Inner Dolpo (Shey Phoksundo)

The hidden land of Bon. Inner Dolpo is a prehistoric landscape of high-altitude deserts, deep canyons, and ancient monasteries that feels entirely removed from the 21st century. This restricted-area trek traverses the Shey Phoksundo National Park, visiting the legendary Shey Gompa (The Crystal Mountain) and the mesmerizing, deep-blue Phoksundo Lake. It is a world of nomadic traders, Yak caravans, and the ancient Bon religion—a pre-Buddhist faith still alive in these isolated valleys. The terrain is arid and wind-swept, reminiscent of the Tibetan plateau, offering a sense of solitude that is often not feasible to find elsewhere in Nepal.

Following the historic path used by the Army of the Andes in 1817, this 6-day trans-Andean expedition traverses the central cordillera from Mendoza, Argentina, to the Cajón del Maipo in Chile. The route crosses two significant high-altitude barriers—Portillo Argentino (4,330m) and Paso Piuquenes (4,030m). Hikers move through a high desert landscape of volcanic rock, vast glacial valleys, and the powerful Tunuyán River. The terrain consists primarily of rocky mountain paths, loose scree on the steeper pass approaches, and high-altitude plateaus where exposure to wind and sun is constant.