Wilderness Ridge – The Jal Jale Pokhari 4000m.

Summary
The Jal Jale Himalayas are located between the Makalu and Kanchanjunga Himalayas. They range from 4000m – 5000m and consist of Rocky Peaks, Yak Pastures, mountain lakes and hidden valleys. This is a very remote area with incredible beauty. It is far away from the tourist areas and maybe sees a few groups visiting the area every few years

Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport

Day 2 Domestic Flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and then Land Rover from Biratnagar to Basantapur. Lunch in Dharan and then a tour of a Nepalese Khukuri Factory, before heading in to the hills on our way to Basantapur a very interesting visit to a Khukuri Factory that uses centuries old crafts techniques

Day 3 Hike from Basantapur to Chaukie.
A gentle start to the top of the Tinjuri Ridge with lunch at Panch Pokhari and views of The Makalu Himalayas before hiking down on to the Milkie Dhara ridge and through Rhododendran Forest to the village of Chaukie, where we spend the night. Makalu is the 5th highest Mountain in the world standing at 8463m. Walking about 5-6 Hours but with rests stops, photos and lunch it takes all day.

Day 4 Chaukie to Gupha Pokhari.
We continue along the Milkie Dhara ridge arriving at the Village of Gupha Pokhari. From here views of Makalu and the Kanchenjunga Himalayas can be seen. In the afternoon we walk up to the nearby ridge and search for the jungle caves before returning to the Yak Lodge where we meet the rest of our trek Team.Gupha Pokhari is a Sherpa settlement with the name meaning ‘Cave Lake’.
The caves are about 30mins walk away with the Holy Buddhist Lake lying just behind the village. Kanchenjunga is the 3rd Highest Mountain in the World and stands at 8586m. Today’s walking takes about 3-4 Hours. Not including the afternoons cave exploration.

Day 5 Gupha Pokhari – Dow Batto.
We continue along the Milkie Dhara ridge, through Yak pastures and the occasional small settlement. Over lightening Hill (where over time all the trees have been struck by lightening and provide an interesting sight). The end of the day is spent with a short ascent to Dow Batto and our camp for the night. The Milkie Dhara Ridge is internationally renowned for it’s high concentration of Rhododendron Varieties, 28+ Varieties are found on this ridge with new varieties still being discovered. As we are traveling along a ridge, water is a main concern; all our camps are located next to water sources

Day 6 Dow Bhatto – Jal Jale Pokhari.
Continuing along the ridge with small ascents, descents, Yak Pastures and Sub-Alpine forest whilst enjoying views of both the Makalu and Kanchenjunga Himalayas. Jal Jale Pokhari is a high mountain lake and marks the start of the remote Jale Jale Himalaya. An extra day could be spent there exploring the ‘Hidden Valley’, a 98m waterfall and a hundred virgin rock peaks.

Day 7 Jal Jale Pokhari – Rocky Camp.
We follow the ridge deeper into the mountains to an altitude of around 4500m to arrive at our Rocky camp for the night. Rock Peaks surround us, spectacular views in this wilderness world.

Day 8 Rocky Camp – Panch Pokhari / Topkegola
Today we arrive at Beautiful Panch Pokhari (which means - five lakes. They lie
deep in the Mountains and are surrounded by simple Buddhist shrines. Further along the track we reach the Old trade village of Topkegola where we spend the night. Topkegola is an ancient Tibetan trade village that is occupied only part of the year. The houses in the village are all the same; build with animal quarters below and living room above. It is a strange sight to see, as all the houses are all the same design and all face the same direction, away from the direction of the wind. Behind the village is a huge water vall which marks the start of the Mawa River. Extra Day’s could be taken to explore the village of Topkegola and the Panch Pokhari area more.

Day 9 Panch Pokhari / Topkegola - Papung
Our descent now starts and leads us back into thick jungles on our way to the old Sherpa settlement of Papung. The jungle is very thick here and is home to many kinds of wildlife.

Day 10 Papung – Thukima Village
As we descend from Papung we get the chance to pass right by ‘Pung Pungi’ Changa – a 140m Vertical drop waterfall. It is a magnificent sight and named after the defining raw that it produces as it thunders in to the ground. At it’s base there is an old Limbu peoples Kirat Temple. We enter the agricultural zone. Sherpa Families that we met higher up the valley disappear as we enter the Land of The Limbu People.

Day 11 Thukima Village – The Hide Out! Retreat
We leave Thukima village and follow the Mawa River down to its confluence with the Tamor. Before arriving 40mins later at The Hide Out! Wilderness Adventure Retreat. Welcomed by the warm valley and Relaxation and Adventure at The Hide Out! Retreat.

Day 12 the Hide Out! – Relaxation combined with a Cultural Adventure Program run from The Hide Out! Retreat The Hide Out’s Cultural Adventure Program offers a look into what hillside life is all about. It will introduce you to the real people, their culture and show you the beauty and the hardships of rural Nepal.

Day 13 the Hide Out! – Cultural Adventure Program run at The Hide Out! Retreat A combination of Village and home visits, Hillside Crafts, Day Hikes, games and relaxation will give you a chance to unwind and learn more about the hills you have been exploring.

Day 14 the Hide Out! – Cultural Adventure Program run at The Hide Out! Retreat

Day 15 Hike from the Hide Out! to Suketar Airport Or Hike-out via Gorja.
Gorja is on the way to Gupha Pokhari and will lead you eventually to Basantapur, two days later. Hike up hill to Taplejungs Suketar Airport Or A short hike up to the village of Gorja or Bhuji Dhara where we spend the night.

Day 16 From Suketar Airport fly to Biratnagar Airport and then on to Kathmandu Or Continue the Hike-out to Chaukie. Flight from Suketar and then Biratnagar to arrive in Kathmandu Or Continue hike-out to Chaukie where we stay in the Lali Gaurans Lodge.
Day 17 Kathmandu Or continue the Hike Out from Chaukie to Basantapur The Hike out Continues to Basantapur for our last night in the hills before tomorrows flight to Kathmandu
Day 18 Basantapur to Biratnagar Airport and Flight to Kathmandu Or Bus to Dharan and next day to KTM by Express Bus

Day 19 On the other hand, if you prefer to stay longer, you can go for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc).

Cost per person

US$2298.00
Pound £1462.00
EURO€1607.00
Austrian$2298.00
Canadian$2298.00

Fixed group departure 2014:

10th, 20th and 30th March 2014
4th, 15th and 25th April 2014.
14th and 26 May 2014
8thth and 19th September 2014.
12th, 20th and 27 October 2014.
15th November 2014

Fixed group departure 2015:

3rd, 10th, 21st and 28th March 2015
6th, 11th and 20th April 2015
1st, 16th and 23rd May 2015
12th and 25th September 2015.
10th, 23rd and 27 October 2015.
 9th November 2015

For the convenience of our travelers to Nepal and fallow up the fixed departure itinerary of Explore Alpine adventure guarantees all fixed group departures dates.

Group Departures are for an adventurous individual person willing to join a small group of other travelers. We can arrange group trekking tours or individual trekking tours, to suit your requirements. Please you can choose any dates which will be suitable for you and please match your arrival in Kathmandu and departure from Kathmandu.

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation in lodge during the trek period.
  
• Necessary Domestic air tickets and airport tax as per itinerary.
  
• English speaking local expert guide, porters
  
• Accommodation at 3 star hotel in Kathmandu/ Pokhara on double sharing with breakfast as per itinerary.
  
• All guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu/ Pokhara and entry fees as per itinerary.
  
• Airport transfers and escort
  
• Insurance of the guide and porters as per itinerary.
  
• Jungle safari tour as per itinerary with full board and national park fees and all jungle activities including Elephant riding.
  
• Rafting as per itinerary .
  
• All necessary paper works and national park entry permits.
  
• Travel & Rescue arrangement if necessary.
  
• TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System)
  
• All government taxes.
  
• Camping trekking Equipment: Trekking tents, Dining tent, Kitchen Tent, Toilet Tent, Table and chairs, Mattresses during the trekking.

PRICE EXCLUDES:

• International flight & departure tax
  
• Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  
• Personal Trekking gears (available on hire in Nepal)
  
• Tips, any expenses of personal nature, clients insurance.

Equipment List for trekking:

 FOOT WEAR

• Trekking boots: (one pairs), Thick socks (4 pairs)
• Light socks (3 pairs)
• Camp shoes (1 pair)
• Sandals (1 pair)

 CLOTHING

• Down or fiber filled waterproof jacket and trousers (1)
• Fleece jacket or pullover ( 1)
• Warm cotton trousers (2 pairs)
• Shirts and T-shirts ( 4 pieces)
• Lightweight cotton long pants ( 3 pairs)
  
• Long under wear (2 pieces)
• Short under wear (4 pieces)
• Sun hat or scarf ( 1) Woolen hat (1)
• Sunglasses (1)
• Lightweight gloves (1)
• Rain coat(1)
• Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof (1)

OTHER EQUIPMENT

• Sleeping bag (4 seasons) 1
• Down jacket -1
• Day pack – 1
• Water bottle – 1
• Sun cream
• Sunglasses
• Flash light with spare bulbs, batteries, lip salve,  gaiters.

Booking & Payment Conditions

Explore Alpine Adventure and Alpine Explore Nepal tour and trek is a well-known government licensed trekking and touring company in Nepal. We accept your bookings under the following terms and conditions.

1. When you confirmed trip, we need photo copy of your passport and 30% down payment of the total price for advance flight tickets, hotel booking and permit process.

2. Payments can be wired by bank transfer to our company bank account or Master Card and Visa Card. but we give preference bank transfer to our company account.

Please inquiry for bank accounts for your convenience.

3. Bank service charge should be paid by the clients themselves at the time of deposit.

4. In addition, payments can be made by Cash, Travels Cheque, Master Card or Visa Card as well. If you would like to make the payment by Master Card or Visa Card, the cards payment handling bank service charge 3.5% will charge to the card holder. 

5. After receiving photo copy of your passport, and 30% advance form you, we send you final confirmation receipt.

6. Remaining balance can be made after your arrival in Nepal. Full payment should be made before trip departure. Be mindful, we also reserve the right to cancel your trip provided full amount is not paid in time.

7. Travel insurance is compulsory for all Clients undertaking any tour. It should provide adequate protection for the full duration of the tour or Trek to cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter evacuation, loss of luggage, etc.

8. If you wish to arrange your travel insurance from our Company, we will arrange travel insurance for you.

9 Cancellation by the Client: Cancellation of a confirmed booking must be made by the Client in writing either in written documents or on an email. Cancellation shall valid with approval from the company after receiving document. Trip shall then be termed as cancelled and as a cancellation charge, 30% of the trip amount would be deducted from the advance paid.

10 Risk & Liabilities:

We are committed to providing the best services which will give you a once in a life time journey in this connection, we perform our duties honestly & seriously to make your journey very smooth & pleasant. However, the entire programs in Nepal/Tibet/Bhutan are conducted strictly under the rules and regulation of theirs’ own policies.
There for Explore Alpine Adventure and its related organization shall not be responsible for any changes in the itinerary due to unavoidable circumstance such as govt. restriction, Land slide, road blockage, flood, snow political unrest, cancellation of flight, delay, sickness or accident, Any extra cost incurring there of shall be borne by the clients on the spots.

Thank you for choosing Explore Alpine Adventure. We look forward to meet you In Nepal and serve you better.

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