Overview
The Upper Dolpo trekking begins at the northwest region behind the Dhaulagiri massif, towards the Tibetan plateau. The Upper Dolpo trek route passes through the most isolated remote areas of western land. Dolpo, a land beyond the Himalayas, conjures up visions of mysterious monasteries, snow leopards, and blue sheep. The traditions and way of life have remained intact in the Dolpo Region for decades.
Upper Dolpo is a region of mystical beauty. And its remoteness adds to the sense of adventure among its visitors. The customs and traditions here are quite similar to those of Tibet. It is one of the restricted trekking regions of Nepal. It offers rare opportunities to explore many unseen parts of the region. Referred to as "The Forbidden Kingdom" in its own terms, it happened to be closed to foreigners. It requires a special permit. The abundance of Himalayan wildlife, including Musk Deer, Himalayan Blue Sheep, and rare Snow Leopard, makes it an Eco-trek destination as well.
Trek begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, about 45 minutes, and the next morning flight ends at Jhupal. The trail passes through numerous gigantic mountain ranges over the Numa La pass (5,190m/17,028ft), till you reach Phoksundo Lake at Ringmo village inside the Phoksundo National Park.
After a day's rest, one can continue on the trail, crossing different passes to Jumla. The main highlights of the trek are ancient, spectacular landscapes, the mesmerizing Shey Phoksundo Lake, the isolated villages of Ringmo, and the centuries-old monasteries.
Phoksundo is the deepest lake of Nepal with its 145m depth according to a survey by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Like centuries-old Buddhist monasteries (which is known as Shey Gompa), wildlife, pristine lakes, soaring peaks, and people's lifestyle of the least developed region are also other attractions of the trek. Here is a holy mountain called “Crystal Mountain” which is why, each year, hundreds of pilgrims travelers visit the upper Dolpo region and make a circuit of the mountain.
Itinerary
Upper Dolpo Trekking Itinerary
in Kathmandu in hence.
After you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, our company representative will warmly greet you. He will take you to the hotel we have reserved for you in Kathmandu.
You can then take some time to relax. Our team member will then explain briefly about your domestic flight the following day. He will also briefly explain the trek, and precautionary measures in case you feel altitude sickness. Our team will then prepare all the required permits needed for our Upper Dolpo Trek.
If you have leisure time, we recommend you stroll around the nearby streets of your hotel. Get some exposure to the city life. We recommend you retire early as we will take an early morning flight to Nepalgunj the next day. Maximum Altitude 1400 m
Sep.27- 25 Day 01 Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
After breakfast, our guide will take you to the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport in a private car. We will then take a flight to Nepalgunj which takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes. Our guide will then transport you to the hotel in the city.
Nepalgunj is a vibrant and colorful city resembling our neighboring country India. You can take our guide or you can stroll around the town on your own in colorful rickshaws. Do visit the famous Bageshowri temple. This temple is one of the significant Hindu temples of Nepal.
Maximum Altitude 150m.
Meals Breakfast Accomodations
3 Star Hotel
Transportation 45 mins
Sep- 28-25 Day 02 Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal, Trek to Dunai
After an early morning breakfast, we will head to Nepalgunj airport to take a flight to Juphal. It takes only 35 minutes to reach Juphal by flight. As soon as you land in Juphal, you can see the contrast between Nepalgunj and this quaint little village. Juphal is located amid the Himalayas, embracing you with its chill atmosphere.
Our trek now begins from Juphal. We will walk down a small path among agricultural fields, descend Kalagauda, and reach the tranquil Thuli Bheri River. We will move forward and reach a small town named Dunai, where we will take a lunch break. We will now cross the Dhim bridge, around a 99 m-long iron suspension bridge. It is also an entrance gate to the Shey Phoksundo National Park (SPNP). Here, the checkpost will check our permits.
Sep- 29-25 Day 03 Trek to Chhepak
After an early morning breakfast We will now continue along the Phoksundo River trail. As we progress on this trail, we will pass several small villages, such as Kageni, Jutung, and Shangta. We will now cross a bridge over the confluence of Maiba Khola and Phoksundo. We will then head to North and reach Chhepka where we will stay at one of the unique local guest houses for the night.
Maximum Altitude Chhepka (2,838m)
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration
35m flights / 6hr trek
Accomodations
Local Guest House
Sep 30 -25. Day 04 Trek to Amchi Hospital
We will have early breakfast, after which we will begin our trek to reach Amchi Hospital. As we progress along our journey, we will traverse through some beautiful pine, fir, larch, and birch forests. Our path is a typical Nepali landscape alternating between uphill climbs and downhill descents. We will also encounter numerous local people with their mules or yaks. After about 4 hours, we will reach the renowned caping site Rechi. There is also a tea shop where we will stop for lunch.
After much-needed rest, we will walk for 2 hours to reach Chunuwar. Near Chunuwar is Amchi Hospital, which practices traditional Tibetan medicine to heal local people. We will call it a day at one of the guest houses of the region.
Maximum Altitude 3110m
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration
6 hrs walk
Accomodations
Local Guest House
Oct- 01-25. Day 05 Trek to Ringmo/ Phoksundo lake
Today is a relatively short hike so we will slow our pace today. Along the trail, we will come across Nepal’s highest waterfall known as the Phoksundo or Suligad waterfall. The waterfall stands at a height of 167 m. We will also have the first magnificent view of Phoksundo Lake.
We will eventually arrive at Ringmo a small charming village, which sits at an altitude of 3,600 meters. So it makes sense that you deliberately set a leisurely pace because of the high altitude. The small village of Ringmo is located directly on Lake Phoksundo. The village offers a glimpse of various chortens and mani walls representing the Buddhist culture of the region. For the night, we will be setting up the camp in Phoksundo lakeside.
Maximum Altitude 3600m.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 5-6 hrs walk
Accomodations Camping/ Local guest house Lodge
Oct -02 -25 Day 06 Acclimatization day
We have set aside this day for acclimatization to prepare our bodies for the upcoming altitude gains. After breakfast, you can explore Phoksundo Lake and Ringmo Village. Get to know the people of Ringmo, observe their unique culture, and enjoy their hospitality. You can also visit Bon Monastery called Tshowa which is a statue of the religion’s founder, Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche. The monastery is 900 years old so you can study the ancient Nepali and Tibetan culture.
You can also rest along the peaceful shores of the serene Phoksundo Lake. As the day draws to an end, we will return to the campsite we have set the day before.
Maximum Altitude 3600m.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration
5-6 hrs walk
Accomodations, Camping / Local guest house Lodge
Oct-03 -25. Day 07 Trek to Phakshundo Khala /
Today we will be entering the restricted area of Inner Dolpo. Our path will lead up along the Demon Trail made famous by the movie Caravan. We will ascend a ridge and traverse a dark green pine forest. From here, we will have a view of the magnificent 6085 m high Norbung Kang.
We will now slowly descend and take a break for lunch. We will now ascend a wide valley and cross some streams. We will have a splendid view of Kanjirowa Himal (6612 m) en route. we now arrive at Chuneba or Lakeside camp, an alpine area decorated with fragrant junipers. Here we will set our camp for to spend a night.
Maximum Altitude 3630m
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration
5 hrs walk
Accomodations Camping
Oct- 04 -25 Day 08 Trek to High Camp/ Phoksundo Bhanjyang
We will resume our trek to Inner Dolpo today also. We will walk through a path narrowed by the high rock walls on both sides. A further 30-minute walk will again bring us to another narrow gorge. From here, we will have a long steep climb. Eventually, we will reach the Snowfield Camp christened by Peter Mathieson in his famous book The Snow Leopard. We will settle for the night by setting up a camp here.
Maximum Altitude 4400m
Meals Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 7 hrs walk
Accomodations Camping
Oct- 05-25 Day 09 Trek to Shey Gompa
Our trek today is going to be a bit demanding as we ascend to our first destination Kang La aka Ngadra La. We have to climb hard along a dusty path for about 2 and a half hours. Most of the time, the path is covered by snow so you must secure your footing. Our hard labor will be rewarded by the extraordinary views of the valley, flowing rivers, and majestic mountains on top.
Our descent from Kang La begins now, characterized by an initial 45-minute steep descent. Afterward, a gradual descent of 3 hours will ease your stride. On the way you can see numerous sacred prayer flags,chortens, and mani walls offering a glimpse of Buddhist tradition. You will eventually reach the small village of Shey Gompa distinguished by houses made of stones and colorful monasteries. We will set up a camp at this village and will spend the night under the clear starry sky.
Maximum Altitude. Kang La (5375 m)
Meals. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 6 hrs walk
Accomodations Camping
Oct- 05 -25 Day 10 Trek to Shey Gompa Rest day and explore around.
- Historical & Religious Significance: Shey Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery that dates back to the 11th century. It is considered a significant pilgrimage site, especially for followers of the Kagyüpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
- Crystal Mountain: The monastery is situated at the base of Crystal Mountain, a sacred peak that many Buddhists circumambulate in a ritual known as kora. The mountain is named after its quartz and mineral-rich cliffs.
- Shey Festival: Every 12 years (according to the Tibetan calendar), a major religious festival is held at Shey Gompa, attracting pilgrims and monks from across Nepal and Tibet.
- Remote & Scenic Location: The journey to Shey Gompa is an adventure in itself, involving rugged mountain trails, high passes, and stunning landscapes. It lies in one of the most isolated parts of Nepal.
- Connection with 'The Snow Leopard': Shey Gompa was made famous by Peter Matthiessen’s book The Snow Leopard, where he describes his journey through Dolpo in search of the elusive big cat.
Oct-07 25. Day 11 Trek to Namduna Gaun
Today we will cross another five-thousander pass, the Shey La. The path leads through a valley and over wide plains up to the top of the pass. When visibility is good, you can see the white, over 6,800-meter-high Kanjirowa mountain to the west, which rises imposingly. The descent leads over scree switchbacks to Namgung or Luri Gompa, which lies at the foot of impressive rocks. This is where we set up our tented camp for the night.
Maximum Altitude Shey La (5000 m)
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 6 hrs walk
Accomodations , Camping
Oct- 08 -25 Day 12 Trek to Saldang (4060 m) 7-8 hrs
After breakfast, we will walk on the trail above the Namgung Khola. On the way, we can visit the monastery of Dolpo Tulku. Afterward, a 3-hour stage takes us over an extensive mountain range to Saldang. Here we can take a tour of the interesting village. Maybe we can visit the large Saldang Gompa with the Tibetan medical center. Here we will rest for our lunch. We will now resume our journey following the Namgung Khola. We will traverse various local settlements such as Namdo. The similar path adorned with chorten, prayer flags, and mani walls will take us to Sibu, where we will set up a tent for our overnight stay.
Maximum Altitude Saldang (4060 m)
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 7-8 hrs walk
Accomodations Camping
Oct- 09-25 Day 13 Trek to Jeng la (4570m) 6 hrs
Today is an easy trek of 4 hours only, so we will slow our pace and walk on the path alongside the serene river. We will traverse the small village of Raka. After this, we will come across a large inhabited valley. Sometimes, blue sheep and snow leopards can welcome you on the path. After about 2 hours of walking, you have to climb steeply to reach Lagmo Che known as the base camp for climbing to the Jeng La. Overnight stay at tented camp.
Maximum Altitude 4570 m
Meals. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 4 hrs walk
Accomodations, Camping
Oct-10-25 Day 14 Trek to Tokyu Gaun
We will begin our trek early morning after breakfast. We will climb about 2 hours from Lagmo Che to reach Jeng La. From the top, a spectacular view of Dhaulagiri and other Himalayas will captivate your senses. Following this mesmerizing encounter, we will slowly descend to reach Tarap Valley. Here we will take a short break or our lunch. We will now resume our hike till we reach Tokyu. The village is known to be the highest human settlement in the world. It is also renowned for the Monastery that features the statue of Maitreya, regarded as the future Buddha.
Maximum Altitude, Jeng La 5110 m
Meals Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 7 hrs walk
Accomodations Camping
Oct- 11 -25 Day 15 Trek to Sisaul Village (3,750m) via Dho Tarap (4080 m) 7hrs
About a 2-hour walk from Tokyu will take us to Dho Tarap. On the way, we will run into the prestigious Cristal Mountain School run by French Ngo for Dho children. After 30 minutes, we will arrive at Dho Tarap, where we will pause for lunch. Simultaneously, you can devour the beauty of this village and its fields cultivated with barley, wheat, and potatoes. We will now traverse through the passage furnished with mani walls and shortens.
Maximum Altitude Dho Tarap (4080 m)
Meals, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 6 hrs walk
Accomodations, Guest House
Oct- 12-25 Day 16 Trek to Tarap Khola
After breakfast trek cantinutuly walking passing to Tarap Khola, vegetation changes to a landscape blanketed with luscious green grass. After a short ascent, we will reach Sisaul, where we will stay for the night at one of the guest houses. or possibly camping.
Maximum Altitude Dho Tarap (4880 m)
Meals, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 6 hrs walk
Accomodations, Guest House/ Camping
Oct- 13 -25 Day 17 Trek to Laina Odar
After leaving Sisaul, we will ascend a pass with a beautiful small chorten. As we move forward, we will be towered with high rock walls on both sides. If we are lucky, we can catch a glimpse of blue sheep or snow leopards. After about 3 and 3-and-a-half-hour hours hike, we will arrive at Nawarpani where we will have our lunch. We will then pass through the enchanting pine forest. The path is now straightforward till we reach Laina Odar. Here we will choose one of the guest houses for our overnight stay.
Maximum Altitude 3370 m
Meals, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 7-8 hrs walk
Oct- 14 -25 Day 18 Trek to Lingdo/ Tarkot
After leaving Lingdo early morning after breakfast, we will descend steeply to Laisicap located at an altitude of 2772 m. our path will pass through a forest and some stiff cliffs. Enjoy the fragrant smell of pine, juniper, fir, and cypress trees as you hike along the way. Now, get ready to cross the Thuli Bheri River over a 120 m long suspension bridge. We will now steeply descend for 45 minutes after which the path is pretty flat. Keep an eye out for gray langurs on the way and absorb the best view of the snow-capped Kang Tokal of 6294 m height as the memento of this trip.
Maximum Altitude 2390 m.
Meals, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 5 hrs walk
Accomodations, Guest House
Oct 15 -25 Day 19 Trek to Dunai and drive to Jupkal by jeep
We bid farewell to Lingdo and continue our return journey from Dolpo. After about 2 to 3 hours, we will arrive at the village of Bazar situated at 2427 m above sea level.
The rail then goes uphill and downhill following the coast of the Thulo Bheri river. Eventually, we will reach Dunai- the headquarter of Dolpa district. If you wish to explore the village, you can visit the Dolpa Kendriya Gompa, a serene Buddhist monastery
We will leave Dunai to reach Juphal, the same place from where we began this remarkable journey. After walking for about 45 minutes, we will arrive at the stunning Chorten gate. It is also the entrance gate to Dunai VDC. We will now cross the long iron suspension bridge.
The same one that we crossed when entering Shey Phoksundo National Park. We will come across a small village of Dangiwada. After about 2 hours, we are now at Juphal. Since you have plenty of time, you can explore this little village and its quaint market.
Maximum Altitude, 2140 m.
Meals, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Trek Duration 5 hrs walk
Accomodations. Guest House
Oct- 16- 25 Day 20 Flight to Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
We will take flight to Nepalgunj in early morning after breakfast. Like at the beginning of this journey, you may feel a change in the climate suddenly entering the Terai plains from the mountains. We will take an afternoon flight to Kathmandu so we will have lunch at a restaurant in the city. We will explore some colorful markets of Nepalgunj.
Then at noon, we will board the flight to Kathmandu. We will safely transport you back to your hotel in Kathmandu. Rest for a while and explore the capital streets, market vendors, and buy some souvenirs for your way home.
Maximum Altitude 1400m.
Meals Breakfast
Trek Duration 35minutes + 45 minutes
just transfer to Hotel.
Onward Departure from Kathmandu.
Say farewell to this paradise as today is the day you bid farewell to Nepal. We sincerely hope that you have had an amazing time exploring the beauty of Upper Dolpo. Our team will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your journey home.
Meals Breakfast
View the Trip MapUpper Dolpo Trekking
