Regd. License No.: 212681
Thamel-26
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Upper Dolpo Trek

Key Information

Best Season : September to November, and March to May

Duration : 27 Days

Destination : TIA Kathmandu

Trip Area : Dolpo Region

Group Size : Min 2

Max Altitude : 5,360 meters (Saldang La Pass)

Accomodation : Basic guesthouses and camping

Trip Overview

Nepal has several adventures that are challenging and geographically far from the capital city Kathmandu. Upper Dolpo trek is one of the remote trekking in the western region of Nepal which is physically challenging with abundant landscapes and natural beauty. Upper Dolpo people are highly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism which can be experienced during our trekking. 

Upper Dolpo trek is a restricted and preserved region of Nepal. To trek in this region, a special permit is required which is available through a trekking agency. The main attraction of this trek is Shey Phoksundo Lake which is at an elevation of 3600m. After arrival in Nepal, we prepare for permits and necessary logistics for 20 days long trekking. We start trekking from Juphal, a small airstrip in the Dolpa district. We follow small villages, high mountain passes, several waterfalls, and barren landscapes offering wonderful culture and wild experiences in the remote mountain. 

Shey Phoksundo National Park is the main highlight of this trek, which is a natural habitat of endangered animals snow leopards, and blue sheep. The beautiful Shey Gompa and the Tibetan-influenced villages showcase unique cultures and traditions. 
Experience trekkers and genuine trekking agencies are highly recommended for Upper Dolpo Trek which requires a special permit. The rugged terrain, high altitude, and isolation from other parts of the country make it more challenging. Almost one month-long trekking requires essential types of equipment and proper logistics before proceeding trekking. Most of the night halt is in a camping tent. 

Upper Dolpo Trek

  • 27 Days starting from

  • per person

Itinerary Highlights

  • Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
  • Day 02: Team Interaction, Permit Management, and Verified Final Checklist of Trekking Equipment and Half-day City Tour of Kathmandu
  • Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
  • Day 04: Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal and trek to Dunai (2,850m)
  • Day 05: Trek from Dunai to Ankhe (2,660m)
  • Day 06: Trek from Ankhe to Renje (3,104m)
  • Day 07: Trek from Renje to Phoksundo Lake (3,600m)
  • Day 08: Acclimatization at Phoksundo Lake
  • Day 09: Trek from Phoksundo Lake to Phoksundo Khola (3,507m)
  • Day 10: Trek from Phoksundo Khola to Phoksundo Bhanjyang (4,402m)
  • Day 11: Trek from Phoksundo Bhanjyang to Shey Gompa (4,126m)
  • Day 12: Acclimatization at Shey Gompa
  • Day 13: Trek from Shey Gompa to Namgung (4,400m) via Saldang La (5,200m)
  • Day 14: Trek from Namgung to Saldang (3,903m)
  • Day 15: Trek from Saldang to Yangze Gompa (4,960m)
  • Day 16: Trek from Yangze Gompa to Sibu (4,560m)
  • Day 17: Trek from Sibu to Jeng La Phedi (4,900m)
  • Day 18: Trek from Jeng La Phedi to Tokyu Gaon (4,240m) via Jeng La Pass (5,090m)
  • Day 19: Trek from Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap (4,090m)
  • Day 20: Trek from Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola (3,800m)
  • Day 21: Trek from Tarap Khola to Khanigaon (3,150m)
  • Day 22: Trek from Khanigaon to Tarakot (2,537m)
  • Day 23: Trek from Tarakot to Dunai (2,140m)
  • Day 24: Trek from Dunai to Jhupal (2,320m)
  • Day 25: Fly from Jhupal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
  • Day 26: Explore the history and culture of Kathmandu Valley
  • Day 27: Departure

Detail Itinerary

  • Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

    Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Airport, one of our representatives welcome you and assists you to transfer to the hotel.  Overnight stay at hotel.

  • Day 02: Team Interaction, Permit Management, and Verified Final Checklist of Trekking Equipment and Half-day City Tour of Kathmandu

    The trekkers will have the opportunity to meet their team and interact with each other. In the morning, we process for necessary permits and send office staff to collect them from the authorized office. We arrange and finalize the list of our trekking gear before lunch. In the afternoon, the trekkers will embark on a half-day city tour of Kathmandu, visiting some of the city's historical and cultural landmarks such as Swoyambhunath, Bouddhanath, and Pashupatinath.

  • Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj

    We can stroll around Thamel to Kathmandu Durbar Square in the morning to explore traditional shops and temples. Or we can take a morning flight to Nepalgunj and explore Nepalgunj city. We can explore the traditional alleys of Nepalgunj city and can taste local foods in the street. We will stay in the hotel tonight. 

  • Day 04: Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal and trek to Dunai (2,850m)

    In the early morning. We will have breakfast, and transfer to the airport. We will fly for 45 minutes to Juphal airport in Dolpa District. Juphal airport is at an elevation of 2499m. We start trekking to Dunai, the headquarters of the Dolpa district. We take lunch on the way to Dunai. Overnight, stay in Guesthouse/lodge.

  • Day 05: Trek from Dunai to Ankhe (2,660m)

    After the first day's exciting trekking experience, today we continue trekking to reach Ankhe, a small village. The trail follows a forest of cedar and walnut trees along with Thuli Bheri River. Several times we cross rivers via suspension bridges before reaching Ankhe. Ankhe has few teahouses with basic services. 

  • Day 06: Trek from Ankhe to Renje (3,104m)

    Gradually, our route elevation increases as it offers spectacular views of high mountains and passes through narrow gorges. You'll pass through a forest of fir and juniper trees before reaching the village of Renje, which is situated on a plateau overlooking the valley. Overnight stay at Renje.

  • Day 07: Trek from Renje to Phoksundo Lake (3,600m)

    The trekking trail follows the Phoksundo Khola and passes through a remote village Ringmo. The wait is over, you will see a glimpse of Phoksundo Lake, which is a deep turquoise color and surrounded by high mountains. Overnight stay at a campsite near the lake.

  • Day 08: Acclimatization at Phoksundo Lake

    Either you can sit in a corner of a lake to observe Phoksundo Lake, and how it changes every hour or can hike around the lake to visit the nearby Tibetan Buddhist monastery, which is perched on a cliff overlooking the lake. Overnight stay at a campsite near the lake.

  • Day 09: Trek from Phoksundo Lake to Phoksundo Khola (3,507m)

    The peace and calm of nature are just experienced during two days stay at Phoksundo Lake.  The trekking route descends to the Phoksundo Khola and follows it upstream. Several times we cross a suspension bridge over the river before reaching our campsite tonight. 

  • Day 10: Trek from Phoksundo Khola to Phoksundo Bhanjyang (4,402m)

    We climb to Phoksundo Bhanjyang Pass via a steep trail. From Phoksundo Bhanjyang, the surrounding mountains are splendid to see. Overnight stay at a campsite in a small meadow.

  • Day 11: Trek from Phoksundo Bhanjyang to Shey Gompa (4,126m)

    Today our destination is Shey Gompa, an ancient Buddhist monastery. We enter Shey Phoksundo national park, which is a natural habitat of endangered wild animals such as snow leopards and blue sheep. Explore the Shey Gompa monastery that is perched on a hill overlooking the valley. Overnight stay at a campsite near the monastery.

  • Day 12: Acclimatization at Shey Gompa

    Explore the Shey Gompa and its surrounding. You can visit other sacred places around Gompa and meet local people to know about this place. Overnight stay at a campsite near the monastery.

  • Day 13: Trek from Shey Gompa to Namgung (4,400m) via Saldang La (5,200m)

    We are already at a high altitude as we are walking around 4000m. Today is a quite tough day for us since we are crossing Saldang La Pass which is 5200m, the highest point of this trek. While crossing Saldang La Pass, the panoramic view of Mount Dhaulagiri and Kanjiroba is magnificent. You'll descend to the village of Namgung, which is a traditional Tibetan village with white-washed houses and narrow alleys. Overnight stay in a guesthouse.

  • Day 14: Trek from Namgung to Saldang (3,903m)

    After the thrill and joy of the previous day, trekking, today we are calm and cool. We descend to Saldang village, which is the largest village in the Upper Dolpo region. Saldang is a traditional Tibetan village with impressive mud-brick houses, a gompa (monastery), and a school. Overnight stay in a guesthouse.

  • Day 15: Trek from Saldang to Yangze Gompa (4,960m)

    Again we start to ascend above 4000m. The trail follows the Nang Chu River and passes through small villages and pastures. You'll visit the Yangze Gompa, which is an ancient Buddhist monastery settled on a rocky cliff. Overnight stay at a campsite.

  • Day 16: Trek from Yangze Gompa to Sibu (4,560m)

    The trail descends to the Sibu village, which is a small settlement of traditional Tibetan houses. You'll cross the river on a wooden bridge and set up your campsite for the night.

  • Day 17: Trek from Sibu to Jeng La Phedi (4,900m)

    The trail ascends to the Jeng La Pass, which offers a spectacular view of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Mountain ranges. You'll set up your campsite at the base of the pass.

  • Day 18: Trek from Jeng La Phedi to Tokyu Gaon (4,240m) via Jeng La Pass (5,090m)

    The trail ascends to the Jeng La Pass, which is the last pass of the trek. From here, you'll get a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. You'll descend to the village of Tokyu Gaon, which is a traditional Tibetan village with a gompa and a school. You'll spend the night in a guesthouse.

  • Day 19: Trek from Tokyu Gaon to Dho Tarap (4,090m)

    The trail descends to the village of Dho Tarap, which is the largest village in the Dolpo region. Dho Tarap is a traditional Tibetan village with impressive mud-brick houses, a gompa, and a school. You'll spend the night in a guesthouse.

  • Day 20: Trek from Dho Tarap to Tarap Khola (3,800m)

    The trail follows the Tarap Khola and passes through small villages and pastures. You'll set up your campsite near the river.

  • Day 21: Trek from Tarap Khola to Khanigaon (3,150m)

    The trail descends to the village of Khanigaon, which is a small settlement of traditional Tibetan houses. You'll spend the night in a guesthouse.

  • Day 22: Trek from Khanigaon to Tarakot (2,537m)

    The trail follows the Barbung Khola and passes through small villages and pastures. You'll visit the Tarakot Gompa, which is an ancient Buddhist monastery perched on a rocky cliff. You'll spend the night in a guesthouse.

  • Day 23: Trek from Tarakot to Dunai (2,140m)

    The trail descends to the village of Dunai, which is the administrative center of the Dolpo region. You'll pass through small villages and farmlands on the way. You'll spend the night in a guesthouse.

  • Day 24: Trek from Dunai to Jhupal (2,320m)

    The trail follows the Thuli Bheri River and passes through small villages and farmlands. You'll reach Jhupal, which is the endpoint of the trek. You'll spend the night in a guesthouse.

  • Day 25: Fly from Jhupal to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu

    You'll take an early morning flight from Jhupal to Nepalgunj and then take a connecting flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you'll check in to your hotel and have the rest of the day free to explore the city or relax.

  • Day 26: Explore the history and culture of Kathmandu Valley

    Kathmandu Valley comprises unique traditions and culture with beautiful world heritage sites. Within the valley, there are seven world heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath, Changunarayan, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Patan Durbar Square. You have choices among these heritage sites to visit in a day tour. Patan Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, and Bouddhanath can be visited or you can think of the organic town Bhaktapur and Pashupatinath temple one of the greatest temples of Hindu. Even Kathmandu Durbar Square can be visited during the evening time or in the morning time. It is near- Thamel. 

  • Day 27: Departure

    One of our representatives assists you to transfer to the airport from your hotel three hours before your flight.