Upper Dolpo Trek - 29 Days

STARTLE YOURSELF BY THE UNCLUTTERED VICINITY OF DOLPA!!

Extended in the vast area of the Mid-Western Region of Nepal, Dolpa is the largest district that is isolated in the Tibetan corner of Nepal. Dolpa is situated in the Shey Phoksundo National park of mid-western Nepal, behind the Dhaulagiri massif, towards the Tibetan plateau which is sliced off by a series of very high passes and is closed due to heavy snow most of the year.

This is a very perfect place if you’re a travel lover who loves the resilient place far away from civilization with modernity. This must be your go-to place in your traveling list.

Overview

UPPER DOLPA TREK: AN ESCAPADE OF TWENTY EIGHT DAYS TO TAKE YOU ANOTHER PART OF WORLD.

Upper Dolpa Trek is an unusual venture to endure different adventure which is both stimulating and spiritually calming. Dolpa region is deemed to be one of the most remote regions of Nepal and contains an abundance of Himalayan peaks, hidden lands, and secluded rural communities. It is one of the few places in the world which is not still hit by globalization, modernity, and development, making this region rare and unique. The biggest national park of Shey Phoksundo spreads over an area of 3555 sq.km and is a haven to blue sheep, musk deer, ghoral, thar, and the beautiful snow leopards.

The extraordinary trek of Upper Dolpa led to the masterpiece “Snow Leopards” by Peter Mathieson, a bestselling spiritual book which describes the remoteness as well as spiritual bliss. The region embraces the deepest lake in Nepal, Phoksundo Lake. The lake is surrounded by jutting crags and is full of captivating turquoise fresh water which can touch the very deep inside of every human heart seeking peace and tranquility. While traveling the ancient monasteries and panoramic mountains of this region, you will face native locals living a semi-nomadic lifestyle based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Due to the severe environment of this region, people residing here have trouble in physical infrastructures but yet they are rich in spiritual wealth.

The people residing Upper Dolpo region are only a few hundred in number and they’re among the world’s highest inhabitants. The settlements in Upper Dolpa are scaled in 4,300m and above. Although the people of Upper Dolpa are poor, this realm is abundant in natural resources. It has an ample amount of green lush meadows, subalpine and alpine forest, and snow-covered alluring mountains which will cheer you up.

Dolpa proffers you with nature in its raw form. The entire district depends on yaks, mules, and horses for transportation. Roads subsist only a few kilometers in lower Dolpa. Upper Dolpa is yet to see a wheel rolling on its land because of its remoteness. So, trekking is the only alternative if you want to travel to Upper Dolpa.

Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m).

Day 02: Exploring and Sightseeing of Kathmandu.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to temperate Nepalgunj (150 m).

Day 04: Fly from Nepalgunj to chilly Juphal (2,499 m) and trek to capital Dunai (2,000 m).

Day 05: Trek from Dunai to alluring Ankhe (2,896 m).

Day 06: Trek from Ankhe to graceful Sulighat (3,180m).

Day 07: Trek from Sulighat to azure Phoksundo Lake (3,612m).

Day 08: Acclimatization Day at Phoksundo Lake (3,612m).

Day 09: Hike from Phoksundo Lake to shining Phoksundo Khola (3,507m).

Day 10: Trek from Phoksundo Khola to alluring Phoksundo Bhanjyang (3,910m).

Day 11: Hike to Shey Gompa (4,500m) via Kang-La pass.

Day 12: Rest day at Shey Gompa and Sightseeing the Crystal Monastery.

Day 13: Trek from Shey Gompa to Namduna Gaon (4,800m) via Saldang La (5,100m)

Day 14: Trek from Namduna Gaon towards Saldang (3,620m).

Day 15: Tour from Saldang to Yangze Gompa (4,960m).

Day 16: Trek from Yangze Gompa towards Sibu (4,560m).

Day 17: Hike from Sibu to Jeng-la Phedi (4,900m).

Day 18: Trek Jeng-la Phedi to Tokyu Gaon (4,209m) via Jeng la pass (5,100m).

Day 19: Walk from Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap(4,040m).

Day 20: Rest Day at Dho Tarap and Exploration surroundings.

Day 21: Hike from Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola (3,800m).

Day 22: Walk from Tarap Khola to Khanigaon (3,150m).

Day 23: Trek from Khanigaon towards Tarakot (2,537m).

Day 24: Trek from Tarakot into Dunai (2,850m).

Day 25: Walk from Dunai towards Juphal (2,499 m).

Day 26: Flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj (150 m) and to Kathmandu.

Day 27: Leisure day in Kathmandu (1,400m) for exploring and shopping.

Day 28: Departure at an International airport.

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu

After arriving in the lovely capital if Nepal via Tribhuwan International Airport, our agents will be there to receive you and transfer you to one of the standard hotels of Kathmandu.

Day 2
Exploring and Sightseeing of Kathmandu.

You’ll have a very wonderful time exploring some of the greatest cultural and historical heritages of Kathmandu. Have a very gracious time and prepare for your trekking by buying some of the crucial recommended gears.

Day 3
Fly from Kathmandu to temperate Nepalgunj (150 m).

You will have a flight of 45 minutes to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is a sultry city in the Mid-Western Terai. It lies in the region of the Nepal-India border and is a major city in the Mid-Western region. Bardia National Park is also pretty near to Nepalgunj. Taking an evening walk is recommended. Overnight at Hotel in Nepalgunj.

Day 4
Fly from Nepalgunj to chilly Juphal (2,499 m) and trek to capital Dunai (2,000m).

In the early alluring morning, you will be traveling to Juphal Airport from Nepalgunj. You fly over amazing panoramas witnessing Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. Juphal Airport is the only airport in Dolpa. It was also the only place to depend on for Dolpo locals to connect to other parts of Nepal. This airport has given Dolpo people a glimpse of hope that they will have alternative transport options as well. After you arrive at Juphal, you will hike for 2-3 hours to reach Dunai, headquarters of Dolpa.

Day 5
Trek from Dunai to alluring Ankhe (2,896 m).

On the following day, the trek begins towards Ankhe. You will pass the new suspension bridge, turn west and accompany the trail. You’ll begin ascending to reach a ridge and enter into Phoksundo River Valley. The trek then passes through another elevation, a canyon, then reach Rahagaon. After that, you will travel through a dense forest to Ankhe. The territory of Shey-Phoksundo National Park starts from Ankhe. The trek will last for 5-6 hrs. Overnight in Ankhe.

Day 6
Trek from Ankhe to graceful Sulighat (3,180m).

In another subsequent day, you will trek through a trail passing through woods and many rivulets. A river runs alongside the rocky trail. You will then trek to Ryajik and then to Sulighat to spend the sixth night of your trip in tented camp. The hike lasts for 5-6 hrs.

Day 7
Trek from Sulighat to azure Phoksundo Lake (3,612m).

On the seventh day, you hike along the valley to the intersection of Phoksundo River and Pungo River. After you pass a wooden bridge, you trek alongside Pungmo River to Phoksundo Lake. The hike lasts for 5-6 hours.

Day 8
Acclimatization Day at Phoksundo Lake.

You have hiked a long way to Shey Phoksundo Lake. The lake is at an elevation of 3611 meters. So, today is well- deserved rest and acclimatization day. You can travel to the area around Shey Phoksundo Lake. This amazing turquoise-colored lake is a blissful scene to observe. You can visit Ringmo village and a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in its vicinity. You can dive into the culture and traditions of people.

Day 9
Hike from Phoksundo Lake to shining Phoksundo Khola (3,507m).

An astounding day ninth, the trail flanks the Shey Phoksundo Lake from the western side. You will trek through the path of rocky hills of the western end of the lake. The trail moves through a lush grassland to the floodplain of Phoksundo Khola. Trek will continue up to 5- 6 hours.

Day 10
Trek from Phoksundo Khola to alluring Phoksundo Bhanjyang (3,910m).

On the alluring tenth day, you walk through a glacial valley heading north and reach the junction of the Phoksundo River and a stream. As you cross the bridge, you hike towards the north-east direction and start an uphill climb. As you climb to the top of a steep gorge, you can observe Kang-La pass from the head. Trek lasts for 6-7 hrs.

Day 11
Hike to Shey Gompa (4,500m) via Kang-La pass (5,300m).

On the alluring eleventh morning, a hike through, a difficult trail will take you to Kang-La Pass. Kang-La Pass is at an elevation of 5,360 meters from where you can have an attractive view of deserted valleys, Crystal Mountain, and U-shaped canyon towards Shey-Gompa. As you walk through small huts, a red Buddhist shrine welcomes you to Shey Gompa. The trek lasts for 5-6 hrs.

Day 12
Rest day at Shey Gompa and Sightseeing the Crystal Monastery.

You have walked tirelessly for days on high altitudes. So, you will have a well-deserved rest in Shey Gompa to make sure your body acclimatizes with the change in altitude. Wander around the area and travel Shey Gompa. Shey Gompa is the most popular monastery in Upper Dolpo. At the east of Shey Gompa lies Crystal Mountain (Ribo Drugta). Enjoy the panorama. Overnight at Teahouse.

Day 13
Trek from Shey Gompa to Namduna Gaon (4,800m) via Saldang La (5,100m)

In lovely day thirteenth, you trek through a trail that passes amid Juniper forest leading to a rocky gorge. You trek through a meandering trail to reach the top of Saldang-La Pass. Then, the trail descends for a long time towards north to Namduna Gaun. You can visit the Namgung monastery rested on the northern wall of a ridge. The trek lasts for 6-7 hrs. Overnight in Namduna Gaun.

Day 14
Trek from Namduna Gaon towards Saldang (3,620m).

In the beautiful morning, you begin your trek by ascending barren hills for hours. After 3-4 hours of hike, you start to see Saldang Village which extends through a slope above Namga River. Saldang Village is the largest village of Inner Dolpo. This is home to nearly 600 people. Encompassed by terraced fields, Saldang is an agriculturally flourishing settlement of Inner Dolpo. Overnight stay in Saldang Village.

Day 15
Tour from Saldang to Yangze Gompa (4,960m).

The third week/ the beautiful fifteenth day of your trek starts from Saldang village to further unexplored areas in the north. You follow the Nang Chu River on your path to Tiling and Lurigaon village. You walk moreover to the Yangze village. Here, you can discover the Yangze region, Bon-Po monastery, and Panzang River. Overnight in Yangze village.

Day 16
Trek from Yangze Gompa towards Sibu (4,560m).

From Yangze, you have some of the paths to Sibu. The longer path crosses through Nishalgaon and Shimengaon to Sibu. We pick the shorter trail by returning our path to Saldang village. The trail then heads to Namdo village which has around 400 residents and stretches over 5 km. There is a Namdo monastery near the Nam Khong River. You then hike for two more hours to enter Sibu. Overnight at Sibu.

Day 17
Hike from Sibu to Jeng-la Phedi (4,900m).

On the seventeenth day, you rise your trek following the Nam Khong River. On the way, you may see caravans of yak’s mobs. After a few hours of trek, you arrive at an intersection of two small streams. You then begin ascending to the base of Jeng La pass. Overnight in Jeng-La Phedi.

Day 18
Trek Jeng-la Phedi to Tokyu Gaon via Jeng la pass.

The day begins ascending to the top of Jeng La Pass that takes about two hours. From Jeng La Pass, you can behold pictorial views of Dhaulagiri massif. After that, you descend towards Tarap valley. As you reach a rivulet, you follow the stream to Tokyu village. Overnight in Tokyu village.

Day 19
Trek Jeng-la Phedi to Tokyu Gaon (4,209m) via Jeng la pass (5,100m).

The path in this region is an accessible one. You walk through the broad fertile valley exploring several chortens on the way. About 4-5 hours of the hike will take you to Dho Tarap. Overnight in Dho Tarap.

Day 20
Walk from Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap(4,040m).

Today we enter different countryside: marshes and grasses line the river banks. Overnight in Dho Tarap.

Day 21
Rest Day at Dho Tarap and Exploration surroundings.

We consume the twentieth day resting in Dho Tarap (4080m). You can travel to the village, visit the gompas, and exchange cultures. Dho Tarap – one of the highest settlements of the world, is the junction of tracks leading to Mustang, Jomsom, and Tibet. Dwellers consist of mostly Magars and Tibetans. There are a lot of Buddhist shrines in Dho Tarap. Bon Gompa in Dho Tarap is a famous one.

Day 22
Hike from Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola (3,800m).

You begin the next day trek descending towards a valley that eventually turns into a canyon as you trek more. The trek crosses through bushes of junipers and ultimately leads to the terminal of Tarap Chu and the Lang Khola. You then arrive at Kamakharka for ending the trek. Overnight in a tent in Kamakharka.

Day 23
Walk from Tarap Khola to Khanigaon (3,150m).

You hike alongside gorge of Tarap Khola. The canyon sometimes gets so steep that you can cross the river with a jump. So, hiking alongside the gorge can be breathtaking. As you arrive Khanigaun, you halt your trek there. Overnight stay in Khanigaun.

Day 24
Trek from Khanigaon towards Tarakot (2,537m).

You begin your day trek accompanying a trail to Lalberi village. Then, you move through a forest, descend to a ravine then hike alongside the river. You then arrive in Tarakot after a total of 4-5 hours of trek from Khanigaun. Tarakot is a little town that once used to be a fortress. It used to be the capital of Tichorung Kingdom and was a famous trading point. Although it has dropped the energy it used to share, it still has the charm to captivate travelers. Overnight in Tarakot.

Day 25
Trek from Tarakot into Dunai (2,850m).

After morning energizing breakfast, you follow the Bheri River crossing through several gorges, villages, and bridges to arrive Dunai. You cross by Lawan village, Byas Gadi, and Lochakhola Gaon to eventually reach Dunai, capital of Dolpa. Overnight at Dunai.

Day 26
Walk from Dunai towards Juphal (2,499 m).

The path following the Thuli Bheri continues. You pass through Dhupichaur, Rupgad, Kalagaonda, and Motipur to ultimately arrive in Juphal. The long and arduous trek finally terminates at Juphal. The walk lasts for 2-3hrs. Overnight in Juphal.

Day 27
Flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj (150m) and to Kathmandu (1,400m).

You will catch the first flight accessible from Juphal to Nepalgunj. Then, you will board the flight to Kathmandu on the same day. Overnight at Kathmandu.

Day 28
Leisure day in Kathmandu for exploring and shopping.

Enjoy your day in Kathmandu. Book some spa or sauna to freshen yourself up before returning back to your home country. Shop the beautiful indigenous goods from Kathmandu like Pashmina. Have a wonderful time at the last day in Nepal.

Day 29
Departure at an International airport.

You’ll be heading back to your home by bidding farewell to Nepal and its amazing hospitable people. Make sure you open the suitcase of beautiful memories you cratered in Nepal.

Cost Included

  • Airport picks up and drops by tourist car
  • Welcome dinner at typical Nepali Restaurant
  • Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley by tourist vehicle
  • 3 Nights accommodation in Kathmandu with Breakfast
  • One English Speaking Govt. License holder Trekking Guide
  • Trekking Permit and TIMS permit
  • Trekking Porters, Kitchen boy, cook, sherpas
  • Necessary of mules, food and Kitchen/dining /camping gears
  • Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner with hot drinks during treks
  • First Aid Kit and Trekking Duffel Bag for Porters
  • Sleeping tent, Kitchen tent, dinning tent, toilet tent
  • Necessary of camping foods (tourist style), gas, stove
  • Tented accommodation during the trek (2 people=1 tent)
  • All necessary land transport by tourist vehicles
  • Nepali staff salary, food, accommodation, Insurance, equipments.
  • Sleeping Bags and Down Jacket (to be return after trek)
  • Government Taxes and paper works.

Cost Excluded

  • International airfare and Nepal Visa Fee
  • Food in Kathmandu and Pokhara accept Breakfast
  • Personal expenses: (Laundry, phone calls, dry foods, cold drinks, bar bills)
  • Temple/Monastery entrance fees
  • Extra night of Accommodation and extra days of the trek
  • Travel Insurance and rescue flights
  • Late arrival and late departure extra night
  • Additional activities (Safari-Bungee-Paragliding-Rafting and so on..)
  • Tipping to Nepali staff (Guide and Porters)

What we Need?

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Equipment:

Day pack for your personal important things
Good Trekking Boots & Camping shoes/sandal
Socks-polypropylene, Down Jacket
Fleece-shirts, trekking trousers
Shorts, Swimwear, Sun Hat, Woolen cap
Nylon Windbreaker, Gloves, Snow Gaiters
Sleeping Bag, Rain cost
Torch/headlamp (with spare batteries)
Toiletries/soap, Toilet paper, Sunblock
Travel Towel, Wet-wipes
Personal Medication, Sunglasses
Camera & lenses, Memory cards
GPS Tracking Units may be helpful, Altimeter
Book/music player/pack of cards
A plastic bag for waste, Energy/snack bars
Trekking stick and, water bottle

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Upper Dolpo Trek
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$ 3,200 $ 2,880 Per Person
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$ 2,880 Per Adult
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Trip Facts

  • Tourist Vehicle, domestic flight
  • 2-20
  • Hotel and Tea House Lodges, Tent Camp
  • Moderate
  • Kathmandu Airport
  • Kathmandu Airport
  • Autumn & Spring
  • Trained Trekking Guide
  • Trekking
  • 3 meals a day
  • English