SHEY SHIKHAR TREK AND CLIMBING ADVENTURE Overview
Shey Shikhar Peak Trek & Climb, an adventure of a lifetime experience around the far wild-west of Nepal Himalaya. A beautiful area of Dolpo, where walk and climb lead to far hidden corners around scenic country of Lower Dolpo.
Shey Shikhar Peak, one of the least ventured and climbed mountains within the Kanjiruwa Himal range. Shey Shikhar Peak rises at 6,139 m /20, 141 feet high above Phoksundo Lake around scenic areas of Lower Dolpo.
A stunning peak towers high in between Kanjiruwa-II, which is at 6,612 m, and Tsho Karpo Kang 6,557 m. The first ascent by Japanese mountaineer Katsuhito Fujikawa in 1971 before the peak was opened for the climb in 2002.
The climbing grade is classified as PD + ‘Per Difficule with plus, a straight-forward climb with some technical difficulty to encounter. The climb leads over ice, rocks, and snow slopes with a vertical face of 50-60° angle, to reach the summit.
The grading from French and Swiss Alpine Climbing Classification Systems, which is popular worldwide on an alpine-style climb.
An interesting and exciting peak to dare, on an unknown peak of Nepal Far Western Himalaya, within its pristine location.
Shey Shikhar Peak Trek & Climb begins with a sweeping scenic flight to Nepalgunj city airport, situated Far South West Nepal. Where another connecting flight reaches Dolpo at Jhupal airport, where our adventure starts heading towards our major destination.
The journey leads through rural villages with tended farm terraces then reaches Dunai, a large town and headquarter of the Dolpo area. From Dunai heading towards farm country with ups and downhill, past nice typical hill villages of Chepka and Samdua. Leaving the main trail heading higher to isolated corners as the route diverts from Phoksundo Lake and Ringmo village routes.
The adventure follows to a last remote village at Daja, altitude gains slowly as walk leads to cooler higher country. The walk leads closer towards Kanjiruwa Himal range, reaching a glacial small lake at Chhowamb Tal, after following Pu-Phu Khola/stream. From here short distance to set our base camp right beneath towering Shey Shikhar Peak within rocky and icy moraine.
At base camp staying for some days with full preparations for the climb, getting busy ferrying camping equipment. Including carrying food to higher advanced camps, as the climb to the summit leads to some technical difficulties.
After having acclimatization days with practice exercise and checking the best possible accessible and safer routes to the summit. On a clear fine morning start the big day of the adventure, a climb leads to a steep crest above.
As climb leads to a narrow section stretches a kilometer long, with precipitous drops on both sides of a ridge. Finally reaching the summit of Shey Shikhar Peak, after a tough strenuous struggle, rewards with spectacular scenery.
From the top feeling in high spirits enjoy a glorious vista of snow-capped peaks that surrounds. Overlooking beautiful landscape scenery far and wide areas of Dolpo and its dramatic country with deep valleys and rolling hills.
Feeling on top of the world, descend safely to High Camp and then at base camp for the return journey. After a great feat ascent of Shey Shikhar Peak taking an alternative route to Dunai and Jhupal. The journey continues heading towards beautiful turquoise-colored Phoksundo Lake and visiting a nice Ringmo village enriched with age-old culture.
The adventure then heads to cross over Baga-La 5,350 m and Numa-La 5,309 m high to lovely Tokyu, a large village. One of the largest settlements around Dolpo, with time here to observe local traditional life of great cultural interest. After Tokyu walk leads on a wide long valley of Dho-Tarap to another exciting village of Tarakot.
Slowly our adventurous treks come to an end heading towards Dunai and back at Jhupal for the last overnight around Dolpo. Next morning a scenic flight brings you to Kathmandu, completing our memorable adventure on Shey Shikhar Peak Trek and Climb.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Tour of Kathmandu heritage sites of great interest.
Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj city airport and transfer to hotel (50 mins flight)
Day 04: Fly to Jhupal 2, 475 m and drive to Dunai 2,140 m -02 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Trek to Chepkpa 2,678 m – 06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Samdua village 2,960 m – 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Daja 3,425 m – 06 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Chhowamb Tal 4, 040 m via Pu-Phu Khola-06 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Shey Shikhar Base Camp 4,150 m – 04 hrs.
Day 10: At Base Camp rest day for acclimatization and preparation.
Day 11-12: At Base Camp ferrying the equipment to higher camps.
Day 13: Climb to High Camp 4, 580 m-04 hrs.
Day 14: Rest day to scout the route of climb and final preparations.
Day 15: Summit day to Shey Shikhar top at 6,139 m /20, 141 feet.
Day 16: Reserve day in case of unfavorable bad weather condition.
Day 17: Descend from High Camp to Base Camp.
Day 18: Clean-up day at base camp and packing.
Day 19: Trek back to Daja – 06 hrs.
Day 20: Trek to Pungmo 3,650 m – 06 hrs.
Day 21: Trek to Ringmo Gaon 3, 733 m 05 hrs.
Day 22: Rest day in Ringmo explore the Shey Phoksundo Lake,
Day 23: Trek to Temche 3,995 m – 05 hrs.
Day 24: Cross Baga-La 5,169 m and camp at Danigar 4,512 m – 06 hrs.
Day 25: Cross Numa-La 5,309 m and camp at base (Phedi) 4,440 m – 06 hrs.
Day 26: Trek to Tokyu Gaon 4,209 m via Khanger – 06 hrs.
Day 27: Trek to Dho Tarap 3, 944 m- 05 hrs.
Day 28: Trek to Ghyamgar 3,759 m – 07 hrs.
Day 29: Trek to Tarap Khola 3,652 via Chhyugar 3,440 m – 06 hours.
Day 30: Trek to Tarakot 2,540 m – 06 hrs.
Day 31: Trek to Dunai 2,140 m 4 hours, drive to Jhupal 2,475 m – 02 hrs.
Day 32: Fly to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj and transfer to hotel.
Day 33: Free day in Kathmandu for individual activities.
Day 34: International Departure homeward bound.
Best seasons for Shey Shikhar Peak and Dolpo Trek:
The best time for this long and wonderful adventure is in the spring and autumn seasons, from March to May, and autumn/fall begins from September to November months.
Springtime from March to May will be much lively with wildflowers in seasonal bloom, especially the magnolia and rhododendrons the national flower of Nepal.
March to May fine clear day most of the time, with longer sun-light hours but can get overcast in the late afternoon with chances of snow sometimes on high altitude areas as well on passes. Autumn / Falls another best time for this trek with a fine clear day for views and walks. But days are shorter with sun-light hours, morning, late afternoon, and nighttime temperatures drop to freezing cold around the higher region with the bright starry night sky. Chances of snow on trails as well on passes. The climb to Shey Shikhar Peak can be visited during monsoon time of June to August also, as Dolpo area falls within rain shadow area. Where southern monsoon dark rain clouds blocked by high Himalayan mountain range that is why the area is mostly dry and arid like a moon-scape.
Religion and Culture:
Far North West Nepal around Jumla and Dolpo districts populated by Bhotia and Hindu Thakuri, Roka Chettries the mid-hill tribes. The higher region around Dolpo, inhabited by the Bhot people of Tibetan origin, follows strong Buddhism religion as well Bon a pre-Buddhism sect with an age-old culture similar to their predecessors Tibetan. On this trek and climb you will notice traditionally built houses, where every home is adorned with Buddhist prayer flags and religious monuments with old monasteries of great cultural and religious interest
Please Note:
As this adventurous trek is different to other normal trekking, where trekking hours, altitude and places for overnight camp might differ on actual walk.
This trek is more of an exploration around least visited region of Dolpo region within undisturbed and pristine location.
Have Questions?
