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TAAN completes Dolpo exploration

A team of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) returned to Kathmandu on August 8 after completing 24-day exploration of the Dolpo Region.

The team led by TAAN President Mahindra Singh Thapa comprised of report writer, cartographer, videographer and photographer along with support staff.

The team entered Dolpa via Jumla airport and progressed through Chharka, Phoksundo, Shey Gumba, Sallaghari, Kangla Pass, Saldang, Dho Tarap, Narpani, Tarako and Duani before flying by to Kathmandu from Juphal airport.

“This trip was focused more on studying the condition of existing trails rather than developing new routes,” President Thapa said, adding that they would recommend the government to lower permit fee to the area so that more trekkers visit the Dolpo region. “This will help uplift socio-economic status of people living in the area.”

Thapa also said they had to enter Dolpo region via Jumla because flights to Juphal airstrip from Nepalgunj were cancelled due to bad weather. “Jumla can be the gateway to Dolpo because it has blacktopped airstrip that can be operated round the year. If it is not possible to fly to Dolpa, we can enter the region via Jumla,” added Thapa. He also said the dirt road between Jumla and Dolpa can be one of the best places in Nepal for mountain biking.

According to Thapa, TAAN will prepare maps, updated itinerary and a documentary to promote trekking and adventure tourism in Dolpa.

TAAN together with SNV Nepal and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is planning to develop existing trails in Dolpo into GHT Cultural Circuit.

The association has been organizing exploration treks in different parts of the country over the past year. It has already explored Kanchanjunga Region, Lower Manaslu and Ganesh Himal Area. It is planning organize similar exploration trip to Humla within a couple of months.