camp (4,800m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final position camp.

Day 11

Cross Kagmara Pass (5,115m) and descend to Kagmara Phedi (Mugu side)

⏱ 9-10 hours ▲ 5,115m 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The big day. Pre-dawn start, summit pass photos, long descent.

Day 12

Trek to Toijem (3,330m)

⏱ 6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue descent into the Mugu watershed.

Day 13

Trek Toijem to Rimi

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reach the first Jumla-district villages.

Day 14

Trek Rimi to Chautha

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk through Khas heartland.

Day 15

Trek Chautha to Sinja (2,500m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reach the historic Khasa kingdom capital.

Day 16

Trek Sinja to Bumra

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb toward the Rara approach.

Day 17

Trek Bumra to Ghorosingha (3,200m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

High-meadow camp.

Day 18

Trek Ghorosingha to Rara Lake (2,990m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend to Nepal's largest lake.

Day 19

Rest day at Rara - Murma Top hike (3,720m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day hike for the panoramic lake-and-Saipal-Himal view.

Day 20

Rara boating and exploration

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Boat on the lake, walk the south shore.

Day 21

Trek Rara to Talcha airport (2,740m)

⏱ 4 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Short walk to the STOL strip.

Day 22

Fly Talcha to Nepalgunj, fly to Kathmandu

🍽 Breakfast

Two flights to return to the capital.

Day 23

Rest day in Kathmandu

🍽 Breakfast

Spare day for weather contingency.

Day 24

Free day in Kathmandu

🍽 Breakfast

Shopping, spa, farewell dinner.

Day 25

Departure

🍽 Breakfast

Airport transfer for your onward flight.

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What's included

Included

  • Airport pickups in Kathmandu
  • 3 nights twin-share 3-star Kathmandu hotel
  • 2 nights twin-share Nepalgunj hotel
  • Domestic flights Kathmandu-Nepalgunj-Juphal and Talcha-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu
  • Full tented camp with all equipment
  • Teahouse and homestay lodging where available
  • All three meals during the trek
  • Trek leader, assistant guide, cook, kitchen team and porters
  • Shey-Phoksundo National Park entry
  • Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit
  • Rara National Park entry
  • All applicable taxes
  • HHT duffel bag and trek certificate

Not included

  • International airfare
  • Nepal visa fee
  • Travel and rescue insurance (compulsory)
  • Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj
  • Bottled drinks, alcohol
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Tips for the trek crew

Trek guide

The Two Great Lakes

  • Phoksundo Lake (3,612m) - 145m deep, the deepest lake in Nepal. Brilliant turquoise water inside Shey-Phoksundo National Park. Sacred to Bon practitioners.
  • Rara Lake (2,990m) - Nepal's largest at 10.8 sq km. Sits inside Rara National Park. Famous for fish (asla) and the surrounding pine forests.

The Kagmara Pass

At 5,115m the Kagmara is a non-technical pass but the approach is committing - three days from Ringmo to the pass camp with no settlements en route. From the pass you look back into Dolpo and forward into the Mugu highlands. Snow can linger into June and return by late October.

Sinja Valley

Sinja was the seat of the medieval Khasa kingdom (12th-14th centuries) - the original homeland of the modern Nepali language. Ruins of the old capital remain near the modern town. The Khas language spoken here is the direct ancestor of standard Nepali.

Permits Stack

  • Shey-Phoksundo National Park entry
  • Lower Dolpo Restricted Area Permit (US$20 per day after Day 10)
  • Rara National Park entry
  • TIMS card

Best Season

  • April-June: Spring colours, snow-melt streams full, Kagmara opens
  • September-October: Driest, clearest views, autumn colours at Rara
  • Avoid mid-October to late March (snow on Kagmara, lake-region camping cold)
  • Monsoon is dry in inner Dolpo but Mugu side is wet

Fitness

Strenuous. Daily walking 5-7 hours, 25 consecutive days on the trail, Kagmara pass day 9-10 hours. Prior multi-day altitude experience to 4,500m+ recommended. Cardio 3-4 sessions per week for 3 months minimum.

Packing list

Clothing: -20C down jacket, fleece, soft-shell, waterproof shell, 4 trekking shirts, 3 trousers, thermals (2 sets), 7 pairs socks, beanie, sun hat, balaclava

Footwear: Mid-cut waterproof boots already broken in, camp shoes, gaiters

Accessories: 40L daypack, 60L duffel for porter, -20C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp, glacier sunglasses, 2L water bottles, purification, power bank, hand warmers

Documents: Passport with Nepal visa, insurance certificate with helicopter rescue, 4 passport photos

Medical: Diamox, painkillers, blister care, SPF 50+, lip balm

Frequently asked questions

How committing is this trek?
Very. 25 consecutive days on the trail, two restricted areas, one major pass. This is an expedition-style itinerary.

How is camping past Ringmo?
Full crew, fresh food daily, dedicated toilet tent. The pass-day camp is the most basic.

What if Kagmara is closed by snow?
We have one contingency day. If conditions are unsafe we abandon the crossing and return via Phoksundo to Juphal.

Can flights to Juphal and Talcha be relied on?
Both are weather-dependent STOL strips. We build a 1-day buffer for each. Most groups fly as scheduled.

Will I see snow leopard?
Phoksundo-Kanjiroba is confirmed snow leopard country but sightings are exceptional. Tracks are sometimes visible at the pass camp.

How does this compare to running Lower Dolpo and Rara as separate treks?
Combined saves you 4-5 days, around US$1,500 in permits and flights, and gives you the Kagmara crossing experience that neither standalone trek includes.

Are there homestays?
Yes - in Sinja Valley and at some Mugu villages. The high-altitude camping is unavoidable on the Kagmara crossing.

How cold at the lakes?
Phoksundo nights -5 to -10C in autumn. Rara is warmer at 2,990m - around 0 to -5C.

Can I extend at Rara?
Yes - add 2-3 days for the Rara circumambulation or fishing. Speak to the office.

What about leeches?
Spring and autumn are leech-free. Monsoon brings them out on the lower forest sections.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $3850

per person

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