Upper Dolpo to Jomsom trek: Top 10 Wilderness treks by Trek & Mountain magazine

I just read an article in magazine Trek & Mountain's April edition recommending The Mountain Company's Upper Dolpo to Jomsom trek as one of their 10 Best Wilderness treks. Thanks Trek & Mountain and what a great magazine!

Extract from Trek & Mountain April edition:

1. Upper Dolpo, Nepal

One of Nepal's most remote and least inhabited regions.

Go with: The Mountain Company

When to go: Apr-May

How long: 29 days

Level: Strenuous

More info: www.themountaincompany.co.uk

Dolpo is the most remote and least inhabited region of Nepal, and the area has only been accessible to trekkers in the last 20 years. Upper Dolpo has been referred to as the last enclave of pure Tibetan culture, with the landscape, culture and Buddhist religion of the region more like Tibet in pre-Chinese times than the rest of Nepal. Situated between the Tibetan plateau and the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range, this region has a vast and rugged landscape inhabited by a hardy, enterprising folk who live in some of the highest villages of the world. The region is rich in wildlife and you might spot herds of blue sheep, musk deer, Himalayan fox, eagles, lammergeier and of course, the elusive snow leopard.

The Upper Dolpo to Jomsom trek, as run by The Mountain Company, forms part of the Great Himalayan Trail (GHT) and takes a route through a remote area very close to the Tibet border before walking out on the challenging trail to Jomsom in Mustang region. Highlights of the trek include crossing a number of high passes and enjoying the stunningly blue waters of Phoksumdo Lake, with the surrounding snow peaks of Kanjirowa Himalayan range all around.

Our Upper Dolpo to Jomsom trek led by Gary Pfisterer starting on April 29th 2012 is now guaranteed to run and there is currently availability, please get in touch with us soon if you would like to join this group.

Roland Hunter

www.themountaincompany.co.uk

Hindu festival of Holi celebrated in Nepal and India

Photo: enjoying Holi festival on Annapurna Circuit trek

The annual Hindu festival of Holi will be celebrate in Nepal and Northern India on March 8^th 2012. Holi is also known as festival of colours and is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other. Be careful to wear old clothes tomorrow especially if you are walking around Thamel in Kathmandu as well aimed water bombs are likely fall from the roof tops!

Hindus celebrate Holi as the end of winter and to welcome the new colours arriving at the start of Spring season. Holi is a Hindu festival linked to their religion and mythology however is celebrated throughout Nepal as a national festival with many people entering festivities regardless of their religion.

Happy Holi!

Roland Hunter

www.themountaincompany.co.uk

The Mountain Company's Western led treks in 2012

Photo: view from Kesha La on Lunana Snowman trek in Bhutan

So far in 2012 we have had a busy few months organising and marketing our western led treks, for your information I have listed below our trips that are now guaranteed and currently have availability:

April: Dhaulagiri Circuit in Nepal (leader: Jill Lawson)

April/ May: Upper Dolpo to Jomsom in Nepal (leader: Gary Pfisterer)

August: K2 & Gondogoro La in Pakistan ((leader: Chris Horobin)

September/ October: Lunana Snowman in Bhutan (leader: Almas Khan)

October: Dhaulagiri Circuit in Nepal (leader: Paul Burditt)
November: Mera Peak Expedition in Nepal (leader: Roland Hunter)

November/ December: Everest Base Camp in Nepal (leader: Georgina Hobbs)

November/ December: Everest Base camp with Love Hope Strength Foundation (leaders: Adrian Summers and Andrew Peacock)

We have received significant interest in the following treks and require a few more people in order to confirm these departures:

August: Nubra and Shyok Valley in Ladakh, India (leader: Alan Ward)

October: Lemosho Route on Kilimanjaro (Alan Ward)

November: Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal (Alan Ward)

Please get in touch soon if you would like to join any of these trips, or give us a call if you would like to discuss them in more detail.

Roland Hunter

www.themountaincompany.co.uk